What depreciation guide do insurance adjusters use for roofs?
Short answer. There is no single official depreciation guide for roofs. Adjusters apply their company's own guidelines for expected life by material, usually through estimating software such as Xactimate that calculates depreciation from the roof's age and the life expectancy entered, sometimes adjusted for condition and capped at a maximum percentage.
Where adjusters get the numbers
- Carrier guidelines: internal tables of expected lives for roofing materials and other items. They are generally not published, but you can ask what life was used on your claim.
- Estimating software: the adjuster enters age and life, and the software applies depreciation to each line and totals it.
- Life expectancy references: some carriers and adjusting firms lean on published life expectancy tables for building components.
- Policy terms: payment schedule endorsements replace judgment with a fixed table printed in the policy.
Typical variables
- Roof material and product line; architectural shingles usually get longer lives than 3-tab.
- Roof age, from records or the adjuster's estimate.
- Condition, often rated average, above average or below average.
- Maximum depreciation caps.
- Whether labor, removal and fees are depreciated, which depends on carrier practice and state rules.
How to challenge depreciation
- Ask in writing for the age, expected life, condition rating and any cap used.
- Prove the installation date with a permit, invoice or warranty registration.
- Document good condition with photos and maintenance records.
- Point out depreciation applied to items that should not carry it.
See how depreciation appears on an estimate in Xactimate roof estimates, and how to collect it in recoverable depreciation.