Temporary Housing on Your Own Property in Arkansas

When a tornado, a severe storm, or a flood leaves your Arkansas home unlivable, your homeowners policy may pay for somewhere to stay while it is repaired. For many families, the best place is still home: a furnished travel trailer set up on your own lot, close to school, work, your pets or livestock, and the crew rebuilding the house. 1st Choice Living has provided on-site temporary housing nationwide since 2004, and this page explains how it works in Arkansas.

What Arkansas homeowners are recovering from

On the evening of March 14, 2025, storms formed over north-central Arkansas and spread south and east across much of the state overnight. The National Weather Service office in Little Rock counts fourteen tornadoes in Arkansas from March 14 to 15, including two rated EF-4 and two rated EF-3. It was the first time since March 1, 1997 that more than one EF-4 tornado struck the state.

One EF-4 began near Fifty-Six in Stone County and stayed on the ground for 117.2 miles, 93.6 of them in Arkansas, the longest track for an Arkansas tornado since February 2008. An EF-3 tracked 81.8 miles from near Cushman in Independence County to north of Corning in Clay County, and three people were killed along its path. The Weather Service notes that most Arkansas tornadoes are weak and short-lived, and this event was not.

Water is the other risk. The Arkansas Insurance Department reminds homeowners that homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flooding, so a flooded home and a wind-damaged home can lead to very different claims.

How the Arkansas Insurance Department explains additional living expenses

The Arkansas Insurance Department (AID) guide When A Disaster Strikes: What to Do After An Insured Homeowners Loss explains that a homeowners policy that covers your loss includes additional living expenses coverage, which pays for costs you incur in excess of your normal living expenses. Key points from AID:

• It pays the increase. AID’s example: if you normally spend $1,500 a month on mortgage or rent, utilities, food, and transportation, and the disaster raises that to $2,000, the insurance company reimburses you $500.
• Ask about limits. AID says to ask your company representative whether there are restrictions on where and how long you can stay, and how much you are allowed for hotel rooms.
• Storage can count. AID says you can also submit a claim for the cost of storing your personal property until your home is ready.
• Save all receipts. AID says to save every receipt, and to keep receipts for anything bought with an advance check, because amounts already paid are deducted when the claim is settled.
• Check your policy. AID’s severe weather tips remind homeowners that not all policies cover additional living expenses if a disaster forces you to be displaced from your home.

This is general information, not legal or coverage advice. Your policy and your adjuster decide what is covered.

How a trailer on your lot works with your ALE

1st Choice Living bills your carrier directly under ALE, so on a covered claim you pay $0 out of pocket and there are no lodging receipts for you to submit. We track your placement against your ALE limit, so you and your adjuster can see where things stand while the rebuild moves forward. You have one named contact from the first call to pickup.

Our furnished travel trailers sleep 2 to 10. We deliver, level, and set up the unit on your property, whether that is a city lot or acreage. Utilities are connected by licensed, insured contractors. We document site conditions at setup and takedown, so everyone has a clear record.

Local rules in Arkansas are set by your city or county

We did not find a statewide Arkansas rule on living in a travel trailer on your own lot while you rebuild. It is handled by your city or county, and rules in town can be very different from rules in the country.

We check your local rules before delivery. If you want a head start, call your city or county permitting office and ask about temporary occupancy of a travel trailer during repairs: whether a temporary-use permit is needed, how long it lasts, and what water, sewer, and power connections the office requires.

Arkansas recovery resources to know

The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management’s Recovery Branch works with individuals, local governments, and other organizations after an incident, including on adequate interim and long-term housing for survivors. When a federal declaration includes Individual Assistance, you apply with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362.

For insurance questions, AID’s Consumer Services Division is at 501-371-2640 or toll-free at 1-800-852-5494. AID explains that after significant storm damage, the division travels to damaged areas to help homeowners file claims and obtain emergency living expenses.

For crews and agencies working in Arkansas

The same furnished units house crews on job sites and support agencies coordinating displaced households. Adjusters get one named contact and a placement tracked against the policy limit.

Frequently asked questions