I bought a used tiny home on a trailer. Two years later, while driving down the highway, the A-frame tongue snapped due to hidden rust inside the box tubing. The house slammed onto the asphalt. Foremost denied the claim. “We cover accidental damage,” the adjuster said. “Rust is wear and tear and lack of maintenance.”
Key Takeaways
- Rust is the Enemy: Corrosion is almost always excluded as “Wear and Tear,” “Gradual Deterioration,” or “Vice.”
- The “Resulting Loss” Argument: If the frame snaps and the house hits a tree, you might get coverage for the house damage under Collision, but the frame itself is dead money.
- Chassis Inspections: You cannot inspect the inside of a box tube. However, surface rust is a red flag. If an adjuster sees rust photos after a crash, they build a denial case.
- Custom Trailers vs. RV Trailers: Tiny homes are heavy. If you built on a standard “Travel Trailer” frame instead of a heavy-duty “Tiny Home” specific trailer (like Iron Eagle), insurance might deny for “Overloading” or “Improper Equipment.”
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Gradual Deterioration.”
Insurance covers “Sudden and Accidental.” Rust takes years. Therefore, it is not sudden.
However, if you hit a massive pothole and the frame snaps, that is an event. The insurer will argue: “The pothole wouldn’t have snapped the frame if it wasn’t rusty.” You argue: “It wouldn’t have snapped if I didn’t hit the pothole.” This is the Concurrent Causation battle.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Prevention)
I looked at how to keep the foundation of your house from rotting.
The “Iron Eagle” Standard
- The Build: Tiny home specific trailers use thicker steel and better paint/galvanization.
- The Insurance View: If you have a named-brand tiny home trailer, adjusters are less likely to claim “improper equipment.”
DIY / Reclaimed Trailers
- The Risk: Many DIYers use old camper frames. These are thin and weak.
- The Denial: If the frame bends, the insurer says “The frame was not rated for this load.” Denied.
The Paint Protocol
- Maintenance: You must wire wheel and paint the frame every 2-3 years, especially near the ocean. Document this maintenance. It proves you weren’t negligent.
[IMAGE: Photo of a snapped trailer tongue showing severe internal rust layering inside the steel tube]
Comparison Table
| Scenario | Insurance Payout | Reason |
| Rust causes snap on highway | Denied | Wear & Tear / Maintenance |
| Pothole bends axle | Covered | Collision / Road Hazard |
| Overloaded frame bends | Denied | Negligence / Improper Use |
| Resulting House Damage | Maybe (Fight required) | “Ensuing Loss” |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Inspect the Underside: Crawl under your house with a flashlight. Look at the outriggers and the tongue. If you see flakes, treat them now.
- Use “Por-15”: This is the gold standard rust inhibitor paint. Paint over the rust. It stops it.
- Check Weight Ratings: Ensure your axles are rated for your house weight. If you have two 3,500lb axles (7k total) and your house is 9,000lbs, you are driving a time bomb. Insurance will not pay.
- Galvanized is King: If building new, spend the extra $1,500 for a hot-dip galvanized trailer. It lasts 50 years. Paint lasts 5.
FAQ
Does my roadside assistance cover a broken frame?
They will tow you, but they won’t fix it. You need a welder.
Can a welder fix a snapped frame with the house on it?
It is extremely dangerous (fire risk to the wood floor above). Most welders refuse unless you lift the house.
Is the trailer covered by the “Dwelling” limit?
Yes. The trailer is the foundation. Its value is part of the total insured value.