Sketch My Roof

Tags - Popular | FAQ  

PrevPrev Go to previous topic
NextNext Go to next topic
Last Post 09/04/2009 11:35 PM by  Ray Hall
Would you change to another program?
 6 Replies
Sort:
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Author Messages
dholman
Guest
Guest
Posts:20


--
08/29/2009 11:13 PM

    I have used Xactimate for over 10 years because it was required but now have a new opportunity to choose the estimating program of my choice. I need to diagram  roofs and show calculations so sketch is no longer needed and I will not need XactAnalysis. What I need  is a basic estimating program that allows me to edit the line item prices. Is it worth learning something like PowerClaim, Simsol, etc. or keep forking over $250/mo. for the overkill of Xactimate just because I am effiicent and quick with it.

    Ray Hall
    Senior Member
    Senior Member
    Posts:2443


    --
    08/30/2009 11:45 AM
    This is free advise and worth ever penny. Stay with PowerClaim. You can use it like a good word processor to manuscript estimates that do not fall into dwellings, buildings.
    I use it on oil rigs, cranes, bridges, tunnels all kind of structures that fall under inland marine coverage. Good reports, flood forms, attachments fromthe scanner ever thing you need for $799.00 per year. It will take you 1/2 day to learn. They have a learning class several times per week on a phone hook up. Be free ,never ever drink that red kool aid again...... yea.
    dholman
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:20


    --
    09/03/2009 11:06 PM

    Thanks for the advice. I took the on-line classes, watched the training videos and perused the users manual. The program is well-suited for the basic estmating program that I need. The simplicity of working with photos and the flexibility of the reports beats the competition. Plus, it is really true that the customer service is outstanding. I am sold and for half the price.

    Ray Hall
    Senior Member
    Senior Member
    Posts:2443


    --
    09/04/2009 11:15 AM
    Congrats dholman seek good advise, use it and pick the tool to suit your needs. Do the same for your new connection and you will do very good in the IA world of very qualified adjusters. IA's income is from "overflow". Its big complex losses that require a lot of time, or 1,000 windstorm losses that 4 good IA's can knock out in 6 weeks. Or from carrier that likes one adjusters work product who is working for an established IA. Go for the last type of losses.
    Medulus
    Moderator
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:786


    --
    09/04/2009 5:50 PM
    Last I knew, both Power Claim and Simsol had a one month free trial. CADO membership may count with these two software vendors, as well, to lower the price even more once you get beyond the free period. I cannot speak for either company. This is just the way it was the last time I went shopping. Simsol cost me a third of what brand X did.

    There is a learning curve for any system, so you may lose money on the first couple of estimates because you cannot do them as fast as with X. This will soon be offset by how much faster you can do what you need to do with the new software. These may even allow you to add text to the diagrams that would provide the calculations you need to show, so you can use the programs even for the diagrams.
    Steve Ebner CPCU AIC AMIM

    "With great power comes great responsibility." (Stanley Martin Lieber, Amazing Fantasy # 15 August 1962)
    Leland
    Advanced Member
    Advanced Member
    Posts:741


    --
    09/04/2009 7:26 PM
    We've heard about satellites that measure roofs and calculate slopes. We know that disto measurements can be automatically sent into Xactimate. We know that there are plenty of voice recognition software programs that can take a voice recording and turn it into text or respond to voice commands. We remember the movie 2001: Space Odessy with HAL the supercomputer that took over running of the space ship. We know the military has video software that recognizes shapes.

    What do you get if you put all these kinds of technology together?

    Imagine if you could walk through a building with a laser rangefinder digital video camera and say "I'm now walking into the lobby. The walls here are plaster. The floor is tile. Only the ceiling is wet". Imagine if the camera would draw, scope and measure, ready to download an almost complete estimate. Imagine if the camera voice would say "Is that 3 coat plaster over wood lathe or 2 coat over gypsum?". You could say "I don't know" and the camera would say, "Fine, I will check with you again later". As you leave the building the camera says "Based on my measurements there is a 12' x 20' room next to the room you called lobby. I did not see it. Can you please take me there? Also I did not see the rear elevation. Thank you"

    Once you are back in your office and download the file you can speak into your computer microphone and say "Please make all walls plaster over gypsum board. Please apply 20% depreciation to paint and print a copy"

    Anybody think this is the future?
    Ray Hall
    Senior Member
    Senior Member
    Posts:2443


    --
    09/04/2009 11:35 PM

    Yes to your question Leland. Does any one think this possible. A claim is reported to a large claim center for the USA. The adjuster downloads to the next adjuster up on the computer   Adjuster 2 request  for the aerial photo of the building.Adjuster 2 and phones the insured  and ask has any changes been made to the house since the policy was rewed. The answer is no, this gives the SF under roof. The loss is a grease fire in the kitchen. You ask the home owner to label all rooms with a name starting with the main entrance. The owner then visits each room and talk intos the digital recorder while shooting all walls ceilings and floors. You then ask the insured to return the digital camera within 24 hours in the carton it came in. When the adjuster gets the camera he down loads it into a computer and the computer writes an estimate of the damage from smoke to all the walls, ceiling, floors and contents.  This loss is settled within 72 hours after it was reported; UNLESS it was delayed by the insured.

    Manpower hours call center national .5 hrs        Discuss, send camera.

    Adjuster who review's audo and video, for correct dimentions etc. and accurate scope by visual inspection 1.0 hr

    Quality control back in call center  .5 hrs.When camera arrived from overtnight it has 2 vendors listed who's is work guaranteed by the insurance company to do work for amount of check plus a check for the Ded. After the check is issued a letter is sent to the mortagee that the damage amount is in the insureds hands abd the contractor will send in a happy insured affidavit and the security is not impared. The loss amount is $20,000. and the IA service bill is $900.00. The insurance company just saved 8 hrs. of fee bill time.  or 80% less than an outside IA assignment. Now what is left out?

    People will always have to convince, negotiate, correct, resove problems. I do not see any problems on this one, if one comes up give it to people.

    Now how do you keep ever one honest. watch adjuster 2 and the contractors for kickbacks. watch contractors for supplements.I think its a matter of time, just make sure these adjusters live in the USA.

     

     

     

    You are not authorized to post a reply.


    These Forums are dedicated to discussion of Claims Adjusting.

     

    For the benefit of the community and to protect the integrity of the ecosystem, please observe the following posting guidelines: 

    • No Advertising. 
    • No vendor trolling / poaching. If someone posts about a vendor issue, allow the vendor or others to respond. Any post that looks like trolling / poaching will be removed.
    • No Flaming or Trolling.
    • No Profanity, Racism, or Prejudice.
    • Terms of Use Apply

      Site Moderators have the final word on approving / removing a thread or post or comment.