In the context of property insurance, what does "loss of use" cover?

"Loss of use" coverage refers specifically to the expenses incurred when a property cannot be lived in due to certain covered events, such as a fire or severe damage. This type of coverage helps policyholders by providing financial assistance for temporary housing expenses that arise while the property is being repaired or rebuilt.

When a covered loss renders a residence uninhabitable, loss of use coverage steps in to cover costs like hotel bills, additional living expenses, and sometimes even meal costs while the homeowner is displaced. This ensures that individuals have the means to maintain their standard of living even when their property is unliveable.

The other options focus on aspects of property insurance that do not align with the concept of "loss of use." For example, repair costs for physical damage relate to the direct restoration of the property rather than the living arrangements during that process. Maintenance costs only apply while the property is occupied and do not address situations of uninhabitability. Decreased property value over time is a separate issue related to depreciation, which is not part of the loss of use definition or coverage.