What is recoverable depreciation on a roof claim?
Short answer. On a roof claim, recoverable depreciation is the amount subtracted from your roof replacement estimate for the old roof's age that the insurer pays after the new roof is installed, assuming your policy covers the roof at replacement cost. It is often one of the largest numbers on a roof claim, so finishing the job and submitting the invoice on time matters.
What makes roof claims different
- Heavy depreciation: roofs age faster than most of the house, so the holdback is often large.
- Roof endorsements: wind and hail roof losses are where actual cash value endorsements and payment schedules apply, turning the holdback non-recoverable.
- Code items: work required by local building code, if your policy has ordinance or law coverage, is typically paid once it is actually incurred.
- Supplements: rotted decking or missing flashing found during tear-off adds new line items with their own depreciation.
A roof claim example
Replacement cost $14,500, recoverable depreciation $4,900, deductible $2,000. The first check is $7,600. After installation, the $4,900 is released, along with any approved supplements such as decking.
Steps to collect it
- Confirm the roof is on replacement cost terms.
- Sign a contract for the approved scope.
- Submit supplements with photos during the job.
- Send the final invoice and completion photos.
If your mortgage company is named on the policy, call its loss draft department before the job starts so the release is not held up waiting for its paperwork.
Related: recoverable depreciation on a roof, code upgrades and ordinance or law coverage, and roof supplements.