Forums

I've used all of them and, honestly, do no know how you can call an outdated,  awkward and priminive database, called Simsol an estimating software. Compared to Xact sketch it is horrible.

Aw Steve, drink a big gulp of red kool aid. with a big splash of de-jade'd sweetner.

I've used X8 on daily and CAT claims for years and SIMSOL for flood losses.  They both provide estimates for comparable damage within a reasonable range of difference - unlike Integra which always seemed to be about 25% under.  Yes, X8 produces an estimate that is multiple pages longer than SIMSOL to get to the same $$ but my main concern is that X8 doesn't have all the forms I use for flood claims that are built into SIMSOL so they have to be created outside the program.  More importantly though is the fact that X8 doesn't have the safeguards built into the program to keep even a seasoned flood adjuster from making dumb 2 a.m. mistakes trying to get a file out the door (like not completing the forms correctly or puting in a line item that is not correct under the SFIP or incorrect depreciation like allowing recoverable depreciation on things that are not recoverable).  I'll use X8 if called on to do so.  It won't slow me down in estimating but it will require a longer review of everything in the entire package before I hit send.  The bottom line is that those files are open for NFIP review for up to 5 years and if a mistake was made its probably the adjuster who will be hung out to dry ($$) -- that's why NFIP requires E&O coverage so they can get the money back.  I wouldn't rely on the vendor's E&O too much as an adjuster (wind or flood) because that's there for their legal protection not the independent (non-employee) adjuster's protection and most vendors have really high deductibles anyway.

Kim Smallwood, CIC

Willis, I nominate you for the adjuster of the month of August 2009 and the Post of the year of 2009. Do I hear a amen.

Ole,

Everyone has a right to their opinion and it seems yu feel very strongly about simsol (even if it is in the negative!).  That comment notwithstanding, simsol is enjoyed by over 5,000 independent, staff, catastrophe and public adjusters.  When adjusters have a choice, they (ususally) choose simsol.  Our databases are updated quarterly (soon to be monthly) by a team of general adjusters and contain all the necessary items to handle any type of property insurance claim.  I have personally adjusted over 50,000 claims with our system over the past 25 years and our cat team (150 strong in Katrina) would not use anything else.  You would have to "Pry simsol from their cold, dead hands."

After the next hurricane makes landfall, let's meet on the beach.  I will bring my tablet and simsol, you bring X and lets scope a total loss.  Loser buys the steaks!!! 

Hope you have a profitable storm season....

Thanks Larry, I was waiting for someone to say it first.

I am a new adjuster. I am adding this post to say thanks for the ongoing discussion.

I have been following this string and others in CADO to learn more about my new profession. I have taken four Xactimate courses, one MSB Integra Claim and one Simsol. I am still not qualified to render an opinion on which is the best to use.

I expect that we are all most confident in the systems and software that we have the most knowledge of. Preferring one’s own knowledge base yet respecting someone else’s shows true professionalism.

I have a lot of experience in Construction and Customer Service. I also know how important it is to get the details of a task right the first time. However, the nuts and bolts information that you all provide is probably the most valuable piece of my new adjuster’s knowledge base.

Keep it coming.

How many catastrophe adjusters have seen a sworn proof of loss as one or possibly the only document is a closed property file. Since fire insurance has been written in the USA millions and millions of losses have been settled this way. I still think most insurance companies put more faith in a sworn proof of loss than a roof climbing catastrophe adjuster's estimate  in xmate .

All of you kool aid drinkers who think the insurance claim departments will not be able to function without catastrophe adjusters will be let down when you are replaced with good documentation from all the other sources. Its really not that many just 2 documents. A sworn affidavit from a licensed contractor on the scope and cost to repair and the sworn proof of loss from the insured, with 20 digital photos of the risk and the damage..

Ray,

After the affadavit and proof are submitted, payment is made and work done. Then the request for holdback will be done with another affadavit stating the work has been completed. Maybe the carrier will send a reinspector out to see if there really was damage and the number of squares presented is correct (maybe 1 reinspection per 20 claims) before the work begins or will send someone out to do the 30mph drive by and show the roof was replaced. Either way, a whole lot less need for a body to pay a fee to.

If all the adjusting software companies were like Simsol and Power Claim, our world would rock much, much better. I give a big, big KUDOS to John Postava and to Gayle Hawkins for their exemplary service to their users. Bless them both and I personally wish them well in their endeavor to persevere.

Exactimate and MS/B do not have the independent adjuster on their minds. They are after the big boys and after capturing them, the big boys decided we have to use that particular system. Talk about forced placed, sounds like an insurance policy. Well, we don't. We can damn well work fo whom we please if we don't like their software provider of choice. Capitalism is the back bone of our society, however, manipulative capatalists should be put to shame in this industry.

I was very pleased to learn Legacy Claim Services used PowerClaims on Hurricane IKE claims I worked for them and did not have to change programs I was also pleased to learn TWIA used Integra Claims and paid the adjusters who used this program  $10.00 per file extra on top of the bill. They also paid $10.00 per file fuel surcharge and %5.00 per file cell phone charge on top. for the other brands of estimatics.State Farm is the only company that can not be sued by demanding Exactimate, they furnish the computer loaded with their software. Now some of you class action attorneys could get several thousand of new clients (storm adjusters) who have to boot up, pay for the lease with all kind of tags that are built in by Exactimate to do NFIP and wind claims for all the carriers who require this waste of time and resources that can be done with a snap ot carbon paper form, ball point pen and solar calculator in less than one hour on the policyholders kitchen table on simple roof claims .

But I really happy to learn that the Frontier Adjuster Franchise in Lake Charles uses Simsol and the owner who was one of several hundred original fllod adjusters for NFIP still gets regular peace time floods in his area for Simsol Adjusting Services. Now if the other vendors who require xmate would pay an extra $10.00 per closed file.... some of us old guys would still would not change as I can not teach a high school senior or a college student that program in 1/2 day and thats the type of help I hire to run the program on my puter.

Contingency roof contractors can take an oath that the submitted estimate is fair and resonable and send in with a sworn proof of loss for the ACV loss amount, without an adjuster getting on the roof. The pain of perjury will keep crooks out, or at least under control.

I remember the days of being given a file folder with a graph sheet and scope printed on the back cover and a pad of estimate forms to hand write the hail claim and turn it back in to State Farm. All the info you needed written right on the file folder and the two or three sheets of paper in the file. But I remember it just barely.

In the past several years I haven't treated a cat claim any differently than a daily claim. Before I came in out of the cold, I would write the estimate for building, contents, A.L.E., Statement of Loss, short form or full narrative report (whichever appropriate), analyze the coverage, comment on salvage and subrogation, gather the lightning affadavit, include lots of photos, diagram, and do a full activity log, as well as attach an invoice. All of that can be done in Simsol without ever leaving the program. You can even add your own forms and make the software fill in all the info from your other reports and estimates. And if the program isn't doing it right, you can make the program do it right. That's why, during Katrina and other storms, I was able to turn in reports that blew those of many of the adjusters around me away and still turn them in faster than most of the others were turning them in.

And the pdf writer built into Simsol could combine all the materials - whether ten pages or 200 pages - into one pdf ready to send to the carriers who want paperless. When I would get the call months or years later saying that the carrier couldn't find the file, and do I have a copy I can send, I would pop up the Simsol archive and send them what they wanted in five minutes or less - the whole report, not just the estimate.   They often had the report popping up on their screen even before we got off the phone.

A software company should always remember that the adjuster adjusts the claim, not the software. The software is our slave, not the other way around. I still choose Simsol whenever the carrier or the vendor gives me the choice. Don't think that this is because I don't know Xactimate very well. That would be a mistake to think that.  I can do the same thing with Xactimate -- but in twice the time with three other programs open to support the other functions not included in Xactimate.