If your roof was damaged by hail or wind, your insurance paperwork will decide how much of the new roof gets paid for and how much comes out of your pocket. The two numbers that matter most are ACV and RCV, and most homeowners in Fort Bend County have never had anyone explain them in plain English. We walk our customers through these numbers on every insurance job, before any work starts, so there are no surprises at the end. This page is that same explanation in writing.
What does ACV mean on a roof insurance claim?
ACV means Actual Cash Value, and it is what your roof is worth today after age and wear are subtracted. Your insurer takes the cost of a brand new roof and deducts depreciation for every year your old roof has been in the Texas sun. A 15-year-old roof has already given you most of its service life, so its cash value is a fraction of replacement cost. The ACV amount is usually what the first insurance check is based on.
- ACV equals replacement cost minus depreciation.
- Depreciation is based on the age and condition of the roof, not on what you paid for it.
- On an older roof, the ACV payment alone rarely covers a full replacement.
What does RCV mean on a roof insurance claim?
RCV means Replacement Cost Value, and it is the full cost to replace your roof today with materials of like kind and quality. Most Texas homeowner policies carry RCV coverage, but the insurer does not pay it all up front. The difference between RCV and ACV is called recoverable depreciation, and the insurer holds it back until the work is finished and documented. Once the job is complete and the insurer has the final invoice, that held-back money is released.
- Check one is usually based on the ACV amount, minus your deductible.
- The depreciation holdback is released after the work is complete and the final invoice is sent in.
- That holdback is not open-ended. Most policies give you a deadline, commonly 180 days to a year, to finish the work and collect it, or the withheld depreciation is gone.
- Some policies are ACV only, or pay roofs on a schedule. Your declarations page tells you which kind you have.
How do ACV and RCV work on a real roof claim?
Here is a simple example with round numbers. Your home is insured for $300,000 and your wind and hail deductible is 1%, so your deductible is $3,000. A new roof costs $16,500, and the adjuster applies $4,950 in depreciation.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Replacement cost (RCV) | $16,500 |
| Less depreciation | -$4,950 |
| Actual cash value (ACV) | $11,550 |
| Less your deductible | -$3,000 |
| First check from the insurer | $8,550 |
| Depreciation released after the job is finished | $4,950 |
| Your total out of pocket | $3,000 (your deductible) |
The most common misunderstanding we see: the first check is not the final payment. Homeowners think the claim came up short when the rest of the money is simply being held until the roof is on and the paperwork is in.
Who has to pay the deductible on a roof claim in Texas?
You do. Texas law requires the policyholder to pay the deductible, and it is illegal for a roofing contractor to waive, absorb, or rebate it. The Texas Department of Insurance states this plainly, and state law also requires contracts of $1,000 or more on insurance jobs to include a notice that the deductible is yours to pay. Your insurer can also ask for proof that you paid it, such as a receipt or a canceled check, before releasing the depreciation holdback.
- Texas Insurance Code Chapter 707 requires you to pay your deductible.
- A roofer who offers to cover your deductible is breaking the law, not doing you a favor.
- When a roofer makes that offer anyway, the money has to come from somewhere. It comes out of your roof, in cheaper shingles, skipped underlayment, or work that never gets done.
Source: Texas Department of Insurance, “Roofing and insurance: Know the law”
What is a supplement on a roof insurance claim?
A supplement is a documented request to the insurer to correct or add to the first estimate when the actual job turns out to be bigger than the adjuster’s original scope. Adjusters often write their first estimate from the ground, before anyone has torn off a single shingle. Once the old roof comes off, the real picture shows up: rotted decking, extra layers, code-required items that were missed, or storm damage that was not visible from below. A roofer documents all of it with photos and measurements and sends it to the insurer for review.
- Supplements are normal. A large share of storm claims need at least one.
- The insurer can approve a supplement in full, in part, or not at all. Good photo documentation is what gets them approved.
- A supplement review can add days or weeks to a claim. It is worth it, because the alternative is paying for storm damage out of your own pocket or leaving damaged material under your new roof.
What is your responsibility, and what is ours?
| Your responsibility | Our responsibility | |
|---|---|---|
| The claim | File the claim with your insurer and share the claim paperwork with us | Inspect the roof and document all storm damage with photos |
| The adjuster visit | Be reachable so the visit can be scheduled | Meet your adjuster on site and walk the roof with them |
| The deductible | Pay your deductible. Texas law requires it, and we cannot pay it for you | Put the deductible amount and the payment schedule in writing in your contract |
| The scope | Tell us about leaks, past repairs, and anything you know about the roof’s history | Read the adjuster’s estimate line by line and flag anything missed |
| Supplements | Nothing, unless the insurer needs a document from you | Photograph hidden damage and submit supplements with measurements and code references |
| Choices | Choose your shingle and color, and approve any upgrades beyond what the claim covers | Install the roof to the approved scope and to code, with a foreman on site |
| The final payment | Provide proof of deductible payment if your insurer asks for it | Send the final invoice and completion photos so the insurer releases your depreciation check |
| Warranty | Keep your paperwork | Stand behind the job with a 10-year labor warranty, in writing |
The short version
ACV is what your old roof is worth on paper. RCV is what a new one costs. The gap between them is paid after the work is done, not before. Your deductible is yours by law. And a supplement is how a claim gets corrected when the roof on your house does not match the estimate written from the ground.
If a storm has damaged your roof and the insurance paperwork looks like it was written in another language, call R. Cooper Roofing at 832-829-9200. We will inspect the roof for free, document what we find, and explain exactly what your claim should cover before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ACV and RCV on a roof insurance claim?
ACV is the depreciated value of your roof today. RCV is the full cost to replace it at today’s prices. On an RCV policy you are paid the ACV amount first and the difference, the recoverable depreciation, after the work is complete and invoiced.
Why is my first insurance check smaller than the estimate?
Because the first check is based on the ACV amount with your deductible subtracted. The rest, the recoverable depreciation, is released after the work is complete and the insurer receives the final invoice.
Can my roofer just cover my deductible?
No. Texas law prohibits a contractor from waiving, absorbing, or rebating your deductible, and your insurer can require proof that you paid it. An offer to cover it is a red flag.
How long does a supplement take?
It depends on the insurer. A well-documented supplement usually gets reviewed in days to a few weeks. Photos taken during tear-off are the strongest evidence you can send.
What if my policy is ACV only?
Then there is no depreciation holdback to release, and the gap between the ACV payment and the full replacement cost is yours to cover. It is worth knowing which policy you have before a storm, not after.
