When your home or business is damaged and you can’t live or work in it, the consequences go far beyond the cost to repair walls and roofs. You may need a temporary place to stay, you might lose rental income, or your business could come to a grinding halt. That’s where Loss of Use coverage under your insurance policy comes in—if you have it.
At Godbey Giardina Law Group, we fight to recover every dollar our clients are owed after a disaster. One of the most overlooked areas of coverage we see in first-party property claims is Loss of Use. We’ll explain what it means, how to prove it, and how our free AI-powered policy review can help you find out if it’s even in your policy.
What Is “Loss of Use” Coverage?
“Loss of Use” is an insurance term that refers to the financial losses a policyholder suffers when they can’t use their property due to a covered event. It’s often included in homeowner or commercial policies—sometimes under different names, like:
- Additional Living Expenses (ALE)
Here’s what it might cover:
- The cost of a hotel, Airbnb, or rental while your home is repaired
- Extra costs for meals or transportation during displacement
- Lost rent if a rental unit becomes uninhabitable
- Lost business income for commercial properties
But—and this is critical—not every policy includes this coverage. Some exclude it entirely, others cap it at low limits, or apply it only under specific conditions (like a mandatory evacuation order). Your specific policy governs what is covered.
How to Know If You Have It: Free AI Policy Review
Many of our clients come to us unsure whether their policy includes Loss of Use. Insurance contracts are dense, technical, and often buried in fine print. That’s why we offer a free AI-powered policy review for homeowners and business owners.
Our tool uses artificial intelligence to scan and summarize your policy, quickly identifying key sections related to:
- - Additional Living Expenses
- - Exclusions and limitations
Although it won’t give you any legal advise on your claim or policy, it may help you better understand—in plain English—what your policy actually says.
How to Document Loss of Use
If you do have coverage, documentation is everything. Insurers won’t pay unless you can show your losses clearly and completely. Here’s are a few ways to document your loss:
1. Track All Living or Business Expenses
- Keep hotel, Airbnb, or rental receipts
- Save receipts for meals, laundry, extra commuting costs
- Track utilities, furniture rentals, storage, etc.
2. Document Your Normal Expenses for Comparison
- Show what your rent or mortgage was before displacement
- Compare utilities, food, and travel costs
- For businesses, document typical revenue vs. lost revenue
3. Record the Timeline
- When were repairs completed?
- When could you realistically move back in or resume operations?
4. Support with Photos and Communication
- Pictures of the damaged area and unusable spaces
- Emails with landlords, repair crews, or insurance adjusters
- Notices of mandatory evacuation or condemnation, if applicable
The Bottom Line: Don’t Leave Money on the Table
Loss of Use damages can add up quickly—and some people don’t even realize they’re covered. Even worse, some insurers deny these claims on technicalities or take advantage of policyholders who don’t know what they’re entitled to.
At Godbey Giardina Law Group, we use every tool at our disposal—legal experience, expert networks, and smart technology—to help our clients get what they’re owed. If your home or business has been damaged and you’re unsure about your Loss of Use rights, send us your policy for a free review. We’ll give you answers before the insurer gives you excuses.
Need Help with an Insurance Claim or Policy Review?
Call Godbey Giardina Law Group today. Let us help you rebuild—not just your property, but your peace of mind. (985)590-4650.
