What is loss of use coverage on a homeowners insurance policy?

What does loss of use cover?

Loss of use coverage pays for additional living expenses you incur if your home is not suitable to live in due to a covered loss. It's important to note that loss of use covers the excess of what you normally spend for certain things. For instance, let's say your home is damaged by fire. You're unable to use your kitchen to cook, so you've been eating your meals at a restaurant. Your tab at the restaurant was $600 for the week, but you normally spend $300 weekly for groceries. Your loss of use coverage will pay out the difference of $300.

Examples of loss of use/additional living expenses include:

• Temporary housing (hotel or rental home)
• Additional fuel costs
• Additional utilities
• Additional food expenses (groceries, restaurants, cooking supplies)
• Storage units
• Boarding of pets
• Laundry
• Moving costs
• Public transportation fees
• Parking fees

Limits on loss of use coverage

On a homeowners policy

Loss of use coverage on home insurance policies typically offer 10% or 20% of your dwelling coverage. For example, if you have $200,000 in dwelling coverage, you'd be covered up to $20,000 or $40,000 in the event of a covered loss, depending on your policy.

On a condominium policy

Typically, condo insurance policies will provide loss of use coverage that is equal to 20% of your combined dwelling coverage and personal property coverage limits. For example, if you have a $60,000 limit for dwelling coverage and a $30,000 limit for personal property coverage, your loss of use coverage limit will be $18,000.

On a renters policy

Depending on your insurance company, loss of use on renters insurance may be a flat amount (between $3,000 and $5,000) or a percentage of your personal property coverage. At ASI, one of the insurers in Progressive's network and part of our family of companies, you're covered up to 40% of your personal property limit. That means if you have $100,000 in personal property coverage, you will have up to $40,000 in loss of use coverage.

Loss of use coverage on a rental property

Landlords may be eligible to be reimbursed for lost rental income through their loss of use coverage if their tenants are unable to reside in the dwelling due to a covered loss (lease cancellations are not covered). ASI offers loss of use coverage options of $0, 10%, or 20% of your dwelling coverage.

Pro tips for loss of use claims

Check your limits: Some insurers only offer loss of use coverage for a certain amount of time after a covered loss. This may depend on your state, so check with your insurer to see if any time limits apply.

Know what expenses qualify: Generally, you're only covered for expenses that are considered "normal." You may want to verify with your insurer in advance if your expenses qualify. Additionally, if you plan on staying at a certain hotel because you’re unable to live in your home due to a covered loss, check with your insurer to make sure there won't be any reimbursement issues for that hotel.

Keep receipts for all your additional living expenses: Your insurer typically requires you to submit copies of your receipts for review prior to issuing a reimbursement check.

Continue to pay your mortgage or rent: Loss of use coverage will not cover your mortgage or rent payment during the time you’re unable to live in your home due to a covered loss.

Ask for help: If you need assistance finding a place to stay, your insurance company can usually help. Being displaced from your home is never easy, and your claims representative can help ease the transition.

Get a home insurance policy with loss of use coverage