What's the difference between ACV and RCV on a roof claim?

ACV (Actual Cash Value) is the depreciated value of your old roof, paid up front minus your deductible. RCV (Replacement Cost Value) is the full cost to replace it; insurers release the remaining 'recoverable depreciation' after the work is completed and invoiced.

What is a hurricane deductible?

Many Florida policies carry a separate hurricane deductible — frequently 2% of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar figure — that applies once a hurricane claim is triggered. It's deducted from your payout, so it's worth knowing your number before storm season.

Should my roofer be at the adjuster meeting?

Yes, if possible. A licensed local roofer can speak the same code language as the adjuster, point out HVHZ requirements the repair must meet, and make sure nothing is missed in the scope — which protects your payout.

Florida Roof Insurance Claim Process — Step by Step (2026)

A Florida roof insurance claim runs in five stages: (1) document the storm damage with dated photos, (2) report the loss to your insurer — under current Florida law you generally have one year from the date of loss for a hurricane claim, (3) meet the adjuster on-site (have your own roofer there to speak the same code language), (4) review the settlement, where ACV pays depreciated value up front and RCV releases the rest once work is done, and (5) complete the code-compliant repair or replacement. Your deductible — often a separate 2% hurricane deductible in Florida — comes out of the payout.

The five stages of a Florida roof claim

Most successful claims follow the same path. Missing a step — usually documentation or the deadline — is what gets claims denied.

Document: dated photos/video of all damage before any cleanup or temporary repair.
Report: notify your insurer promptly and open a claim; keep the claim number.
Inspect: the insurer's adjuster inspects — ideally alongside your own licensed roofer.
Settle: review the scope and payout (ACV vs. RCV) and the deductible applied.
Repair: complete the work to current HVHZ code and submit final paperwork.

ACV vs. RCV — why your first check is smaller

Most Florida policies pay on a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) basis but release it in two parts. The first check is the Actual Cash Value (ACV) — the depreciated value of your old roof minus your deductible. Once the work is completed and invoiced, the insurer releases the 'recoverable depreciation,' bringing you up to full replacement cost. Some older or secondary policies are ACV-only, which pays a depreciated amount and nothing more — worth checking before a storm.

Deadlines and deductibles in Florida

Recent Florida statute changes shortened the window to file: generally one year from the date of loss for a new hurricane or windstorm claim (down from the old two/three-year limits), with a separate window for supplemental claims. Florida policies also commonly carry a separate hurricane deductible — often 2% of the dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount — which is deducted from your payout once a hurricane claim is triggered.

How wind mitigation affects your claim and premium

A wind-mitigation inspection documents storm-resistant features — sealed roof deck, secondary water barrier, roof-to-wall connectors — and can lower your premium roughly 10–40%. Capturing those credits during a replacement both reduces ongoing cost and strengthens your roof's documented resilience. We help homeowners capture wind-mitigation credits as part of the rebuild.

Related roofing services

Storm & Insurance →Free Inspection →

Frequently asked questions

Under recent Florida law you generally have one year from the date of loss to file a new hurricane or windstorm claim, with a separate window for supplemental claims. Don't wait — documentation is strongest right after the storm.