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Alternative Accommodation Cover
What It Is, What It Pays, and What to Do
Suddenly your home is not safe to live in. Where do you go tonight? Who pays for it? That is exactly what this cover is for.
Already included in 237 out of 237 home insurance policies surveyed by Defaqto. Most people have it — most don't know how it works until they need it.
What Does It Cover?
Your insurer pays for a temporary place to stay — and more. Cover should be like-for-like to your own home. Hover each card to explore.
Temporary Accommodation
Hotel for short repairs, or a rental property if you'll be out for months — in an area near work and schools.
Storage Costs
If you can't take all belongings to temporary accommodation, your insurer may cover professional storage fees.
Kennel & Cattery Fees
If your pet can't come with you, most policies cover boarding costs up to a set limit per policy.
Disturbance Allowance
Extra daily costs — meals out, travel, laundry. Keep all receipts. Insurer reimburses above your normal spending.
What Is Not Covered
How Much Are You Covered For?
Most policies cover £25,000–£50,000. Some use a percentage of your sum insured. Here's how that works in practice.
Percentage Formula — Example Calculations
What Does "Uninhabitable" Actually Mean?
Your insurer sends a loss adjuster to assess the property. They decide if it qualifies. Here is the criteria they use.
Classed as Uninhabitable
Likely Not Uninhabitable
Landlords — Know Your Legal Position
Not Legally Required — But Check Your Agreement
Private landlords are not legally required to provide alternative accommodation to tenants.
However, if your tenancy agreement includes that commitment, you must honour it. If it is in the agreement, your landlord insurance must include alternative accommodation cover — or you pay out of pocket.
Key point: Most landlord policies will not pay both loss of rent and alternative accommodation under the same claim. If your agreement does not oblige you to rehouse tenants, loss of rent insurance covers the income shortfall instead.
Check your tenancy agreement and policy now — before an emergency forces the decision.
Check Your Tenancy Agreement
If rehousing tenants is written in, you're bound by it. Your policy must match your obligations.
Loss of Rent vs Accommodation
Most policies won't pay both under the same claim. Know which one applies to your situation before you claim.
Landlord Buildings Insurance
Standard home insurance doesn't cover tenanted properties. You need dedicated landlord buildings insurance.
Act Before an Emergency
Review your policy and tenancy agreement together now. A crisis is not the time to discover a gap in your cover.
How to Make a Claim
Call Same Day
Contact your insurer the same day damage occurs — before doing anything else.
Loss Adjuster Visits
They assess damage and confirm if the property is uninhabitable under policy terms.
Accommodation Approved
Insurer arranges or approves accommodation. Keep every receipt throughout.
Review Before Limit Ends
If repairs overrun, contact your insurer before the policy period expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Defaqto data shows 99% of contents insurance policies include alternative accommodation cover — typically used for storage costs or to top up buildings cover.
You can make a request. Your insurer must approve it. Do not book anything without written agreement first — unapproved bookings will not be reimbursed.
Only if it is written into your tenancy agreement. It is not a legal requirement for private landlords in England and Wales — but if it's in the contract, they must honour it.
Most policies cover 12 to 24 months. Check your specific limit. If repairs overrun, negotiate with your insurer before the limit expires — some will extend.
Yes, but check your unoccupied property clause. Most standard policies only cover empty properties for 30 to 60 days — beyond that you may need unoccupied property cover.