Accurately assessing damage and negotiating insurance claims are arguably the two most important tasks for public adjusters. 

This week’s blog post is brought to you by Black Diamond Housing Services, The Farber Law Firm, and Noble Tax Strategies.​

You want to ensure you don’t miss anything, and at the same time not spend too much time on writing estimates so you can get more claims done.

Hence, Jeromy Leavelle, our Commercial Claims coach and one of the speakers at the upcoming Dallas meet-up, shared the information about the two most used estimating software.

Here’s what you can learn from today’s blog post:

👉 When to use which software so your budget doesn’t suffer.

👉 How to recognize the advantages and disadvantages of both estimating software

👉 And how to have an advantage in the industry by using both!

Seriously, public adjusters love to nitpick about which software is better.

But in all honesty, you will be closer to success if you can use both!

Symbility is a software program designed specifically for the insurance industry.

It offers a suite of tools and features to help public adjusters accurately assess and estimate damage for insurance claims.

Symbility uses a database of pre-set pricing and measurement information to generate accurate estimates for repair costs.

What’s interesting is that you can input your data, such as photos and notes, into the program to create customized reports and estimates.

One of the key features that Symbility offers is the elaborate sketching option.

You can choose many room shapes and auto-generate elevations from a roof sketch.

You can then easily see the square footage for the facade and calculate the price for the painting, replacing windows, or whatever fits your claim.

Xactimate, similar to Symbility, is another estimating software program commonly used in the insurance industry by both public adjusters and insurance companies.

Xactimate works by allowing public adjusters to input various details about the damage, such as measurements, materials, and labor costs. 

It then uses this information to generate a detailed estimate of the repair costs.

One of the main benefits of Xactimate is its accuracy and the fact it includes small labor processes and materials. 

The program has a large database of pre-set pricing and measurement information, which can help public adjusters to generate accurate estimates quickly and easily. 

For example, if you were to input a simple painting process in Xactimate. 

The software would automatically add processes like masking and demasking switch cover plates, a normal amount of drop cloths, and dropping of light fixtures.

Whereas in Symbility, you would have to add these processes by hand, which means you also have to know about them or consult an expert.

But let’s dive into these differences a bit more below.

While both Symbility and Xactimate are software programs designed for public adjusters there are three key differences between the two.

Pricing Models

Symbility is generally considered more affordable than Xactimate, with a lower initial cost and no ongoing fees. 

On the other hand, Xactimate has a more complex pricing model, with a higher initial cost and ongoing fees based on usage.

Essentially, with Symbility, you pay per created estimate.

So, if you are just starting and expect a few slow months, Symbility will be a cheaper option.

On the other hand, Xactimate offers pricing plans that become not so expensive once you start handling many claims.

Databases and Reports

Both Symbility and Xactimate use databases of pre-set pricing and measurement information to generate estimates. 

However, there are some differences between the two databases. 

Xactimate has a larger database of pre-set pricing and measurement information, which can make it more comprehensive and accurate for certain types of estimates. 

Symbility, on the other hand, offers more flexibility and customization options for reports and estimates. 

In other words, Xactimate includes more detailed information in your estimates, but Symbility creates more visually appealing reports.

User Interfaces and Simplicity

Another difference between Symbility and Xactimate is their user interfaces. 

Public adjusters usually consider Symbility a more user-friendly and intuitive program than Xactimate, with clear menus and prompts. 

This can make it easier for new users to learn and navigate the program. 

Xactimate, on the other hand, has a more complex user interface, with more options and menus. 

This can make it more difficult for new users to learn and navigate.

However, this can also depend on the type of claim you have.

Understanding the differences between Symbility and Xactimate is vital for public adjusters in the insurance industry. 

Both software programs have unique features and benefits, as well as different pricing models, user interfaces, and databases.

There are advantages to learning how to use both Symbility and Xactimate. 

By using both programs, public adjusters can expand their skill set and increase their versatility.

Overall, the choice between Symbility and Xactimate will depend on the specific needs of each public adjuster and project. 

It is crucial to consider factors such as pricing, user interface, and database when making a decision.

Essentially, you want to understand both programs to apply the right one to your estimating approach after inspecting the property.