Personal property depreciation schedule (useful life table)
When an insurer settles a contents claim at actual cash value, it subtracts depreciation from the replacement cost. Most adjusters use straight-line depreciation based on an item's expected useful life: depreciation % = age ÷ useful life, usually capped so items keep some value. The table below shows typical guideline values. Carriers use their own tables (often licensed from vendors), so treat these as a reasonableness check, not your insurer's exact numbers.
| Category | Typical useful life | Annual depreciation | Typical max depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major appliances | 15 years | 6.7% | 80% |
| Small kitchen appliances | 8 years | 12.5% | 80% |
| TVs & home theater | 8 years | 12.5% | 80% |
| Computers & tablets | 5 years | 20.0% | 80% |
| Phones & wearables | 4 years | 25.0% | 80% |
| Other electronics & gaming | 6 years | 16.7% | 80% |
| Furniture (wood/upholstered) | 15 years | 6.7% | 75% |
| Mattresses & bedding foundations | 10 years | 10.0% | 80% |
| Bedding & linens | 6 years | 16.7% | 80% |
| Clothing | 5 years | 20.0% | 80% |
| Coats & outerwear | 8 years | 12.5% | 80% |
| Shoes & accessories | 4 years | 25.0% | 80% |
| Cookware & kitchen tools | 12 years | 8.3% | 75% |
| Dishes, glassware & flatware | 20 years | 5.0% | 60% |
| Decor, lamps & rugs | 15 years | 6.7% | 60% |
| Art & collectibles (usually not depreciated) | n/a | 0% | n/a |
| Jewelry & watches (usually not depreciated) | n/a | 0% | n/a |
| Books & media | 15 years | 6.7% | 75% |
| Toys & games | 5 years | 20.0% | 80% |
| Sports & fitness equipment | 10 years | 10.0% | 80% |
| Power tools | 10 years | 10.0% | 80% |
| Hand tools & hardware | 25 years | 4.0% | 60% |
| Lawn, garden & outdoor equipment | 10 years | 10.0% | 80% |
| Patio furniture & grills | 10 years | 10.0% | 80% |
| Bath items & towels | 5 years | 20.0% | 80% |
| Toiletries & cosmetics (consumable) | 1 years | 100.0% | 50% |
| Food & pantry (usually not depreciated) | n/a | 0% | n/a |
| Musical instruments | 25 years | 4.0% | 60% |
| Office supplies & equipment | 10 years | 10.0% | 80% |
| Baby & nursery gear | 6 years | 16.7% | 80% |
| Luggage & bags | 10 years | 10.0% | 80% |
| Cleaning equipment | 8 years | 12.5% | 80% |
| Other | 10 years | 10.0% | 80% |
Worked example
A 3-year-old TV that costs $900 to replace today: useful life 8 years → 3 ÷ 8 = 37.5% depreciation → $337.50. ACV = $562.50. On a replacement-cost policy the remaining $337.50 is "recoverable depreciation" you can collect after you buy the replacement.
Things adjusters often over-depreciate
- Items in excellent condition. Condition should reduce depreciation.
- Furniture and solid-wood pieces with long lives.
- Jewelry, art and collectibles, which usually don't depreciate.
- Labor and sales tax. Many states require sales tax to be included in replacement cost.
Try the depreciation calculator.
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