After a hurricane, many Florida families face a hard choice: a hotel far from home, or a rental tough to find when the whole county is looking too. There is another option. 1st Choice Living places furnished travel trailers on the homeowner's own property during an insurance claim, and we have done it nationwide since 2004. You stay on your lot, near your neighbors and your contractor, while the house is repaired. We have set up housing in Arcadia, Bartow, Cape Coral, Chiefland, Cocoa, Crystal River, Dade City, Daytona Beach, Defuniak Springs, Fernandina Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach, and many other Florida communities.
Hurricanes, storm surge, and flooding
The National Hurricane Center describes storm surge as an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, a significant threat to life and property along the coast and the leading cause of hurricane deaths. Florida has both coasts and faces this risk constantly.
Water damage often keeps a Florida home unlivable long after the wind is gone. Drying out, repairs, inspections, and permits all must happen before you move back in. Hurricane Irma (2017), Hurricane Ian (2022), Hurricane Dorian (2019 landfall in Brevard County), Hurricane Wilma (2005 landfall in Southwest Florida), Hurricane Fay (2008 multiple landfalls), and Hurricane Matthew (2016) all left families displaced for months waiting for repairs.
Florida law on living in an RV on your property after a declared emergency
Florida is one of the few places with a statewide rule on this. Under section 125.023 (counties) and section 166.0335 (cities), Florida Statutes, after the Governor declares a state of emergency for a natural emergency, a county or city may not prohibit one temporary shelter on residential property where the home was damaged and made uninhabitable. The statute says a temporary shelter includes a recreational vehicle or trailer, for up to 36 months or until a certificate of occupancy is issued, when all apply: good faith rebuild effort, utilities connected, and the resident lives in it.
How a trailer on your lot works with your ALE
We bill your carrier directly under ALE, so on a covered claim you pay $0 out of pocket. We track your placement against your ALE limit, and you have one named contact the whole way through. Our furnished travel trailers sleep 2 to 10, are delivered and leveled on your property, and utilities are connected by licensed contractors. We document conditions at setup and takedown.
Frequently asked questions
Can my county or city stop me from living in a travel trailer while I rebuild?
Florida law says after a Governor's emergency declaration, a county or city may not prohibit one temporary shelter including an RV on a residential lot where the home was made uninhabitable, if you are making good faith effort to rebuild and the unit is connected to water and electric.
Does flood insurance pay for temporary housing?
National Flood Insurance Program policies do not provide additional living expense coverage. If you have a private flood policy, check the policy or ask your agent.
Who pays for the trailer?
On a covered claim, we bill your carrier directly under ALE and you pay $0 out of pocket. We track the placement against your ALE limit so you and your adjuster always know where it stands.
Get started
Send us your claim number, your adjuster's contact, and the property address. We confirm local requirements and set it up on your lot.
Want the details on placement first? Read about on-site RV housing.