If your kitchen has been damaged by a flood, fire, burst pipe, or other insured event, there is a good chance your home insurance will pay for a temporary kitchen while repairs are carried out.
But the claims process can be confusing, slow, and frustrating — especially when you are already dealing with the stress of the damage itself.
This guide walks you through every step, from first phone call to getting your temporary kitchen delivered.
Before You Start: Do You Have Cover?
Most buildings and contents insurance policies include a provision called alternative accommodation cover or loss of use cover. This is designed to pay for reasonable living expenses when your home is uninhabitable or partially unusable due to an insured event.
A temporary kitchen typically falls under this cover. From your insurer's perspective, paying £350 to £800 per week for a kitchen pod is significantly cheaper than paying for your family to live in a hotel or rental property.
Check your policy documents for phrases like:
- Alternative accommodation
- Loss of use
- Additional living expenses
- Temporary accommodation
If you cannot find your policy documents, call your insurer and ask directly: "Does my policy include alternative accommodation cover, and would a temporary kitchen be covered while my kitchen is being repaired?"
Check the cover limit too. Some policies cap alternative accommodation at around £10,000–£50,000. Temporary kitchen hire for a typical 8–12 week repair usually costs £2,800–£9,600 (8–12 weeks × £350–800/week) — well within most limits, but worth confirming if your repair is likely to be long or complex.
For more background, read our full insurance guide →.
Step 1: Report the Damage to Your Insurer
Call your insurer as soon as possible after the damage occurs. When you call:
- Describe the damage clearly — what happened, when it happened, and which rooms are affected.
- Mention your kitchen specifically — tell them your kitchen is unusable and you need a temporary cooking facility.
- Ask about alternative accommodation cover — specifically ask whether a temporary kitchen pod would be covered under your policy.
- Get a claim reference number — you will need this for all future correspondence.
- Ask about the claims process — will they send a loss adjuster? Do you need to get quotes? Is there a preferred supplier?
Important: Do not wait for the claims process to finish before asking about a temporary kitchen. The sooner you raise it, the sooner you can get one.
Document the damage before any cleanup. Evidence gathered now protects your claim later:
- Photographs — wide shots of each affected room plus close-ups of specific damage, from several angles.
- Video — a narrated walkthrough is even better than stills.
- Receipts — gather any you have for the damaged kitchen units, appliances, and worktops.
- A timeline — note when the damage happened, when you found it, and any immediate action you took (turning off the water, calling emergency services).
Step 2: Understand the Loss Adjuster's Role
For larger claims, your insurer may send a loss adjuster to assess the damage. This is a professional who inspects the damage on behalf of the insurer and recommends how much the claim should be settled for.
Key things to know about loss adjusters:
- They work for the insurer, not for you. Their job is to fairly assess the claim, but their incentive is to keep costs reasonable.
- They will inspect the damage and may take photographs.
- They will ask about the timeline for repairs.
- They can approve or recommend temporary accommodation arrangements, including temporary kitchens.
When the loss adjuster visits:
- Show them the full extent of the damage.
- Explain that your kitchen is completely unusable.
- Tell them you have researched temporary kitchen options and have quotes ready (or can get them quickly).
- Emphasise that a temporary kitchen pod is significantly cheaper than hotel accommodation — this is a strong argument in your favour.
For more on working with loss adjusters, see our loss adjuster guide →.
Step 3: Get Quotes from Temporary Kitchen Providers
Your insurer will usually want to see quotes before approving the hire. Some insurers have preferred suppliers, but you are generally free to choose your own provider.
When requesting quotes, ask the provider for an insurance-ready quote. This should include:
- Company name and contact details
- Detailed description of the unit (size, appliances, features)
- Weekly hire rate
- Delivery, setup, and collection charges
- Estimated hire duration
- Total estimated cost
- Any terms and conditions
A good temporary kitchen provider will be experienced in dealing with insurance claims and will know exactly what format your insurer needs.
Step 4: Submit the Quote to Your Insurer
Send the quote to your insurer or loss adjuster. You can usually do this by email.
Include:
- Your claim reference number
- The provider's quote
- A brief note explaining that a temporary kitchen is needed because your kitchen is unusable, and that the cost is significantly less than alternative accommodation
Typical approval timeline: 2 to 5 working days, though some insurers approve within 24 hours for emergency situations.
Get approval in writing before you book. Verbal approval is not enough — ask for an email from your claims handler, a letter from the insurer, or a purchase order from the loss adjuster confirming they will cover the cost. Hire that starts before the claim is approved is usually not covered, so this step protects you from paying out of pocket.
If your insurer pushes back, remind them:
- A kitchen pod at £350 to £800 per week is far cheaper than putting a displaced family in a hotel or serviced apartment, which typically runs £150+ per night (£1,000+ per week).
- Your family needs to be able to cook and eat — this is a basic living necessity.
- The temporary kitchen allows you to stay in your home, avoiding the much higher cost of full temporary accommodation.
Step 5: Approve and Book
Once your insurer approves, book the temporary kitchen. Most providers can deliver within 48 hours for insurance claims, and some offer same-day emergency delivery.
Payment arrangements vary:
- Some insurers pay the provider directly.
- Some ask you to pay upfront and claim reimbursement.
- Some work through the loss adjuster who authorises payment.
Where possible, ask the provider to invoice the insurer directly — most insurance-experienced providers will, so you pay nothing upfront. Confirm the payment arrangement with your insurer before booking so there are no surprises.
Step 6: Delivery and Setup
The provider will deliver the temporary kitchen to your home and set it up. For driveway pods, this typically involves:
- Positioning the pod on your driveway
- Connecting water to your outdoor tap
- Running a waste pipe to a drain
- Plugging into a power socket
- Testing all appliances
- Walking you through how everything works
Setup takes about 1 to 2 hours. For a full breakdown of what to expect, see our delivery guide →.
Step 7: Keep Records
Throughout the hire period, keep records of:
- All correspondence with your insurer and loss adjuster
- The provider's invoices and receipts
- Any additional costs related to the kitchen (e.g. gas bottle replacements)
- Photographs of the kitchen in use
These records will help if there are any disputes about the claim later.
Step 8: Extension if Repairs Take Longer
Repairs after flood or fire damage often take longer than initially estimated. If you need to extend the temporary kitchen hire:
- Contact your insurer to let them know the repairs are taking longer.
- Ask the provider for an updated quote covering the extended period.
- Send the updated quote to your insurer for approval.
Most insurers will approve extensions without difficulty, especially if the underlying claim is already approved and repairs are clearly ongoing.
Step 9: Collection
When your kitchen repairs are complete and your permanent kitchen is back in action:
- Contact the provider to arrange collection.
- Empty the temporary kitchen of your personal items.
- The provider will disconnect and remove the unit.
Typical End-to-End Timeline
Every claim is different, but this is the shape of a typical insurance-funded hire from damage to settlement:
| 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 Usually Cover — and Exclude
Cover always depends on your policy, but in practice most insurers treat these similarly:
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 is reasonably necessary (a premium pod when a standard one would do)
- Hire that started before the claim was approved
- Hire costs for voluntary renovations not related to the damage
- Cosmetic improvements to the permanent kitchen beyond restoring it to its pre-damage condition
Tips for a Faster Approval
- Communicate proactively. Do not wait for the insurer to chase you — send updates, photos, and documentation promptly.
- Be realistic about timelines upfront. Give the insurer the expected repair duration, including a contingency, so an extension later is no surprise.
- Use insurance-experienced providers. They know what documentation insurers need and can handle much of the paperwork on your behalf.
Common Questions
Will my premium go up if I claim?
Possibly. Making a claim may affect your future premiums, but this depends on your insurer and the nature of the claim. The temporary kitchen cost is usually a small part of the overall claim.
What if my insurer says no?
If your insurer refuses to cover a temporary kitchen, ask them to explain why in writing. If your policy includes alternative accommodation cover and your kitchen is genuinely unusable, you may have grounds to challenge the decision. Consider contacting the Financial Ombudsman Service if you believe the claim has been unfairly rejected.
Can I choose my own provider?
In most cases, yes. Some insurers have preferred suppliers, but you are generally not obligated to use them. You are entitled to choose a provider that suits your needs.
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