Must-Have: Navigation Device
A good GPS system might be the single best investment an independent adjuster can make. Adjusters might scope four to six properties in a day. These properties may be spread out over a surprisingly wide geographical area. Using a traditional paper map is laughable when compared to the speed and accuracy of a dash mounted GPS system. In fact, I would estimate a GPS system saves an adjuster at least of an hour a day in missed turns and forced stops. Project this over a month and you have a good 30 hours, or over an entire day, of time saved. That's an extra four or five closed claims per month. In some cases I would estimate that a GPS can increase an adjuster's efficiency by as many as 10 claims per month. Cat adjusters are paid per claim, so that's an extra $2,000 to $5,000. And finally, the lack of frustration that a GPS provides is worth the price tag.
A good option is a dash mounted GPS. Most models have more features than you will use. Keep it basic and don’t bother buying anything over $700.
Another option with a much lower price is Microsoft’s Streets & Trips Program. Only $100, you can install it on your laptop – it also comes with a GPS can plug into your computer through a standard USB port. With Streets & Trips, you can take 10 stops, find your current location, and calculate the fastest route. If you have a number of claims you can plan a whole day’s route in under 15 minutes. Print off your directions and you are ready to go!
Must-Have: Laptop
The days when we hand-wrote our claims are over. Electronic preparation and delivery of estimates is standard and a laptop is an essential. Xactimate has minimum system requirements.
You need:
1 GHz processor
512 MB of available RAM
1.5 Gig of free hard drive space
a monitor resolution of 1024X768 or higher.
With that in mind, don't let salesmen push huge graphic packages or upgraded sound cards if you are purchasing a laptop. You are using this to write claim estimates, not playing Call of Duty.
Adjusters have also begun using tablet laptops (laptops with swiveling touch screens that can fold down on themselves). Supposedly adjusters take a tablet laptop on a residential or commercial claim, hold it like a clipboard, and write the majority of the estimate at the property. A great way to keep yourself from forgetting details, especially if you’re handling a number of claims each day!
One adjuster we spoke with recommended the HP Tablet Laptops, which start around $799.99.
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