Manufactured and Mobile Homes in Hurricanes: How to Protect Against Damage

A hurricane can happen at any time during the active season from June to November. Hurricanes can cause heavy damage to manufactured and mobile homes throughout the eastern and middle United States, and especially those along the coast. In the face of such disasters, preparedness is key to safeguarding your investment and ensuring your safety during these turbulent months.

How to Protect Your Mobile Home During a Hurricane

To make your manufactured or mobile home more hurricane-resistant, consider implementing the following measures. These steps can help minimize damage and protect your home and belongings during a storm.

Check Tie-Downs/Anchors

Properly secured tie-downs can prevent your mobile or manufactured home from shifting or being lifted by hurricane winds.

Inspect your home's tie-downs and anchors to ensure they are in good condition, addressing any worn or damaged straps, stabilizers, or anchors.

Board Windows

Installing hurricane impact-resistant windows on a mobile or manufactured home is an excellent long-term investment. However, if that’s not feasible, boarding up windows with plywood or installing strong shutters can effectively protect against flying debris.

Ensure boards are cut to fit and securely fastened to best protect not only your home, but to ensure that they don’t come loose and damage nearby homes as well.

Reinforce the Roof

Reinforced mobile and manufactured home roofs are less likely to be damaged by high winds and can prevent water intrusion during a hurricane.

Strengthen your roof by adding additional sheathing and tightening or installing new fasteners.

Clean Gutters

Proper drainage is essential during heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes. Ensure your manufactured or mobile home’s gutters are clean and free of debris before the storm hits.

Cleaning your gutters prevents water from overflowing and causing damage to your home's structure, whether from water leaking into your home, or the weight of the clogged gutters putting additional strain on your home.

Shut Off Utility Lines

Before the hurricane hits, shut off all utility lines, including water, gas, and fuel. This prevents potential leaks and fires, and reduces the risk of severe damage to your home and those nearby.

Secure Loose Items

Tie down any outdoor furniture, garbage cans, and other loose items that could become projectiles in high winds. Move fragile items and decor inside and secure them within locked cabinets to prevent breakage in the event that your mobile home is breached by the storm’s winds.

Does Insurance on a Mobile or Manufactured Home Cover Hurricane Damage?

While maintaining your structure can prevent significant damage, mobile and manufactured homeowners insurance coverage is essential for hurricane protection when disaster strikes.

Ensure your policy covers hurricane damage and all your belongings before the hurricane season begins, as your insurance carrier will most likely not allow any changes to be made your policy while a storm is threatening your area. Note that flooding is often an exception and may require separate flood insurance coverage.

For commercial property owners, such as mobile home park managers, hurricane damage coverage might differ. It’s crucial to review your policy and ensure comprehensive protection is included to best cover your properties.

How to Prepare a Mobile Home Insurance Claim for Hurricane Damage

• Notify your insurer early: Contact them as soon as possible after the storm to ensure repairs are made as quickly as possible.
• Take photos: Document all damage with detailed photographs.
• Arrange an inspection: Have an insurance adjuster or inspector assess the damage.
• Make temporary fixes: Perform only necessary repairs to prevent further damage until your claim is processed. This may take a while, as hurricanes can cause widespread damage across the affected region, so you’re likely not the only person filing a claim.

Remember, your insurance’s hurricane deductibles can vary by jurisdiction and often apply only to named storms. Review your policy to understand these specifics and don’t be afraid to ask your agent if you’re unsure.

Request a Quote on Manufactured Home Insurance with 21st Insurance

Your health and safety should always come first, so consider evacuating from a mobile or manufactured home when a hurricane is imminent. Your home is replaceable, but you and your loved ones are not.

As for your manufactured home, 21st Insurance is more than happy to help. Contact our agents at 844-343-9408 for a quote on affordable and comprehensive coverage to ensure your property is properly protected from hurricane damage.

Request a quote online today and secure your peace of mind.