How long do you have to claim recoverable depreciation after a roof claim?
Short answer. It is set by your policy, not by one Georgia rule. Many standard forms require you to tell the insurer within 180 days of the loss that you intend to repair or replace, and many carriers' payment letters give a deadline to finish the work and submit the invoice. If you are running late, ask for an extension in writing before the date passes.
Where your deadline is written
- The loss settlement condition in your policy, under the replacement cost terms.
- The letter that came with your first check. Many carriers state the exact date or number of days there.
- The estimate summary, which may note that depreciation is recoverable on completion within a stated period.
How to protect it
- Send written notice that you intend to replace the roof as soon as you sign with a roofer. An email to your adjuster with the claim number creates a dated record.
- Put the install date on a calendar next to the deadline.
- If materials, weather or a supplement dispute will push you past it, ask for an extension in writing and explain why. Many carriers grant reasonable extensions requested in time.
- Submit the final invoice and photos the week the job is done, not months later.
If the date already passed
Send the invoice and ask anyway. Some carriers still pay when the delay had a good reason. If the insurer refuses and you think it is wrong, ask for the policy language it relies on in writing, and you can contact the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner.
Other deadlines on the same claim
Your policy also limits how long you have to report a loss and to sue over a claim, and those clocks run separately. See Georgia roof claim deadlines.