Relocatable home insurance

What is relocatable home insurance?

Relocatable home insurance is designed to cover a transportable home. These homes are typically built in a factory and can be lifted up and moved. These dwellings do not have foundations, and are often in communities like manufactured home parks or caravan parks where residents lease the land and own the house.

Relocatable home insurance does not cover caravans, campervans or motorhomes, or any dwelling that could be registered as a vehicle.

How to find insurance for a relocatable home

Getting insurance for a relocatable home, sometimes referred to as a mobile home, can be tricky. This is because some standard home insurers tend not to provide cover and instead, you'll need to go through a specialist insurer or a broker.

According to our research, relocatable home insurance is only available through one insurer in Australia; Manufactured Homes Insurance Agency (MHIA). The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) says that RACQ and NRMA may also offer cover but when we contacted RACQ, we were unable to proceed with a quote. When we contacted NRMA, they wanted to continue the quote over the phone, so cover may be available if your circumstances meet their criteria.

Here are some inclusions MHIA can offer to transportable home owners:

• Some cost of relocation if the park the home is in closes
• Delivery and installation costs following destruction
• Removal of debris from site if home is damaged
• Accidental damage, eg. spilt wine on carpet, coffee on computer, breakage of glassware
• Storm, fire, earthquake, malicious damage or theft
• Accidental breakage of any part of the building
• Temporary accommodation up to an amount equal to 10% of the building sum insured, while relocatable home is being repaired or rebuilt.
• Escape of water due to burst pipe, overflowing sink or washing machine
• Home and contents legal liability cover up to $20 million

What to keep in mind when buying relocatable home insurance

When moving your home from one site to another, also consider what needs to be done to install it on a piece of land. For example, electricity and plumbing will need to be set up, so consider what your insurer offers in these situations so you remain covered.

It's also a good idea to check if you have the option of adding coverage for contents and personal belongings in the home, if you'll be covered for any landscaping of the land around your house, and if there's any replacement cost insurance included in your policy.

FAQs

• What is the best insurance company for a mobile home?

  According to our research, your best bet at insuring your mobile home is through Manufactured Homes Insurance Agency (MHIA). You'll likely struggle to get insurance via a standard home insurer, although our research suggests you could have better luck with NRMA.