Construction
Roof Insurance Claim Calculator
Enter your roof's replacement cost, age, and deductible to estimate the actual cash value (ACV), the recoverable depreciation, and what you'll net on an RCV vs ACV policy.
Quick answer: On a replacement-cost (RCV) policy you net the full replacement cost minus your deductible: an initial ACV check, then the recoverable depreciation once the roof is replaced. On an actual-cash-value (ACV) policy you only get the depreciated value minus the deductible.
How it works
1. Find the depreciation
Insurers depreciate the roof by its age over its expected life. A 12-year-old roof with a 25-year life is about 48% depreciated, so on a $15,000 roof that's roughly $7,200 of depreciation.
2. Actual cash value (ACV)
ACV is replacement cost minus depreciation. Your first insurance check is the ACV minus your deductible — that's all you get on an ACV-only policy.
3. Recover the depreciation (RCV)
On a replacement-cost policy, once the roof is actually replaced you submit the final invoice and claim the held-back 'recoverable depreciation,' so you only end up paying your deductible.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between ACV and RCV?
Replacement cost value (RCV) pays what a new roof costs today; actual cash value (ACV) pays that minus depreciation for age and wear. RCV policies reimburse the depreciation after the work is done, so you only pay your deductible.
What is recoverable depreciation?
It's the amount the insurer withholds from the first check and releases once you complete the roof replacement and submit the final invoice. On an RCV policy it's recoverable; on an ACV policy it isn't.
How much will insurance pay for my roof?
On an RCV policy, the full replacement cost minus your deductible (paid in two parts). On an ACV policy, the depreciated value minus your deductible. Your adjuster, policy, and local pricing set the final numbers.