Insurance tips: What's an "approved" mobile home park?

We've heard recently from a couple of manufactured home owners who didn't know whether they reside in what's known as an "approved park." When they filled out their homeowners insurance application, they checked the "no" box when asked if their home was located in an approved park.

Result: They ended up paying higher premiums than they needed to.

Check with your agent or insurer, but generally, an approved park means that the location must be a:

• planned and named community of manufactured homes,
• which have permanently installed water, electricity and sewage services
• which are collectively managed
• and whose residents recognize common bylaws or rules.