Insurance claim accommodation

Furnished accommodation while your Sydney home is repaired

Temporary apartments and homes for households displaced by fire, flood, storm damage, escape of water, mould remediation or major repairs.

Reviewed and updated 3 November 2026 by the SydneySTR accommodation team.

Quick answer

What is insurance accommodation in Sydney?

Insurance accommodation is temporary furnished housing for a household that cannot reasonably remain at home after damage or during approved repairs. SydneySTR can provide property options, itemised quotes and booking documentation for insurer or loss-adjuster review. Approval and payment always depend on the relevant policy and claim process.

As a general price guide, one-bedroom furnished stays are around A$1,200 per week and up. Larger homes, central locations, pets, parking, peak dates and short-notice bookings may cost more. The selected property, exact rate and inclusions are confirmed before booking.

When it is needed

Common reasons a household needs temporary housing

The accommodation problem is usually practical rather than recreational: the household needs to keep work, school, meals, laundry and family routines functioning while assessment and repairs continue.

Escape of water

Burst pipes, leaking bathrooms, appliance failures and other water events can require drying, flooring removal, mould assessment and reinstatement. Repair dates may move as hidden damage becomes clear.

Water-damage accommodation

Fire and smoke damage

Even when the structure remains standing, smoke, odour, electrical work, cleaning and safety checks can make a home impractical to occupy.

Fire-damage accommodation

Flood and storm damage

Flooding, roof damage, fallen trees and severe storms can create uncertain repair timelines and a need for family-sized accommodation close to the original suburb.

Flood accommodation

Major home repairs

Structural work, bathroom or kitchen loss, flooring replacement, asbestos work and extensive renovation can require a furnished base for several weeks or months.

Accommodation during repairs

Mould remediation

Where professional remediation is required, households may need to avoid affected rooms or the entire home. Requirements depend on the assessment and repair plan.

Loss-of-use situations

A property may remain physically present but be unsuitable for normal occupation because essential services, safe access or core living areas are unavailable.

How it works

A practical process for households and claim teams

Describe the household

Provide adults, children, bedrooms, pets, vehicles, accessibility needs and any equipment or work-from-home requirements.

Define the location

Share the affected home, school, workplace, builder access and other daily destinations. Nearby suburbs may provide better value or availability.

Confirm the claim pathway

Identify the insurer, claims manager or loss adjuster, approval stage, budget and required quote format. SydneySTR does not determine policy entitlement.

Compare suitable properties

Options are assessed for bedrooms, facilities, parking, pets, travel time, likely stay length and the household's normal routine.

Issue documentation

The quote identifies the selected property, dates, rate and confirmed inclusions. Additional details can be supplied when reasonably required for review.

Manage the stay

Guests receive arrival information and a direct contact. Extension requests are checked against future availability as repair timelines develop.

What to send

Information that produces a useful accommodation shortlist

Incomplete enquiries often lead to unsuitable options and delays. The following information lets SydneySTR assess the real household requirement.

Household and property needs

  • Adults, children and required bedrooms
  • Preferred suburb and maximum travel radius
  • School, work and care locations
  • Vehicles and parking requirements
  • Pet type, number and size
  • Accessibility or lift requirements
  • Kitchen, laundry and work-from-home needs

Claim and booking details

  • Cause of displacement and current claim stage
  • Requested check-in and likely duration
  • Insurer, claims manager or loss-adjuster contact
  • Approved budget or quote limit, if known
  • Required invoice or documentation format
  • Who will sign and who will pay
  • How extensions should be authorised
Documentation

What an itemised accommodation quote can show

A clear quote helps the policyholder and claim team understand what is being considered without implying that the accommodation has already been approved.

Quote fieldWhy it mattersImportant limitation
Property and suburbConfirms the proposed accommodation and relationship to school, work and the damaged home.The exact option remains subject to availability until confirmed.
Stay datesDefines the quoted period and supports approval for the initial repair window.Extensions require new availability and authorisation.
Weekly or total rateAllows the claim team to compare the proposed cost with the applicable budget.Rates can vary by property, dates and stay length.
Confirmed inclusionsIdentifies utilities, Wi-Fi, parking, linen, cleaning or other agreed facilities.Inclusions are property-specific and should never be assumed.
Payment detailsClarifies whether the guest, insurer or another party will pay and when funds are due.Documentation does not override insurer approval or booking terms.
Real example

Chatswood family accommodated during water-damage repairs

The situation

A family of four needed to leave its Chatswood home after water damage made normal occupation impractical. The household required three bedrooms and needed to remain close enough to preserve school and work routines.

The documented stay ran for nine weeks. The case study records that an apartment was arranged within 48 hours, with bills included, weekly cleaning and itemised invoice support for the loss adjuster.

What this demonstrates

The example shows why location and household continuity matter as much as the apartment itself. It also shows the value of clear documentation when another organisation is reviewing the accommodation.

It does not guarantee that every urgent enquiry can be placed within 48 hours. Availability, approval and household requirements differ from claim to claim.

Read the full water-damage case study
Choosing the property

What families should compare before committing

Daily travel

Compare school, work, medical care, the affected home and the repair team. A cheaper distant property can create substantial transport cost and disruption.

Household function

Check bedrooms, bathroom count, kitchen, laundry, workspace, lift access, noise, parking and pet suitability. These details determine whether a long stay is workable.

Timeline flexibility

Repair dates can change. Ask how extensions are handled, what notice is needed and what happens if the property is already booked after the initial end date.

Important: SydneySTR does not claim blanket approved-provider status with every insurer. It supplies accommodation options and documentation for review. Policy entitlement, budget approval and payment are controlled by the relevant insurer or claims process.

Before confirmation

Three decisions that should be clear before the household moves

Who is authorising the stay?

Identify whether approval comes from the policyholder, insurer, claims manager or loss adjuster. A request for a quote is not the same as authority to book, and a claim number alone does not confirm payment.

Who is paying?

Confirm whether the guest pays and seeks reimbursement, the insurer pays directly, or another party manages payment. The written booking record should also state the deposit, due dates, extension process and any charges outside the approved accommodation amount.

What happens if repairs change?

Ask who may approve an extension, how much notice is needed and whether the same property can be retained. If future dates are unavailable, the household and claim team may need to compare a transfer with the cost and disruption of ending the stay.

Frequently asked questions

Insurance accommodation questions

What is insurance accommodation?

Insurance accommodation is temporary furnished housing used when a home cannot reasonably be occupied after an insured event or during approved repairs. It may support households affected by fire, flood, storm damage, water escape, mould remediation or major building work.

Does an insurer automatically pay for the stay?

No. Coverage, limits and approval processes differ. SydneySTR can provide options, quotes and booking documentation, but policy entitlement and payment are determined by the insurer, claims manager or loss adjuster.

How quickly can a property be arranged?

Timing depends on suitable availability, household requirements and claim approval. A published Chatswood case study describes placement within 48 hours, but this is an example rather than a guaranteed response or placement time.

What does a one-bedroom insurance stay cost?

As a general planning guide, one-bedroom furnished stays are around A$1,200 per week and up. The final rate depends on suburb, dates, stay length, building, parking, pets and availability.

Can you accommodate families and pets?

Family-sized accommodation and selected pet-friendly options may be available. Include adults, children, bedroom needs, pet details, vehicles, school locations and accessibility requirements in the initial enquiry.

What documentation can be provided?

Eligible direct bookings can receive an itemised quote or invoice showing the selected property, dates, rate and confirmed inclusions. Tell SydneySTR what the insurer or loss adjuster requires before booking.

Can the stay be extended if repairs run late?

Extensions may be possible if the property remains available. Repair delays should be communicated as early as possible so availability can be checked or another appropriate option considered.

Does SydneySTR have a blanket arrangement with every insurer?

No. SydneySTR provides furnished accommodation and documentation for review, while each insurer or claims manager decides approval and payment under its own process.