That depends on how much you want your policy to pay out in the event of a claim. The difference between these two types of plans can be thousands of dollars. An actual cash value (ACV) plan reimburses you for the value of the items you claimed at the time they were damaged. But ACV plans account for depreciation, so the amount you get from a successful claim most likely won't be enough to replace your damaged belongings. For example, if your old TV is stolen, your insurer only pays what they deem the TV to be worth at the time of the theft, which is probably less than what you paid — or what it'll cost to replace. Replacement cost plans actually pay you back for the full replacement value of your lost or damaged belongings. For example, if someone breaks into your condo and steals your old TV, your insurance provider will pay for a new one of similar make (if available) and quality. With the right replacement cost plan, you’ll be able to replace all of your belongings in the event that your condo sustains major damage or is subject to a serious theft.