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Actual Cash Value

Actual Cash Value (or ACV, short for “Actual Cash Value”) is a method of valuing insured property, or the value calculated using that method. ACV represents the amount for which damaged or stolen property could have been sold at the time of the loss. It is the amount equal to the property’s replacement cost minus depreciation. Actual cash value = replacement cost - depreciation

Replacement cost/value

Replacement value refers to the amount of money that would have to be paid to acquire a used tangible asset at a given point in its useful life. The amount agreed upon for its purchase will always be subject to supply and demand for that asset and, in most cases, its level of wear or state of preservation.

How actual cash value works

Insurance companies sometimes use actual cash value to determine the amount to pay the policyholder after the loss of or damage to insured property or a vehicle. There is no type of insurance called ACV insurance, for example; that is a misconception.