Dozens of residents of Taunton’s manufactured-home communities told city officials at a public forum in the Taunton City Council chambers that steep premium increases and shrinking insurer options are threatening their housing stability.

The forum, organized by the Taunton Manufactured Home Communities (TMHC) group, focused on homeowners insurance for manufactured and mobile homes after residents reported large annual rate increases, difficulty finding replacement-cost coverage and reports that major writers have stopped taking new business in Massachusetts. The attendees pressed for state-level action because insurers and rate-setting are regulated at the state level.

“Premiums have raised have been have raised up an average of 39.5%,” said Donna Dias, who leads TMHC’s insurance committee, summarizing the committee’s review of recent bills and company notices. Residents described individual increases and coverage denials during the meeting: Karen, a resident of Colonial Estates, said her policy rose from about $800 to $3,300 over two years before she switched to American Modern and saved about $1,200; another resident said Foremost canceled new business in the state and many people are being renewed at much higher rates.

Why it matters: most of the people who spoke said they are seniors on fixed incomes living in parks with limited housing options. “Our housing stability is threatened,” Dias said. Council members in attendance acknowledged the limits of municipal authority and urged coordinated outreach to state regulators and legislators.

Key facts and claims raised at the forum
- TMHC organizers said there are seven manufactured-home communities in Taunton, five of which are age-restricted (55+). Jeannie Warsh, an organizer who lives at Rocky Knoll Estates, said representatives from six of the seven parks participate in the group’s meetings.
- Residents reported wide variation in insurer responses: Foremost was repeatedly cited as the dominant carrier for manufactured-home policies in the area; American Modern and bundled policies through companies such as Safety Insurance were mentioned as alternatives by several residents.
- Dias said one policy component, extended replacement cost, had one reported increase at a resident’s policy from $25 to $245 in a single year; she described that as an example of steep, opaque increases.
- Several residents reported being told insurers treat manufactured homes as “increased risk” and that catastrophe losses elsewhere raise premiums for policyholders in Massachusetts.

What city officials said and next steps
- Councilor Larry Quintel (Taunton City Council) told the group the problem needs state-level attention. He said the council would refer the issue to a committee and try to coordinate with the mayor’s office and the state delegation to seek more information and options.
- Winston (a city official who addressed the forum) and other municipal representatives encouraged residents to document bills and denials; TMHC leaders said they are compiling stories and data to present to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance and the Attorney General’s office.

Other concerns raised at the forum
- Several residents raised related issues including lack of market competition, enforcement of park rules, rent-stabilization compliance and deteriorating infrastructure. Those topics were discussed as part of TMHC’s broader agenda but the forum’s substantive focus was insurance access, affordability and transparency.

What organizers asked for
TMHC’s insurance committee asked for three main actions: a Division of Insurance investigation of rate-setting practices and insurer profit margins for the manufactured-housing sector; policies or incentives to expand the market of insurers writing manufactured-home policies in Massachusetts; and clearer accountability for insurance agents and brokers so residents are offered all available options and consistent explanations.

No vote or formal municipal policy was adopted at the forum. City officials said they would attempt to refer the subject to a council committee and request information from the Division of Insurance and the city’s state delegation. TMHC leaders said they will continue collecting resident accounts and follow up with state regulators and legislators.