What to Do If Your Home Floods: Temporary Housing Options in Canada

Posted on Friday, April 10 2026

After a flood or storm, finding a safe place to land becomes a priority. While hotels offer a quick solution, they often fall short on the space and privacy required for an extended stay.

Premiere Suites provides fully furnished homes across Canada, offering the comfort and flexibility your family needs to feel at home following a sudden displacement.

What should you do immediately after a flood?

1.     Prioritize safety

Contact emergency services if necessary. Stop the water source (if possible and safe), and ensure your family and pets are somewhere secure.

2.     Contact your insurance provider

Call your insurer as soon as possible to report the displacement and open your Additional Living Expenses (ALE) claim. Confirm what is covered, the length of coverage and what documents are required.

3.     Document the damage

Before any cleanup begins, take notes, photos and videos of the damage to help support your claim.

4.     Contact a temporary housing provider

Choose a displacement housing provider that can act as your single point of contact for the entire duration of your recovery.

Staying with a reputable provider like Premiere Suites guarantees:

•    24/7 guest services team for instant support
•    Immediate placement with a wide range of hotel partners
•    Smooth transition into a fully furnished home within 72 hours
•    Flexible extensions that adapt to your changing timeline
•    Direct billing to your insurer to eliminate out-of-pocket costs

Temporary housing removes the stress of managing accommodation, billing and timeline extensions on your own.

 

Does insurance cover temporary housing in Canada?

Yes, most standard insurance policies cover temporary housing expenses under Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage. If a flood or storm makes your home uninhabitable, ALE covers the additional costs of living elsewhere, often including:

ALE Item Typical Insurance Coverage (ALE) Included with Premiere Suites The Benefit to You
Housing Covers the cost of a hotel or rental that is comparable to your current home. Fully furnished, 1–4 bedroom condos, homes, or townhomes with direct billing to your insurance. No Out-of-Pocket: We bill your adjuster directly.
Food & Dining ALE only covers the extra cost of eating out if you don't have a kitchen. Every suite features a fully equipped kitchen with full-sized appliances and cookware. Cooking at home preserves your ALE budget for other needs and keeps your family's routine intact.
Laundry Reimburses for laundromat fees or hotel valet services. In-suite laundry (washer and dryer) is included in almost every location. Convenience: No more spending hours at a laundromat with countless charges.
Pets Covers reasonable boarding fees if your temporary home isn't pet-friendly. We offer a wide range of pet-friendly suites so your family stays intact. Peace of Mind: Your pets stay out of a kennel and with their family, reducing stress for everyone.
Utilities & Tech Covers increased costs of utilities or temporary Wi-Fi setups. All utilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, and cable are included in the stay. Seamless Connection: You can work from home and kids can do homework from day one.
Housekeeping Not typically covered by ALE (as it's considered a luxury). Complimentary bi-weekly housekeeping is included in your stay. You have enough on your plate with home repairs; let us handle the professional cleaning.

Choosing a reputable temporary housing provider like Premiere Suites offers direct billing to your insurer, eliminating the burden of paying everything upfront. 

 

Where can you stay while your home is being repaired?

While a hotel may offer a solution for a night or two, a furnished home or suite provides long-term stability for your family. 

Why families choose Premiere Suites

•    Over 10,000 fully furnished homes across Canada, keeping your family close to work, school and your daily schedules
•    Fully equipped kitchens for family meals
•    Laundry facilities that keep your routines on track
•    Utilities included for a stress-free transition
•    Pet-friendly options, keeping your family together

These features make Premiere Suites a comfortable and reliable alternative to hotels, especially for longer stays. 

 

Finding your way back home

When sudden displacement interrupts your life, choosing the right temporary housing provider is your first step back to normalcy. 

Premiere Suites helps find you a temporary home that’s right for your family; in the community you love, with the people that matter most.

 

FAQ

What is Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage?

Additional Living Expenses (ALE) is a standard component of most homeowner insurance policies. This coverage is there to help with the extra costs incurred if your home becomes temporarily uninhabitable.

 

Does Premiere Suites offer direct billing?

Yes, Premiere Suites offers direct billing to your insurance provider, eliminating the stress of having to pay out-of-pocket.

 

What if my home repairs take longer than expected?

Premiere Suites ensures you have a place to call home for as long as your family needs, with flexible extensions that move with your changing timeline.

 

Can Premiere Suites keep me close to home?

With a network of over 10,000 fully furnished homes and apartments across Canada, Premiere Suites places your family close to home, work, and school.

 

Do you allow pets in Premiere Suites accommodations?

Yes, there is a wide range of pet-friendly homes and suites available with Premiere Suites, ensuring your family stays together during your displacement.

 

Why choose Premiere Suites over other temporary housing providers?

With over 25 years of experience, Premiere Suites has earned the trust of families from coast to coast. Our suites set the benchmark for temporary housing in Canada with a 4.6 Feefo rating, offering everything you need to live comfortably as you do at home.

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Housing Solutions

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Housing Solutions Insurance Insurance Housing

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