Guide to Temporary Accommodation for Insurance Claims
This guide explains how temporary accommodation works during insurance claims, covering everything from what happens after a fire or flood to how loss adjusters coordinate placements and what insurers need to know about resident relocation.
What Is Temporary Accommodation in Insurance Claims?
Temporary accommodation refers to housing provided to policyholders when their home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event. This typically occurs after incidents such as fires, floods, escape of water, structural damage or building safety evacuations.
Buildings insurance policies generally include cover for alternative accommodation, meaning the insurer arranges and pays for temporary housing while repairs are carried out. The type, location and duration of accommodation depends on the nature and severity of the incident.
This guide is intended for insurance providers, loss adjusters, claims handlers, catastrophe response teams and anyone involved in managing residential displacement following insured events.
Incidents Requiring Temporary Accommodation
A range of insured events can make residential properties uninhabitable, requiring temporary relocation of residents.
Fire Damage
House fires can cause extensive damage requiring residents to relocate while repairs and restoration take place. Timelines range from weeks to months.
Fire accommodation guideFlood Damage
Flooding from rivers, surface water or severe weather can make homes uninhabitable. Drying and restoration can take several months.
Flood accommodation guideEscape of Water
Burst pipes, leaking appliances and plumbing failures can cause significant internal water damage requiring temporary relocation.
Escape of water timelineStructural Damage & Subsidence
Structural issues including subsidence, heave and landslip may require residents to leave while investigation and repairs are completed.
Subsidence claim timelineBuilding Safety Evacuations
Buildings may be evacuated due to cladding concerns, fire safety issues or structural assessments. Evacuations can affect multiple households.
Building evacuation processMajor Residential Incidents
Large-scale incidents affecting multiple properties or households require coordinated accommodation for many residents simultaneously.
Major incident accommodationThe Insurance Claims Process for Accommodation
The typical journey from incident to residents returning home involves several stages, each with accommodation implications.
Reporting the Incident
The policyholder reports the incident to their insurer. If the property is uninhabitable, the need for temporary accommodation is flagged immediately.
Property Assessment
A loss adjuster or claims handler assesses the damage and confirms whether the property is habitable. If not, accommodation arrangements begin.
Learn moreArranging Temporary Accommodation
The insurer or their appointed accommodation partner sources suitable temporary housing based on the resident's needs, location and expected repair timescale.
Duration of Temporary Stay
Residents remain in temporary accommodation while repair and restoration works are completed. Stays can range from days to months depending on the severity of damage.
Repair and Restoration
Contractors carry out repair works to the property. The absence of residents allows works to proceed more efficiently and safely.
Returning Home
Once works are complete and the property is confirmed safe and habitable, residents return home and temporary accommodation arrangements conclude.
View detailed timelines for specific incident types:
Who Arranges Temporary Accommodation?
Several organisations may be involved in arranging temporary accommodation during an insurance claim.
Insurance Providers
Some insurers arrange accommodation directly through their in-house teams, while others appoint specialist partners.
Learn moreLoss Adjusters
Loss adjusters often coordinate accommodation as part of the claim, particularly for complex incidents.
Learn moreClaims Handlers
Claims handlers manage the administrative aspects of accommodation bookings and resident communication.
Catastrophe Response Teams
During major incidents, specialist catastrophe response teams coordinate multi-household relocation.
Learn moreAccommodation Sourcing Partners
Specialist partners like Jigsaw source accommodation on behalf of insurers, providing managed placement and coordination services.
Learn moreTypes of Temporary Accommodation
The type of accommodation used during an insurance claim depends on the expected duration, resident needs and availability.
Hotels
Short-term (days to 2 weeks)Used for immediate emergency stays, typically in the first few days after an incident. Hotels provide quick availability and essential amenities.
Serviced Apartments
Medium-term (2 weeks to 3 months)Self-contained apartments with kitchen facilities, suitable for families and longer stays. Often the preferred option for medium-term placements.
Extended Stay Accommodation
Medium to long-term (1 to 6 months)Purpose-built or converted properties designed for stays of several weeks or months. Include full kitchen, laundry and living facilities.
Corporate Housing
Medium to long-termFully furnished residential properties typically used for business relocation but also suitable for insurance placements.
Short-Term Residential Rentals
Long-term (3+ months)Furnished rental properties sourced for longer repair timescales, providing a home-like environment for residents during extended displacement.
Key Considerations for Insurers and Adjusters
When managing temporary accommodation during insurance claims, there are several important factors to consider.
Policy Coverage & Documentation
Confirm the policy includes alternative accommodation cover and document all accommodation arrangements for the claim file.
Resident Needs
Consider individual circumstances including families with children, elderly residents, residents with disabilities and those with pets or specific requirements.
Location & Proximity
Where possible, accommodation should be sourced close to the resident's original home to minimise disruption to work, schools and daily routines.
Duration & Flexibility
Repair timescales can change. Accommodation arrangements should be flexible enough to extend or transition to different property types as needed.
Budget Management
Balance cost-effectiveness with suitability. The cheapest option is not always the most appropriate for the resident's circumstances.
Communication & Coordination
Clear communication between the insurer, accommodation provider, resident and contractors ensures a smoother experience for everyone involved.
Managing an Insurance Incident?
Submit a request for emergency accommodation support. Our team responds within one working hour.
How Jigsaw Supports Insurance Claims
InternationalVenues.com by Jigsaw Conferences Ltd works alongside insurers, loss adjusters and catastrophe response teams as a managed accommodation sourcing partner.
Fast Sourcing & Placement
We source accommodation quickly, often within hours of receiving a request.
Nationwide Coverage
Our network covers accommodation options across the United Kingdom.
Managed Coordination
We handle logistics, communication and ongoing accommodation management.
All Incident Types
From single-property fires to multi-household major incidents.
Insurance Workflow Expertise
We understand how accommodation fits within the claims process.
Resident-First Approach
Accommodation is sourced with resident welfare and suitability as priorities.
Related Resources & Services
Insurance Emergency Accommodation
Our main insurance sector hub
Catastrophe Response
UK-wide major incident support
Loss Adjuster Support
Managed accommodation for adjusters
Fire & Flood Response
Emergency housing after incidents
Major Incident Relocation
Multi-household displacement
Buildings Claims Rehousing
Accommodation during building repairs
Policyholder Accommodation
Housing for displaced policyholders
Planned & Unplanned Decants
Emergency and planned relocation
Supply Chain Partner
Our role in the insurance chain
Resource Hub
Guides, timelines and resources
Insurance Claims UK
Temporary accommodation in the UK
Request Support
Submit an accommodation request
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about temporary accommodation during insurance claims.
Need Accommodation Support for an Insurance Claim?
Our team supports insurers, loss adjusters and claims teams with managed temporary accommodation across the United Kingdom. Whether you are managing a single claim or coordinating a major incident, we can help.