Recoverable Depreciation Tracker
RJIs Your Insurance Company Still Holding Part of Your Settlement?
If you've already received a check from your insurer after a fire, storm, or water damage claim, it's easy to assume the process is over. For most homeowners with a replacement-cost-value policy, though, that first check is only half the story.
Insurers typically pay in two parts. The first payment is the Actual Cash Value (ACV) — your Replacement Cost Value (RCV) minus depreciation and your deductible. The second payment, the depreciation that was withheld, is "recoverable": it's released once you complete repairs and submit proof, but only within a window set by your policy. Miss that window, and the money you already paid premiums to cover simply goes unclaimed.
Use the calculator below to estimate how much recoverable depreciation you may still be owed, see how much time you have left, and get a documentation checklist matched to where you are in the repair process.
Recoverable Depreciation Tracker
Try an example
Load a sample claim to see how the estimate works — then edit any field.
Step 1 of 8
Documentation checklist
Request letter draft
Optional details below personalize a fill-in-the-blank letter you can copy or include in your PDF. Nothing is saved or sent.
This is a planning draft only — review it against your policy and carrier requirements before sending.
What to Do With Your Results
Start by comparing the recoverable depreciation figure above against your insurer's Statement of Loss. If the numbers are close, you're on the right track — set a reminder well ahead of your deadline date, since gathering contractor paperwork always takes longer than expected.
If repairs haven't started yet, get a written estimate from a licensed contractor now. Carriers generally won't release recoverable depreciation until they see documentation that the work is actually done — a verbal quote or a plan isn't enough. If repairs are underway, save every invoice and receipt as you go, and take dated photos before materials are covered up or discarded. If repairs are already complete, don't wait: pull together your paid invoices and photos and submit your request today, since the clock keeps running regardless of when you get around to it.
Whatever stage you're at, keep a copy of everything — your Statement of Loss, your ACV payment breakdown, and your repair documentation — in one place. If your claim gets disputed or delayed, that file is what you'll lean on, the same way it's used throughout each stage of a homeowners claim, from the initial policy review through final negotiation.
The Mistake That Costs Homeowners the Most Money
The single most common misconception homeowners have is treating the ACV check as the final word on their claim. It isn't. It's a partial payment by design, and insurers aren't obligated to remind you that a second payment exists or that it has a deadline — that responsibility falls on you. Homeowners who assume the first check is "just how much the house was worth" often let repairs drag past the deadline, or never request the second payment at all, and that money is gone for good once the window closes. Understanding what a public adjuster does throughout the claims process — including tracking these secondary payments and negotiating around rising labor and material costs — is often the difference between collecting what you're actually owed and settling for the first number the insurer offers.
When to Bring in Professional Representation
This calculator gives you a planning estimate, but it can't review your actual policy language, verify how your carrier calculated depreciation, or negotiate on your behalf if the numbers don't match what you expect. That's the role of a licensed public adjuster: someone who works exclusively for you, not the insurance company, to make sure every dollar you're entitled to actually gets paid.
A public adjuster can be especially valuable if your deadline is close, your repairs are more complex than expected, or your insurer disputes the depreciation amount. Because public adjuster fees are typically based on a percentage of what's recovered, there's usually no upfront cost to find out whether professional help would make a meaningful difference in your outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I do with my recoverable depreciation estimate?
- Treat it as a starting point, not a final number. Compare it against your insurer's Statement of Loss, then gather the documentation your results list — contractor invoices, dated before-and-after photos, and any completion certificate your carrier requires — and submit a written request referencing your claim number before your deadline.
- Is the ACV check I received my final settlement?
- Usually not. On a replacement-cost-value policy, the first check is typically the Actual Cash Value payment: your RCV minus depreciation and your deductible. The depreciation that was withheld is recoverable once you complete repairs and submit proof, within your policy's deadline.
- What documentation do I need to claim recoverable depreciation?
- Most carriers want to see paid invoices or receipts showing the completed repair costs, dated before-and-after photos, and sometimes a signed completion or satisfaction form, submitted together with a written request that references your claim number.
- Could a public adjuster handle this instead of me doing it myself?
- Yes. A licensed public adjuster can review your Statement of Loss, verify how your carrier calculated depreciation, assemble the required documentation, and negotiate directly with the insurer — particularly useful if your deadline is approaching or your claim is disputed.
- How accurate is this estimate?
- It's a planning estimate based on the figures you enter, plus a commonly used 180-day deadline assumption when your actual policy language isn't known. Your specific policy terms, state regulations, and carrier practices can shift both the dollar amount and the deadline, so confirm the details against your policy or with a licensed public adjuster.
