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Independent Adjusters - Software and Applications

P: 3/13/2006 9:41:08 PM

jwood

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Last Post: 8/2/2006
Member Since: 3/13/2006

I'd like to see a discussion by some of the smaller independent adjusting firms, related to subjects unique to IAs, such as the computer software and online sources and applications they use. For instance, anyone have experience using Symbility.net, and their experiences.

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 3/13/2006 9:41:08 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

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P: 3/14/2006 7:17:56 AM

PR_ Adjuster

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Last Post: 4/29/2010
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Well, I'm an Independent Claims Adjuster down in Puerto Rico. For estimating, I've got the National Estimator (Craftsman Books) whose prices I've adapted to Puerto Rico's prices as per my experience.

As for mobility, I've got a LapTop with a small printer and a small scanner (they all fit in the laptop bag) and a car desk with power inverter, so I'm able to settle claims on the spot.

I keep track of time and billing with "Time Logger", which has been great for the last few years.

Did not know about Symbility, and it looks very interesting, so I'm gonna look into it.

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P: 3/14/2006 6:03:20 PM

jwood

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Member Since: 3/13/2006

Time Logger appears to be a good program, for an individual or a one-office firm. I checked with Time Logger and their program cannot be used by a firm's staff from remote locations.

We have remote staff, who don't come into a central office, and they presently enter their T&E, using a Web browser, into a FileMaker program we setup years ago. We'd like to replace our FileMaker program with something newer and easier to use, and avoid the cost of hosting the program on a high speed server.

Does anyone know of a Web-based time & expense application?

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P: 3/15/2006 6:41:10 AM

PR_ Adjuster

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Time Logger has a Palm interfase. If you can synch your Palm remotely, I would think you should be able to sycnh the Time Logger. Then again, invoices would have to come from the office, as the synch is only for activities as such.

You're right, I am a one office firm...

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P: 3/18/2006 10:39:28 PM

ebrooks

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Re National Construction Estimator, it is a lot for the money. But I can't see any way to show/calculate depreciation. Do you have a work-around?

Ed Brooks

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P: 3/21/2006 9:10:38 AM

PR_ Adjuster

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In my opinion, items depreciate diferrenlty. I've developed a worksheet that I use to calculate Actual Cash Value, according the age of the item at the time of loss and the expected useful life of the item. In settlements I always include the sheet, so that the Insureds know what depreciation is used by item. The depreciation calculator in this site is great, although it is geared miore towards personal property than for building.

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P: 3/23/2006 9:17:35 PM

ebrooks

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"The age of the item at the time of loss and the expected useful life of the item." All you need, except the replacement cost.

Interesting to note, the item might be worth MORE than its purchase price after calculating "depreciation" (for fast appreciating and/or slow depreciating items).

But when you use National Construction Estimator, do you use your worksheet to pull out each item in each room and apply depreciation? I'm not aware of any way to calculate depreciation within National Construction Estimator. Or is there?

The big advantage of, say, Xactimate, seems to be calculating depreciation for you based on your input.

Ed Brooks

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P: 3/24/2006 6:48:32 AM

PR_ Adjuster

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What I do is make out my estmate using National Estimator, and then plug in those replacement costs to my own worksheet. Will check out Xactimate, never heard of it before...

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 3/24/2006 6:48:32 AM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

P: 4/1/2006 8:42:16 PM

ebrooks

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On the West Coast, at least, Xactimate had become the standard for estimating software. Carriers demand Xactimate proficiency before they will hire a property adjuster.

I have to believe this filters down to IA's working for those carriers.

I also hear that insurance repair contractors use Xactimate simply because this puts them on the same page with the adjusters.

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P: 5/8/2011 11:52:02 AM

jorenee1

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XACTIMATE is the only way to go as far as the most professional and accurate estimating program. It is used by the majority of CAT adjusters, IA adjusters, contractors, public adjusters and carriers. Xactimate provides MONTHLY price lists for specific areas of each STATE (major cities within a State). The prices are more in line with reasonable amounts to "settle" a claim and do not "lowball" your estimate. Expensive but well worth the price!! Don't even waste your time on the "OTHERS" out there.

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P: 1/28/2012 2:55:27 PM

ScBlack

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Last Post: 2/19/2012
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Our company is switching to Symbility nation wide this year. I have tested the program for the last several months and really like the program, especially sketch. They have made a lot of improvements over the last several years and I feel is now a strong competitor for Xactimate.

Scott B

Revisions : 0 | Posted: 1/28/2012 2:55:27 PM | IP: Recorded | Report this post

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