Temporary Accommodation Insurance

Sometimes damage to your home and its contents can prevent you from living at your insured address. If your home becomes unlivable as a result of an insured event, a home insurance policy could help pay for temporary accommodation. This generally includes accommodation for you, your family and your pets while your home is being rebuilt or repaired.

What is temporary accommodation?

In home insurance, temporary accommodation is provided if your house becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event like a fire, flood or another emergency.

It's often automatically included in home insurance policies. To get covered for temporary accommodation, an inspector will have to confirm that your home is too damaged by the insured event to live in.

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8 of 69 results

Finder Score	Temporary Accommodation	Building Cover	Home Contents Cover	Sum Insured Safeguard	Online Discount
Promoted Finder score 9 Excellent Youi Building and Contents Insurance	Finder score 9 Excellent		Yes	Yes		No	Our verdict: With a a range of customisation options, Youi Building and Contents Insurance is a great pick for homeowners after a policy that allows them tailor their coverage.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder score 9.2 Excellent QBE Home & Contents Insurance	Finder score 9.2 Excellent		Yes	Yes		Yes	Get 20% off your first year with a combined policy. T&Cs apply.	Our verdict: Finder's Top Pick for Floods plus cover for other common claims such as fire and theft.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Promoted Finder score 9.1 Excellent Budget Direct Home & Contents Insurance	Finder score 9.1 Excellent		Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes	30% off your first year's premium for new combined Home & Contents policies purchased online. T&Cs apply.	Our verdict: The most popular insurer on Finder, Budget Direct prioritises low-cost cover.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9 Excellent Qantas Home and Contents Insurance	Finder score 9 Excellent		Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes	Bonus points offer: Earn up to 40,000 Qantas Points for joining by 27 May 2026. Plus save 30% on your 1st year’s premium for purchasing a combined home and contents policy online. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 8.6 Great Kogan Home & Contents Insurance	Finder score 8.6 Great		Yes	Yes		Yes	Up to 10% off your first year's premium when you apply online and $10 monthly Kogan credit (valid on $100+ purchases) for active policyholders. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9.9 Excellent RACV Home Buildings and Contents Insurance (VIC customers only)	Finder score 9.9 Excellent		Yes	Yes		No	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 9 Excellent ING Home and Contents Insurance	Finder score 9 Excellent		Yes	Yes	Optional	Yes	Save up to 30% when you purchase cover online. T&Cs apply.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score 8.7 Great Honey Home & Contents Insurance	Finder score 8.7 Great		Yes	Yes		No	Get $250 worth of smart sensors with a combined policy. T&Cs apply.	Our verdict: This policy is ideal for customers looking for reasonably priced coverage across a range of categories.	Get a quote View details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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Finder Score - Home insurance

We crunch eligible home insurance products in Australia to see how they stack up. We rank over 50 products on 16 different features, including price. We end up with a single score out of 10 that helps you compare home insurance a bit faster. We assess home and contents, building only and contents only products individually.

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How do I claim for emergency accommodation?

You can only receive cover for emergency accommodation once you've made a claim for an insured event, like a fire, and the insurer agrees to pay your claim.

At this point, your insurer will inform you of whether or not it will pay for temporary accommodation, provided your home is uninhabitable.

How does home insurance cover me for emergency accommodation?

The amount you get paid depends on the insurer. For many, the amount you will receive will be based on the weekly rentable value of your home.

Others will generally pay you between 1% and 12% of the building's sum insured towards temporary accommodation. Most will pay you for no longer than 12 months.

Provider	How it covers you
	It will pay up to 10% of your home or contents sum insured for temporary accommodation.
	Up to 10% of the sum insured or the cost of accommodation for up to 12 months from the date of the event, whichever is less. And up to $5,000 for pet accommodation.
	1% of the building's sum insured plus up to $250 for pet accommodation. The most it will pay in total is 12% of the building's sum insured plus up to $2,500 for pet accommodation. For emergency evacuation it will pay the temporary accommodation costs up to the day you are allowed to return to the premises; the maximum period it will pay for is 30 days.
	Cover for the lesser of 12 months' rent or 10% of your home sum insured.
	Up to 10% of the sum insured or the cost of accommodation for up to 12 months from the date of the event, whichever is less. And up to $5,000 for pet accommodation.
	Cover for the lesser of 12 months' rent or 10% of your home sum insured.
	Cover for the lesser of 12 months' rent or 10% of your home sum insured.

What kind of emergencies are eligible for emergency accommodation?

To get access to temporary accommodation through home insurance, an insured event needs to have damaged your house to the point it is no longer inhabitable. Commonly covered events can include, but are not limited to:

It's not uncommon for the authorities to order evacuations or prevent you from returning home during bushfire season. However, most policies will only pay for temporary accommodation if your home is destroyed by a fire, not if you are ordered to evacuate.

Only youi specifies in its product disclosure statement (PDS) that it will cover you for emergency evacuations.

Expert insight: How to assess a portable home

"The biggest challenge after natural disasters is securing temporary shelter while homes are being rebuilt. Portable homes offer a fast, reliable solution, providing a comfortable home base during this period. These homes can be covered under home insurance as temporary accommodation, making them a practical option. Look for features like quick setup, flexibility in location, and modern comforts. Ensuring your temporary home meets these criteria can significantly ease the stress of displacement and provide stability during the rebuilding process."

Michael Doubinski

CEO, PennyGranny

Why would an insurer not pay for temporary accommodation?

Here are some reasons why a home insurer may deny your claim for temporary accommodation, or stop paying for it.

• Your home was deemed livable by an insurance assessor
• There were avoidable delays which lead to you exceeding the reasonable time it takes for repairs. This is usually no longer than 12 months.
• If you weren't living in the house when the damage was caused
• If you have no intention of rebuilding or repairing
• If you have indicated that you don't need alternate accommodation (i.e. staying with family or friends)

Frequently asked questions

• What types of temporary accommodation does home insurance cover

  Home insurance generally covers the reasonable cost of suitable temporary accommodation such as hotels, motels, serviced apartments or a rental property. The type of accommodation depends on your policy limits and what your insurer deems appropriate for your situation. Always check with your insurer for specific details on what is covered.

• Can I choose where I stay for temporary accommodation

  Many insurers will work with you to arrange suitable temporary accommodation directly or may offer a cash payout for you to arrange it yourself. While you often have some input, the final choice may need to meet your insurer's criteria for reasonable cost and suitability. It is best to discuss your preferences and options with your insurer when making a claim.

• What documentation do I need to claim temporary accommodation

  To claim temporary accommodation, you will typically need to provide evidence of the insured event that made your home uninhabitable. This often includes photographs, damage reports and receipts for your temporary living expenses. Your insurer will guide you on the specific documentation required for your claim.

• Is the temporary accommodation payout taxable

  Generally, insurance payouts that reimburse you for expenses like temporary accommodation are not considered taxable income in Australia. However, tax implications can vary depending on your individual circumstances. It is always advisable to consult a qualified tax professional for personalised advice.

• Can I still receive a payout if I stay with family or friends

  If you choose to stay with family or friends and do not incur costs for temporary accommodation, your insurer may not provide a payout for accommodation expenses. Temporary accommodation cover is primarily designed to reimburse you for necessary additional living expenses incurred because your home is uninhabitable. Some policies may offer a goodwill payment in certain situations but this is not standard.

• What happens if my home repairs take longer than the covered temporary accommodation period

  If your home repairs or rebuild take longer than the maximum period covered by your policy, you will generally be responsible for any additional temporary accommodation costs beyond that timeframe. It is important to monitor the repair progress and discuss any potential delays with your insurer well in advance.

• What is the difference between temporary accommodation and loss of rent for landlords

  Temporary accommodation cover is for owner occupiers whose primary residence becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event. It covers your additional living expenses. Loss of rent cover is for landlords and compensates them for rental income lost when their investment property becomes unrentable due to an insured event. These are typically separate types of cover in a landlord insurance policy.

• How is the temporary accommodation payout amount calculated

  The payout amount for temporary accommodation can be calculated in a few ways depending on your insurer and policy. Some insurers base the amount on the weekly rentable value of your home. Others pay a percentage of your home's sum insured, typically ranging from 1% to 12%. There is usually a maximum payout period often 12 months.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 572 Finder guides across topics including:

• Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
• Managing the cost of living