Basement Flood Claim Calculator

Enter loss and policy details

Water extraction & drying

Demolition & disposal

Drywall & insulation

Flooring replacement

Electrical repairs

Plumbing repairs

HVAC repairs

Mold remediation

Painting & finishing

Structural miscellaneous

Contents: furniture

Contents: electronics

Contents: clothing & textiles

Contents: stored items

Contents: appliances

Storage & moving

Permits & inspections

Temporary housing

Other expenses

Loss cause

Backup cause can trigger a water-backup sublimit.

Settlement basis

Overall coverage limit

Water backup sublimit

Contents sublimit (optional)

Deductible

Coverage pays (%)

Depreciable portion (%)

Depreciation rate (%)

Overhead & profit (%)

Applied to structural costs.

Sales tax (%)

Estimated on structural + contents + O&P.

Excluded / not covered estimate

Items outside coverage, wear/tear, or policy exclusions.

Example data table

Scenario	Structural	Contents	Extra	Deductible	Limit	Est. RCV Payout
Moderate loss (backup)	$14,300	$3,900	$700	$1,000	$25,000	$18,900
Major loss (burst pipe)	$28,500	$8,200	$2,100	$2,500	$50,000	$36,300
Smaller loss (seepage)	$6,900	$1,300	$250	$1,000	$15,000	$7,450

Numbers are illustrative for learning and planning.

Formula used

This estimator uses a simplified payout model common in property claims.

Structural Base = sum of structural line items.
Contents Base = sum of contents line items.
Additional Expenses = storage + permits + housing + other.
Overhead & Profit = Structural Base × (O&P% ÷ 100).
Sales Tax = (Structural Base + Contents Base + O&P) × (Tax% ÷ 100).
Gross Loss = Structural Base + Contents Base + Additional + O&P + Tax.
Covered Loss = max(0, Gross Loss − Excluded Amount), then apply sublimits and overall limit.
Depreciation = Covered Loss × (Depreciable Portion% ÷ 100) × (Depreciation Rate% ÷ 100).
ACV Loss = max(0, Covered Loss − Depreciation).
RCV Loss = Covered Loss (replacement-cost estimate).
Eligible = Loss × (Coverage Pays% ÷ 100), then limited by coverage limit.
Estimated Payout = max(0, Eligible − Deductible).

How to use this calculator

Enter realistic quotes for cleanup, repairs, and replacements.
Add contents and extra expenses that are related to the loss.
Select the loss cause and settlement basis from your policy.
Fill in your coverage limit, any sublimits, and deductible.
Adjust depreciation and coverage percent if your policy requires it.
Press Calculate to see ACV/RCV estimates above the form.
Use the CSV/PDF buttons to save your estimate and notes.

Estimate inputs that mirror real invoices

Start with line items that reflect contractor scopes: water extraction, demolition, drywall, flooring, electrical, plumbing, mold, and finishing. Add contents losses separately, because policies often cap contents or treat them differently. Enter temporary housing or storage when receipts exist. Include measurements like square footage. Keeping each category distinct improves review and helps justify totals.

Separate gross loss from covered loss

Gross loss is the full restoration and replacement total, including overhead, profit, and estimated tax. Covered loss removes amounts you expect to be excluded, then applies any special caps such as water-backup limits. If a backup sublimit is $5,000, a $9,200 covered estimate may be capped. This calculator shows both numbers so you can see how coverage language changes the estimate before deductible impacts.

Understand ACV versus RCV settlement

Replacement cost (RCV) assumes like-kind materials today. Actual cash value (ACV) reduces the covered loss by depreciation on the depreciable portion. If 70% of loss is depreciable and depreciation is 20%, the ACV reduction equals 14% of covered loss. Many policies release recoverable depreciation after repairs are completed and documented. That difference can materially affect cashflow during repairs.

Model limits, percentages, and deductible effects

After settlement, the estimate can be reduced by the “coverage pays” percentage, overall limits, and sublimits. Then the deductible is subtracted dollar for dollar. For example, if eligible RCV is $18,900 and the deductible is $1,000, the estimated payout becomes $17,900. If the overall limit is $15,000, the same loss would be limited before the deductible. Use the chart to compare scenarios quickly across assumptions.

Use outputs to support documentation

Export CSV for spreadsheets and PDF for claim packets. Pair the breakdown with photos, drying logs, and itemized receipts. When discussing settlement with an adjuster, focus on measurable quantities, dates, and contractor statements. Re-run the calculator when bids change, and keep versioned exports for your records. The goal is a defensible estimate that can be updated as bids and invoices arrive.

FAQs

1) What should I enter if I only have rough prices?

Use your best contractor range and start with cleanup, demolition, and drying. Add placeholder amounts for flooring, drywall, and contents. Update the numbers as written bids arrive, and export a new PDF for each revision.

2) Does this estimate include adjuster negotiation?

No. It models a payout based on your inputs, depreciation, limits, sublimits, and deductible. Actual settlement can change after inspections, documentation, scope disputes, or additional covered damage is found.

3) How do ACV and RCV affect my cash in hand?

RCV reflects today’s replacement pricing, while ACV subtracts depreciation. Many policies pay ACV first and release recoverable depreciation after repairs are completed and receipts are submitted.

4) When does the water-backup sublimit apply here?

If you select the sewer or drain backup cause, the calculator caps the covered loss at the water-backup sublimit. For other causes, that sublimit is not applied in this model.

5) Why is there an exclusions field?

Some costs may be outside coverage, such as pre-existing deterioration or upgrades. Enter a conservative estimate for those items to separate gross loss from likely covered loss.

6) How can I use the CSV and PDF downloads?

CSV works well for spreadsheets and budgeting. PDF is useful for a claim packet with photos, drying logs, and receipts. Keep versioned copies to show how pricing and scope changed over time.