Guides ·
Additional Living Expenses: who pays for the hotel during repairs?
When the house is not livable, the costs of living somewhere else add up fast. Many policies help.
What ALE covers
Additional Living Expense coverage, sometimes called loss of use, helps pay the extra costs of living somewhere else while your home is repaired. That can include a hotel or rental, extra food costs, laundry and extra mileage. It covers the increase over your normal costs, not your normal mortgage or bills.
Limits
Policies limit ALE by amount, by time or both. Private-client policies often have broader terms. Your declarations page and adjuster can confirm what applies to you.
How to make it go smoothly
- Ask your adjuster about ALE on the first call.
- Get approval before signing a longer rental.
- Keep every receipt and a simple log of extra costs.
- Share the rebuild schedule with your adjuster so ALE matches the real timeline.
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy and your adjuster decide what is covered. We are not public adjusters and do not negotiate claims.