If your home has become unsafe or unliveable after a fire, flood, or escape of water, your insurer will usually cover the cost of somewhere else to stay while repairs are carried out. This is called alternative accommodation cover, and it’s a standard part of most UK buildings and contents policies. But how long it actually lasts, and what happens if repairs overrun, catches a lot of policyholders out.

Here’s what typically applies, and what’s worth asking your insurer or loss adjuster early on.

How long does alternative accommodation cover usually last?

Most UK home insurance policies provide alternative accommodation for up to 12 months, or until your home is confirmed habitable again, whichever comes first. Some policies set a shorter window, particularly for smaller claims, so the exact figure always depends on your specific policy wording rather than a single industry standard.

The more important detail is usually the monetary limit, not just the time limit. Many policies cap the payout as a percentage of your buildings sum insured (commonly around 20%), or set a fixed amount. Either way, that figure needs to stretch across every night away from home until the property is safe to return to, so it’s worth asking early how the remaining budget will be tracked as the claim progresses.

What happens if repairs take longer than expected?

This is where things get stressful for a lot of policyholders. Repair timelines slip for all sorts of reasons: drying periods after water damage, follow-up surveys, specialist materials, planning permissions, or simply contractor availability. If the repair runs past your policy’s time or cost limit, cover doesn’t necessarily continue automatically.

In practice, insurers sometimes agree to extend support, but this is generally at their discretion, not a guarantee. It’s sensible to ask your loss adjuster directly: what happens if the schedule changes, and how will I know before the budget runs out? Getting a clear answer to that question early avoids a nasty surprise later in the claim.

Can I choose where I stay, or does the insurer decide?

This varies by policy and by insurer. Some will let you find your own accommodation within the agreed budget and reimburse you or pay a provider directly. Others work through a managed accommodation supplier and present you with options. Either way, the type of accommodation offered is usually meant to be “reasonable” for your circumstances, close enough to keep daily life (work, school, family) as close to normal as possible.

This is where a genuine two-bedroom, self-contained apartment tends to work better than a single hotel room, particularly for a family, or for a stay of uncertain length. A hotel room is fine for a few nights. A repair that stretches to two or three months is a different situation entirely.

Is alternative accommodation available for tenants as well as homeowners?

Yes. If you’re a tenant rather than a homeowner, contents insurance can still include alternative accommodation cover if the property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event. The same questions about limits and duration apply.

What STAY Scarborough offers displaced policyholders

Sanderling Chase is a professionally managed two-bedroom apartment in Scarborough, sleeping up to 4 guests, with its own standalone entrance, a fully equipped kitchen, and space to properly settle in rather than live out of a suitcase. There’s also secure bike storage, useful for getting around locally without needing a second car while displaced. It suits claims where the length of stay isn’t yet known, since a booking can be extended as the repair timeline becomes clearer, working with our management partner Host & Stay to check availability.

If you’re a loss adjuster, insurer, or policyholder looking into options in the Scarborough area, you can find more detail on our Insurance & Alternative Accommodation page.

This article is general information, not financial or insurance advice. Always check your own policy wording, or speak to your insurer or a loss adjuster, for guidance specific to your claim.