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Roof ACV vs RCV Calculator

See exactly how much YOU pay out of pocket if your policy is ACV-only — and how much an RCV policy would save you.

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Your result

If your policy is ACV-only, you're on the hook for

$13,300

Out of pocket to actually replace the roof — $10,800 in depreciation the carrier won't pay, plus your $2,500 deductible.

Based on 60% depreciation (20-year material life on a 12-year-old roof).

ACV carrier payout

$4,700

After depreciation & deductible

RCV carrier payout

$15,500

You'd only pay the $2,500 deductible

An RCV policy would save you

$10,800

That's the depreciation an RCV policy reimburses after you complete repairs — money an ACV-only policy keeps from you permanently.

How this is calculated

Depreciation is calculated as (roof age ÷ useful life) using common carrier life-expectancy tables: asphalt 20 yrs, wood 25 yrs, metal/tile 50 yrs. Deductible is subtracted after depreciation. ACV out-of-pocket = depreciation + deductible — the gap between what the carrier pays and what a contractor charges to actually replace the roof. Carrier settlement may differ based on condition, ACV-only endorsements, and local labor rates.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between ACV and RCV on a roof claim?

RCV (Replacement Cost Value) pays what it costs to install a comparable new roof today, minus your deductible. ACV (Actual Cash Value) subtracts depreciation for the age of the roof first, so the payout shrinks the older the roof gets. Many policies start as RCV but switch to ACV-only on roofs older than 10–15 years.

What is recoverable depreciation?

If you have an RCV policy, the carrier first pays you the ACV amount. After you actually complete repairs and submit invoices, they release the held-back depreciation — the difference between ACV and RCV. If your policy is ACV-only, there's nothing to recover.

How is roof depreciation calculated?

Most carriers use a straight-line model: useful life of the roof material divided by its current age. Asphalt shingle typically depreciates over 20 years; metal and tile over 50. A 10-year-old asphalt roof would be ~50% depreciated.

Does my deductible apply before or after depreciation?

After. The carrier calculates RCV or ACV first, then subtracts your deductible from that number. A high deductible plus heavy depreciation can leave you with very little net payout.

Why is my carrier offering less than this calculator shows?

Carriers may apply additional depreciation for condition (granule loss, prior repairs), use a different per-square cost, or invoke an ACV-only roof endorsement that overrides RCV. Have an independent advisor review the estimate before signing.

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