Learn how to claim ALE when your home is uninhabitable. Understand coverage limits, what's covered, and how to maximize claims.
Get Claim Command Pro →Additional Living Expenses (ALE), also called Loss of Use coverage, pays for increased costs of living when your home is uninhabitable due to covered damage. This coverage is often misunderstood and underutilized, costing homeowners thousands in unclaimed expenses.
ALE covers the difference between your normal living expenses and your increased expenses while displaced. If you normally spend $2,000/month on housing and food but spend $4,000/month while in a hotel, ALE covers the $2,000 difference. This includes temporary housing, meals, pet boarding, storage, and other increased costs.
Most policies limit ALE to 20-30% of your dwelling coverage or 12-24 months, whichever comes first. If you have $300,000 dwelling coverage with 20% ALE, you have up to $60,000 for additional living expenses. However, you must use it within the time limit.
Insurance companies often dispute what expenses are "reasonable and necessary." They may argue your hotel is too expensive, your meals cost too much, or you should have found cheaper accommodations. They also dispute how long coverage should last, arguing you should return home before repairs are complete.
ALE coverage begins when your home becomes uninhabitable and ends when your home is repaired enough to be habitable, not when repairs are 100% complete. Insurance companies often try to cut off ALE before you can reasonably return home.
Hotel, rental home, or apartment costs
Restaurant meals vs. normal grocery costs
Kennel or pet hotel costs if you can't keep pets with you
Storage unit costs for furniture and belongings
Increased laundry costs without home washer/dryer
Increased commuting costs from temporary location
Proper documentation and understanding of coverage ensures you recover all ALE expenses you're entitled to.
Get guidance on documenting and claiming all additional living expenses you're entitled to.
Get Claim Command ProCheck your policy declarations page. ALE is typically 20-30% of your dwelling coverage or a specified dollar amount. Time limits are usually 12-24 months.
Yes, but you can only claim actual increased expenses. If you pay family for accommodations or have increased food costs, those may be covered.
You're responsible for costs above your policy limit. This is why tracking your ALE spending against your limit is important.
No. ALE covers increased costs, not normal expenses. You still pay your mortgage, but ALE covers the additional cost of temporary housing.
You're responsible for expenses after the time limit expires, even if repairs aren't complete. Some policies extend the time limit if delays are beyond your control.