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Roy Cupps
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 131
Registered: 1-1997
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 19, 2002 - 1:49 am: | 
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This thread has been closed because the question has been posted in another area. Please see the General Dicussion area for comments.
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Gale Hawkins
Registered User
Username: Gale
Post Number: 190
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 9:13 pm: |
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Linda you are correct about there being positive things a developer could do by studying how the software was used in the field to enhance the logic flow to meet the user’s expectations instead of expecting the user to use the software the way the developer envisioned. Personally would this be OK with you if you knew about it and had an option to switch it off or on? I do understand some new cars can record duration and speed when it is excessive and have voided warrantees because of illegal use but that was second hand info. As everything becomes digitized we are going to have to learn how use this data in a proper manner which may yet to be determined by a court case (case law as Alan would say). |
Linda Asberry
Moderator
Username: Linda
Post Number: 23
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 7:41 pm: |
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"The End"-it does seem that 2002 is going a bit too far in some respects, however, part of the cost of renting it is being able to download the price lists and when it comes to designing software I am a fish out of water. I suppose in defense of the owner of the software, Xactware, they may use the information for any variety of reasons, including what the end user is actually using on the program and how in their end attempt to make it what we want it to be--user friendly for us. But again, this is way out of my league. I agree that you should be warned in writing that they are collecting your personal information--if not-shame on them. But if they are warning you and you fail to read it--shame on you. |
Linda Asberry
Moderator
Username: Linda
Post Number: 22
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 7:33 pm: |
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Well, to clarify my earlier post. State Farm now issues laptops already loaded with Xactimate and all the headers to the cat adjuster. No additional software can be loaded on their laptop. When the price list changes, they will load the new price list and delete the old one. Saves wear and tear on yours but make sure you put your macros on a floppy or be prepared to make new ones. The down side of that is that from zone (no more regions) the language of some of the line items change a bit and not every line item is on every price list. Only a personal version will have all the standard line items with associated application "includes", i.e., one price list may include the drip edge in the per square price and the next one may not. So it becomes necessary to double check what they have included in the pricing. Depends on the pricing specialist who compiles the price list.
I haven't used the USAA version so can't comment on theirs but would imagine it is the same. With USAA, you do have to rent the Xactware and use USAA's price list on your laptop. However, there is a different pricing structure for their version and a shorter contract.
Seems the term of the times is "flexible" and "prepared". Any time a price change variation is made, a notation appears on the estimate. You can then print out a variation list if you need to know all the variations on that particular estimate. It does make file reviews easier for the person doing the reviewing but at times does seem someone is questioning the adjuster's capabilities, thus the need for line item notes. I make macros for those also if I know that I will need them on that storm again. There may be only one source in the area for a particular trade, lightning protection equipment applicators for example. That is not a normal pricing item but in Wisconsin, probably 1/2 the barns and farm houses do have it and it costs big bucks to remove and reset. Can a roofer do it? Maybe, but he may not be insured for the liability of it not being properly grounded--it is beyond his expertise unless he is also an electrician. At least this has been my experience.
Maybe someone who has worked with USAA recently can enlighten the rest of us on USAA's procedures.
There is something to be said for being able to track variances--the proper person will know that either the line item should be included in the line items or their pricing is off and should be adjusted. |
Gale Hawkins
Registered User
Username: Gale
Post Number: 189
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 2:01 pm: |
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The End, it appears things have progressed faster than my pea brain has conceived in the adjusting software industry. Rental car/trucking companies for example now can track your route and speed but if you own/lease it would seem to be quit invasive. As Jim pointed out you need to see if you can buy a copy of adjusting software but as Linda points out then you would not be able to work for any firm requiring Xactimate.
The End, in your mind what is acceptable information for your adjusting software vendor to glean from your labor when working as an independent adjuster? According to the IRS can you be an independent adjuster if your “employer” dictates the tools you use? Since it is impossible to have ones cake and eat it too then for one to eat cake and keep his own cake then he must eat the cake of another. Talking about cake has made me hungry for lunch.
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The End
Registered User
Username: Next_2_the_end
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 9:00 am: |
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The quote is from a document that an Insurance Carrier gave to me. We were told we had to upgrade our program in order to work this storm. Then they told us that they are keeping track of us with this program. That they will be making "check marks" beside our names on a master file based on what we are doing inside the program, and not necessarily the final product of our work. Rating us adjusters in a master file at the carrier HQ.
Xactimate 2001, would run auditing reports that would notify the employer of pricing changes to schedules and room dimension violations. I could also run these reports and see what was on them, correct them or make notes as to the special circumstances. However, from what I have been told (by the carrier) Xactimate 2002 has a "big brother" program running in the background that is MUCH MUCH more than this.
I question the legality of this, because I am an independent adjuster that is leasing the program from Xactimate, not the carrier. What right do they have to information about me other than my final product? Why can't I have a copy of these reports myself? Why does it automatically upload to Xactimate, without letting me see what is being sent? Having a program that is analyzing everything I do, on MY computer, during the process of inputting the claim, with a program I paid to lease, appears to be an invasion of my personal privacy?
So, knowing that there are only a few of us out there that have 2002... Knowing that most of the adjusters I am working with did not read the fine print on the handout.... I wonder how much anyone knows about these "special features." How is it limited and where does it end? Does it analyze other things than Xactimate? Does it copy my on-line preferences, while I am uploading these files?
I would like to know if anyone has looked at the program closely to know for sure what is being reported and how far does this program reach? |
Gale Hawkins
Registered User
Username: Gale
Post Number: 188
Registered: 12-2000
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 1:26 am: |
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The End what are you referring to exactly in Xactimate? Are you talking about some “Big Brother” type of evil or just the point that Xactimate may have the ability to report back to Xactimate the price changes that are being made in the field? It would seem like gathering pricing from the field would be useful to all if it makes for a more accurate database. Perhaps you are talking about the potential ability to do data mining for claims processed over Xactinet? Xactimate is the most used estimating package in the world so it would not likely feel the need to operate in a less than ethical manner. |
The End
Registered User
Username: Next_2_the_end
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 11:17 am: |
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Xactimate 2002-
Is anyone out there really familiar with this new program?
How much is known about it's hidden internal monitoring program?
(ie - "It is imperative that each independent property adjuster have a comprehensive understanding of Xactimate and the evaluation and inspection tools that are "running in the background" behind this estimate.)
I would appreciate any insight.
Thank you |
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