Loss of Use Coverage | Bankrate

If you’ve ever looked over your home insurance declaration page — or if you’ve had to file a claim after a loss — you may know what loss of use coverage is. This type of insurance is part of a standard homeowners policy, and it provides vital financial support if your home sustains  damage from a covered event by covering the cost of alternative accommodations and services while your home is being repaired.

What is loss of use coverage?

Loss of use coverage is also called additional living expenses (ALE) insurance. On your policy’s declaration page, it’s listed as Coverage D, and is standard on almost all types of homeowners insurance, except for HO-1 policies, which are uncommon. 

Loss of use coverage pays for the expenses you may have if you cannot live in your home after an approved claim. It generally includes hotel expenses, restaurant meals, pet boarding, laundry costs and more. 

It’s important to note that it only applies if your claim is approved, and it does not cover costs if the damage to your home is from an event that is not included in your policy. For example, flood coverage is not part of most homeowners insurance policies. If your home is damaged in a flood and you do not have an additional flood policy, you won’t be able to use loss of use coverage.

You also cannot use it for routine maintenance or renovations. So if you need to move to a hotel when you’re doing a complete renovation of your first floor, you won’t be able to use loss of use insurance unless the renovation is being done because of a covered peril.

How does loss of use coverage work?

The details of how your loss of coverage insurance works will be specific to your insurer. Some companies may offer an advance against the claim’s settlement. 

For other companies, you will pay the costs yourself up front and save your receipt. When you submit these receipts to your insurer, you will receive a check for the approved amount. It’s important to keep all receipts for any expenses you incur while your home is uninhabitable.

There is usually a limit to loss of use coverage. With many insurers, loss of use is determined as a percentage of your dwelling coverage. If you have dwelling coverage of $300,000, for example, your loss of use might be 30 percent of that, or $90,000. You may be able to ask for higher limits if you think they are necessary, but you will pay a higher premium. 

What does loss of use cover?

Loss of use coverage reimburses you for most living expenses to maintain your normal standard of living while you’re unable to live in your home due to a covered peril. The basic coverages include:

• Residency expenses such as motels, hotels, rentals or an apartment
• Expenses associated with moving your items to storage
• Fuel expenses if extending your work commute
• Parking fees if you move to a temporary residence that requires it
• Laundry expenses if you don’t have access to a washer or dryer.
• Pet boarding fees if you have to use pet boarding while you await repairs.
• Excess of normal fees for meals (say you normally cook at home but are unable to at your temporary place and have to eat at restaurants instead)

Every insurer offers slightly different coverage types, so check with your insurance provider to see which items they cover under your loss of use policy. You should also find out if there are any limitations, like a maximum benefit amount for temporary living expenses. Shopping around to find the best homeowners insurance company for your needs is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the right coverage.

Loss of use coverage for condos

Loss of use coverage works similarly for condo insurance. If your condo unit is damaged and you have to relocate, you would receive additional living expenses coverage through your HO-6 condo policy. To calculate your loss of use coverage limit, some insurance companies may combine your dwelling’s value with your personal property coverage.

Loss of use coverage for rentals

The same coverage applies to renters insurance policies in that the loss of use coverage helps you maintain your standard of living while you wait to move back into your rental. Insurance companies calculate your coverage limits based on a percentage of your personal property coverage.

In other instances, renters insurance companies may pay you a flat amount as outlined in your policy. It’s a good rule of thumb to speak with your insurance provider to learn more about how they calculate your benefit amount.

Loss of use coverage for mobile homes

Loss of use coverage for mobile homes functions similarly to coverage for traditional homes, providing financial support for additional living expenses if your mobile home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril. This coverage typically helps pay for temporary housing and other necessary costs incurred while your home is being repaired or replaced, up to your policy limit.

Given the unique nature of mobile homes, such as their susceptibility to certain types of damage and potential difficulties in relocation, it is crucial to review the specifics of your policy to ensure it provides adequate protection and understand any exclusions or conditions that may apply.

What does loss of use not cover?

Insurance companies will typically help you pay for most of the expenses related to your temporary living situation. However, loss of use coverage doesn’t cover everything. Most notably, you can only utilize loss of use coverage if your home is damaged by a covered peril.

Loss of use coverage generally does not cover:

• Damage caused by an excluded peril, such as flooding or an earthquake (unless you have supplemental coverage) 
• Regular expenses of homeownership, like mortgage payments, HOA payments, or utility bills
• General maintenance
• Elective renovations
• Unrelated debts, such as personal loans
• Loss of rental income (unless coverage is specified in the policy)

Most insurance companies have a list of excluded expenses. If you have to file a claim, make sure you know what those exclusions are. That way, you can make informed spending decisions, knowing what is and isn’t covered.

How to get reimbursed for additional living expenses

If you have to use your additional living expense coverage, there are some things you can do to expedite the claims process:

1. Save receipts for all essential expenses. Expenses including rent or hotel bills and moving costs can be covered by your loss of use coverage. Additionally, expenses like eating out at restaurants, boarding your pets, and any other costs that you incur may also be covered. Include receipts to help expedite the claims process.
2. Check with your property insurer. When you file a claim, ask your insurance company about its claims process. Find out how long it usually takes to process, approve and reimburse your claim.
3. Begin your claim. Depending on what your insurer offers, you can start to file your claim either online, in person, or over the phone. Most insurance companies have an online portal that allows you to upload relevant documents in a secure manner.
4. Upload documentation. Most companies allow you to upload any supporting documentation that may be required, such as receipts and pictures.
5. Make a checklist. Pay attention to any documentation the insurance company requires, and make a checklist of every step, so you don’t miss anything important.

If you forget a step or don’t provide all the required information, your claim could be delayed.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the limitations of loss of use coverage?
  

  Loss of use coverage in homeowners insurance has several limitations that policyholders should be aware of. Primarily, it covers additional living expenses incurred if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered peril, such as fire or storm damage, but only up to the policy’s specified limits and duration. This means there is a cap on the amount the insurance will pay and a time limit on how long the benefits are available. Loss of use coverage typically does not cover expenses beyond necessary living costs, such as mortgage payments, utilities or property maintenance costs that continue despite the displacement. Additionally, it won’t cover loss of income from rental properties if you are a landlord, unless you have additional loss of rental income coverage.

• Is loss of use covered by homeowners insurance?
  

  Yes, loss of use coverage is included in most homeowners insurance policies, except the HO-1 policy form. In order to use your loss of use coverage, your home must be damaged by a covered peril. If your claim is denied, you can’t utilize your loss of use coverage.

• Do you pay a deductible on loss of use insurance?
  

  A home insurance deductible generally applies when filing a claim, but you do not have a separate deductible for loss of use coverage. The cost of your living expenses will be reimbursed up to your policy’s limit and insurer’s approval of your expenses.

• Does loss of use coverage apply if I rent part of my home out?
  

  If the part of your home you rent out is included in the claim, you may be able to get fair rental value from the loss of use coverage. The fair rental value is the rental income amount you may lose because the house is uninhabitable. There may be exclusions and limitations on your policy, so be sure to speak with your insurance agent about the correct coverage if you rent out a portion of your home.

• What if access to my home is prohibited?
  

  If access to your home is prohibited by a governmental authority, this is included as part of your loss of use coverage. For example, if your neighborhood is affected by a tornado or hurricane, but your home is not affected, you may be prohibited from entering the neighborhood until cleanup efforts can be completed. This differs from additional living expenses coverage, which requires your home to be damaged in a covered loss. With prohibited access, your home is not damaged, but your neighbors’ are. You can still file a claim under your loss of use coverage for expenses you incur staying elsewhere until you are allowed back into the neighborhood.