Owning a manufactured home community has its own unique set of risks. Putting measures in place to prevent accidents and reduce the damage will help keep costs low. From storm damage to liability lawsuits, insurance claims for manufactured home communities are often a result of preventable issues. Knowing the proactive steps to take to prevent these claims and mitigate damage will save you both time and money. 

Property Damage from Storms 

Storms of all kinds can cause major damage to your property. While some property damage from storms can’t be prevented, there are some steps to take to help reduce the amount of damage and impact a storm has.

Prevention tips:

  • Keep trees and limbs trimmed
  • Make sure drainage areas are clear of obstructions
  • Before a storm, secure all pool chairs, umbrellas, and any other loose elements around community amenities (putting them in the swimming pool works)
  • Regularly inspect community amenities, buildings, and roofs and make necessary repairs.  Small water intrusions in older roofs can result in tremendous damage.

Fire Damage 

A fire can happen for a variety of reasons, such as space heaters, cooking or grilling accidents, and electrical malfunctions. Fires can be one of the most costly claims for a manufactured home community. Besides the property damage that fires cause, they can also displace residents and interrupt business operations. 

Prevention Tips: 

  • Have a professional inspect your electrical systems and make necessary repairs
  • Post grilling rules for the community and ensure your residents are aware
  • Install fire extinguishers in the community office and all community-owned areas

Liability Claims 

Common liability claims are trips and falls and other accidents around pools, playgrounds, and other community amenities.  Criminal activity can quickly become an owner’s legal liability too.  If you are found liable for an incident, the financial loss can be crippling.

Prevention Tips: 

  • Inspect and repair walkways, floors, and sidewalks to make sure there are no uneven surfaces
  • Have a solid set of community rules and consistently enforce them 
  • Post community and amenity rules near all common use areas
  • Use anti-slip coatings and materials around pools, and soft surfaces around playgrounds
  • Quality Lighting with Security Signs Posted and Cameras mounted in high traffic areas.
  • All tenants must pass criminal background checks.  Watch for unregistered long term tenant / guests.  Those are often the ones with the bad criminal / sexual crime history.

Vandalism and Theft 

If the proper security measures are not in place, your community could be at risk. These types of crimes are common in communities when there is not proper security or lighting. Not only will you have to replace or repair what was stolen or broken, but your community’s reputation and resident satisfaction could be negatively affected. 

Prevention Tips: 

  • Install access-controlled gates and license plate recognition cameras 
  • Organize a neighborhood watch program with residents
  • Install proper lighting throughout the community 
  • Thoroughly screen and background check potential tenants 
  • Schedule regular landscaping and trim all underbrush

Not every incident can be completely avoided, but many of the common insurance claims for manufactured home communities can be prevented or lessened when the proper maintenance and safety measures are in place. 

For more safety tips for your manufactured home community, visit our resources page here, and learn more in our blog here.