How Much Will Insurance Pay for My Roof?
Enter the replacement cost, your roof's age and your deductible to see what a hail or wind claim is likely to pay, and what stays on you.
Short answer: with replacement cost (RCV) coverage, insurance pays the full cost of the new roof minus your deductible. With actual cash value (ACV) coverage it pays the cost minus depreciation for the roof's age and minus the deductible, which can leave you covering most of an old roof. The NAIC's example: two identical $15,000 roof claims with $1,000 deductibles paid $14,000 under RCV and $4,000 under ACV after $10,000 of depreciation.
Roof claim payout calculator
Replacement cost vs actual cash value
| Replacement cost (RCV) | Actual cash value (ACV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pays | Cost to repair or replace, no depreciation | Depreciated cost |
| NAIC example: $15,000 damage, $1,000 deductible | $14,000 | $4,000 (after $10,000 depreciation) |
| How the money arrives | Usually an ACV check first, the withheld depreciation after the work is done | One check |
| Who it hurts | Rarely the homeowner | Owners of older roofs |
Insurers base depreciation on the roof's condition, what a new one costs and how long it normally lasts (NAIC). The calculator uses straight-line depreciation over the useful life you enter, a simplification of that.
Flat vs percentage deductibles
Some policies have a separate wind, hail or hurricane deductible, written either as a flat amount or as a percentage of your dwelling coverage (NAIC; Virginia Bureau of Insurance). Virginia's example: $3,000 of damage on a home insured for $100,000 with a 2% deductible means a $2,000 deductible and a $1,000 payment. On a $300,000 dwelling, a 2% deductible is $6,000, more than many repair claims.
Getting the most from a roof claim
- Read the declarations page: RCV or ACV for the roof, and which deductible applies to wind and hail.
- Document damage with dated photos before any tarp or repair (see hail damage inspection).
- Get your own replacement figure (address estimate or contractor bid) to compare with the adjuster's.
- Under RCV, finish the work and send the final invoice to release the withheld depreciation.
Costs to compare against: hail damage repair and replacement, roof replacement cost, roof repair cost.
Sources
- NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners), Know the Difference Between Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value When It Comes to Your Roof.
- Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance, Homeowners disaster guide (PDF) (percentage wind deductibles).
- Verisk, 2026 U.S. Roof Report press release, May 29, 2026 (insurance claim averages for 2025).
Accessed October 30, 2026. National figures; local prices and your policy wording decide the real numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does insurance pay for a new roof?
With replacement cost coverage, the full replacement cost minus your deductible. With actual cash value, the cost minus depreciation and the deductible; NAIC's example shows $4,000 paid on a $15,000 roof under ACV versus $14,000 under RCV.
How is roof depreciation calculated?
Insurers weigh the roof's condition, the cost of a new one and how long it normally lasts (NAIC). A simple estimate is age divided by useful life times the replacement cost.
What is a percentage deductible?
A deductible set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, often for wind, hail or hurricanes. 2% on a $100,000 dwelling is $2,000 (Virginia Bureau of Insurance).
What is recoverable depreciation?
Under replacement cost coverage, the insurer often pays actual cash value first and releases the withheld depreciation after the roof is replaced and you send the invoice.
Last reviewed 2026-10-30. Results are estimates for planning; confirm quantities with your supplier and requirements with your local building code and the manufacturer's instructions.