Insurance Claims · Guide
Does home insurance cover temporary accommodation?
In most cases, yes. If your home is unliveable after an insured event, your building policy usually pays for somewhere for your family to live while repairs are done. Here's how it works in practice.
Talk to us — 1300 994 554The short answer
Most home building insurance policies in Australia include temporary accommodation cover — sometimes called alternative accommodation or temporary living expenses. If an insured event like fire, storm, flood or a burst pipe makes your home unliveable, this pays for your household to live somewhere else while your home is repaired or rebuilt.
The key things to check on your own policy are the limit (often a percentage of your sum insured, or a set number of months) and whether the event that damaged your home is covered.
How much is usually covered
- A percentage of your sum insured — commonly 10–20% of your building's insured value is set aside for accommodation.
- Or a set time limit — many policies cover up to 12 months, whichever comes first.
- Accommodation to suit your household — you shouldn't be expected to squeeze a family into a single hotel room. Cover is meant to be reasonable for your household size.
Limits and definitions vary between insurers — always read your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or ask your insurer when you lodge the claim.
Getting a house instead of a hotel
Insurers and their booking agents often default to a hotel or serviced apartment. That's fine for a few nights — but an insurance repair usually runs for weeks or months, and a family living out of one or two rooms with kids and a pet quickly finds it doesn't work.
Because your policy covers accommodation appropriate to your household, a furnished whole home is frequently a reasonable request — especially when a hotel can't fit everyone or won't take your pet. We regularly arrange this directly with insurers and their booking agents across the Sutherland Shire.
How to make the request
- Lodge your claim and confirm your temporary accommodation entitlement.
- Tell your insurer your household needs — number of people, kids, pets, how long repairs are likely to take.
- Ask whether a whole home can be arranged instead of a hotel. Give them our details, or put us in touch.
- We liaise with your insurer or their booking agent and get your family settled — often within 24 hours.
Common questions
Does home insurance cover temporary accommodation?
Most home building policies in Australia include temporary accommodation cover when your home is unliveable due to an insured event, such as fire, storm, flood or a burst pipe. It pays for somewhere for your household to live while your home is repaired or rebuilt. Cover is usually capped as a percentage of your building sum insured (commonly 10–20%) or for a set period, so check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
How much temporary accommodation will my insurer pay for?
It varies by insurer and policy. Many policies cap temporary accommodation at 10–20% of the building sum insured, or limit it to 12 months, whichever comes first. Your insurer approves accommodation appropriate to your household size and circumstances — a family of five is not expected to share a hotel room.
Can I choose a whole house instead of a hotel or serviced apartment?
Often, yes. Your policy covers accommodation appropriate to your household. If a hotel or serviced apartment cannot fit your family, or will not take your pet, a furnished whole home can be a reasonable request. We can talk to your insurer or their booking agent directly about arranging it.
Do I have to pay upfront and claim it back?
Not usually. In most cases your insurer or their accommodation booking agent pays the provider directly. Always keep receipts for any emergency accommodation and essential expenses in the first days, as these are often reimbursable.
Does temporary accommodation cover pets?
Your accommodation benefit is about housing your household, and for many families that includes a pet. Because most hotels and serviced apartments will not take animals, families often ask for a pet-friendly whole home instead. Most of our homes are pet-friendly with enclosed yards.
Need a home while your claim runs?
We provide furnished, pet-friendly whole homes for families on insurance claims across the Sutherland Shire — and we work directly with you or your insurer.