Who pays for temporary accommodation while repairs are being done by freeholders insurance?

rg1002

Hi I own a leasehold property and my wooden flooring has been water damaged due to poor quality building works, the freeholders insurance is paying for the repairs. Due to the design of the floor the entire floor needs to be replaced, not just the damaged part. This is the whole flat except my bedroom, so it won’t be liveable while the repairs are being done.

As the damage wasn’t caused by me and is being paid by the freeholders insurance I thought they would also pay for temporary accommodation. However they have said that it is my responsibility. Is this correct?

eddddy

A freeholder's buildings insurance policy would normally include cover for alternative accommodation - if the property is uninhabitable as a result of an insured incident.

What does the wording of freeholder's buildings insurance policy say about alternative accommodation?

Are the insurers saying that...

1. There is no cover for alternative accommodation in the policy, or 
2. There is cover for alternative accommodation in the policy, but they don't regard your flat as being uninhabitable

If it's option 1, you could try arguing with the freeholder that they haven't arranged an adequate buildings insurance policy.

If it's option 2, that's probably an argument you need to have with the insurer. I guess you could hire an insurance loss assessor to argue on your behalf, but the insurance company probably wouldn't pay the assessor's fee - so the cost and risk of losing the argument may not be worth it.

(If it's option 2, you could also try posting on the "Insurance and life assurance" board, to see what some of the insurance experts say:  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/insurance-life-assurance )