If your kitchen has been damaged by an insured event — flood, fire, storm, or other covered cause — your home insurance may pay for a temporary kitchen while repairs are carried out. But the claims process can be confusing if you've never done it before. This step-by-step guide tells you exactly what to do.
Before You Start: Check Your Policy
Not all home insurance policies cover temporary kitchen hire. Look for these terms in your policy documents:
- "Alternative accommodation": This covers costs to maintain a reasonable standard of living when your home is partially or fully uninhabitable. Temporary kitchen hire usually falls under this.
- "Loss of use": Similar to alternative accommodation — covers additional costs incurred because you can't use part of your home normally.
- "Additional living expenses": American-style wording sometimes used by UK insurers. Same concept.
If your policy includes any of these, you're likely covered. If you can't find them, call your insurer and ask directly.
Important: Cover limits vary. Some policies cap alternative accommodation at £10,000–£50,000. Temporary kitchen hire for a typical 8–12 week repair usually costs £3,000–£6,000 — well within most limits.
Step 1: Report the Damage Immediately
As soon as the damage occurs (or as soon as you discover it), contact your insurer to report a claim. Do this before you hire a temporary kitchen.
When you call, tell them:
- What happened (flood, fire, burst pipe, etc.)
- When it happened
- What's damaged (specifically mention the kitchen)
- That you'll need a temporary kitchen while repairs are carried out
The insurer will assign a claims handler and usually a loss adjuster who will assess the damage. Get the claims handler's direct email and phone number — you'll need them throughout the process.
Step 2: Document Everything
Before anyone starts cleaning up or repairing, document the damage thoroughly:
- Photographs: Take photos of all damage from multiple angles. Include wide shots of the whole room and close-ups of specific damage.
- Video: A video walkthrough is even better — narrate what you see.
- Receipts: If you have receipts for the kitchen that was damaged (units, appliances, worktops), gather them.
- Timeline: Write down when the damage occurred, when you discovered it, and what immediate action you took (e.g. turning off water, calling emergency services).
Step 3: Get Insurer-Approved Quotes
This is the most important step for a smooth claim. Before hiring a temporary kitchen:
- Ask your insurer if they have a preferred or approved supplier list for temporary kitchens
- If they do: Get quotes from those suppliers. Using approved suppliers speeds up the process significantly.
- If they don't: Get quotes from 2–3 providers who have experience with insurance work. Look for the "Insurance-ready" tag on FindAKitchen.
The quote should include:
- Weekly or monthly hire rate
- Delivery and collection charges
- Utility connection costs
- Expected hire duration
- Provider's insurance experience / references
Send the quotes to your claims handler and ask for written approval before you proceed.
Step 4: Get Written Approval
Do not hire a temporary kitchen until you have written confirmation from your insurer that they will cover the cost. This is non-negotiable. Verbal approval is not enough.
Written approval can be:
- An email from your claims handler confirming cover
- A letter from the insurer authorising the hire
- A purchase order from the loss adjuster
Without written approval, you risk paying out of pocket and having to claim reimbursement later — which can take months and isn't guaranteed.
Step 5: Arrange the Hire
Once you have written approval:
- Confirm the booking with your chosen provider
- Ask the provider to invoice the insurer directly if possible (most insurance-experienced providers will do this)
- If direct invoicing isn't possible, pay the provider and keep all invoices for reimbursement
- Confirm the delivery date and communicate it to your claims handler
Step 6: Keep Records Throughout
During the hire period, keep a file with:
- The insurer's written approval
- The hire agreement
- All invoices (weekly, monthly, or one-off)
- Delivery and collection confirmation
- Any extension approvals (if the repair takes longer)
- Photos of the temporary kitchen in situ
- Records of any additional costs (electricity, water usage)
Step 7: Handle Extensions
Kitchen repairs after damage almost always take longer than initially estimated. If your hire needs extending:
- Contact your claims handler before the original end date
- Explain why an extension is needed (contractor delays, parts on backorder, etc.)
- Get written approval for the extended period
- Inform the provider of the new end date
Most insurers are understanding about extensions because the alternative — putting your family in a hotel — is much more expensive.
Average Claim Timelines
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Damage occurs → claim reported | Same day |
| Claim reported → loss adjuster visit | 3–7 days |
| Loss adjuster visit → claim approved | 5–14 days |
| Claim approved → temporary kitchen delivered | 1–3 days |
| Kitchen repair period | 8–16 weeks |
| Temporary kitchen collected | 1 day |
| Final claim settlement | 2–4 weeks after collection |
Total from damage to settlement: Typically 3–5 months.
What Insurers Typically Cover vs Exclude
Usually Covered
- Full hire cost of the temporary kitchen
- Delivery and collection charges
- Utility connections (plumber, electrician)
- Reasonable hire extensions
- Servicing during the hire
Usually Not Covered
- Upgrades beyond what's reasonably necessary (e.g. hiring a premium pod when a standard one would suffice)
- Temporary kitchen hire that started before the claim was approved
- Hire costs for voluntary renovations (not damage-related)
- Cosmetic improvements to the permanent kitchen beyond restoring it to pre-damage condition
Tips for a Faster Claim
- Report immediately: Delays in reporting can slow down or jeopardise your claim
- Use insurance-experienced providers: They know what documentation insurers need and can handle paperwork on your behalf
- Communicate proactively: Don't wait for the insurer to chase you. Send updates, photos, and documentation promptly
- Get everything in writing: Every approval, extension, and cost agreement should be documented in writing
- Be realistic about timelines: Tell the insurer the expected repair duration upfront, including contingency
Next Steps
If you need a temporary kitchen for an insurance claim, browse insurance-ready providers on FindAKitchen. These providers work with insurers regularly and can help streamline your claim.
Compare all insurance-ready providers on our insurance claims page.
Related: Temporary Kitchen Hire for Insurance Claims | Loss Adjuster Referral Service