Reader’s Question:

The nest is empty! Everything is changing. Retirement is near. My bride and I are anxious to see what we can do to control our costs. I was surprised by the cost of our mobile homeowners insurance. We now own our home free and clear and over the past 30 years, we have never had a claim. Any suggestions?

Clyde

Newport, RI

Congratulations, Clyde!

Mobile home insurance should be reviewed regularly. There are some pretty conventional ways to reduce your premiums. Look closely at any riders and see if they are still relevant. Your homeowners insurance has a standard deductible. With your track record, you may consider increasing that deductible to as much as $1,000.00 or could be more. This will dramatically reduce your premiums.

You can also make some improvements to your home. How about considering a security system? Installation should reduce the cost of your homeowners insurance. Don’t forget about smoke detectors. Sounds like you may have purchased your home before they were mandatory.

Over the years, you may have spread your insurances to various carriers. Some providers discount homeowners insurance if other coverages are consolidated with them.

As your mortgage is paid, you have a little more flexibility than most property owners. Most likely, your homeowners insurance provides for certain disasters. You should review these items and consider eliminating unlikely occurrences from your mobile home insurance policy. This can also definitely lower your premium. Be prudent, be safe at this very happy time. Again, congratulations Clyde.

Reader’s Question:

We have just upgraded our kitchen and decorated our mobile home. What should we know about cheap mobile home insurance policy in Arizona? Thank you.

Adam

Mesa, AZ

Great question, Adam!

Too many mobile homeowners purchase their policy when they buy their mobile house and automatically renew their coverage, leaving it to the carrier to increase their mobile homeowners coverage by the standard rate of inflation. Unfortunately, this rarely keeps pace with the actual cost of replacement. It is the important to consider this when adjusting your mobile homeowners policy.

Remember the difference between market value, which includes actual replacement cost of the mobile home are very different. For example, when you recently remodeled your kitchen, you most likely upgraded appliances, countertops and cabinets. You will need to factor their actual replacement cost and the replacement cost of other added features into your mobile homeowners policy.

As you are aware of changes to your mobile home, you should review your mobile homeowners policy each year. Make sure you have taken into account anything that might affect replacement cost. Do not wait for something to go wrong.

Adam, you should discuss replacement cost with your insurance representative in Arizona, a local appraiser or a local builder’s association. Once you have modified your coverage, you will be able to fully enjoy the peace of mind knowing that this very important investment is covered by your mobile insurance policy.

Reader’s Question:

While visiting Vermont recently, my wife and I purchased our first, bona fide antique desk. We love it but want to make sure it is covered under our mobile home insurance policy in Boston. Any recommendations?

Douglas and Sharon

Boston, MA

Hello Douglas and Sharon,

Sounds like a successful trip to a spot known for great antiques. Assuming the desk is at your house and not at another location, you will need to modify your homeowners policy. Typically when homeowners first acquire mobile home insurance they accept the policy’s standard property value coverage. As homeowners settle in, they acquire more sophisticated possessions. Most mobile home insruance policies set a value equal to 50% of the home’s value as a standard amount of insurance for items within the home. As you look around, do some quick math. That figure is probably not enough. As with your desk, you may have certain items that dramatically cause the personal property coverage provided by your homeowners policy to be inadequate.

Your homeowners policy provides remedies for this shortfall. You might want to increase your personal property coverage at an increased rate, say up to 75% of the house value, or you may want to modify your homeowners policy by adding a rider to specifically insure valuable items.

It is important to make a list of your personal property in Boston. You should include all pertinent, identifying information. This list should be kept in a very safe place not just for mobile home insurance but for other possibilities, such as theft. Once you have formulated your list, contact your agent in Boston and discuss possible updates to your homeowners policy. Meanwhile, Douglas and Sharon, enjoy your special desk.