Michael K. McCracken, CPCU provides an excellent discussion to help the reader understand the complexities of Actual Cash Value.

One of the biggest problems in property loss adjusting is setting a loss on an "actual cash value" (ACV) basis. To most in the insurance industry, ACV is a 'term de arte.’ That may be well and good for those who know how to read and understand insurance policies, but it sure doesn't do any good for the members of the general public out there who buy property insurance policies. In fact, ACV often causes problems for claims professionals evaluating a loss....