I get the hesitation with ACV, but honestly, it’s not always a total loss. When our neighbor’s 22-year-old roof got wrecked in a windstorm, their ACV payout actually covered a good chunk of their DIY materials—just not labor. Not ideal, but better than zero. Sometimes, if you keep up with maintenance and can show it, the adjuster might go a bit easier on depreciation, too. Not saying it’s perfect, but it’s not always a total dead end.
I get where you’re coming from—ACV isn’t always a total bust, but it can be a shock if you’re expecting more. When our old shed roof got totaled, the payout barely covered half the materials, and that was after a ton of back-and-forth with the adjuster. What helped was having photos and receipts showing we’d kept up with repairs. If you’re dealing with older stuff, I’d say document everything—maintenance logs, before/after pics, even small fixes. It won’t erase depreciation, but it can soften the blow a bit. Just don’t count on it covering labor unless you’re handy or have friends who are.
Just don’t count on it covering labor unless you’re handy or have friends who are.
That’s the kicker, right? Even with solid documentation, ACV rarely covers what folks expect. I’ve seen people surprised by how little they get after depreciation and deductibles. Keeping those receipts and photos is smart—sometimes it helps push the adjuster a bit, but yeah, don’t bank on labor costs unless you’re willing to DIY or call in favors. It’s frustrating, but at least you’re not going in blind.
ACV rarely covers what folks expect. I’ve seen people surprised by how little they get after depreciation and deductibles.
Yeah, that’s been my experience too. After a hailstorm last year, I thought I’d be set, but the check barely covered materials—forget labor. If you’re not up for climbing a ladder yourself, it’s a rude awakening.
the check barely covered materials—forget labor. If you’re not up for climbing a ladder yourself, it’s a rude awakening.
That hits home. After a windstorm a couple years back, my adjuster explained ACV like it was a gift, but by the time they factored in depreciation for my 18-year-old shingles, I was left with maybe half of what I needed. Ended up patching things myself because hiring out just wasn’t realistic. Folks are always shocked by how much “wear and tear” gets deducted. It’s not just the deductible—it’s the age of your roof that really stings.
