What is Loss of Use Coverage for Homeowners and Renters?
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Loss of use coverage (or coverage D) is typically included in most homeowners and renters insurance policies and provides homeowners with reimbursement for two main things: additional living expenses and lost rental income. Unlike other parts of your insurance policy that repair or replace your damaged property, loss of use protects you from having to pay living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable.
Typically, as long as your home suffers a covered peril, you could be eligible for the protection that your loss of use coverage affords. For example, if your home were destroyed by a tornado or a fire, your loss of use would cover the cost for you to temporarily relocate. However, loss of use coverage would likely not cover flood damage, since most homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flooding as a covered peril.
Knowing exactly what is covered by loss of use insurance may help you negotiate with your insurance company if you ever need to file a loss of use claim.
What is loss of use coverage in homeowners insurance?
Loss of use coverage, also known as coverage D, provides two main forms of protection.
Additional living expenses coverage (ALE insurance): ALE insurance reimburses homeowners for additional living expenses incurred when living away from home after a covered loss. For example, if your house partially burns down and becomes uninhabitable, your loss of use coverage would reimburse you for the cost of a hotel, up to your coverage limit.
Fair rental value: Also known as loss of rent insurance, fair rental value reimburses you for lost rental income if you're renting a home and it becomes unlivable due to a covered loss. For instance, if you were renting out your home for $1,000 a month, that is the amount that you would be reimbursed under fair rental value coverage.
Most homeowners insurance companies include loss of use coverage in their policies and place a limit as a percentage of your dwelling coverage.
For instance, if your loss of use coverage limit is 30% of your dwelling coverage and your dwelling coverage limit is $200,000, you would be covered for up to $60,000 under your loss of use insurance.
Remember that policy limits vary by insurance company and policy, so if you have questions regarding your specific loss of use coverage limit, it's best to ask your insurer. You can typically increase your coverage limit at an additional cost.
What is prohibited use coverage?
Prohibited use is included under loss of use coverage. Prohibited use applies when a governmental authority prohibits residents from accessing their undamaged homes. For instance, if local authorities restrict you from entering your neighborhood due to nearby tornado damage, but your home is unaffected, prohibited use coverage would apply.
In this scenario, you could file a loss of use claim for additional living expenses without damage to your home. Keep in mind that an order to evacuate would not trigger coverage. For you to be able to file a prohibited use claim, there would need to be physical damage to neighboring homes.
What is loss of use coverage in renters insurance?
The loss of use coverage built into renters insurance also provides additional living expenses to protect you from extra costs if you have to leave your home. As a renter, you generally won't be responsible for the costs of repairing your home if it's uninhabitable, but if you need a hotel room or other temporary accommodation, this coverage pays for it.
Renters insurance is relatively inexpensive compared to other insurance types, such as homeowners or auto. In fact, the average cost of renters insurance is only $228 per year. Given this, consider increasing your renters insurance coverage limits if you're a renter living in a city with a high cost of living.
What's covered by loss of use insurance?
As previously mentioned, loss of use insurance typically provides coverage for additional living expenses due to a covered loss. In simpler terms, this means you would be covered for expenses you wouldn't ordinarily pay if you were living in your own home.
For instance, let's assume you typically spend $100 on gas per month, but that amount has increased to $150 because you live in a hotel that is farther from work while your home is repaired. In this scenario, you would be reimbursed $50, which is the incremental cost.
A list of common additional living expenses typically covered under loss of use insurance is provided below.
- Cost of temporary housing, such as a hotel or motel
- Credit check fee associated with renting a temporary residence
- Cell phone overages incurred as a result of losing a landline
- Cost of increased mileage to your place of employment
- Cost of setting up utilities in your temporary home
- Increased cost of meals
If you're renting your home or part of your home, and it becomes unlivable due to a covered loss, the rental income you're missing out on would be reimbursed under fair rental value coverage. Keep in mind that your insurance company won't cover expenses that are not incurred during this period, such as utilities.
Tips for filing a loss of use claim
If you plan to file a loss of use claim, it's helpful to keep all receipts that stem from additional living expenses. Payments resulting from loss of use claims are typically made after the expense is incurred. This means your insurance company will reimburse you rather than cover the cost upfront.
When you file a loss of use claim, your insurance company will evaluate the additional living expenses you submit and then determine whether the expenses exceed your normal living expenses. Some homeowners insurance companies will ask you to outline your normal living expenses.
Homeowners (even those who haven't suffered a loss) are wise to keep records of their normal living expenses. Knowing and tracking these expenses with receipts will make negotiating with your insurance company easier if you ever need to file a loss of use claim.
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