Insurance Relocation Housing Assistance and Guidance

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If you're relocating for a new job or business opportunity, insurance relocation housing assistance can be a huge help. This type of assistance is often included in employer-provided relocation packages to support employees in finding and securing temporary housing.

Temporary housing options may include short-term rentals, furnished apartments, or even corporate housing. These options can provide a convenient and hassle-free way to get settled in a new area.

Relocation housing assistance can also include help with finding permanent housing, such as connecting you with local real estate agents or providing information on neighborhoods and local amenities. This support can be especially helpful if you're new to the area and don't know where to start.

Temporary Housing Options

Temporary housing options can be a lifesaver when you're dealing with an insurance claim. You can explore different options, including finding a safe place to sleep with a family member or friend, or booking a hotel room.

Aerial View of Houses in a Village
Credit: pexels.com, Aerial View of Houses in a Village

It's essential to check your insurance coverage for temporary housing, specifically additional living expenses (ALE). This coverage provides reimbursement for costs of temporary housing, so be sure to call your insurance to confirm.

You can also ask your insurance about finding temporary housing, as they may work with relocation or temporary housing service providers. These companies can help connect you with the housing that best fits your needs.

If you want to search for a temporary home on your own, you can use vacation rental platforms like Airbnb or VRBO for short-term furnished rentals, or HAR.com for long-term rentals.

Some popular temporary housing service providers include ALE, CRS Temporary Housing, and Temporary Housing Directory. These companies can help you find a temporary home that meets your needs.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when searching for temporary housing:

  1. Look for fully-equipped and prepped rentals, including utilities, so you can focus on your permanent home solution.
  2. Consider the location and amenities of the temporary housing, such as proximity to work, schools, or healthcare facilities.
  3. Read reviews and ask for references to ensure you're getting a reliable and comfortable temporary home.

Understanding Insurance Coverage

If your home is damaged and you need temporary relocation housing, check your policy for terms like "loss of use", "additional living expenses", "fair rental value", or "civil authority prohibits use." These terms may indicate that you have coverage for a necessary increase in living expenses.

Young man carrying heap of cardboard boxes during relocation in new flat
Credit: pexels.com, Young man carrying heap of cardboard boxes during relocation in new flat

Temporary insurance housing is short-term, month-to-month accommodation used by homeowners who experience damage to their homes. It's a provision that covers the cost of short-term housing when repairs take three to six months or longer.

A home insurance policy covers various perils and liabilities, but it's the Loss of Use provision that pays for temporary expenses such as accommodation. This provision is sometimes referred to as Section D.

The Loss of Use provision has a provision for Additional Living Expenses (ALE), which pays for temporary expenses like accommodation and other additional living expenses if required.

Finding and Coordinating Housing

Finding the right temporary housing can be a challenge, especially after a home damage. If your home is immediately uninhabitable, hotels and extended stay hotels can be a quick solution, often organized within 24 hours.

However, for families with children and pets, these options can be less than ideal. A better solution for a long, multi-month stay is a single-family home. You can work with an insurance housing provider to find a suitable temporary home that meets your needs.

A woman lying among cardboard boxes with dramatic light and shadow. Perfect for moving or relocation themes.
Credit: pexels.com, A woman lying among cardboard boxes with dramatic light and shadow. Perfect for moving or relocation themes.

To help the search process, set up key criteria with your insurance housing provider, such as how far away from your home you're willing to accept, whether you need to be near a specific school, or if you require a fenced yard for your pet.

Some insurance housing providers work with companies like ALE Solutions, Assured Relocation, and CRS Temporary Housing to find you "equivalent" housing. Depending on the time of year and location, finding this type of housing can take a few weeks.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when working with an insurance housing provider:

  • Set up key criteria to help the search process
  • Work with an insurance housing provider to find a suitable temporary home
  • Consider a single-family home for a long, multi-month stay

Finding Accommodation

Finding the right temporary housing can be a challenge, but it's essential to get it right. You'll want to start by setting up key criteria with your insurance housing provider, such as how far away from your home you're willing to accept, if there's a specific school you need to be near, and if you need a fenced yard for your dog.

Stack of carton boxes of various shapes and sizes scattered in floor near white walls during relocation
Credit: pexels.com, Stack of carton boxes of various shapes and sizes scattered in floor near white walls during relocation

If your home is immediately uninhabitable, hotels and extended stay hotels can be a quick solution, often organized within 24 hours. However, if the damage is not catastrophic, you may be able to continue living in your home for a period of time before the major repair starts.

You'll want to collect and secure all valuables you can take from your home, including identification, money, jewelry, and electronics. This will make it easier to find a safe place to sleep and start the process of finding temporary housing.

Call your insurance to check coverage for temporary housing, specifically additional living expenses (ALE). This coverage provides reimbursement for costs of temporary housing, making it easier to find a place to stay.

You can also ask your insurance about finding temporary housing, as they may work with a relocation/temporary housing service provider to connect you with the housing that best fits your needs. Some companies they may work with include ALE, CRS Temporary Housing, and Temporary Housing Directory.

If you want to search for a temporary home on your own, you can use a vacation rental platform such as Airbnb or VRBO for short-term furnished rentals, or HAR.com for long-term rentals.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Home Alone House Address Directions

Coordinate with Housing Provider

Couple getting carton boxes out of red car while relocating in new home
Credit: pexels.com, Couple getting carton boxes out of red car while relocating in new home

As you start looking for a new place to stay, it's essential to coordinate with your housing provider. Share the results of your search with them to ensure a smooth transition.

Your housing provider can help facilitate the process by coordinating with the insurance adjuster and property owner. This is especially important if you're dealing with a covered loss.

Temporary relocation coverage can help pay for unexpected relocation expenses, but it's a good idea to have a plan in place for finding and coordinating housing.

Time and Rental Agreements

Using vacation rental sites like AirBnB and VRBO can be a good option for insurance relocation housing, but it's essential to set the length of stay to 1 or 2 months or longer to filter out weekend-oriented offerings.

This approach helps you find hosts who focus on longer-term rentals, such as corporate or insurance housing, which is crucial for a smooth transition.

Pre-Qualified Rental Agreements

A cheerful couple moving into their new home with boxes and plants on a sunny day.
Credit: pexels.com, A cheerful couple moving into their new home with boxes and plants on a sunny day.

We forward rent directly to you from the family’s insurance claim.

You'll save time and money by not having to perform credit checks on each tenant.

We have a good credit standing and have worked in this capacity with hundreds of other landlords.

This means you can trust that you'll be paid your rent.

When More Time Is Needed

If you need more time, don't worry, it's not uncommon. The average initial lease term for insurance housing is three months, which can be adjusted based on the adjuster's assessment of the damage.

You can request an extension with 30 days' notice, but many reputable property providers will give you more leeway. From our experience, every insurance housing guest we've hosted has extended their stay beyond the initial term.

This is partly due to the uncertainty of the supply chain and availability of labor, which can cause unforeseen issues during repairs. Property providers like ANGR Properties understand this situation and are happy to accommodate extensions.

In fact, they may even give you more than 30 days' notice to extend or terminate the lease.

Felicia Larson

Writer

Felicia Larson is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for logistics. Her work focuses on the intricate world of shipping companies, where she delves into the complexities of global logistics and supply chain management. Through her articles, she aims to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, from the latest technological advancements to the challenges faced by shipping companies.

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