Learning Xactimate
There are many different paths to learning to use Xactimate. When I began as an adjuster in 2006, I had no idea that Xactimate even existed or how to break into the industry as an Independent Insurance Adjuster. I first saw Xactimate from a mentor. I knew it was a program I needed to learn, but the cost to license a copy was out of my budget, being fresh out of college and looking for work. This was also before the explosive growth of YouTube and the large selection of how-to videos that exist now.
Eventually, once I got on my feet, I signed up for an in-person course in 2013 and became Xactimate-certified. This was a level 2 certification. Xactiamte is not a difficult program to use, in my opinion, but if you don’t use it regularly, then the knowledge will fade, and you will become rusty, in my experience. It would be an entire year before I secured my first deployment as an independent adjuster.
Fast forward to today, in a post-COVID world, there are many options to learn Xactimate online or in person. You can learn Xactimate for free by searching for YouTube videos, or pay for a comprehensive course from a trainer or experienced adjuster. There are many reasons you may want to learn Xactiamte, you may want to be an adjuster and write estimates, a contractor wanting to create supplements for insurance claims, or perhaps a consultant for a public adjuster to estimate restoration costs for various clients
Xactimate Online Courses
Taking an online course gives you flexibility and saves you money on travel if there isn’t an in-person class near you. Online instruction, like our Xactimate course, lets you learn at your own pace and rewatch any training at any time. Chances are, you will forget much of what you learn if you do not use Xactimate regularly. Doing an online course also allows you the ability to strengthen your skills as you advance by experimenting and during different sections of the training instead of simply following along with everything a live instructor is doing. This allows trial and error and the ability to find new ways to do things in Xactimate, which, in turn, will help you retain more of the information.
Xactimate For Adjusters
Xactimate X1 is the standard estimating software for many large insurance carriers for property adjusting. Symbility is another program for property adjusting, but it is typically used for flood claims. We mention this so adjsuters are aware of this other software, as you will see it mentioned at some point in your career as an adjsuter.
If you take a job as a staff insurance adjuster with a carrier ther is a chance you will get Xactimate training as part of your overall training as a new adjuster. This is also a great way to get extensive adjuster training at no cost to you. In fact, your training will likely be paid for by the carrier. Other expenses, such as licenses, can also be paid by the carrier. This is something to consider, as you can spend a lot of money on licensing, training, and traveling before ever being deployed as an independent adjuster.
Xactimate For Contractors
I have seen a plethora of estimates from contractors as an adjuster over the decades, from something as simple as a handwritten estimate from a local handyman to a 100-page estimate from a Public Adjuster for a workmanship defect that allowed wind-driven rain to enter a garage. Some policies may not cover interior water damage if there is no storm-created opening. A contractor’s estimate to the carrier can significantly impact the claim payout. It’s the adjuster’s job to estimate a loss as accurately as possible during inspection. The contractor performing the restoration work will spend significantly more time at the loss location than an adjuster and may also uncover hidden damage that is part of a covered loss. It’s imperative that the contractor document and notify the insurance company of any additional damage as soon as it’s discovered. They must do this before any repairs to that damage are made, in case the carrier wishes to inspect the additional damage.
Insurance Estimates
If a contractor provides a handwritten estimate, for example, below:
Tear off $X,XXX.XX
Put back $X,XXX.XX
Total $X,XXX.XX
Versus an estimate prepared in Xactimate that includes the following:
Tear Off 10SQ ———————— $X,XXX.XX
Drip Edge 50LF ———————- $X,XXX.XX
High Charge 10SQ ——————–$X,XXX.XX
Steep Charge >7/12 ——————-$X,XXX.XX
Replace 3 Turtle Vents—————$X,XXX.XX
Detach and Reset Satellite Dish —- $X,XXX.XX
Synthetic Underlayment ———— $X,XXX.XX
30 Year Architectural Shingles —– $X,XXX.XX
Total $X,XXX.XX
Insurance Supplements
As an adjuster, you handle claims based on merit, the policy, and the damage caused by a covered loss. Sometimes, contractors feel as if adjusters make arbitrary, meritless decisions about what to pay. This may be the case in some instances; new adjusters may be reluctant to make a decision or lack extensive construction experience. As a seasoned adjuster, I always strive to pay the maximum I can to restore a homeowner’s property to pre-loss condition. This makes everyone happy, provides a great customer service experience, and allows me to indemnify the insured, thus closing and settling the claim to the policyholder’s satisfaction.
The contractor is the expert in reconstructing the home, but if an estimate lacks clarity, it may be harder to get a payment approved if the amount exceeds the adjusters’ authority. The authority is the total claim amount an adjuster can pay on a loss before it has to be reviewed by a manager, trainer, or team lead.
By using Xactimate for insurance supplements, you can easily attach photos, F9 notes, and applicable building code information to justify the additional restoration costs. Insurance payments require documentation for auditing, actuarial, and underwriting purposes. Also, keep in mind that code upgrades can be an additional line of coverage that the homeowner may not have, so those costs may not be covered by the policy in every claim. Xactimate is a clear way for contractors to increase revenue by creating estimates and supplements.
Xactimate Training Near Me
If you live in an area like Texas, Florida, Colorado, or Louisiana, it may be easier to find in-person training than in other parts of the country. There are some key benefits to in-person training that many may prefer. This option may be better for those who are newer to computers or need tech help installing Xactimate on their PC. In-person training is generally more expensive than online training.
Xactimate Classes
For most in-person classes, you will need to show up with a suitable laptop, pen and paper, and a mind ready to learn. It may also be helpful to have a separate mouse, depending on your preference. Generally, the instructor will introduce themselves and have their own workstation connected to some A/V equipment so that the entire class can see their screen as they work.
The class will be broken up into sections covering the interface, line items, sketch, preferences, and creating an estimate. You will likely learn in a hotel conference room and be grouped with others who are also looking to learn Xactimate. This may also provide you with a networking opportunity if you get a chance to mingle with others. Chances are you will find other adjusters, public adjsuters and contractors in the room as well. If you are in a similar industry, you may find work opportunities from others. A lot of contractors like handing of the task of estimate writing to adjusters.