Temporary Accommodation for Extreme Weather Events
Ensuring you have a safe place to live
We understand it can be difficult when your home has been damaged, and you need temporary accommodation. We are here to help and support you through the process. This brochure summarises the temporary accommodation cover included in our insurance policies. We hope it guides you through what you may wish to consider when making your decisions.
About your cover
Your home insurance policy with us includes cover for temporary accommodation.
We cover your reasonable and necessary costs if you cannot live in your home due to damage caused by an insured event, for example, a storm and flood.
If we accept your claim, we will cover these costs while your home is unliveable, and while your building is being repaired or rebuilt so that it can be lived in again.
The amount we cover depends on the policy you have with us.
Accommodation types
There are two types of temporary accommodation, short term and residential.
Short term accommodation
Your cover will pay for your reasonable and necessary costs for up to four weeks, so we can complete repairs to your home if we accept your claim.
We will agree the costs with you. Generally, costs are based on standard rates for a hotel, motel, or serviced apartment. Your cover does not include extra costs, such as food, laundering, and room service.
Residential accommodation
If we expect your repairs will take longer than four weeks, we will discuss your options with you. This includes moving you into residential accommodation. Where possible, this accommodation is in a similar area and standard to your home.
Your policy also covers costs to redirect your mail and connect water, gas, and electricity.
How much do we cover?
The amount we cover depends on the policy you have with us.^
Most of our policies cover reasonable and necessary temporary accommodation costs up to 10% of the home building sum insured. For some policies, this amount is only paid up to a total of 52 weeks, and some offer more than 10% of the home building sum insured.
We provide this cover in addition to the cost of repairing and rebuilding your home.
When our builder is completing repairs, some policies also provide limited additional cover for delays to your repairs or rebuild that are entirely out of your control and you did not contribute to. For example, delayed council approvals that you did not contribute to.
If you are moving into residential accommodation, we will also cover the reasonable and necessary costs:
- to redirect your mail and connect water, gas, and electricity, and
- to pay break fees to terminate a lease for a rental if you can return to your home before your lease ends.
Bond payments
Your cover does not include bond payments. If you need help with upfront bond payments, please speak to your Claims Manager. You will need to repay any amount paid by us, or we will deduct it from a claim payment.
When your cover ends
We will no longer cover your temporary accommodation costs if:
- you can live in your home again, or
- you have reached your maximum cover. Both short term and residential accommodation costs contribute to your maximum cover.
Your Claims Manager will contact you before your temporary accommodation ends. They will be able to discuss your options with you.
Please check the Product Disclosure Statement to understand your cover, and your Certificate of Insurance for your home building sum insured. There are limits, conditions and exclusions that apply.
If you cannot find these documents, do not worry. You can find the Product Disclosure Statement on our websites, as well as your Certificate of Insurance after you have logged into your account. Or you can call us for a copy.
Your Claims Manager can also help explain your cover and the amount we will pay.
About your home building sum insured
Your sum insured is the maximum amount of money you will get to repair or rebuild your home for loss or damage caused by any one incident.
Your home building sum insured was set by you when you set up or renewed your policy with us. It is your responsibility to regularly review your sum insured to ensure it is appropriate for your needs.
You can find your home building sum insured on your Certificate of Insurance.
Case Study
Lisa has a Suncorp Home and Contents Insurance policy.* She has read the Product Disclosure Statement and her Certificate of Insurance and has:
- Temporary accommodation cover up to 10% of her home building sum insured for a maximum of 52 weeks, and
- A home building sum insured of $800,000.
Therefore, Lisa has up to $80,000 to cover her reasonable and necessary temporary accommodation costs.
After heavy rain, Lisa’s home flooded. Lisa initially moved into short term accommodation for four weeks as her home was unliveable after flooding. This cost $6,000.
Lisa has up to $74,000 available for up to another 48 weeks in residential accommodation. She can only access this while her home is being repaired or rebuilt so that it can be lived in again.
What you should consider
Before you make any decisions on your temporary accommodation:
- be clear on the amount of cover you have upfront, so you can look for options that are within your budget,
- know what you need, including the location, and local amenities, and
- understand how long you may need the accommodation for.
Sometimes it can be difficult to find temporary accommodation that is in a similar area and standard to your home at a reasonable cost. Where there is widespread damage after a weather event, availability may also be limited.
Repairs and rebuilds may take longer than expected. You may need to complete maintenance that is not covered by insurance before your repairs can begin.
There could be delays in getting council permits and approvals, materials and trade shortages, and unforeseen circumstances.
All of the above information, including any additional delays will help you consider whether you need to make any changes, so you do not exceed your limit. Also make sure you add in extra time when you initially select your accommodation in case there are any delays.
Finally, you should consider how you could pay for temporary accommodation if you reach your maximum limit and your cover stops.
Working together
It is important we work together to find temporary accommodation that meets your needs.
- We can help find short term accommodation for you. This type of accommodation is for a maximum of four weeks.
- For residential accommodation we recommend you actively look. This helps ensure you are comfortable for the time you will be there.
Before you make any decisions or bookings, please speak to your Claims Manager. They can make sure the cost and timings are reasonable.
Extra support
Sometimes your circumstances might mean you need additional support or assistance in dealing with us. This could be due to your physical or mental health, family or financial situation, or cultural background. If you are comfortable, you can tell us about your situation. We will work with you to arrange support.
Frequently asked questions
Your home insurance policy with us includes cover for temporary accommodation.
We cover your reasonable and necessary costs if you cannot live in your home due to damage caused by an insured event, for example, a storm or a flood. If we accept your claim, we cover these costs while your home is unliveable and while your building is being repaired or rebuilt so that it can be lived in again. The amount we pay depends on the type of policy you have with us. Please check the Product Disclosure Statement to understand your cover and your Certificate of Insurance for your home building sum insured.
If you cannot find these documents, do not worry. You can find the Product Disclosure Statement on our websites, as well as your Certificate of Insurance after you have logged into your account. Or you can call us for a copy.
Your Claims Manager can also help explain your cover and the amount we will pay.
We may cover some costs, including board or rent you pay to family or friends. Please talk to your Claims Manager about any costs you are incurring.
It is important we work together to find your temporary accommodation.
- Generally, for short term accommodation we can find this for you. This type of accommodation is for a maximum of four weeks.
- For residential accommodation, we recommend you look for this so you are comfortable for the time you will be there.
Your Claims Manager will talk you through how long you may need temporary accommodation and your limits.
Please speak to your Claims Manager before making any bookings. We will check your costs and timings are reasonable and are in line with your policy cover. If we are organising the accommodation for you, we can pay the costs to our supplier. If you are organising, we will reimburse you the costs.
If it is ok with the accommodation provider, it is ok with us! Some of our policies also cover temporary accommodation for pets. Please check the Product Disclosure Statement to understand your cover.
Yes, there are some other costs we will cover. This includes:
- costs to redirect your mail, and connect water, gas, and electricity, and
- break fees to terminate a lease for a temporary accommodation rental if you can return to your home before the lease ends.
Your cover does not include bond payments. If you need help with upfront bond payments, please speak to your Claims Manager. You will need to repay any amount paid by us, or we will deduct it from a claim payment.
Please check your Product Disclosure Statement to see the maximum limits for these costs. If you have any questions, please speak to your Claims Manager.
You are responsible for your ongoing costs. Please speak to your Claims Manager to see if there are any other options for you.
Some of our policies provide limited extra cover if there are delays outside of your control that you did not contribute to.
We can help. Please speak to your Claims Manager as soon as possible.
Sometimes your circumstances might mean you need additional support or assistance in dealing with us. This could be due to your physical or mental health, family or financial situation, or cultural background. If you are comfortable, you can tell us about your situation. We will work with you to arrange support.
Disclaimers:
Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Any advice has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs, so please consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement that applies to your policy for full details of the cover that applies to you. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Benefits may be provided before a claim decision is made. This does not mean your claim has been accepted.
^ Depending on when you took out your policy with us, your cover and limits may differ. Please read your Product Disclosure Statement to check what cover and limits apply to you.
* Suncorp Home and Contents Policy Product Disclosure Statement version 12314 24/05/25A, for new business and policy renewals commencing on or after 24 May 2025
