I needed to move my tiny home 200 miles to a new RV park. I hooked it up to a rented F-350 and hit the highway. A sudden gust of wind in a valley induced a sway that flipped the house onto its side in a ditch. Total loss. I called my insurance company, Foremost. “I see you have a ‘Stationary’ policy,” the agent said. “Did you add the ‘Trip Endorsement’ before you moved it?” I hadn’t. Claim denied.
Key Takeaways
- Stationary vs. Mobile: Tiny home insurance is usually written as a “Stationary” policy (like a parked mobile home). It covers the house at the listed address.
- Moving Voids Coverage: As soon as the wheels hit the public road, a Stationary policy stops working unless you specifically call and add “Trip Coverage” or “Collision.”
- Trip Endorsements are Cheap: It costs maybe
50−50−150 to add coverage for a 3-day move. Ignoring this saves pennies and risks $100,000. - Commercial Towing is Safer: If a professional towing company moves it, their cargo insurance covers your house. If you move it, you rely on your own endorsement.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Location Specificity.”
A tiny home policy is priced based on the zip code where it sits. It rates the risk of fire, theft, and wind at that spot. It does not rate the risk of you barreling down I-70 at 65mph.
Collision coverage (crashing while moving) is not included in the base “Dwelling” policy. It functions like a Homeowners policy, not an Auto policy. You must manually convert it to a “Mobile” status for the duration of the move.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Coverage)
I looked at how to move a house without losing it financially.
Foremost
- The Policy: Excellent stationary coverage.
- The Move: You must call 48 hours in advance to add a “Trip Endorsement.”
- The Limit: Sometimes they limit the trip collision coverage to a lower amount than the full replacement cost. Check the limit!
Strategic Insurance (Martin Burlingame)
- The Advice: They emphasize this constantly. They offer policies that can be “annual mobile” (like an RV) or “stationary with endorsements.”
- The Verdict: If you move more than once a year, get an RV-style policy. If you move once every 5 years, use the endorsement.
SkyMed / Coach-Net (Roadside)
- The Reality: Standard roadside assistance (AAA) will NOT pick up a tiny house wreck. You need heavy-duty commercial recovery.
- The Cost: recovering a tipped tiny home costs $5,000 – $10,000 (cranes, flatbeds). Ensure your endorsement covers “Recovery,” not just “Towing.”
[IMAGE: A tiny house lying on its side in a grassy ditch with a tow truck nearby]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Stationary Policy | Trip Endorsement | Commercial Hauler |
| Cost | Base Premium | +$50 – $150 | $3 – $5 per mile |
| Collision Coverage | None | Yes (You driving) | Yes (They driving) |
| Recovery Cost | No | Check Limit | Included in their liability |
| Liability | Premises Only | Roadside Liability | Their Liability |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Hire a Pro: Honestly, unless you have a CDL and a dually truck, hire a professional tiny house mover. Their “Cargo Insurance” is the best protection you can get. Ask for a copy of their certificate.
- Call Your Agent 1 Week Prior: Say: “I am moving the unit from Address A to Address B on [Date]. I need a Trip Endorsement for Collision and Transport.”
- Video the Exterior: Walk around the house and film it before hitching up. If a pro mover damages it, you need proof of pre-move condition.
- Secure the Inside: “Earthquake proof” your interior. If heavy appliances break loose during the sway, insurance might deny that interior damage as “improper packing.”
FAQ
Does my truck insurance cover the tiny house?
Only the Liability (damage the house does to others). It does NOT cover the house itself if it flips.
What if the move takes longer than expected?
Endorsements have dates (e.g., Oct 1 – Oct 3). If you break down and are stuck until Oct 5, CALL and extend the dates. If you crash on Oct 4, you are uninsured.
Is there a height limit?
Legally, yes (13’6″). If you hit a bridge because you built it 14′ tall, insurance might deny the claim for “Illegal Act” or “Gross Negligence.”