(Originally published on MHVillage.com)

 

Most manufactured homeowners protect their property through common-sense methods like security systems, fire alarms, and preventive tree maintenance. However, there’s another tool for home protection that not every homeowner has: home warranties.

 

A home warranty helps homeowners avoid being blindsided by repair and maintenance costs. It’s an extremely useful tool for creating financial stability for almost any homeowner. But can you get a home warranty for a mobile home?

 

Fortunately, the answer is yes—you can get a home warranty on many types of manufactured homes. In this article, we’ll discuss the key facts about home warranties for manufactured homes, including what they cover, what they don’t cover, and how much homeowners can expect to pay.

 

What Is a Manufactured Home Warranty?

 

A manufactured home warranty is similar in many ways to a warranty on an automobile. If the homeowner needs certain types of repairs made to their home, the warranty will cover some or all of the repair costs.

Typically, the process for using your manufactured home warranty works like this:

• The homeowner contacts the administrator of the warranty and tells them what kind of service they need (such as plumbing, appliance replacement, etc.)
• The warranty administrator will contact an appropriate professional and send them to complete the homeowner’s needed repairs.
• The service professional will diagnose the problem and perform the repair for the homeowner.
• The homeowner will pay a low service charge rather than the full cost of the repair.

 

Manufactured home warranties generally fall into one of two categories:

• Manufacturer’s Warranty: A warranty that the manufacturer includes with the purchase of a new manufactured home. Manufacturer’s warranties are usually included in the price of a new manufactured home.
• Extended Warranty: A warranty that a homeowner purchases to supplement the manufacturer’s warranty or after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. The homeowner pays a monthly or yearly premium, making it similar to an insurance policy.

 

Why Get a Manufactured Home Warranty?

 

The major advantage of a manufactured home warranty is that it helps pay for repairs that might otherwise be unaffordable. Services such as electrical or plumbing repairs, which are critical for maintaining a safe and livable home, can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

 

With a mobile home warranty, you’ll always have the security and peace of mind that comes with knowing that your manufactured home is protected. It also helps you receive quicker and more convenient service when a problem arises, since you can simply call your warranty company rather than calling multiple contractors to find a lower quote.

 

Finally, a warranty can be an attractive extra when selling a manufactured home. Buyers love to know that key systems of their homes are covered by a warranty, so some manufactured home sellers choose to purchase one before selling their homes.

 

Where Can You Get a Manufactured Home Warranty?

 

As previously mentioned, most home manufacturers include one-year warranties on new homes that they sell. These warranties cover any potential defects in the construction, plumbing, wiring or other key home systems of your manufactured home. You may also be able to purchase an extended five-year or ten-year warranty through your home’s manufacturer.

 

Homeowners can also buy an extended manufactured home warranty from a third party. Before you purchase a manufactured home warranty, do some research on the warranty company to ensure that they’re legitimate and well-regarded. It’s also important to carefully examine the terms of the warranty offered so that you’ll know exactly what’s covered under your policy.

 

Limitations of a Manufactured Home Warranty

 

A manufactured home warranty doesn’t cover everything. While coverage can vary from one warranty policy to another, the common theme is that a warranty covers “normal wear and tear.”

 

What isn’t considered normal wear and tear? A few examples:

• Damage caused by natural disasters
• Damage caused by a lack of basic home maintenance
• Damage caused by misused or incorrectly installed appliances
• Cosmetic defects
• Damage to a manufactured home that’s being used as a place of business
• Routine maintenance for appliances
• Pre-existing damages, whether known to the homeowner or not

 

When buying a mobile home warranty, make sure to read its terms and conditions in detail to learn what is and isn’t covered.

 

How Much Does a Manufactured Home Warranty Cost?

 

For most manufactured home warranties, you’ll pay a monthly fee. The most popular manufactured home warranty products cost between $25 and $50 per month, depending on the level of coverage.

 

Lower levels of coverage typically include the basics of livable housing such as plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. Higher ones include systems such as air conditioning, refrigerators, septic systems, and pools. Some warranty companies may let you combine individual coverages you want in a custom package.

 

Interested in more ways to protect your manufactured home and keep it in great shape? Get a fast and easy mobile home insurance quote through MHVillage, or read our guide to mobile home roofing.