I think it sucks!

I would rather use xactimate because the prices are so much higher leading to less complaints and bigger paychecks. Other than the high prices-it sucks. It is like using a computer program written in the 1980's.

If u have been using msb then you are used to great customer service. They will even remote access your computer for free. Wait till u have problems with xactimate and they make you pay $20 to help you.


Msb screwed up by using crappy prices.

what did i tell you?

Foremost has gone to Symbility.

Xact is the future. All these shadows of the past like MSB or Simsol will be soon gone, unless they incorporate Sketch and straighten their databases.

A good move? The writing's been on the wall. MSB fails miserably at every chance it gets to improve their system. They've always been talking about a diagram feature that would change the industry, but never did it.

I started using MSB in 2002 when it was a big deal to have their pictures that are clickable to create different construction categories.

I started using Xactimate four (4) years later and it took me a good six months so that I had a decent handle on their program. It took about two (2) weeks before I was able to start submitting claims without major errors. Even still, I am learning new things about this behemoth everyday. Xactimate is very different, but a much more powerful program.

Anyway, my claim volume shifted once again and I am back to using MSB for some other carriers. With no major changes to this software since 2002 I had no choice but to become forced to turn into another one of those Xactimate snobs. In one word, MSB is so prehistoric.

On a final note. With MSB having the luxury of sucking Allstate's tit for so many years, they deserve to suffer for their complacency. This is a good example of how funding failed enterprises is just not a good idea (the words subsidize, bailout, USPS, GMC, ethanol come to mind). Conversely, seeing them fail is a good example of how capitalism can be such a beautiful thing.

Perhaps our newborn socialist empire will bail them out, hmm...? Nah, that won't happen, MSB's just not 'too big to fail'.

If u have been using msb then you are used to great customer service. They will even remote access your computer for free. Wait till u have problems with xactimate and they make you pay $20 to help you.


Msb screwed up by using crappy prices.

Xactimate has great customer service too- just sign in to use their free chat feature.  If you are a 'phone' preferred person, then this will be a good time to change it up. 

I agree, every time I had an issue, it was resolved in immediately by their chat support...

What I like about MSB is that u send the whole file in and reviewer can take what they want And can easily make changes if they want.

your duet is wonderful, keep singing while we keep working....

beware olegred, a lot of you folks can be replaced by someone else who can work smarter and cheaper.some of these old guys work by the hour from home and work direct for the carrier.

yeah, let's talk when hurricane strikes this year... We'll see how many desk adjusters will be climbing roofs.. :)

Posted By Olegred on 15 May 2010 02:25 AM
yeah, let's talk when hurricane strikes this year... We'll see how many desk adjusters will be climbing roofs.. :)

CatAdjusterX

Relax, buddy. Let's not lose the face, as Chinese say. Measurements of the roofs have been on file with large carriers like Allstate (after 2005 almost every roof has been measured in LA :), but they still send the adjusters out. The essence of the adjusting is determining the damage, not measuring. Yeah, small claims with large insurers could be fast tracked thru call centers, but smaller insurers still handle them in field, as well as larger losses. Besides, every roof is measurable thru telemetry services, what has Xact to do with it? There will be fluctuations in claims volume ALWAYS, and IAs will never cease to be needed in the long run. If you were unable to gather all that yourself though I'm not sure about your marketability given your limited brain function.

This is a question that some of the great minds on this site may think about. Why is xmate the program of choice with at least 75% of dwelling adjustments in the USA. Contractors and carriers alike.(Computer software and non computer estimates)

I am thinking of replacement of fee bill adjustments for IA contractors. More desk adjusters, less roof thumpers. houses within a data base, flat rate billing per componant, roof, rooms, contents, ALE in 10ths of hours. etc. I also see the vendors getting less and fee bills going down.

Just think about this IF we allow Mexican Roofers to inspect roofs, the carriers could climb, photo and measure 250,000 roofs per day with just 1,000 Mexicans. They could be flown in on 4 jets and driven by 1,000 Enterpise Rental employees in PU with a ladder rack, IF NEEDED. get real folks

Uhhh, Ray, you do know the American Roofing Association has a school down in the valley where newly arrived South-of-the-Borderites are housed, clothed, fed, trained, and put on the bus north to work for American Roofers all over the country, don't you? I thought everyone in the world knew that. Along the way they pick up an old sofa seat cushion, pull off the upholstery, and use it to keep from sliding off these insanely dangerous steep roofs being built. The ones we full size All-American boys would fall off of or flat out refuse to try to climb, all for good reason.

The longer I live, the more rackets I see.

Ol' Ghost

Posted By Bobabooey on 13 May 2010 08:37 PM
What I like about MSB is that u send the whole file in and reviewer can take what they want And can easily make changes if they want.

Xactimate does it too- you can either submit the data file or send it via internal transfer (xactnet).

honestly, I don't care... i have another line of work ... if adjusting expires, well, I'll move to next one... :) having said this, as of right now I see telemetry as a very nice tool, god knows how many calories and brain cells I saved with this service... go out, document the loss, order report... done... besides, there will always be interior damage... All the major carriers I worked for, quite a few now btw, shun using contractors in lieu of adjusters...

I'm not hiding, shoot, I am just being careful, I spotted a couple of my managers posting here, so I better stay incognito :) As for the bridges, man, you came to wrong forum, there's a bunch of bitter men in here, no help whatsoever... :)

My friend, not so much bitter, more like the effect of apple cider vinegar on salads. Our tartness gives realistic character to the greens so you and others may be jolted to the true ways of our strange little world. Working in the catastrophe recovery business in a fidiciary capacity as the point men/women for the insurance industry gives us a unique perspective. That perspective has been earned at a very dear financial, professional, and personal cost. That cost, or as is commonly known, 'paying ones dues' is not to be taken lightly. Regardless of ones vocational background, if the desire to change a career path is strong enough, we have explained ad nauseum the proper steps to take.

We do admire your energetic ambition tho it can wear on ones nerves on occasion. We too were young once. I am reminded of the old joke about the young bull and the old bull on the hill overlooking the herd. Junior bellows, "Let's run down there and do them all!". Grandpa replies," Better to walk, then do one at a time."

My friend, life proceeds at it's own pace. Please find your path into our world by following the crumbs of knowledge we have placed for you.

Ol' Ghost

like going staff for 15 years? no, thanks, I appreciate your advice but I'll be looking for shortcuts :) maybe I'm wrong, only time will tell :)

Olegred has drawn circles on roofs for 2 years, has never read an insurance policy, and knows one computer program. He is without a doubt someone you should never listen to. Plus the dummy fell off a roof within his first 2 years.

aic, licensed in 18 states, you forgot that

(aic, licensed in 18 states, you forgot that) that and $5 will get you a coffee at Starbucks

( I spotted a couple of my managers posting here) if I was your manager and read your posts I'd loss you phone number.

But thats me and I believe adjusting is more then how many $$$ you can make.

I am a very nice guy in real life :)

You put on a good facade.

Posted By CatAdjusterX on 15 May 2010 08:49 PM

If these carriers decide to reduce or eliminate our role  like with Eagleview and pictography , they have basically told us we are disposable.

 

If this does come to pass, we all know the limitations of these technologies, such as age of roof how many layers of shingles, quite a few things that cannot be accurately assessed from a sat or plane.

 

My knowledge can go both ways and I can imagine all the claims that were underscoped and ripe for , shall I say " A second look "