Do you get recoverable depreciation back, and how?
Short answer. Yes, you get recoverable depreciation back if you complete the repair or replacement and prove the cost, but only up to what you actually spend and only within your policy's time limits. If you do not repair, sell the home before the work is done, or do the work for less, you get back less or nothing.
Common scenarios
- Full replacement at the insurer's price: you get all of it back after submitting the final invoice.
- Replacement for less than the estimate: you get back only enough to cover what you actually paid.
- An upgraded roof that costs more: you get the full holdback, and the cost of the upgrade is yours.
- No repair: you keep the actual cash value check, and the holdback stays with the insurer.
- Selling the house before repairing: generally the holdback is not paid unless the work gets done, and your sales contract and policy terms decide what happens next.
- Doing the work yourself: you can usually recover what you actually spent on materials and other documented costs, which is often less than the estimate.
How to make sure it comes back
- Tell the insurer in writing that you plan to replace.
- Keep the scope matching the estimate, plus approved supplements.
- Send the invoice and completion photos promptly.
- Track the check if your mortgage company must endorse it.
If the policy pays the roof at actual cash value, the roof portion is not recoverable at all. Check your declarations page before you count on a second check.
Related: recoverable depreciation on a roof, Georgia roof claim deadlines, and ACV vs RCV.