Plain-English answers to the questions homeowners actually ask after a storm — how to read a Xactimate estimate, what RCV and ACV really mean, how supplements work, and what to do when a claim is underpaid or denied.
A plain-English walk-through of a roof insurance estimate: what Xactimate is, how line items are built, and what RCV, ACV, depreciation, and O&P actually mean.
Read guide →RCV and ACV are the two numbers that decide how much of your roof your insurance company actually pays for. Here is the plain-English difference and why it matters.
Read guide →Recoverable depreciation is money your insurance company owes you but holds back. Here is exactly how it works and how to release it after your roof is repaired.
Read guide →Your roofer says $22,000, your insurance company says $14,000. That gap is normal — and there is a specific process to close it. Step-by-step for homeowners.
Read guide →Your roof claim was approved. Here is the exact sequence — permits, contractor selection, tear-off, supplements, and the second check — so nothing gets missed.
Read guide →A denied or underpaid roof claim is not the end of the process. Here are the specific escalation steps homeowners can take, in order, without needing an attorney.
Read guide →A supplement is how a roof insurance estimate gets corrected. Here is what supplements cover, who writes them, and how homeowners get them approved.
Read guide →These 10 line items get skipped often enough on roof insurance estimates that homeowners should typically check for them. Photos and specifics for each.
Read guide →A plain-English, step-by-step walkthrough of the roof insurance claim process — from documenting the damage to reviewing the estimate, supplementing missed items, and closing the file.
Read guide →Upload your insurance estimate PDF and get a free readiness score in minutes.