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Last Post 12/29/2015 2:20 PM by  Wagenmaster
Do you have a Xactimate question? Answers from certified Xactimate Affiliate Trainer - Xact FAQ
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Claims Adjusters 411
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11/15/2009 11:50 PM


    Note: Claims Adjusters 411, Inc has a Certified Xactimate Affiliate Trainer, and is authorized by Xactimate to use their logo.

    We would like to offer something never seen before (to our knowledge) on Catadjuster.org.  Free Xactimate advice from Certified Xactimate Affiliate Trainer.  While we cannot teach an entire Xactimate course on a discussion board, we would like to offer assistance to adjusters with questions that can be answered concisely.  If we do not feel your question can be answered adequately in this space, we will reply and advise you of this.  Please post your question here, and then email it to xacttraining@gmail.com.  We will answer them as quickly as possible, and post the question and our reply on this discussion board.

    Thanks,

    Claims Adjusters 411, Inc
    http://www.claimsadjusters411.com/adjusters/xact/

    allmike
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    11/19/2009 9:32 AM
    Dear Sirs,
    Is there any way to sketch a single elevation in sketch? Many Insurance Company's want the elevation sketched and I have to do the sketch by hand. Please help!!

    Mike Burnett
    Claims Adjusters 411
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    Posts:5


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    11/23/2009 10:06 AM

    The most common question we have received from adjusters so far is, "Does Xactimate work with Windows 7".  We contacted Xactimate, and they claim that Windows 7 is fully compatible with Xactimate.  Please see below.

     

    Trouble importing pictures to photo sheet in Windows 7 when using Xactimate

    I contacted two of our adjusters who switched from Windows Vista to Windows 7.  Both adjusters love Windows 7.  At first, both thought there were no compatibility issues with Xact; however, we have found that if you place pictures on your computer (in a folder on your desktop for example), and then import them to your photo sheet, the clarity is degraded to the point the photos are almost unacceptable. 

    Solution

    To get around this, you can import the photos directly from your camera memory card or thumbdrive into Xactimate.  As long as you do not save the photos on your computer, the clarity will not be degraded.

    I will note that both of these adjusters were using Xactimate v. 25.4.

     

    We have contacted Xactimate Corporate and made them aware of this situation.  They report that at this time, there is no "fix" for this problem.

     

    Thanks,

    Shane Pratt
    Claims Adjusters 411, Inc
    Xactimate Affiliate Trainer
    http://www.claimsadjusters411.com/a.../training/

     

    claims_ray
    Member
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    Posts:293


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    11/23/2009 10:30 AM
    If they do come up with a fix for this situation please keep us informed as I and I am sure others will not be switching to windows 7 until this occurs. I appreciate the information and am glad that I found this out as I was considering the switch myself. I sure hope that they fix this before the next major storm as the newbies will probably jump up and buy themselves new computers with 7 preinstalled.
    RandyC
    Member
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    Posts:197


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    11/26/2009 11:35 PM

    Dear Allmike,

    I'm probably not the best person to answer your question, as I have not worked with XM8 26 or 27.  I'll share what little I know.

    The easy way to diagram an elevation is to change the wall thickness to 1" and draw it as a room with the wall tool.  That, of course, would generate an inspection violation since the room would be larger than XM8 expects...so you would have to explain that.   If you don't like the violation, you can chop up the elevation into smaller sections.  Draw in windows and doors with the reference tool.  Use the varables in your estimate with a note to explain why you are putting siding on the floor.

    If you want to waste a lot of time, you can build the rooms that form the elevation and define the ceilings as box, sloped, peaked or whatever to match the actual elevation.  You'll have to use the orientation tool to get them turned right relative to each other, and plug in the tall wall, short wall, and peak heights in the properties section of each room. 

    When you get this done, you can view each room elevation by placing the elevation arrow facing the wall you want to see,....but you want to see the full exterior elevation.  You can do that, too!  

    Look at it in 3D, selecting all levels if you have more than one.  Roll it up to view the elevation you want.  There is your elevation, but most reviewers can't  see this since they are viewing in pdf.    You have to do a screen capture, paste that into Photoshop, rastorize it, save it as an jpg, reopen in Photoshop, and add text to show dimensions  and other labels you would use in a hand drawn diagram.  Save it again, and add it to your photos of the same elevation with appropriate details in the caption.

    Maybe the experts have a better way that I don't know about.  I think there is a good reason why most adjusters draw their diagrams by hand.

    I hope this helps or leads to a better answer,

    Randy Cox

    If it doesn't fit....adjust it.

     

    Tim_Johnson
    Member
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    Posts:243


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    12/09/2009 8:35 AM
    I have a question concerning Base Service Charges,

    I had a file here with BCS turned on, RCV sheet was = $464,646.77
    BSC off = $462,453.94
    Factored into unit cost $506,837.87

    So......... with it factored into unit cost why didn't it just figure in the $2,193.83 difference that is between turned on and turned off?

    The difference between high and low here is $44,383.93. That makes no sense to me whatsoever
    Tim Johnson
    Tim_Johnson
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    Posts:243


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    12/11/2009 7:48 PM
    No takers on this question??
    Tim Johnson
    brighton
    Member
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    Posts:139


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    12/12/2009 3:57 PM

    Tim,

    You have to remember that xm8 was designed by a contractor for contractors. That in it self says a lot. No way were they going to get shorted on a job.

    You would think that xm8 would have a max allowable under the  BSC factored in  so that it would never exceed the original BSC. However, too many carriers are saying to factor in bsc to get the claim resolved. I am supprised that they have not tried. Gee, here is xm8 29 with max allowable for base service charges. xm8 could then charge $40/version for all the versions you would need. So what if you had to pay $350/mo or more to have all the versions just to keep up with your clients.

    Having the factored in is good for the IA writing the estimate, good for the contractor and bad for the public when they see their premiums increase because of it.  

    Rocke Baker
    Ray Hall
    Senior Member
    Senior Member
    Posts:2443


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    12/12/2009 4:25 PM

    Aw Roche, that is a dirty little secret that you told the public who keep paying higher cost for hazard insurance each year. The adjuster makes more fee,s the contractor makes much more profit and the 80% of insurance carriers who write Homeowners require x-mate charge all paid losses to the loss expense factor; therefore, rate increase each and ever year.

    Do you really mean carriers who use xmate as the ONLY software program THEY will accept with their staff and independent adjusters  are using BSC as a fudge factor for the hard cases to settle. I remember the old "fudge factor" on the DOS programs that was up to the adjuster to make this call. Not the one infallible program......because 80% of Homeowner insurance claims in the US would be somewhat inflated by just software alone.

    Makes an old adjuster think the ones who are getting screwed are the policyholders on the cost of insurance. I have been hearing that for years and remember my cost increasing 100% with the mold gold in Texas, when carriers were paying claims they did not owe.

    Goldust
    Member
    Member
    Posts:306


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    01/25/2010 8:19 AM

      My close adjuster friend sent me Macros to load into exactimate.I am fairly new to x so I was wondering how I can download these to the program. Also is it possible to load them to the training demo program? I know it must be fairly easy.

    JERRY TAYLOR
    Goldust
    Member
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    Posts:306


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    01/30/2010 4:39 PM

    Please read my question above about inserting overlays on a roof in sketch

    JERRY TAYLOR
    LindyMon
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    Posts:6


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    06/05/2010 10:57 PM
    would you recommend the new xactimate 27 workbook for $49.99
    host
    CatAdjuster.org Founder
    Posts:709


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    06/06/2010 9:45 AM
    I have the workbook and would recommend it. The 5-step estimating process and the Lab Work sections the workbook provides I believe would be helpful to new users
    ssm1971
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    06/15/2010 7:35 PM
    I was hoping someone with hurricane catastrophe experience could answer a couple of questions for me. First...do adjusting companies (I.e. Renfroe, Worley, etc.) that hire contract employees during a hurricane offer staff or independents to enter your scope notes for claims into xactimate for you? If so, what is a common charge?
    The second question I have is does it make sense to pay someone to enter xactimate for you? My train of thought is, if they charge $100.00 or less, I feel as though I could make more money by focusing my time on scoping more claims in a day and having more time to close the claims I am working. Any input you guys have would be great.
    Thanks
    claims_ray
    Member
    Member
    Posts:293


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    06/16/2010 9:02 PM
    Yes, you do that this career is so much only about how much money that you can make.
    Barneym
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    08/04/2010 4:11 PM
    I have just received my Texas All Lines license. My experience is primarily casualty. It appears that in order to even be considered for CAT work I will need to become familiar with Xactimate. I am not able to climb on a roof. I am considering taking a 2 day Xactimate course in Dallas ASAP just to pass the hurdle. Please recommend the name of the basic course and the name of a good training organization in Dallas. Thanks.
    BarneyM
    Ray Hall
    Senior Member
    Senior Member
    Posts:2443


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    08/04/2010 4:33 PM
    I am trying to help. "I am not able to climb" on a roof is a confusing statement for a person that wants to be a cat. adjuster Does a physical disability prevent you from doing this? 99% of all  property claims on a Homeowners policy are ROOF INVOLVED. If want to be a flood only you would need 4 years property adjusting exp.
    Peter Gemmi
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    08/31/2010 5:42 PM

    A two day course in Xactimate is a waste of time. I have been in the field about 20 years and used Integriclaim for many of the past 8 or so years. Seeing that the trend is moving to Xactimate, I enrolled in a 5 day course. The people who taught the course were pathetic and what I learned essentially was almost nothing. I proceeded some time later to take a 3 day course which was far better but still overwhelming if you had never used it before.

    First, make sure whomever you take the initial course from knows how to teach. You should be able to take very good notes and lastly, immediately after leaving your course, you should allow about 3 hours per day study time to review workbooks and any other materials you can get your hands on. If you do not practice daily after your initial introduction to the course, you will forget what you were presented with in a week.

    Hope this gives you a good insight.

    Peter Gemmi
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    08/31/2010 5:47 PM

    I am working with Xactimate, practicing daily.

    Here is my question. After I have completed a Sketch floorplan and I am preparing to put a Sketch roof on the home. I know there is a way to produce a shadow of the floorplan on the Sketch and then put the new Roof drawing on it using it as a guide for the Roof.

    How do I produce the shadow of the floorplan on the new drawing I am preparing to make of the Roof?

    RandyC
    Member
    Member
    Posts:197


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    08/31/2010 6:33 PM

    Hi Peter,

    Sketch uses levels to distinguish between different parts of the house. I'm assuming your floor plan was done on the main level. Locate the main level tab at the bottom left of your sketch and right click on it. Select "insert above." Write "roof" in the blank for level name. Press OK; then close the dialogue box.

    The "shadow" of your floor plan should be there for you to lay your roof over. If you can't see it, tilt your laptop a little up or down and it should appear in dotted lines.

    Alternately, you can name this level "2nd Floor" add a second floor sketch, then a roof level over those two.

    After you get your sketch done, look around at the various "properties" of the levels you have created. You've used default values, but they can be changed to reflect the varying values you'll find in the real world.

    Good luck
    Randy Cox

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