Additional Living Expenses

Some homeowners policies provide additional living expense (ALE) coverage, which helps pay for expenses incurred because your home has been deemed unlivable due to a covered loss. ALE provides coverage for the increase in costs over your normal expenses if a covered loss makes your home unlivable. This can include expenses for food, a place to live or other costs associated with maintaining your household.

Accurate receipt documentation is required. Make copies of these receipts for your records and provide the originals to your adjuster for review.

ALE coverage is limited and varies by policy type. Your adjuster can provide details about coverage. Check with your agent for more information about ALE coverage.

• You've reported your claim to Citizens - What happens now?
• How Citizens estimates repair costs.

Emergency Repairs

Important policy contract changes may affect payment for emergency measures and permanent repairs following a loss. All new and renewing HO-3, HO-6 and DP-3 policies are affected.

Once your home is secure, don’t start any repairs until you Call Citizens First. Before starting emergency repairs, document all damages by photo or video. Keep any damaged items for inspection by Citizens and save all receipts in case you are eligible for reimbursement.

Avoid Fraud

Catastrophes breed crimes of opportunity. After a hurricane, contractors or claims adjusters may approach you with promises too good to be true. If someone is promising you something for nothing or offering something that sounds too good to be true, they may be attempting to involve you in insurance fraud. Call Citizens or your agent before signing or agreeing to anything.

• Learn more about how to avoid fraud after a catastrophe.
• Check your contractor's license with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• Report fraud to Citizens and the DFS Division of Insurance Fraud.