What is a primary characteristic of a "replacement cost" policy?

A primary characteristic of a "replacement cost" policy is that it reimburses the policyholder for the cost to repair or replace property without factoring in depreciation. This means that if a covered loss occurs, the insurer will pay for the full cost of replacing the damaged or destroyed property with a new equivalent item, rather than simply compensating for the item’s current market value, which might be lower due to depreciation.

This is significant because it provides more robust financial support for the insured. Under this type of policy, policyholders can be confident that they will be able to recover enough funds to fully replace their property, rather than receiving a diminished amount that reflects its used value. This helps to ensure that individuals can restore their assets to their original state, rather than being left with a financial gap caused by depreciation.