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Free tool from Houston Public Adjusters

Insurance Claim Settlement Calculator

See how replacement cost, depreciation, your deductible and prior payments add up to the checks you should receive — and spot when the numbers don’t add up.

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Estimates only, for planning. Your policy language, the carrier’s estimate and Texas law control your actual claim. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.

How an insurance claim settlement is calculated

Most Houston homeowners policies pay a property claim in two stages. First the insurer pays the actual cash value (ACV): the replacement cost of the damaged items minus depreciation and minus your deductible. Once repairs are completed and invoiced, a replacement-cost policy releases the recoverable depreciation it withheld.

The formula is simple: RCV − depreciation − deductible = first check, and RCV − deductible = total on a replacement-cost policy. What is not simple is the RCV itself. The carrier’s estimate sets the ceiling on everything that follows, and that is where most underpaid claims start: missing line items, wrong quantities, low unit pricing, no overhead and profit, or no code-upgrade items.

Where Houston public adjusters find missing money

  • Roof systems scoped for repair when the damage supports full replacement
  • Missing drip edge, starter course, ice-and-water shield, ridge vent and code-required items
  • Interior water damage scoped as “paint only” with no drywall, insulation or cabinetry
  • Excessive depreciation on labor or on items with plenty of life left
  • General contractor overhead and profit left off a multi-trade job
  • Contents, additional living expenses and debris removal never claimed

If the carrier’s RCV looks low next to your contractor’s bid, the gap is worth a second look. Houston Public Adjusters build an independent Xactimate estimate so the comparison is line by line.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between RCV and ACV?

Replacement cost value (RCV) is what it costs to repair or replace the damaged property with new materials of like kind and quality. Actual cash value (ACV) is RCV minus depreciation for age and wear. A replacement-cost policy pays ACV first, then the withheld depreciation once you repair.

How do I get my recoverable depreciation?

Complete the repairs, then send the insurer the final invoice and proof of payment within the time the policy allows (often 180 days to two years, depending on the policy). The insurer releases the depreciation up to the amount actually spent.

Is the deductible subtracted from the first check or the total?

From the claim as a whole. In practice it is subtracted from the first ACV payment, which is why the first check can look much smaller than the estimate.

Property damage? The clock is already ticking.

Start with a free consultation from Houston Public Adjusters and protect your claim before mistakes cost you money.

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