Best Estimating Software Program
|
Logged in as: Guest
|
NOTICE: We are no longer using this forum for discussions. Please follow the links to the new forums.
Catastrophe Central-The Adjuster's Forum : Community Center- Forums
New Site Registration : New Site Login
Login  | |
|
Best Estimating Software Program - 4/11/2005 11:50:11 PM
|
|
|
Guest
|
I am a new adjuster and have had training in Xactimate. I would like to learn another adjusting program and I would appreciate your opinion of Simsol, IntriClaim and PowerClaim. I would like to know what software program you use and why you think this program is better than the others. Sorry if this has been asked previously, but I have not noticed any other posts pertaining to this. Thanks in advance for your replies.
E Covill
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Best Estimating Software Program - 4/12/2005 7:29:38 AM
|
|
|
RobertV
Posts: 494
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Boerne, TX
Status: offline
|
http://www.catadjuster.org/forum/How_do_the_vendors_stack_up%3F/m_6948/tm.htm
quote:
You all use one of us. Some get to use what software they want. Others must use what their employer or carrier demands (or both). If YOU, THE ADJUSTER, had a choice (and most of you have used multiple software systems) which one would you use if you had a choice?
Let's hear the good, the bad and the ugly. Likes and dislikes. Pet features and pet peeves. For those of you that respond, it will make ALL software vendors better. Last time I looked this was an OPEN FORUM. So, let it out, what do you guys (and gals) want? This vendor is listening....and I am confident the others are, too...
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Best Estimating Software Program - 4/12/2005 8:04:25 AM
|
|
|
JimF
Posts: 1323
Joined: 4/19/2004
Status: offline
|
E. Covill: If I were choosing only two programs for my computer, my choices would be simple and would simply be: SIMSOL and Xactimate.
(In fact, those are the only two software estimating programs that I really do have on board my computer and use. I arrived at these two over the years based on ease of use and completeness of features combined with carrier acceptance and my trust in their databases).
(The other programs in my opinion don't even come close to either of these two and I don't consider the others to be on the same level in terms of quality and features.)
I would add that it never hurts to be familiar with all of the programs and have some familiarity with how the other programs work, and perhaps even knowing how to use them at least on some basic level.
I hope this helps.
< Message edited by JimF -- 4/12/2005 8:08:15 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Best Estimating Software Program - 4/12/2005 9:25:42 PM
|
|
|
Gale
Posts: 739
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Murray, KY
Status: offline
|
E. Covill, while you asked a very good question as you can read selecting adjusting software is no easy task. Some vendors permit adjusters to use any functional adjusting software and others are brand specific depending on their clients’ request. As Jim pointed out Simsol and Xactimate are two choices. They are well known because they are the two surviving DOS based adjusting software packages out of the 1980’s that made the jump to Windows in the late 1990’s. MSB and PowerClaim came onto the market initially as Windows based programs because DOS was already fading fast by that time.
While all packages have their following without question Xactimate was a good choice for you to learn because several of the large carriers are still currently requesting the use of Xactimate but as you also have learned not carriers permit the use of Xactimate. Since we are the developers of PowerClaim my opinion is biased in that direct but it is also my position when one is trying to feed one’s family it is best to know as many software packages as possible and during slower times you could get the free versions of each so you can say you have had some experience with each when the vendors come calling.
If you want to download a copy of our software just go to http://powerclaim.com/download and grab a copy. I would suggest you go with Release 15g Beta2 in case you will be working for a vendor that prefers PowerClaim XML for NFIP claims since it has been modified and updated to meet the requirements of NFIP vendors. Our current official shipping version is Release 15f that you will see as well and the only difference is 15G Beta 2 has the new NFIP forms and features.
We will be glad to set you up with a free 30-day usage with either release. Our “trial” version is the full version but you can only start new claims and edit old files for the free 30-day period. Beyond that point you have three options to continue the use of PowerClaim XML, which are $75 monthly, $189 quarterly or $599 annually per adjuster.
It is a fact that some adjusters want to wait until they have been “called out” to start their free 30-day trial, which can be very expensive if they are spending adjusting time learning a new software package. Since PowerClaim XML never locks you out of the software you can still view, print and email the shipping sample claim without starting your free 30-day trial if you insist of skipping hands on experience before going to a storm. This also means if you go to a storm and then stop renewing our software you can still view, print or email any of your completed files at anytime in the future without calling us or paying us more money. If you are not authorized you just can’t start new files or edit old files. You can also view our training tutorials from our web site as well. They also ship free on our PowerClaim XML CD if you have a slow internet connection just email us at sales@powerclaim.com if you would like for us to ship you a CD at no charge.
Keep asking questions and reading CADO. While some input is more valuable than other it is still a one of a kind property claims portal.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Best Estimating Software Program - 4/12/2005 9:27:02 PM
|
|
|
Admin
Posts: 348
Joined: 4/18/2004
Home base: Texarkana, Texas
Status: offline
|
Received this reply via email;
quote:
I don't know if this will get to who ever sent it or not but will try. I have been using Integra for several years as do all my adjusters, three more. I have found it to be the best system designed for adjusters and very user friendly. Xactimate on the other hand I found to be more designed for contractors and the last time I used it, it was not nearly as user friendly but I suspect some changes have taken place.
Xactimate does have a larger price data base. Its sketch program I have heard is very good but I wonder how often it would be used by a cat adj-seems to me to be more directed to larger losses with several rooms inside the home and most cats do not even involve interior damage.
Ests are much shorter in Integra-sometimes several pages. Integra has many reports already loaded into the system.
I have written numerous ests with integra and have worked with contractors using xactimate and while there are differences in the pricing on some items, if you have the same scope the bottom line is not a whole lot different.
One thing to strongly consider in choosing a program is what program is the vendor or insurance company of the vendor insisting that you use-that will in most cases dictate which you want to get and thats really true when you factor in the cost of these programs.
Good luck. Charlie
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Best Estimating Software Program - 4/12/2005 9:28:24 PM
|
|
|
Admin
Posts: 348
Joined: 4/18/2004
Home base: Texarkana, Texas
Status: offline
|
Received this via email:
quote:
Hello,
PowerClaim is a bit tougher to use; not bad for the auto portion of this business. Simsol, and IntegriClaim are both more user friendly; for homeowners. They both can print and save files as PDF's. It would be best for you to get as many programs under your belt as possible.
Thank you
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Best Estimating Software Program - 5/8/2005 1:15:22 PM
|
|
|
rickhans
Posts: 65
Joined: 5/8/2005
Home base: Dallas, Tx.
Status: offline
|
I am new to this forum but have been reviewing posts about which software is best. I can't figure out why EZ-Bid is not mentioned anywhere. I hand wrote estimates for many years, starting in 1983, then created and used spreadsheets after getting my first PC then purchased EZ-Bid and have used it exclusively since 1995, and upgraded to the Windows version when I went to Florida. I have looked at Xactimate but don't like the idea of paying monthly fees. I use a mini-cad software program to draw roof diagrams and catalogue them so I just pop up the closest existing drawing and modify it. EzBid was developed and is maintained by a long time adjuster and works well for me. I also have a software dev. business and a construction company that specializes in restoration. I found that EZ-Bid worked very well for bidding construction jobs.
Probably the one area that the others have an edge on is the ability to get local price data base updates over the internet. EZ-Bid does not have that ability although I understand that they may do it in the future.
Why is it not mentioned anywhere? Is it an unknown product? I realize that I will most likely have to get one of the others in order to get more adjusting work but am just waiting until I have no choice.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Best Estimating Software Program - 5/8/2005 2:37:43 PM
|
|
|
Gale
Posts: 739
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Murray, KY
Status: offline
|
Rick,
EZ-Bid is still a very highly used package in the world of CATS and from your statement it works great for contracting. Secession plans of management in any company greatly determine where it goes forward or backwards as time unfolds.
|
|
|
|
!! You are viewing a post in the forum archive.
NOTICE: We are no longer using this forum for discussions. Please follow the links to the new forums.
Catastrophe Central-The Adjuster's Forum : Community Center- Forums
New Site Registration : New Site Login
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts
|
|
User Agreement | Privacy Statement| Contact |Copyright 1995 - 2006 CatAdjuster.org. All rights reserved.
0.125
|
Printable Version
