News

American Modern has introduced new photo requirements on manufactured home business!

Effective August 1, 2012, prior to binding, all agents are required to take photo’s showing all 4 sides of the home. Photos are not required to create a quote, however they must be obtained by you prior to binding coverage. As an underwriting guideline reminder, the home must be in average to above average condition, have no existing damage, no broken windows, no yard debris and no liability concerns.

Q. Are photos required for all units, regardless of the age of the home?

A. Photos are now required for Manufactured Homes regardless of the age of the home. The only exception to this is ‘new units’. American Modern defines new unit as a unit which is a new purchase and has never been occupied. Evidence of this must be retained by the writing agent. A retail sales contract would be an example of sufficient evidence.

Q. How many photos are required?

A. All four sides of the home must be shown regardless of the number of photos needed to accomplish this. This can typically be accomplished with two photos taken at an angle from two corners of the unit. An appraisal, which must be recent, no more than 90 days old, may be acceptable if it includes photos taken at the time of the appraisal. The appraisal must be retained either by you or you can forward to our office.

Q. Who is responsible for reviewing and retaining photos?

A. The expectation is the writing agent will be responsible for determining if the risk qualifies for the American Modern program, is in average to above-average condition and has no existing damage, broken windows, yard debris or liability concerns. If you are a Modernlink user, the photos can remain in your file along with the signed application. If audited by the company, we may request these items from you. If you are not a Modernlink user, please forward your photos to our office, along with the signed application, when you request binding. As always email is an acceptable option.