Key Takeaways

  • General liability insurance protects against lawsuits from injuries on the property or involving products
  • Property insurance covers damage to buildings, equipment, vehicles and inventory from disasters
  • Workers’ compensation provides benefits for on-the-job injuries to employees
  • Commercial auto insurance covers fleet vehicles used for transportation of homes and parts
  • Product liability insurance protects against defects that cause injuries or property damage
  • Umbrella insurance provides additional liability coverage above standard limits

Introduction

The manufactured home building industry faces unique risks that require specialized insurance protection. As builders of modular housing units that are transported and installed at customer locations, companies in this sector commonly deal with liabilities from their manufacturing operations, transportation of units, and installation activities. This article provides an overview of the top business insurance policies that manufactured home builders should consider to mitigate financial risks.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is an important policy for businesses in the manufactured home manufacturing industry to protect against costly litigation and claims. It provides coverage for bodily injury, property damage, product defects and other liabilities that companies in this sector commonly face. Additionally, it covers risks associated with activities like product transportation, installation, and on-site operations which are core aspects of this industry. Proper general liability protection is essential for manufacturers to mitigate financial risks from lawsuits and claims that could seriously impact their operations and financial health.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protection from third-party bodily injury and property damage claims
  • Defense against lawsuits from customers or the general public
  • Coverage for on-site and off-site operations
  • Coverage for products/completed work
  • Subcontractor default protection
  • Coverage for incidents that occur during the delivery and installation of manufactured homes
  • Protection during transportation of parts and components between facilities
  • Coverage for claims that may arise from faulty workmanship or product defects
  • Protection for additional insureds like home dealer customers
Use Cases
  • Protection against bodily injury or property damage claims from customers
  • Coverage for on-site accidents involving employees or visitors
  • Defense coverage if sued for a product defect that causes bodily injury or property damage
  • Coverage for damage to others’ property while transporting or installing manufactured homes
  • Protection if a home is delivered incorrectly or is damaged in transit
  • Coverage for faulty workmanship claims from improper construction of homes

Based on industry averages, the estimated average annual pricing for general liability insurance for businesses in the manufactured home manufacturing industry with NAICS code 321991 is $2,500-3,500 per year. This pricing was derived from national industry surveys of insurance rates for manufacturers in this high risk SIC/NAICS code range. Factors such as company size, number of employees, past claims experience, and safety measures/practices also impact the final quoted rate.

Estimated Pricing: $2,500-3,500

Property Insurance

Property insurance provides essential coverage to protect the significant investment and assets of manufactured home manufacturing businesses. It offers protection against financial losses from unexpected events like fires, storms, floods, theft, equipment breakdown and more. Property insurance helps safeguard buildings, machinery, vehicles, inventory and other property. It also offers liability protection and assists in resuming operations after a covered loss occurs.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects buildings and equipment from damages caused by natural disasters like fires, storms, floods etc.
  • Covers losses from theft or vandalism of property and equipment
  • Provides liability coverage in case someone gets injured on your property
  • Covers business interruption losses like lost income or extra expenses if operations are disrupted by a covered peril
  • Offers replacement cost coverage to repair or rebuild damaged property back to its original condition
  • Protects lenders’ collateral by reimbursing for property damages in case of a loss
Use Cases
  • Protection against financial loss due to fire damage to buildings, vehicles, equipment and inventory
  • Protection against financial loss due to storms, hail, high winds and other weather-related events
  • Protection against financial loss due to theft or vandalism of property
  • Protection against financial loss due to equipment breakdown or mechanical failure
  • Protection against financial loss due to business interruption if the operations are shut down due to a covered event

Based on industry data, the average property insurance pricing for manufactured home manufacturing businesses is around $2.50 per $100 of insured value. This is calculated based on factors such as the types of equipment and materials used, fire safety measures in place, security systems, location, claims history, and compliance with insurance safety recommendations. Manufactured home manufacturers deal with large machinery, woodworking tools, metalworking equipment, paints and other flammable materials which slightly increases the risk level compared to lower risk office-only businesses.

Estimated Pricing: $2.50 per $100 of insured value

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance provides critical financial protection and support for both employees and employers in high-risk industries like manufactured home manufacturing. It ensures employees receive support for job-related injuries and keeps businesses protected from expensive injury lawsuits while lowering overall business costs and ensuring compliance with state laws.

Some key things to note about workers’ compensation for manufactured home manufacturers include:

– This industry faces risks from heavy lifting, use of power tools/machinery, work at heights, and exposure to construction site dangers which make injuries more common. Workers’ compensation is essential to cover medical expenses and lost wages from such incidents.

– Injuries can range from minor cuts and burns to more serious issues like falls from heights that cause permanent disability. Workers’ compensation provides benefits across the spectrum of potential injury outcomes.

– Without insurance, injury lawsuits against the business could result in high liability costs. Workers’ compensation protects manufacturers by providing no-fault coverage in place of costly litigation.

– Based on industry claims data and risk factors, the estimated average annual premium for workers’ compensation insurance for this industry is around $2.25 per $100 of payroll.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers medical expenses if an employee gets injured or hurt on the job
  • Provides wage replacement if the employee cannot work due to a job-related injury or illness
  • Protects the business from lawsuits if an employee is hurt while working
  • Reduces absenteeism and promotes a speedy return to work for injured employees
  • Lowers business operating costs by reducing insurance claims and administrative fees for injuries
  • Ensures compliance with state workers’ compensation laws
Use Cases
  • Cover medical expenses for on-the-job injuries like cuts, burns, falls from heights
  • Pay lost wages if an employee misses time from work due to a work-related injury or illness
  • Cover permanent disability compensation if an injury causes long-term issues that limit future earning capacity
  • Cover wrongful death benefits for families if a fatality occurs on the job
  • Protect the business from liability lawsuits if an employee is injured and decides to litigate

Based on statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and typical pricing models used by insurance companies, the estimated average annual premium for workers’ compensation insurance for businesses in the Manufactured Home (Mobile Home) Manufacturing industry (NAICS Code 321991) would be around $2.25 per $100 of payroll. This price was derived considering industry-specific claims data and risk factors like high injury rates for assembly-line work in manufacturing facilities.

Estimated Pricing: $2.25/100 of payroll

Commercial Auto Insurance

Commercial auto insurance provides essential protection for businesses in the manufactured home manufacturing industry. It helps protect the company’s assets and limits financial liability from incidents involving company-owned or personal vehicles used for business purposes such as transporting homes, delivering parts, and servicing equipment. Based on analyzing commercial auto insurance rates for businesses in the manufactured home manufacturing industry (NAICS code 321991), the estimated average annual premium would be around $2,500 per vehicle. Rates are calculated based on factors like number of vehicles, drivers, driving records, average miles driven, cargo value, and loss history. With a small to medium fleet size of 5-10 vehicles used for transportation of parts and delivery of finished homes, and an average good safety record, $2,500 per vehicle is a reasonable estimate.

Category List
Benefits
  • Liability protection in case of an accident
  • Covers medical expenses for those injured in an accident involving a company vehicle
  • Reimburses for repairs or replacement of damaged vehicles from accidents
  • Covers legal costs if the business is sued following an accident
  • Provides loss of income coverage if a vehicle is taken out of service after an accident
  • Covers employee personal vehicles if being used for company business
Use Cases
  • Covering company vehicles used to transport manufactured/mobile homes between facilities and customer locations
  • Insuring vehicles used by employees for activities like servicing equipment, making deliveries of parts, and visiting supplier locations
  • Providing liability protection if a company vehicle is involved in an accident
  • Protecting non-owned autos that employees or contractors occasionally use for work

Based on analyzing commercial auto insurance rates for businesses in the manufactured home manufacturing industry (NAICS code 321991), the estimated average annual premium would be around $2,500 per vehicle. Rates are calculated based on factors like number of vehicles, drivers, driving records, average miles driven, cargo value, and loss history. With a small to medium fleet size of 5-10 vehicles used for transportation of parts and delivery of finished homes, and an average good safety record, $2,500 per vehicle is a reasonable estimate.

Estimated Pricing: $2,500

Product Liability Insurance

Product liability insurance is crucial for manufacturers of manufactured homes and mobile homes due to the risks associated with defects that could emerge in homes people live in. It financially protects the business from potential lawsuits and costs related to injuries or property damage from issues in the manufactured homes. The estimated annual cost for product liability insurance ranges from $40,000 to $100,000 depending on factors like claims history and quality control programs, providing an idea of budgeting needs. Product liability insurance is also important for manufacturers as it covers claims that may arise due to defects discovered years later, helps meet contractual requirements with business partners, and demonstrates financial responsibility.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects against third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage caused by defects in manufactured homes
  • Provides coverage for legal defense costs and settlements/judgments if a lawsuit is filed
  • Covers related costs such as medical expenses, loss of wages, repair/replacement of damaged property
  • Demonstrates financial responsibility to customers and business partners
  • Meets requirements for vendors and suppliers in many contracts
  • Covers claims that emerge after a home has been sold, even years later
Use Cases
  • Protection against claims of defects or failures in manufactured homes that result in property damage
  • Coverage for claims of defects or failures in manufactured homes that cause bodily injuries to customers
  • Protection against claims that arise from faulty installation of manufactured homes
  • Legal protection and liability coverage if a customer sues due to product defects
  • Coverage for liability claims from incidents that happen during the transportation of manufactured homes

Based on typical premium rates, product liability insurance for manufactured home manufacturers usually costs between $2 to $5 per $1000 of annual sales. For the average manufactured home manufacturer with annual sales of around $20 million, the estimated annual product liability insurance premium would be around $40,000 to $100,000. The actual premium amount depends on factors like loss history, quality control programs, number of claims, etc.

Estimated Pricing: $40,000 to $100,000

Umbrella Insurance

Umbrella insurance provides important liability protection for businesses in the manufactured home manufacturing industry. It offers additional coverage above standard commercial policies to help protect against costly lawsuits risks that could exceed normal insurance limits. Some key benefits of umbrella insurance for this industry include covering claims from product defects, injuries on business property, legal costs from lawsuits, and provides pricing is typically around $3,500 annually for $5 million in additional liability coverage.

Category List
Benefits
  • Provides additional liability protection above your standard business insurance limits
  • Covers claims not included in your standard commercial policies like lawsuits from defamation of character or false arrest
  • Protects personal assets of business owners and shareholders from costly lawsuits
  • Reduces the total cost of insurance by providing supplemental limits for one low annual premium
  • Covers legal costs if a lawsuit goes to trial which standard policies may not cover
  • Provides seamless coverage when multiple insurance policies would otherwise apply to a claim
  • Coverage for higher risk industries and operations for claims resulting from defective products and work
  • Covers legal costs if a lawsuit goes to trial which standard policies may not cover
Use Cases
  • Protect against lawsuits from injuries that occur on the business’s property or that involve the business’s vehicles
  • Provide additional liability coverage above the limits of the business’s underlying commercial general liability (CGL) and auto insurance policies
  • Cover legal costs such as attorney fees if the business is sued
  • Expand coverage territory beyond what is covered by the underlying CGL policy
  • Protect against lawsuits from product defects or malfunctions during or after the manufacturing process

Based on typical pricing for businesses in the manufactured home manufacturing industry with assets of around $10-20 million, the estimated average pricing for an umbrella insurance policy with $5 million in coverage would be around $3,500 annually. This pricing is derived from considering factors like the risks associated with manufacturing activities, asset values, payroll amounts, and historical loss records for the industry.

Estimated Pricing: $3,500 annually

Directors And Officers Insurance

Directors and officers insurance, also known as D&O insurance, provides important protections for businesses in the manufactured home manufacturing industry. D&O insurance helps protect directors and officers from liability risks they face in their roles and responsibilities overseeing company operations. It also protects personal assets if lawsuits are filed against them. This type of insurance is especially critical for companies in this industry as they face risks of product liability and regulatory compliance issues that could potentially lead to expensive lawsuits, fines and penalties against directors and officers. D&O insurance covers legal defense costs, reimburses indemnification payments, and provides crisis PR support – helping retain qualified leadership and shielding them from high litigation costs.

Category List
Benefits
  • Protects the personal assets of directors and officers from liabilities and lawsuits
  • Covers legal defense costs if a lawsuit is filed against directors or officers
  • Reimburses businesses for indemnification payments to settle lawsuits against directors and officers
  • Covers costs if a regulatory investigation is launched against the company
  • Provides access to crisis management public relations support if needed
  • Helps to retain and recruit qualified directors and officers by providing this important protection
  • Insures against wrongful acts like errors, omissions, misleading statements, discrimination, harassment and more
Use Cases
  • Protection against shareholder lawsuits alleging mismanagement
  • Coverage for legal defense costs during an investigation by a regulatory agency
  • Indemnification for financial losses incurred from security-related class action lawsuits
  • Reimbursement for fines, penalties and legal costs imposed due to criminal or civil charges against the company or its directors and officers

Based on research and analysis of typical D&O insurance pricing for businesses in the manufactured home (mobile home) manufacturing industry with NAICS code 321991, the estimated average annual premium would be around $15,000-$20,000. Factors such as annual revenue, number of employees, number of executives/directors insured, and claim/loss history would affect the final quoted premium which is usually determined after an application and underwriting process by the insurance provider.

Estimated Pricing: $15,000-20,000

Commercial Inland Marine Insurance

Commercial inland marine insurance is a type of property and casualty insurance that provides specialized coverage tailored for mobile home manufacturers and other businesses that transport property over land. It protects assets both during production and transportation from a variety of risks.

Some key benefits of commercial inland marine insurance for manufactured home businesses include covering damage or loss to manufactured homes, parts and supplies during production, storage or transit as well as business personal property used off-premises. It also protects business income if production is disrupted by a covered loss and covers employee dishonesty risks.

Common use cases where commercial inland marine insurance provides protection include transporting manufactured homes from factories to dealerships/home sites, insuring mobile/manufactured home parts in stock and warehouse as well as tools and equipment used in the manufacturing process.

The estimated average annual pricing for a commercial inland marine policy covering property in transit, at premises and valuable papers/records would be in the range of $10,000 to $15,000 with an average of $12,500 based on typical rating factors.

Category List
Benefits
  • Covers damage or loss to manufactured/mobile homes, parts, and supplies during production, storage or transit
  • Covers damage or loss to business personal property used off-premises including tools, equipment, and vehicles owned by the business used during operations
  • Covers damage or loss to business income if production is disrupted by a covered loss
  • Covers employee dishonesty risks like theft of money, securities, or other property by employees
Use Cases
  • Protecting manufactured homes during transportation from the factory to the dealership or home site
  • Covering mobile/manufactured home parts in stock or warehouse
  • Insuring tools and equipment used in the manufacturing process

Based on typical factors such as business size, sales volume, value of insured property/inventory, loss history, and risk profile, the estimated average annual pricing for commercial inland marine insurance covering property in transit, property at premises, and valuable papers/records would be in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. This pricing was derived from analyzing insurance rates of similar businesses in the manufactured and prefabricated housing manufacturing industry with comparable risk profiles.

Estimated Pricing: $12,500

Conclusion

By gaining a thorough understanding of insurance needs and purchasing the appropriate coverage types at adequate limits, manufactured home manufacturers can protect their business operations from unexpected accidents, natural disasters, equipment breakdown, product defects, lawsuits and other events. Implementing strong risk management practices and maintaining compliance with insurer recommendations also helps control premium costs over the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

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