Skip to content 
Photo for illustration. Photo from Pexels.
If your home cannot be lived in after a flood, fire or leak, check your home insurance for alternative accommodation cover. It usually pays for a similar temporary home nearby while repairs are done. Esho Stays has five furnished homes in Gloucester from £80 a night, with bills included and two that take pets.
Jump to
How does alternative accommodation cover work?
Alternative accommodation cover pays for somewhere similar to live while your home is repaired after an insured event, such as a flood, fire or burst pipe. The insurer, often through a loss adjuster, agrees what is reasonable and for how long.
Limits vary by policy. Some set a cash limit, and others set a share of the buildings sum insured. Howden gives an example of a basic policy offering 20% of the buildings sum insured. Check your policy wording before you book anything.
This is a general guide, not insurance adviceEvery policy is different. Your insurer or broker can confirm exactly what you are covered for.
How do you arrange temporary accommodation after a claim?
You arrange temporary accommodation in five steps, starting with your insurer before you book.
- Report the claim. Tell your insurer the home is unliveable and ask whether alternative accommodation is covered.
- Agree the budget and length. Ask the insurer or loss adjuster for the nightly limit and an estimate of how long repairs will take.
- Find a similar home nearby. Look for the same number of bedrooms, close to school and work, with room for pets if you have them.
- Send the quote for approval. Share the address, dates and price with the insurer before you commit.
- Agree who pays and how to extend. Confirm whether the insurer pays us directly or you claim it back, and how extensions are approved.
Why is a serviced home better than a hotel during an insurance claim?
A serviced home is better than a hotel during a claim because repairs often take months, not nights. A family needs separate bedrooms, a kitchen, a washing machine and somewhere to keep normal routines going.
- Separate bedrooms, so children can sleep and do homework
- A full kitchen, which avoids months of eating out
- A washing machine for school uniforms and work clothes
- Space for pets at two of our Gloucester homes
- One address for post, school and work during repairs
Water damage like this can take months to dry out and repair. Photo for illustration. Photo from Pexels.
How long do insurance repairs usually take?
Insurance repairs can take anything from a few weeks for a small leak to many months after a serious flood or fire. Drying out a flooded house alone can take weeks before rebuilding starts.
Gloucester knows this well. The River Severn and its tributaries have flooded parts of the county several times, including in July 2007. Book a home you can extend, and keep the insurer updated on the repair timetable.
How much does insurance claim accommodation in Gloucester cost?
Insurance claim accommodation in Gloucester with Esho Stays costs from £80 a night for one or two people to £195 a night for a family of up to seven.
| Household | Esho Stays home | Bedrooms | From / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 or 2 people | 1-bed annex, Kingsholm, pets by arrangement | 1 | £80 |
| Couple or small family | 2-bed ground-floor apartment | 2 | £120 |
| Couple or small family | Newly refurbished 2-bed apartment | 2 | £125 |
| Family of up to 7 | 4-bed townhouse, Kingsholm, pets by arrangement | 4 | £195 |
Starting rates as listed on eshostays.com in October 2026. Longer stays usually get a better rate.
Tips from our team for families mid-claim
Keep every receipt and invoiceInsurers ask for proof of what you paid. Our invoices show the dates, the address and the amount.
Ask about extensions earlyIf the builder warns of a delay, tell your insurer and us at the same time, so the home stays booked.
Choose the ground floor if neededOur two-bedroom ground-floor apartment avoids stairs, which helps older relatives or anyone injured.
Stay close to schoolGloucester is compact. Our homes are within a short drive of most city schools, so routines can carry on.
Where to stay in Gloucester during an insurance claim
£195 / night4-bed townhouse, Kingsholm
- 4 bedrooms
- 7 beds
- 3 bathrooms
- Drive for 2 cars
- Garden
- Games room
Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a private garden and a games room for the children.
See the 4-bed townhouse
£120 / night2-bed ground-floor apartment
- 2 bedrooms
- 3 beds
- Ground floor
- 1 free on-site space
A ground-floor apartment with one free parking space, a short walk from the hospital.
See the ground-floor apartmentTravelling with a dog or cat? See our guide to pet-friendly accommodation in Gloucester, or compare all homes on our Gloucester page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you invoice my insurance company directly?
Ask us when you enquire. We issue clear invoices with the property address, dates and amount, and we can address them to an insurer, a claims handler or to you. Your insurer will tell you whether they pay the accommodation provider directly or reimburse you.
What if my insurer only covers part of the cost?
Talk to the insurer first, as limits can sometimes be reviewed when no similar home is available locally. If you still have a shortfall, we can look at a smaller home or a different date range. If you think a claim decision is unfair, the Financial Ombudsman Service can review insurance complaints.
Can we move in at short notice after a flood or fire?
Often yes, if a home is free. Call or message us on WhatsApp with your household size and any pets, and we will tell you what is available straight away. Self check-in from 3pm means you can arrive the same day once the booking is confirmed.
Can we extend the stay if repairs overrun?
Yes, as long as the home is free for the extra dates. Tell us as soon as your builder or loss adjuster expects a delay. We will hold the home where we can, and send an updated quote for your insurer to approve.
Next step
Need somewhere to live while your home is repaired?
Tell us your household size, pets and the likely repair time, and we will send a quote you can share with your insurer.
