A mobile home is the same as a manufactured home. When a mobile or manufactured home is on the road, authorities treat it like any other vehicle. It also depreciates as a vehicle would, sales tax applies upon the sale of the vehicle and the owner receives a title of ownership. Once the owner settles into a mobile home park, then the vehicle becomes a home. The owner may buy or lease the land the home rests on, or may purchase a share in a corporation similar to a co-op. Property taxes may or may not be required depending on the jurisdiction. Building the homes occurs in a factory, and the homes are built on a chassis with wheels. When the home gets to the desired location, it can stay on the wheels or rest on a solid foundation or other support. The local building codes do not apply, but a federal building code applies to this type of construction.

Because of the portable and lightweight nature of mobile homes, wind poses a significant hazard. Hurricanes and tornadoes typically cause significant damage to mobile homes. High winds can easily flip or significantly damage a mobile home. Because of that tie downs or straps are required to keep the home stable. Mobile homes also need skirting in order to prevent the wind from getting underneath the home and causing uplift.

There are two types of tie-downs, over-the-top straps and frame anchors. The over-the-top straps do just that, they lie over the siding and roof of the home. The straps are then attached to frame anchors which are rods driven into the ground. This is how the straps provide stability and prevent wind damage to the home. Many newer homes can use frame anchors alone because their construction is superior to older models. Newer homes can use frame anchors tied to the chassis for stabilization; with better construction, they do not need the over-the-top tie-downs. When over-the-top tie-down are used, roof protectors are placed under the strap at the edge of the roof. These protectors protect both the roof from damage from the straps and prevent the roof from cutting through the edge of the straps. Carriers may require a particular type of tie-down for a particular part of the country.

Wind zone ratings indicate how much wind a mobile home can withstand. Zone III requires the strongest tie-downs and tends to be in Florida and Louisiana because of the risk of hurricanes. The rating appears on the HUD tag that provides the serial number, roof load, wind load, floor load, factory installed equipment, construction date, code in effect at time of construction, and other information.

Mobile homes are not eligible for a homeowners policy with coverage A through ISO although dwelling contents may be covered. Endorsement MH 04 01, Mobilehome Endorsement must be attached to a homeowner policy in order for the mobile home to be covered. The endorsement redefines "residence premises" to include the mobile home and other structures on the land. The form provides coverage for the home shown in the declarations that is used as a private residence. The coverage includes structures and utility tanks attached to the home and permanently installed items such as floor coverings, appliances, dressers and cabinets. Coverage also exists for materials for repair, construction or renovation that are next to the home. Because the home is moveable, if it is threatened by a covered peril and removal is necessary to avoid damage up to $500 is covered for the removal and return of the home without application of the deductible. This results in a homeowners policy that has been slightly modified to fit a mobile home.

Because mobile homes are just that, mobile, ISO also has an endorsement for moving the home. The MH 04 03 Transportation/Permission to Move allows the insured to schedule an amount of coverage for the home while it is in transit. Coverage is for collision, which is an impact with an object, the same definition that appears in the auto policy. As long as the collision happens while the vehicle is being transported there is coverage. Not covered is a loss caused by the home making contact with the transportation vehicle that results in damage to the home unless the transport vehicle was in an accident. The coverage applies for thirty days from the effective date on the endorsement. Coverage also includes upset of the home while it is in transit or stranding or sinking if the home is on a licensed ferry line.

Many companies have forms that are specifically for mobile homes that provide coverage. Many are on a named perils basis. Foremost and Farmers policies both cover direct, sudden and accidental physical loses from fire, lightning, explosion, vandalism, landslide, falling objects, burglary or robbery, water damage from bursting pipes, damage from wild or stray animals, collapse from the weight of ice or snow and wind or hail damage. Additional coverages such as additional living expenses, debris removal, trees, shrubs, plants and lawns and other coverages may be added by endorsement to provide coverage similar to a homeowners policy.

A modular home is different that a mobile or manufactured home or a stick-built home. A factory builds the home in sections then transports it to the final destination where local contractors put it together. Local building inspectors will ensure that all work meets the local codes. A modular home can be put on a basement, crawl space, slab or nonpermanent foundation. A nonpermanent foundation allows the home to stay on its chassis and wheels, making it very easy to relocate. This ease of relocating also makes the home more susceptible to wind damage. Modular homes are treated the same as stick built homes and coverage from the standard homeowner forms applies.

While modular homes are treated the same as stick-built homes, mobile and manufactured homes have their own quirks and coverage needs. While ISO has endorsements that modify a homeowners policy, there are carriers that specialize in mobile homes and the coverages that they need.