Replacement or reconstruction cost is a type of insurance that covers the cost to replace or repair a building with materials of the same or comparable quality. For the purposes of coverage—and unlike market value—replacement cost policies do not include the value of any land and is determined based on the amount needed to hire contractors and purchase materials to repair a building or construct a replacement.

Theoretically, the replacement cost of a commercial property should be lower than its market value, as the replacement cost only has to take building materials and labor into consideration when determining compensation. However, the costs of materials and labor can fluctuate. This, along with the numerous factors that contribute to market value, makes it possible for the replacement cost of a property to be higher than its market value.

A replacement cost policy offers a large amount of financial protection in the case of a loss, as it does not take depreciation into account when determining compensation. However, it is usually more expensive than other types of coverage and, as a result, may not make sense for every property.

The value of any piece of commercial property changes constantly. Knowing your property’s value and obtaining the policy that best suits your needs will safeguard your current and future assets.

Contact INSURICA today to appraise your property’s value and learn more about which type of policy is best for you.

This is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.