My fellow adjusters. Let's face it when it comes to this pricing issue the fact of the matter is they will never consult us on what to do about it. We are the foot soldiers, the front line, the people who really know what is going on. Now, when the decision is made of what it is going to happen, it will be made without us. Even if basic common sense dictates that they should sample a couple 100 of us and ask us what it is we need to get these claims paid correctly and on time it will probably not happen!!!
As for the contractor who posted a reply on this site. I say to you. Have you ever attempted to prepare an estimate correctly with both of you hands tied behind you back?
Well that is what we have to do when we attempt to pay the right amount on a claim. No matter how much experience you may have (and most of us do have some construction back ground) the software we write our estimates with is controlled by the carriers and when the claims are downloaded into the said software we are not allowed to change the prices. I have to live with the price allotted no matter what I think is right. Because some examiner some where at the carriers home office who most likely has never even seen a damaged house before is making decisions based on some standard sheet they give them. When the loss deviates with what they have on those little sheets of paper they call us.
(And my fellow adjusters we have all fielded those kinds of calls I am sure.)
I myself have lost jobs over this very issue and arguing over the estimate and how I was ALLOWED to write it. However I have come to realize that if I keep doing this I will be out of a job.
So please when you say that adjusters out on cats do not know what they are doing. Do not forget one thing. We are professionals there to help people gain some kind semblance in their lives. We are estimate'rs, logistical engineers, negotiators, inspectors and on many occasions psychologists. Gone are the days when we had the final say and we decided what would be paid on a claim because we do know what we are doing. We are adjusters!!!