How does homeowners insurance cover the roof on a manufactured home?
Short answer. Manufactured homes are insured on manufactured home policies rather than standard homeowners forms, and the roof is covered for sudden damage like wind, hail and falling trees. Many of these policies settle at actual cash value unless you buy replacement cost, and wind can do more damage to lighter roof structures. Check how your policy settles the roof before a storm.
How manufactured home roofs differ
- Structure. Lighter trusses and thinner decking than many site built homes, which affects how wind and fallen limbs damage them.
- Roof types. Older homes often have low pitch metal roofs; many now have shingles or a roof-over system added later.
- Anchoring. Proper tie downs matter for wind losses, and insurers may ask about them.
Coverage questions to ask
- Is the home covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?
- Is there a separate wind or hail deductible?
- Is a metal roof or a roof-over subject to a cosmetic exclusion?
- Are attached carports, porches and sheds covered, and under what limit?
Making a roof claim
- Photograph the roof and interior ceilings right after the storm; leaks show quickly on thin ceiling panels.
- Cover openings to prevent further damage and keep the receipts. See mitigation duties.
- Ask the adjuster to note damage to the roof structure and attachment points, not just the surface.
Depreciation matters more here
Older manufactured homes can lose a large share of a claim to depreciation, so learn the difference between ACV and RCV before you need it. If your policy is actual cash value, ask what replacement cost coverage would cost; on a home you plan to keep for years, the difference after one storm can be large.