Adjuster Estimates

Tags - Popular | FAQ  

PrevPrev Go to previous topic
NextNext Go to next topic
Last Post 08/27/2009 10:10 PM by  BobH
Should I get a smart phone or am I just being a cheapskate?
 37 Replies
Sort:
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Page 1 of 212 > >>
Author Messages
Bobabooey
Member
Member
Posts:140


--
09/24/2008 1:05 AM

    Do you guys have smart phones? (Blackberry, iphone, etc...)

     

    I am thinking about buying one but I don't want to add an additional $30 to my monthly bills.  It seems like everytime I turn around I have a new monthly bill.  When you add up cell phone, gas card, tolls, computer programs, efax, etc etc, it gets annoying.

    I am assuming it will make my life as a cat adjuster easier because I will be able to check my emails on the road and log into my adjuster website, but I am not sure.  I don't want to waste money if I don't have to.

     

    What do you guys think?  Do you use your smart phones?  Does it save you money?  Make you money?  Or is it just another distraction?

    Tags: FAQ
    0
    Tom Toll
    Moderator & Life Member
    Senior Member
    Senior Member
    Posts:1865


    --
    09/24/2008 6:26 PM

    I don't have one and think it is just a toy. You cannot download claims from it, you can just check your e-mail and other things. I don't think it has a value so far as adjusting is concerned. Unless someone can convince me it is an absulute time saver, I will refrain from spending all that money, and then monthly on top of that. You can do the same with your cellphone.

    Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
    0
    JimGary
    Member
    Member
    Posts:470


    --
    09/24/2008 7:10 PM
    Tom I absolutely disagree, to be a true state of the art adjuster, you absolutely need a Blackberry, the big one, hanging from your belt. And one of those Star Trek thingys hanging out of your ear. And when you get it, be sure to give the number to everyone so it rings every 5 minutes so you can let everyone see it. And don't forget about one of those touch screen PDAs hanging from the other side of your belt, you've gotta get one of those. And get that digital voice recorder to record your scope as you walk through the house. I'll think of more later

    JWG
    I know the voices aren't real, but sometimes they're right!
    0
    okclarryd
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:954


    --
    09/24/2008 9:58 PM

    I think I'd just rather be a cheapskate like them other guys.

    Actually, I do use a digital recorder on large losses.  I do use a Disto or lazer measuring device for inside measurements and fences.  I have used my cell phone with a usb cord to upload and download since it was the only phone that worked.  I do use a cordless phone with  a headset so I can talk and type without dislocating my shoulder.

    I have never text messaged anyone.  I have never checked my email from my cell phone.

    But, then, I have never shot a black bear with a bow and arrow, either.

    Larry D Hardin
    0
    JimGary
    Member
    Member
    Posts:470


    --
    09/25/2008 8:55 AM

    I all seriousness, electronics  are usefull in our proffesion. I just get a kick out of those folks that go overboard. I worked with an adjuster that would get 3-4 calls during every inspection, most not work related. And he would put his phone on speaker so it would look like a Nextel.

     

     

    I know the voices aren't real, but sometimes they're right!
    0
    ALANJ
    Member
    Member
    Posts:142


    --
    09/29/2008 4:51 AM
    My old flip phone died recently and I upgraded to a Blackberry. It's a great tool to have on your hip. I would suggest you give it a try. I found out some insureds will not answer my calls as they are screening out of state numbers. (Some are dodging bill collectors.) However, they seem to reply quite quickly to a text from my Blackberry.
    0
    Natsa23
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:29


    --
    09/29/2008 8:31 PM
    I use a smart phone and believe it adds to efficiency in my work. When in the office, it synchronizes with my computer, updating all appointments and reminders in my outlook and adding them to the phone. I have had emails come to me while in the field letting me know I have a new claim in the same area I am inspecting, saving me a trip (which is great with fuel prices what they are). I get all emails and faxes before I get back to the office, allowing me to know what I am coming back to and letting me plan the rest of my day. I have my Xactimate set up to email me when a new claim is assigned, so I get all contact information and I can call the insured while I am already out. I have not used it in a storm situation (where claims tend to be a little closer together) and won't this year if all works out well, because I'm trying to keep daily work year round. In the end though, it's well worth my extra $30 a month.
    0
    hunter0544
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:23


    --
    10/08/2008 4:51 PM
    Posted By Jim Gary on 24 Sep 2008 07:10 PM
    Tom I absolutely disagree, to be a true state of the art adjuster, you absolutely need a Blackberry, the big one, hanging from your belt. And one of those Star Trek thingys hanging out of your ear. And when you get it, be sure to give the number to everyone so it rings every 5 minutes so you can let everyone see it. And don't forget about one of those touch screen PDAs hanging from the other side of your belt, you've gotta get one of those. And get that digital voice recorder to record your scope as you walk through the house. I'll think of more later

    JWG


    Really really funny.  It does appear though that insurance adjusting is headed in that direction!  I read somewhere on this great forum that  new entrant adjusters are not being trained as they used to in the 'good old days'; mainly due to the fact that insurers are relying more and more on computer softwares to carry the heavy and complex load.  Overall, modern electronic gadjets tend to make many tasks easier and faster to perform, but they do have their own cons. Have you read about Simsol's pda system or Simbility's tablet pc based adjusting system?  Many more will follow and more carriers will drift in that direction as the efficiency of such systems become apparent.  There will be resistance to such change by the so called "dyed in the wool" old timers that will stick to tick sheet, tape measure and voice tape recorder. I am a new (call that green, undertrained) adjuster who's decided to go the moder gadjet way.  I believe the future belong to the computer savy in our industry.  My 2 cents.

    0
    roni
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:25

    --
    10/08/2008 9:58 PM

    I am really glad I have my HTC touch. Just got the smart phone a couple months ago. This is the first cat that I could not get the internet at an rv park and it really came in handy to upload and download my files. (Had to use the generator for the first time as well) We do everything on the internet now, so being without wifi for 2 weeks would have hurt us big time. The connection was slow but I got the files in early and received more in their place. I vote - go for it.

    0
    okclarryd
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:954


    --
    10/08/2008 11:02 PM
    I am one of the "old timers" referred to in an earlier post. And, rather rudely, might I add.

    The new technology and the many tools that have come to every day usage is great. I resisted buying a Disto as I'm rather conservative and couldn't justify the cost. Now, at Sears, the same tool is $89.00. Why in the world would an adjuster not have one? Why would an adjuster not have digital voice recorder just to take notes with? Why would an adjuster not have a Blackberry if that's what works best?

    If us old guys can't get with the program, the program will surely move on without us.

    Like Sarah said........."Either follow my lead or walk beside me. Just don't get in my way."

    Happy Trails
    Larry D Hardin
    0
    hunter0544
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:23


    --
    10/10/2008 8:26 PM
    Posted By Larry Hardin on 08 Oct 2008 11:02 PM
    "I am one of the "old timers" referred to in an earlier post. And, rather rudely, might I add.".......

    When I said old timers, I never intended to be rude or insultive to anybody in any way or version.    I do appreciate and respect the knowledge of and wealth of experience acquired by "old timers" by dint of hard work, dedication and perseverance.  I joined this great forum after several months of lurking around and reading posts upon posts in which "old timers" spare no effort in guiding and advising upstarts by literally pouring out themselves again and again over the years (I read the archives too).  If, however, you're offended by the use of the term, I tender my sincere unreserved apology. 

     

    0
    HuskerCat
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:762


    --
    10/10/2008 9:35 PM

    Remi...you have no need to feel bad at all or apologize.   Larry is not only an oldtimer, but an old fart to boot.  And darn proud of it...as well as probably feeling pretty proud for making you think you hurt his little "feeler's" .   He'd tell you that himself, but he's got that night gig bouncing at The Parlor.    

    0
    jlombardo
    Member
    Member
    Posts:145


    --
    10/11/2008 7:32 AM
    Roni,
    A USB phone card works better.....

    Nathan,
    With all the information being sent to you while in the field, how do you get anything done.....I don't know about the rest of you folks, but when I am with an insured, I am their to handle THEIR LOSS, not to receive calls, e-mails and text messages or notes from my computer telling ,me that I have another file waiting when I get back to base............
    When I am driving, I have a really tough time reading my email on my phone, blackberry, etc and an even harder time text messaging someone........

    I don't know about you folks, but is scares the hell out of me when I am driving down the highway and the driver next to me has their hands on top of the wheel and holding some device that they are texting on........

    Just my .02 on it....not saying having a way to communicate while on the road---cell phone---but I think that there is a point that becomes a little much.....

    Happy Cating!!

    Joe L.
    0
    jlombardo
    Member
    Member
    Posts:145


    --
    10/11/2008 7:35 AM
    Remi,
    Mike is correct....I am an Old Timer and glad to be here.....sure beats being "Forever Young".....

    Got some friends that are Forever Young, and I sure do miss them.......wish they were Old Timers...

    Joe
    0
    Natsa23
    Guest
    Guest
    Posts:29


    --
    10/11/2008 5:56 PM
    Joseph,
    My phone stays in the truck while I am inspecting. I, too, believe all my attention should go toward the insured and the claim I am there to visit. But when I get in the truck, I can check the emails before I leave. If I got a new claim in the area or on the way home, I can see if someone is home and schedule the inspection. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Also, I can call and take care of any small problems or questions someone may have on the way home. I have a bluetooth installed in the truck, making my conversations hands free (which is the law in my state). I just try and use my time in the most efficient manner. The quicker I can get the work done, the quicker I can play.
    0
    okclarryd
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:954


    --
    10/12/2008 3:48 PM

    Remi,

    You have made a serious error in judgment by taking me seriously.

    Staighten up and fly right!!

    Seriously,  I got stuck on a roof when my POS ladder blew down and it was a double pull.  (Don't tell anybody I did that..........I would hate to ruin my reputation)  I had to call another adjuster to come and get me.  We still giggle about that over adult beverages from time to time.

    Another time, I had to rescue a fellow adjuster when his ladder was stolen while he was on the back slope. 

    Really!!!  He found it in a pawn shop a few blocks away and bought it back.

    My phone goes where I go and I choose when to answer it.  We all have voice mail, ya know.

    Larry D Hardin
    0
    LarryW
    Member
    Member
    Posts:114


    --
    10/12/2008 5:44 PM
    Larry,

    If you would get a ladder longer than 6' you could quit doing double pulls to get on those mobile homes. Even someone as old as you could probably carry a longer ladder if you would get into either of the last two centuries and purchase a modern ladder. Guess what, they aint all made of pig iron any longer. So, your phone goes where you do and you choose when to answer it. That may have to do with the fact that you carry that old rotary dial phone that ma-bell gave you when you retired there in 1958.
    No one is absolutely worthless, at the very least you can serve as a bad example.
    0
    okclarryd
    Veteran Member
    Veteran Member
    Posts:954


    --
    10/12/2008 10:31 PM
    Untangling the extension cord is a bitch.
    Larry D Hardin
    0
    Tom Toll
    Moderator & Life Member
    Senior Member
    Senior Member
    Posts:1865


    --
    10/13/2008 7:13 AM
    Posted By joseph lombardo jr. on 11 Oct 2008 07:32 AM
    Roni,
    A USB phone card works better.....

    Nathan,
    With all the information being sent to you while in the field, how do you get anything done.....I don't know about the rest of you folks, but when I am with an insured, I am their to handle THEIR LOSS, not to receive calls, e-mails and text messages or notes from my computer telling ,me that I have another file waiting when I get back to base............
    When I am driving, I have a really tough time reading my email on my phone, blackberry, etc and an even harder time text messaging someone........

    I don't know about you folks, but is scares the hell out of me when I am driving down the highway and the driver next to me has their hands on top of the wheel and holding some device that they are texting on........

    Just my .02 on it....not saying having a way to communicate while on the road---cell phone---but I think that there is a point that becomes a little much.....

    Happy Cating!!

    Joe L.

    I certainly agree with Joe on this one. I almost got hit in a parking lot the other day when a younger lady was driving and talking on her cell. Had I not laid on my horn, she would have hit me. It would only have been a fender bender, but accidents are accidents. I am adament about having an ear reciever while using the cell in the vehicle. It is still best, however, to pull over to talk so your mind is not on two subjects. Texting while driving is a killer and should be banned.

    Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
    0
    jlombardo
    Member
    Member
    Posts:145


    --
    10/13/2008 7:16 AM
    Mike,
    some good points, bu the fact remains, blue tooth or not, it is dangerous talking on the phone when driving.....especially when under stress and or duress....think about how your driving deteriorates when having a heated/and /or passionate discussion with you other half.....scary......

    I try not to answer or talk on my phone when driving........But then again I have experience with being slammed on I-275 in Tampa at 65 MPH when I was in the far left lane and some ya-ho entered the interstate while having a discussion with his girl friend ....he came across three lanes of traffic and hit me on the right rear at the right rear tire.......That was 2005 and I was driving an F-250 Diesel.........so he got the worst of it in his Malibu......imagine if I had been on my motorcycle......

    Thanks,
    Joe
    0
    You are not authorized to post a reply.
    Page 1 of 212 > >>


    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.