# CL-H-02: Our house isn't safe to stay in after a storm. Will our insurance help pay for somewhere else to live? Collected 11 October 2026 [Home and contents insurance study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/insurance/home-contents-insurance) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 9ba51a32-f09a-47c3-80b5-9702abd0dd32 I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. If your home in New Zealand is unsafe to live in after a storm, your home insurance may help pay for temporary accommodation, such as a motel, hotel, rental property or other suitable place to stay. The important thing is whether your policy includes temporary accommodation cover and whether the storm damage is covered by your insurance. ## What your insurance may pay for - Temporary accommodation: Some home insurance policies cover reasonable costs of somewhere else to live while your home is repaired or rebuilt after insured damage. - Extra living expenses: Depending on your policy, this may include some additional costs caused by having to leave home. - A maximum payment: Policies often set a dollar limit, a time limit, or both. Some require the insurer to approve accommodation costs first. - Storm damage repairs: Cover depends on the cause and extent of the damage, your policy terms and any applicable exclusions. If your home is officially deemed unsafe or you have been told to evacuate, keep any notices or instructions you receive. However, you should still contact your insurer even if no official notice has been issued. ## What to do now 1. Stay somewhere safe. Don’t remain in or re-enter a damaged house if it may be dangerous. 2. Call your insurer or insurance broker as soon as possible. Tell them the storm has made your home unsafe and ask to activate your temporary accommodation benefit. 3. Get approval before booking, if possible. Ask what accommodation they will approve, how much they will pay and whether they can pay the provider directly. 4. Keep evidence and receipts. Take photos of damage only if safe, save receipts for accommodation and essential expenses, and keep any council or Civil Defence notices. These steps are consistent with guidance from the [Insurance Council of New Zealand](https://www.icnz.org.nz/individuals/making-a-claim/) and [Community Law](https://communitylaw.org.nz/community-law-manual/disaster-relief/disaster-relief/temporary-accommodation/). [How to Make an Insurance Claim](https://www.icnz.org.nz/individuals/making-a-claim/)[Temporary accommodation](https://communitylaw.org.nz/community-law-manual/disaster-relief/disaster-relief/temporary-accommodation/) If you cannot safely stay at home and cannot arrange accommodation immediately, contact your local Civil Defence group. The government’s [Temporary Accommodation Service](https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/maintenance-and-inspections/damage-and-repairs/what-to-do-after-a-natural-disaster/) may also be available following a significant emergency. [Recovery: What to do after an emergency » National Emergency Management Agency](https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/guidance-training/consistent-messages/recovery)[What to do after a natural disaster » Tenancy Services](https://www.tenancy.govt.nz/maintenance-and-inspections/damage-and-repairs/what-to-do-after-a-natural-disaster/) ## I can help you work out what you're entitled to Which insurance company are you with? If you know the name (for example, AMI, AA Insurance, State, Tower or another provider), tell me and I can help you check its temporary accommodation rules and what to ask for. ## Gemini Answer ID: 1a600a35-9252-4fe8-be3b-f83eb58639f6 Yes, **most standard house or contents insurance policies in New Zealand include a temporary (or alternative) accommodation benefit** if a storm or severe weather event makes your home unsafe or uninhabitable. How this typically works and what you need to know: ### 1. When Cover Applies Insurers will generally cover reasonable alternative accommodation costs if: * Your home has sustained significant structural damage. * Essential services (like power, water, or wastewater) are severely disrupted, or critical areas like the kitchen and bathroom are rendered non-functional. * Civil Defence, local council authorities, or emergency services issue an official evacuation order or "red-sticker" your property due to immediate risk. ### 2. What Is Typically Covered * **Alternative Rent/Lodging:** The reasonable cost of renting a temporary property, staying in a motel, or sometimes staying with family or friends (depending on your insurer's specific policy terms). * **Moving and Storage:** Expenses related to moving your belongings and storing them safely while your home is repaired. * **Pets:** Some policies also cover temporary boarding costs (like cattery or kennel fees) for domestic pets if they cannot live with you in your temporary accommodation. ### 3. Key Limits and Conditions * **Policy Caps:** This benefit is usually subject to a maximum dollar limit (e.g., a specific cash cap like $20,000 to $40,000) or a time limit (e.g., up to 12 months), or a percentage of your total sum insured. * **Prior Approval:** Always **contact your insurance company as soon as possible** before booking or committing to long-term temporary accommodation. They need to log your claim, confirm your entitlements, and approve the costs. (Emergency short-term stays like a motel for a couple of nights immediately following evacuation are usually assessed as part of your overall claim, but communication is key). * **Exclusions:** Standard grocery/food, utility, and internet bills are usually *not* covered, as you would normally pay these living expenses anywhere. *If your insurance policy does not include temporary accommodation or if you run out of your policy's limit before your home is repaired, government options such as Work and Income (MSD) emergency or civil defence payments may sometimes provide additional safety-net support.* Have you already been able to contact your insurance provider, or do you need help figuring out your next steps for lodging the claim? ## AI Overviews Answer ID: 639f1a18-d379-4332-9670-5c05bdb61313 **Yes, if you have a comprehensive home insurance policy in New Zealand, it will generally cover temporary accommodation** if your home becomes uninhabitable due to storm damage. Your insurer will help pay for "reasonable" alternative living arrangements while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. How Temporary Accommodation Cover Works * **The "Uninhabitable" Requirement:** To trigger this cover, your house must be genuinely unsafe, unsanitary, or structurally compromised (e.g., severe roof damage, flooding, or a local council red/orange sticker). * **Evacuation Orders:** Most major NZ insurers will also pay for temporary accommodation if local authorities (like Civil Defence or the Police) order you to evacuate due to an imminent threat, even if your house hasn’t actually been damaged yet. * **What is Considered "Reasonable":** Insurers aim to cover a practical property that fits your household's size. It does not have to match your exact home layout, but it will cover standard rental costs or motel/hotel stays. Typical Limits by Insurer Every policy is capped by a maximum dollar amount or a specific time frame. Common standard caps include: * **AA Insurance:** Up to **$40,000** per event. * **AMI, State, and BNZ:** Up to **$30,000** per event. * **Tower:** Typically between **$15,000 to $30,000** depending on your exact tier. * **AMP:** Up to **10% of your total sum insured** (e.g., $50,000 if your home is insured for $500,000). What is and isn't covered? * **Included:** The cost of the alternative rental/hotel, moving costs, short-term storage for your furniture, and often kennel or cattery fees for your household pets. * **Excluded:** Routine day-to-day living expenses. Insurance will not pay for your groceries/meals, electricity, internet, or travel costs. You are expected to pay these just as you would if you were still living at home. Next Steps & Emergency Government Support 1. **Contact your insurer immediately:** You must get approval from your insurance company _before_ booking long-term accommodation, as they often prefer to pay providers directly or require specific documentation. 2. **Keep all receipts:** Save copies of emergency hotel stays or immediate out-of-pocket expenses from the days directly following the storm. 3. **If you don't have insurance or it runs out:** The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) activates the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) during major regional weather emergencies to help displaced residents find housing. Work and Income (WINZ) can also provide immediate emergency civil defence payments for urgent accommodation needs. ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: cea592c1-c71d-4645-8d27-0fcfd8d545ba Yes, most comprehensive house insurance policies in _New Zealand_ include **temporary accommodation** (or alternative accommodation) cover if a sudden storm or natural event makes your home unsafe, uninhabitable, or inaccessible. Here is what you generally need to know about how it works: * * **What it covers:** Reasonable, actual costs for a temporary place to stay (like rental accommodation) that is practical and necessary for your household size while your home cannot be lived in. [AA Insurance] * **Official orders:** Cover usually applies if your house sustained insured damage, or if a local authority or government agency officially prohibits access to your home due to safety risks (even if the house itself is undamaged). [AA Insurance] * **Policy limits and caps:** This benefit is almost always subject to a financial cap (for example, a maximum dollar limit like $ 40 , 000 ) or a time limit (such as up to 12 months). It typically stops once your home is repaired, a cash settlement is paid, or you move into another property you own. Note that the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC) covers certain natural disaster property damage, but temporary accommodation costs are managed via your private house insurance policy rather than the government NHCover. * **Next steps:** Contact your private insurance company as soon as possible to log your claim, confirm your specific policy's temporary accommodation limits, and keep all receipts for any immediate emergency accommodation you arrange. * If you'd like, let me know: * Who your **insurance provider** is * Whether you have a **maximum dollar limit** or **time cap** listed on your policy documents I can give you a clearer idea of what questions to ask your insurer.