Two homeowners on the same Murfreesboro street can have the same storm damage and get very different insurance checks - because of two letters on their policy: ACV or RCV. Knowing which you have before a storm hits can be worth thousands.

RCV - Replacement Cost Value

An RCV policy pays what it actually costs to replace your roof at today's prices. It's the better coverage. The catch: most RCV policies pay in two parts. First they send the actual cash value (today's cost minus depreciation). Then, once the work is done and invoiced, they release the rest - the recoverable depreciation. So you have to complete the job to collect the full amount.

ACV - Actual Cash Value

An ACV policy pays replacement cost minus depreciation, and that's it - there's no recoverable depreciation to collect. On a 15-year-old roof, depreciation can be large, so the payout can fall well short of what a new roof costs, leaving you to cover the gap on top of your deductible.

Why It Matters in Tennessee

Middle Tennessee's hail and wind mean roof claims are common - and insurers have responded by moving more older roofs onto ACV or onto roof-payment schedules that reduce payouts as the roof ages. That's a strong argument for filing promptly after damage and for not letting a claimable roof keep aging.

Check Before You Need It

Pull your declarations page and look for "ACV," "RCV," or a roof settlement schedule, or just ask your agent. When storm damage does hit, our walkthrough of the Murfreesboro insurance-claim process explains deductibles and supplements, and our storm damage team documents everything and can meet your adjuster on the roof.

Storm damage and not sure what your policy covers? Call 877-692-5349 for a free inspection and honest documentation.