Two acronyms decide whether a Texas roof claim makes you whole or leaves you writing a check. They live on your declarations page and most homeowners never look at them until the worst possible moment — claim day, after a hailstorm, when the carrier's adjuster mentions "actual cash value" and the math goes sideways.
Here is the plain-English version. Then the 2026 DFW carrier reality, because the rules have been changing fast.
ACV vs RCV — the plain-English version
- RCV — Replacement Cost Value. The carrier pays what it costs to replace your roof today. Materials and labor at current pricing. No depreciation deducted.
- ACV — Actual Cash Value. The carrier pays the replacement cost minus depreciation for the roof's age. The older the roof, the bigger the deduction.
On a brand-new roof, ACV and RCV are basically identical (no depreciation to deduct). On a 5-year-old roof, the gap is small. On a 15-year-old roof, the gap can be five figures — sometimes the difference between "claim approved, project starts next week" and "we need to talk about $11,000 you weren't planning to spend."
Quick example. 25-square architectural shingle reroof in Frisco. Replacement cost today: $18,500. Roof is 15 years old, depreciation ~50%. RCV check: $18,500. ACV check: $9,250. Same storm, same scope, same roof — half the payout.
The DFW carrier reality in 2025–2026
Through 2025 and into 2026, three patterns have shaped almost every North Texas hail-belt claim we have seen:
1. The 15-year ACV cliff
State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers have routinely been converting roofs 15 years and older to ACV-only at renewal. The policy quietly drops the RCV endorsement on the roof line. The homeowner gets a renewal notice that looks normal, doesn't read the dwelling section, and learns about the change after the next storm.
Some carriers do this at 10 years now. Some require Class 4 impact-rated shingles to keep the RCV endorsement. The trend is unambiguous: replacement cost on older roofs is getting harder to keep.
2. USAA still writes RCV
USAA remains one of the few major DFW carriers still writing replacement cost value on residential roofs as of 2026. For military families in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, and Allen — and there are a lot of them — that policy posture is a meaningful renewal-time differentiator. Frame Restoration does not represent USAA or any other carrier; confirm coverage directly with your insurance company.
3. Recoverable depreciation is still yours to claim
On an RCV policy, the carrier pays in two checks:
- ACV check at claim approval — replacement cost minus depreciation. This is the money to start the work.
- Recoverable depreciation check after work is completed and invoiced. This is the rest. Many homeowners cash the first check, get the roof done, and never invoice the carrier for the second one. The money is theirs; they just never claim it.
How to read your declarations page
Pull your declarations page (page 1-2 of your homeowner's policy) and look for these phrases:
| What you might see | What it means |
|---|---|
| "Replacement Cost Loss Settlement" on Dwelling | RCV on the whole house including the roof — what you want. |
| "Actual Cash Value Settlement on Roof" or "Roof Surfacing Schedule" | ACV-only on the roof. Replacement cost on the rest of the house may still apply. |
| "Cosmetic Damage Exclusion" or "Cosmetic Loss Endorsement" | Hail dings that don't compromise function may not be covered. Separate issue from ACV/RCV but tightening across DFW. |
| "Impact-Resistant Roof Discount" | You have Class 4 shingles on file. Good. Often a prerequisite for keeping RCV. |
If you can't tell from the declarations page, call your agent and ask directly: "On my current policy, does the roof settle on RCV or ACV?" If they hedge, get it in writing.
What to do if you're heading into the ACV cliff
If your roof is approaching 12–15 years and you're with State Farm, Allstate, or Farmers, you have three real options:
- Document the roof now, before renewal. A current dated inspection report establishes condition at a known date. If you get hailed before the policy converts, the documentation supports the RCV claim.
- Shop the policy. Some carriers — and USAA specifically for eligible members — are still writing RCV on older roofs in 2026. The right move can be a carrier switch, not a roof replacement.
- Replace the roof before the policy converts. A new Class 4 shingle roof resets the depreciation clock and often qualifies for an impact-resistant discount on the next policy. The math depends on the current roof's condition and your timeline.
How Frame Restoration fits in
We document. We do not represent carriers, do not act on insurance claims (licensed claims work a contractor cannot perform — see the §4102.163 boundary on our Insurance Claims page), and do not give policy advice. What we do well:
- Free, dated, photo-documented inspections that establish current roof condition.
- Written line-item scopes the carrier can read on either an ACV or RCV claim.
- Honest read on whether the roof is candidate for replacement or whether you're still in repair territory.
- Deductible-law compliant contracts. No deductible games — see our HB 2102 post.
If you want the documentation done before your next renewal, the inspection is free. 214-308-9227.