If a fire, flood or escape of water has left your home unliveable, insurance accommodation in Bromley is the temporary housing your insurer pays for while repairs are carried out. It is provided under the "alternative accommodation" section of a standard home insurance policy, and getting into a comfortable serviced property quickly makes a stressful few weeks far more bearable. This guide explains how the cover works, what it pays for, and the practical steps to take on day one.
What alternative accommodation cover actually is
Most buildings and contents policies include cover, usually labelled "alternative accommodation" or "loss of rent and alternative accommodation", that pays for you to live elsewhere when your home cannot be occupied because of an insured event. That means damage from a fire, a burst pipe, a flood or similar. It does not cover a home you simply want to leave during minor works. The cover also commonly extends to boarding for pets and, in some policies, storage for belongings.
How much cover you have
The amount is capped, and the cap is usually set as a percentage of your buildings sum insured, often around 20 per cent, or as a fixed figure. That is the total pot for the whole claim, not a weekly allowance, so it has to stretch across the full repair period. Check your policy schedule for the exact limit, because a large repair can run for months and a low limit can run out. Your insurer or their loss adjuster manages the spend against that cap.
The first steps when your home becomes uninhabitable
- Make sure everyone is safe and, if there is a fire or gas risk, let the emergency services confirm the property is secure before you re-enter.
- Call your insurer's 24-hour claims line straight away and ask specifically about the alternative accommodation section of your cover.
- Take photos and a quick video of the damage before anything is moved, and keep receipts for any emergency costs.
- Ask the insurer whether they will arrange the accommodation directly or whether you should source it and claim it back.
Like-for-like, and why serviced accommodation fits
Insurers work on a "like-for-like" basis, meaning the temporary home should reasonably match what you have lost in size and standard, not an upgrade and not a downgrade. A self-contained serviced apartment or house usually fits this far better than a hotel room, because it gives a displaced household its own kitchen, living space, laundry and separate bedrooms, and it keeps a family together rather than split across hotel rooms. It is also easier to book for the length of a repair. For how this compares on cost and comfort, see our guide to serviced accommodation versus hotels.
Getting the insurer to agree the booking
Always get authorisation in writing before you commit to a property, so there is no dispute later about the nightly rate or the length of stay. If the insurer is sourcing the accommodation through a specialist provider, you can still ask for something local so children can stay at the same school and you remain near work. If you are sourcing it yourself, send the insurer or loss adjuster the property details and the quoted rate and wait for sign-off. Our team can provide a written quote and availability for a stay of any length across Bromley and the surrounding area through the Bromley Short Lets homepage.
Staying local: Bromley and the surrounding towns
Keeping close to home matters when your routine has been upended. Bromley and the neighbouring towns of Beckenham, Orpington and Bromley Common offer serviced houses and apartments within easy reach of the schools, stations and workplaces you already use, so the disruption is limited to the home itself. For nightly and weekly rates in the area, see what accommodation costs per night in Bromley and our weekly and monthly short lets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does home insurance pay for a hotel if my house is uninhabitable?
Yes, if the damage is from an insured event such as a fire or flood, the alternative accommodation section of your policy pays for temporary housing. Many households prefer a self-contained serviced apartment or house over a hotel because it keeps the family together with its own kitchen and living space, which insurers accept on a like-for-like basis.
How much alternative accommodation cover do I have?
It is capped, commonly at around 20 per cent of your buildings sum insured or a set figure, and that is the total for the whole claim rather than a weekly allowance. Check the limit on your policy schedule, because a long repair can use it up.
Who books the temporary accommodation, me or the insurer?
Either. Some insurers arrange it directly through a specialist provider; others ask you to source it and claim it back. Always get the rate and length of stay authorised in writing before you commit, whichever route you take.
Can I choose to stay near my home and my children's school?
Usually yes. Insurers aim to keep you in a reasonable location, so you can ask for accommodation local to Bromley and the surrounding towns so children stay at the same school and you remain near work. Requesting a specific area early makes this more likely.
Does the cover include my pets and my belongings?
Many policies extend to pet boarding and to storage of undamaged belongings while repairs are done, but this varies. Ask your insurer to confirm what is included so pet-friendly accommodation or storage can be arranged as part of the claim.