If you’re an adjuster, you’re no stranger to the balancing act: managing tight timelines, high policyholder expectations, and rising costs all at once. When it comes to Additional Living Expenses (ALE), the pressure to place quickly and keep budgets under control is only growing.

But you don’t have to choose between cost and care. This post breaks down the real reasons ALE pricing peaks in late summer and gives you three practical ways to stay ahead, reduce claim friction, and improve outcomes for everyone involved.

Whether you’re new to handling ALE or a seasoned adjuster navigating the end-of-summer rush, here’s how to stay sharp, informed, and supported as September approaches.

 

Why ALE Pricing Fluctuates at the End of Summer

August and September can be some of the toughest months for cost control and 2025 is no exception. Several seasonal and market forces combine to keep rates elevated:

  • Summer Holidays – Domestic travel remains strong, with Canadians filling hotels and short-term rentals in tourist destinations, lake towns, and major cities. Even as the season winds down, late-summer vacations keep rates high.
  • School Schedules – Many families prefer to stay within their school district to avoid disruption, or delay moving until after the school year begins. This can extend hotel stays or short-term rentals into September.
  • CAT Events – Wildfires, floods, or storms can create sudden surges in regional demand. Even localized events can cause pricing spikes 50–100 km away from the affected area.
  • Tight Rental Supply – Canada’s national rental vacancy rate rose to 2.2% in 2024 (up from 1.5% in 2023), but still sits below the 10-year average of 2.7%. Two-bedroom units saw 5.4% annual rent growth in 2024, down from 8% the year before, but still well above historic norms. (CHMC Report)
  • Dynamic Pricing in Hospitality – Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO adjust rates in real time, competing with ALE placements for desirable properties. Hotels are also seeing strong performance: June 2025 national occupancy hit 75.6%. (STR Press Release)

These aren’t one-off pressures, they’re seasonal realities that ALE strategies need to anticipate. Knowing why pricing fluctuates arms you with the facts to set expectations early, manage pushback, and protect trust with policyholders.

 

Three Proven Ways to Reduce ALE Spend

  1. Place Early, Place Once
    Even with vacancy ticking up, the best-priced, best-fit rentals still go first. Delays often mean extended hotel stays and reduced rental options, which push costs higher. Securing a long-term placement quickly reduces meal costs, transfers, and stress for everyone involved.
  2. Prioritize the Right Fit
    The cheapest option isn’t always the most cost-effective in the long run. Placing a family close to work, school, or medical care can cut down on complaints, re-bookings, additional transportation costs and extra admin time. Fewer disruptions mean smoother claims and faster closures.
  3. Use ALE management companies
    Placing early, and doing it directly through an ALE management company, also means you can access their negotiated, discounted rates from day one. That not only locks in better pricing before seasonal spikes hit, but also ensures the property is a strong fit for the policyholder’s needs right from the start, avoiding costly re-bookings later.

 

Value is More Than Just Dollars

While ALE often operates within strict budgets, service can’t feel transactional. Policyholders value:

  • Clear timelines they can plan around
  • A transparent understanding of what’s covered (and what’s not)
  • Feeling included in the process, rather than at its mercy

When policyholders feel cared for and informed, complaints drop, trust builds, and confidence in your handling of the entire claim increases.

 

Working Together for Smarter Claim Management

ALE management isn’t just about housing, it’s about protecting timelines, reducing admin burden, and decreasing cycle times. Done well, it helps adjusters close files faster, with fewer escalations and cleaner outcomes. But just as importantly, ALE done right helps policyholders feel heard and cared for during a disruptive time.

Combining cost control with empathy isn’t a trade-off, it’s what turns a complex claim into a well-managed one.

If you’d like to see how we’re supporting adjusters across Canada with timely, cost-effective ALE solutions, reach out to our team today.