Unable to live in your home due to fire damage? Additional Living Expenses (ALE) may be able to help. Included in most standard homeowner insurance policies, ALE can help policyholders pay the costs incurred as a result of being displaced from their home due to a covered disaster. However, ALE may have certain monetary and time limits, so it is important to check your specific policy for details. An experienced insurance claims attorney in Texas can help explain your policy and advise you about additional living expenses that are covered in the event of a fire.
Covering additional living expenses
In addition to fire, ALE can be used to pay for additional expenses associated with storm damage, vandalism, water damage, or explosions.
Expenses that may be covered
- The cost of a hotel or temporary house rent
- Restaurant bills if you do not have access to cooking facilities
- Pet hosting fee if your temporary accommodation does not allow pets
- Fuel and mileage if you need to drive further from your home to work, school or other essentials
Some things that ALE may not cover after a fire include damage to your personal property or physical damage to your home because other types of insurance cover these types of losses.
Understand your policy and its limits
To understand the types of additional living expenses that are covered under your insurance policy, it is important to read your document carefully and ask your agent to address any questions or concerns you may have. An insurance claims attorney can also help you understand what your policy covers. No one can predict when a disaster like a fire will strike in your home, so being prepared by understanding covering additional living expenses is essential. Your policy may specify what your insurance will pay for ALE after the loss. The amount may be a certain percentage of your dwelling coverage limit and it can also come with a time limit for using additional living expenses.
Use ALE coverage
Insurance companies typically handle ALE by reimbursement, which means you’ll pay for things like hotel accommodations, home rents, restaurant meals, pet boarding, and other costs yourself, then send the receipts to your insurance company and wait for them to pay you back. Keeping accurate records of all your expenses is vital.
Can’t cover the initial expenses on your own? Contact your insurance agent to see if prepayment is possible.
A skilled Texas insurance claims attorney can help you navigate the unfamiliar claims process, protect your legal rights, and fight for the full ALE coverage you need and deserve. A seasoned attorney can also help homeowners negotiate additional or extended ALE in situations where it might run out before a fire-related home repair or rebuilding is complete.
Let us help you with your Texas Fire claim
When a fire damages your home and forces you to find temporary housing, the costs associated with it can quickly add up. ALE can provide an essential lifeline, but obtaining full and fair coverage can be difficult without the help of an experienced fire insurance claims attorney. Fortunately, you have come to the right place to get help.
At The Voss Law Firm, we are committed to protecting the legal rights of our clients and maximizing the value of their insurance claims. If you are denied the full amount of additional living expenses after a fire in Texas, we may be able to help you. Complete the online contact form or call our office at 888-614-7730 To schedule a free initial consultation. We’ve recovered billions of dollars in settlements for our policyholders’ clients and don’t charge any fees unless we win your case.
Leave a Reply