If you can’t live in your home, your insurance should be paying for it—not you.
After a covered loss, many homeowners are forced to move out of their property—but what most don’t realize is that their policy may cover the cost of maintaining their normal standard of living.
This coverage is known as Additional Living Expenses (ALE), and it is one of the most overlooked and underpaid parts of an insurance claim.
At Caliber Claim Adjusters, we help homeowners understand, document, and maximize their ALE benefits so they are not paying out of pocket during a difficult time.
What Is Additional Living Expenses (ALE)?
Additional Living Expenses (ALE), also referred to as Loss of Use coverage, is designed to cover the extra costs you incur when your home becomes unlivable due to a covered loss.
The goal of ALE is simple:
To maintain your normal standard of living while your home is being repaired.
What Does ALE Typically Cover?
Depending on your policy, ALE may include:
- Temporary housing (hotel, Airbnb, rental property)
- Increased food costs (if you no longer have access to a kitchen)
- Laundry expenses
- Storage fees
- Additional transportation costs
- Pet boarding (in some cases)
The key is that these are extra expenses above your normal living costs.
When Does ALE Apply?
ALE applies when your home is deemed uninhabitable due to a covered loss such as:
- Hurricane or windstorm damage
- Water damage
- Fire or smoke damage
- Structural damage affecting safety
Even partial unlivable conditions—such as lack of electricity, water, or major areas of the home being unusable—may qualify.
How ALE Is Calculated
Insurance companies do not simply pay for all your expenses—they calculate the difference between your normal living costs and your temporary expenses.
For example:
- If you normally spend $300/month on groceries
- And now spend $800/month eating out
👉 The insurance may cover the $500 difference
This is why documentation is critical.
Important Reality About ALE
ALE coverage is meant to help—but it is often limited, controlled, and closely monitored by the insurance company.
Insurance carriers may:
- Limit the duration of ALE payments
- Dispute whether the home is truly uninhabitable
- Push for cheaper housing alternatives
- Deny certain expenses as “not necessary”
Without proper documentation and guidance, homeowners often receive less than what they are entitled to.
What You Should Do to Protect Your ALE Claim
1. Keep All Receipts
Save every expense related to your displacement—housing, food, transportation, etc.
2. Track Your Normal Expenses
Be prepared to show what you typically spend versus what you are spending now.
3. Document Living Conditions
Take photos showing why the home is not livable.
4. Communicate Carefully with the Insurance Company
Statements about your living situation can affect your eligibility for ALE.
5. Work with a Public Adjuster
Professional guidance ensures your expenses are properly categorized and fully claimed.
Common Misconceptions About ALE
“Insurance will pay for everything”
❌ Not exactly — only the increase in expenses is typically covered.
“I can stay in my home and still get ALE”
❌ Usually no — the home must be unlivable.
“I don’t need to keep receipts”
❌ Without proof, expenses can be denied.
“The insurance company will guide me fairly”
❌ Not always — their goal is to control costs.
Why You Need a Public Adjuster
ALE claims require proper documentation, strategy, and negotiation.
At Caliber Claim Adjusters, we:
- Evaluate whether your home qualifies as uninhabitable
- Help you properly document all ALE expenses
- Ensure nothing is overlooked or underpaid
- Push back when the insurance company tries to limit your benefits
We make sure you receive the support your policy promises—so you can focus on getting your life back to normal.
Final Thoughts
Being displaced from your home is stressful enough—you shouldn’t have to worry about how to pay for it.
If your property has been damaged and you cannot live in it, your insurance policy may provide significant financial relief through ALE coverage.
But like many parts of an insurance claim, what you receive depends on how well your claim is handled.
Let Caliber Claim Adjusters guide you through the process and make sure you receive every dollar you’re entitled to while your home is being restored.
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