Definition
Replaceable value can be referred to as the cost of replacing an asset in the case where it needs to be replaced because it has been damaged or destroyed.
In other words, it is simply the cost that would be incurred to replicate and duplicate the asset in the case where it needs to be replaced.
The replaceable value, also referred to as the replaceable cost is the amount that the company needs to pay to replace an existing asset that is priced at the same, or equal value.
In this case, the cost that is incurred because of changing the asset is mainly contingent on the market value of the asset, and the underlying costs that are required to get the asset with similar functionality as before.
Replaceable value is also used as a decision-making criterion because it is used by companies to compare with depreciation, as well as net present value to determine if it’s better to replace the asset and continue with the current one.
Discussion
In this case, it needs to be pointed out that replaceable value normally changes with respective changes in the market value of the asset.
Therefore, the replaceable value is simply the price that the company would have to pay to procure the same asset, at the currently prevalent market price.
However, in several cases, this particular asset might also be insured, and therefore, the insurance claim would then be declared as the replaceable value, in most cases.
Replacement cost is also a term commonly used in insurance policies to cover the existing damage to a company’s assets.
The definition is mainly regarded as critical, predominantly because it is a reflection of the amount that the insurer is going to pay to the insured entity in exchange for the replacement cost of the covered assets. However, it is based on the contingency that the assets would be damaged or destroyed.
Therefore, in this case, it can be seen that replacement cost is defined as the estimate of funds that are required to replicate and duplicate another business.
Hence, this is the concept that is used to establish one of the several possible price points, which are subsequently used to formulate the price that needs to be paid to the shareholders in event of a business acquisition.
The replacement price depends on the fluctuations and the variations in the market value of the asset, in addition to other relevant costs that are required to get the asset ready for usage.
However, what must be accounted for in this regard is the fact that in calculating the replacement cost of an asset, the company needs to account for depreciation costs.
Businesses further capitalize on asset purchases since they can post the cost of new assets to the respective asset account, followed by which they subsequently calculate depreciation over the firms’ useful life.
Analyzing the Replaceable Value
As mentioned earlier, it can be seen that replaceable value is an increasingly important tool that can be used to determine the real and true amount that needs to be raised to replace the given asset.
Therefore, in this regard, it is increasingly rudimentary to account for the fact that this amount needs to be accurately calculated because it helps to determine if the asset needs to be replaced, or should continue to be depreciated.
From an accounting perspective, replaceable value is important because it helps to ascertain and determine the amount that needs to be paid to the shareholders, in exchange for their ownership of the company.
Thereby, the replaceable value can easily be declared as a tool that evaluates the real standing of the business, when it comes to comparing net assets in comparison to their book value, versus the actual replacement value that is currently prevalent in the market.
Conclusion
Therefore, it can be seen that replaceable value is termed as the actual cost that is required to replace a currently given asset in the current form.
It is highly important to ensure that this particular component is calculated correctly so that it can be correctly represented in the financial statements that are prepared by the company.
It is also important to realize the fact that replaceable value varies from year to year, precisely because it fluctuates with the market.