"I Thought Insurance Would Sort the Accommodation" - A Common Shock During Roof Repair Claims

Why Insurance Doesn't Always Arrange Accommodation

Most home insurance policies in Australia include a clause for “temporary accommodation” - but what that actually covers varies enormously. Some policies pay a hotel or rental allowance directly. Others reimburse you after the fact. And some policies simply include it as a line item in your claim that you are responsible for organising.

Even when accommodation costs are covered, the insurer rarely books it for you. That responsibility falls to the homeowner. For many people, especially those already dealing with the stress of a significant building claim, this comes as a surprise at the worst possible time.

The good news is that there is a solution that is faster, cheaper, and far more convenient than checking into a serviced apartment or a hotel for an unknown number of weeks - and it stays on your own property.

The Smarter Option: A Portable Cabin on Your Own Property

A Wheely Cabin is a fully self-contained portable home - with a kitchenette, bathroom, shower, toilet, air conditioning, and sleeping space - that we deliver and set up on your property within hours. You stay on-site. You keep your routines. You keep an eye on the work. And you avoid the cost and disruption of off-site hotel accommodation.

Why On-Site Accommodation Is Better During Repairs

• ✓You're right there when decisions need to be made. Tradespeople often need quick answers on materials, access, or scope changes. Being on-site saves delays and costly mistakes.
• ✓Your belongings stay secure. Leaving a home partially open during roof work is a real security concern. Staying on-site means you're present and your property is protected.
• ✓No disruption to pets or routines. Hotels rarely accept pets. An on-site cabin means your dogs, cats, and daily life stay exactly where they are.
• ✓A clean and comfortable space. Roof repairs create dust and noise that permeates the whole home. A cabin gives you a quiet, clean retreat just metres away.
• ✓Simple, itemised quotes for insurance. We can provide a clean, professional quote that covers the rental period, delivery, and setup - ready to attach to your insurance claim without any back-and-forth.

How the Process Works

Getting set up is straightforward. Here's what the typical process looks like:

1. Tell us what you need. Fill in our short application form or give us a call. Let us know your address, how long the repairs are expected to take, and whether you need a standard or incinerator toilet (if your water is being disconnected during works).
2. Receive your quote. We'll send you a clear, itemised quote - typically on the same day. This is formatted so you can forward it directly to your insurer or loss assessor. It's worth noting that we don't handle plumbing or connections as this can vary widely from site to site. Our clients typically organise it with the contractors who are already on site whose costs also go through insurance.
3. We deliver and set up. Once confirmed, we deliver your cabin and have it set up and ready within a couple of hours.
4. You move in and get on with life. The cabin is yours for the lease period. When the repairs are done and you're back inside, we pick it up just as easily.

What Types of Repair Work Qualifies?

While our story above involves a roof replacement, we regularly provide temporary on-site accommodation for a range of insurance and remediation scenarios, including:

• Full or partial roof replacements
• Storm or hail damage repairs
• Fire damage remediation
• Mould remediation requiring the home to be vacated
• Structural underpinning or foundation repairs
• Asbestos removal and reinstatement works
• Major water damage drying and rebuilding

If the works are significant enough that you cannot comfortably or safely remain in your home, a portable cabin gives you a practical base right where you need to be.

What About the Insurance Claim Itself?

We are not an insurance company and we don't manage claims - but we can absolutely help make the accommodation part of your claim as painless as possible. Many of our clients simply forward our quote to their insurer or loss assessor and have it approved as part of their temporary accommodation allowance.

If your policy includes a temporary accommodation benefit, a portable cabin hire is generally a more cost-effective option than extended hotel stays, and insurers tend to view it favourably because it keeps the total claim cost lower.

We recommend confirming the coverage with your insurer before committing, but in our experience the process is usually smooth once they receive a clear quote.

Service Area

We currently service Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, and surrounding NSW regions. If you're unsure whether we can reach your area, just ask - we are happy to look into it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can you deliver a cabin?

In most cases we can arrange delivery within a few days of confirmation, sometimes sooner if availability allows. If your repairs are starting urgently, let us know when you enquire.

What if my water or sewage is disconnected during repairs?

We offer cabins fitted with an Incinolet electric incinerating toilet - 100% waterless, no plumbing or drainage required. This is a popular choice during major roof or structural works where services may be partially offline.

What is the minimum hire period?

Our standard minimum term is 6 months, which covers most significant repair timelines. If your works are expected to be shorter, contact us to discuss - we'll do our best to accommodate the situation.

What does the cabin include?

Each cabin is 7.8 × 2.4 metres and fully self-contained with a kitchenette, bathroom, shower, toilet, and split-system air conditioning. Everything you need to live comfortably while your home is back to rights. See our full cabin details for photos and specifications.

Can you provide a quote formatted for an insurance claim?

Yes. We can provide a clear, itemised quote covering the rental, delivery, and setup that you can attach to your claim. Many of our clients submit this directly to their insurer or loss assessor without any additional documentation needed.

See also: Hiring a portable home in flood-affected areas · Renovation respite · Temporary accommodation options