You bought three shipping containers and welded them together into a chic, modern home on the coast. When a Category 3 hurricane hits, the home survives structurally, but the roof rips off, causing catastrophic water damage inside.
The Brutal Truth: Why Standard Policies Deny This Claim
While steel containers are strong, the modifications—cutting holes for windows, welding roofs—compromise the structural integrity. If you did not get the modifications signed off by a structural engineer, the carrier will deny the claim citing Failure to Meet Wind-Mitigation Standards.
How to Actually Protect Yourself (The Fix)
- Hire a Structural Engineer: Before applying for insurance, get a stamped engineering report proving the container home meets local hurricane tie-down and wind-load codes.
- Seek Modular Home Carriers: Insure the home through a carrier that specializes in modular or manufactured homes, rather than standard stick-built homes.
The Claims Adjuster’s Secret
We check the rust. Corten steel is tough, but salt air degrades it. If the roof ripped off because the welds were weakened by untreated rust, we deny the claim under the Wear and Tear / Maintenance Exclusion.
The Verdict (TL;DR)
The Risk Level: Medium (Insurable, but requires heavy documentation). The Solution: Provide engineering stamps for wind load and use a modular home carrier. Estimated Cost: Comparable to standard HO-3, assuming all engineering certifications are pristine.