So, you're interested in a manufactured home. You've looked at makes, models, and manufacturers, but what about protection after the sale? Understanding insurance is not always easy. Special exceptions and amendatory endorsements often make things more difficult than they need be. Help protect your investment with one or all of the following options. If you are unsure about any of the terms, consult the WordBook. For more information, visit our insurance section, the Insurance Shop. Here's a starter.

Physical Damage Insurance

You've made a big decision to purchase a home. In fact, it's probably the most important investment you'll ever make. Now make another good investment in a physical damage insurance policy that will protect you against costly damage to your home and against liability exposures that arise from home ownership.

An "all risk" policy generally offers more complete protection than a "named peril" policy because, as the name implies, it provides coverage against all perils except those specifically excluded. So, you can rest assured that you have coverage against damage from bursting pipes, explosion, smoke, falling objects, windstorm, hail, lightning, unexpected expenses for emergency removal, additional living expenses resulting from damage to your home, and more.

It's becoming harder to find a policy that offers flood and earthquake coverage these days, but they are important. They offer an important layer of insulation between you and a major financial loss. So, see if your policy includes them.

Another important consideration is how a claim will be settled if you have a total loss. Be sure to understand whether your policy offers Stated Value, where you get the exact amount stated on your policy, Replacement Cost, where you get the amount required to replace your home with a new home up to the limit on your policy, or Actual Cash Value, where you get the amount required to replace your home with a similar home after depreciation and up to the limit on your policy. It's really not as complicated as it sounds, and your agent would be happy to help you understand the differences.

Please, don't forget to protect your home and yourself against these unexpected and potentially financially crippling expenses by choosing reliable physical damage coverage for your home.

Credit Life Insurance

What would happen if you died unexpectedly, leaving your family with mortgage payments? Could they meet their financial responsibilities and still enjoy life? Credit Life Insurance is designed specifically for that purpose. It doesn't replace other personal life insurance policies you own. Instead, it complements those policies by paying off your mortgage and letting your family use other insurance to educate your children and pay for other living expenses.

Some people call it "peace of mind insurance", because it lets you know that your family will not be burdened by mortgage payments if you can't be there to provide for them.

Credit Life Insurance is easy to obtain. Your agent can help you decide what coverage best fits your needs and budget, and the premiums can even be included in your monthly mortgage payment. Protect your family and your home against the unexpected.

Extended Service Contract

Chances are the manufacturer's one-year warranty has already expired on the home you're purchasing. So that means you're on your own when something goes haywire with the plumbing, electrical, central heating or air conditioning, and major appliances that were originally supplied by the manufacturer. Unless, of course, you had the foresight to purchase an Extended Service Contract for pre-owned homes.

You can choose to have coverage only on the structure, only on the systems and appliances listed above, or on both. Then, if there's a problem with something covered by the contract, you're only responsible for your deductible. Remember, this does not replace your physical damage policy, which protects against sudden, accidental and direct damage to your home and its contents. An Extended Service Contract only provides coverage against unforeseen manufacturer's defects.

In addition to these three options, there is also liability coverage, renters insurance, and a variety of other choices to help you protect your home and family.

Click here for the WordBook.