loss of use

You will need to look at your particular policy.   Was the cottage a separate insured premises from your primary residence?  If it has its own separate policy, you need to read the policy and see what it says.  Most homeowner policies state that if it is uninhabitable and there is damage due to flooding relating to pipes bursting because of weather conditions and/or improper heating, then they are excluded and won't pay.  It will all depend on what your policy says.  Did the insurance company know that it was a vacation home or second residence? If so, sometimes the policies are different so maybe this exclusion is not there.  It all depends on what your policy says and what their reasons for denial are (or will be).  Read the policy and see what they say if they deny the claim.  If they pay the claim and you have coverage for additional living expenses/loss of use, then you should be able to also get proceeds for that coverage.  If you need help with interpreting your policy, I recommend you contact a local plaintiff's attorney in your area. If you do not have a complete copy of your insurance policy, contact your insurance company and request a full certified copy of it, to include all endorsements.   Best of luck! NOTE:  This response is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice.  No attorney-client relationship exists or is formed as a result of this response.