Symbility Solutions | First in mobile claims

The Symbility software is not sold or licensed, so there is nothing to buy. We charge a small per-claim fee, which gives you unlimited use of both the Symbility.NET web-based application and the mobile claims field estimating software (for building and transmitting complete estimates from the field). Once you pay the per-claim charge, all future activity in that claim is free. Any number of estimates can be built in that same claim file. Technical support is included in this fee.

What would it cost to buy the software for ten users in two offices?

Symbility's simple per-claim pricing model means the answer is simple—it doesn't matter how many users, how many computers or how many offices you have. The freely downloadable mobile claims software can be installed any number of times and used by any number of users. All you pay is a small per-claim fee.

Do you offer a free trial or demo?

Absolutely. Because we charge per claim and the software is provided at no charge, you can register at www.symbility.net as a trial member and download the mobile claims component of the software. Then, install it anywhere, as many times as you like. You won't need to provide your credit card until you're ready to become a full member. You'll also have access to the web-based component which you'll need to set up users and your company information. The only limitations with a trial membership are that you cannot print claim files or electronically transmit data to other users. The trial period has no expiration.

When you're ready to become a full member, just update your account with your credit card (Symbility.NET is secured with 128-bit encryption and is digitally signed by Verisign).

Hardware and Wireless

What computer hardware do I need to run the software?

To use Symbility.NET (our web-based communication hub), data warehouse and analytics engine, any computer with an Internet connection is sufficient (IE 5.5 or higher is required). mobile claims, our field-use estimate-building software, will run on virtually any PC that is 5 years old or newer.

How do I use your wireless, pen-based system when I'm in an area where there's no wireless coverage?

Symbility has been designed from the ground up for use with all types of wireless technologies and the realities that go along with them. You will never be connected to the internet 100% of the time, yet Symbility still provides access to your data and allows you to build estimates anywhere you go. This is accomplished with our unique Claim Synchronization Technology. When you do have an internet connection (wired or wireless), synchronize mobile claims to automatically download all claim data pertaining to you and upload all data that you've collected on-site since you last synchronized. You can then disconnect from the internet and continue to work with your claims in an area that has no wireless coverage.

Do I need to have a wireless connection to use your system?

No. Not only can you use the full estimating and claims processing capabilities of mobile claims in an area that has no wireless coverage (like a hurricane-ravaged zone), but you can also choose to always plug your computer in to a wired connection when you need to connect to the internet. This does prohibit you from utilizing Symbility's ability to submit the estimate and receive new claim assignments before leaving the loss site.

Does Symbility allow me to print the claim file, including estimates I've built, while at the loss site?

Absolutely, although full membership is required. You can print the entire claim file with any standard or portable printer allowing you to leave a printed estimate with the insured. We recommend the Bluetooth-enabled HP Deskjet 450. This enables you to leave your portable printer on the kitchen counter while you move from room to room building the estimate. By the time you press "print" at the completion of your estimate, the insured is already reading through the printouts.

Pricing Database

Where do you get the unit costs for your item database?

Symbility uses Craftsman's residential and commercial pricing databases, specifically the National Renovation and Insurance Repair Estimator and the National Construction Estimator, National Repair and Remodeling and National Home Improvement Estimator publications. Craftsman has been researching pricing data since 1951. A detailed white paper discussing the data is available by clicking here.

Is the database regionalized?

How frequently is it updated?

Software Features and Usage

Do I need to use the Symbility.NET website or the mobile claims software, or both?

Symbility.NET is a web-based software application that allows users access to their entire claim files (both current and historical) so that you can review, print, analyze and edit the file. It is also where an administrator configures user accounts, permissions, defaults, preferences, notifications and other administrative tasks. Typical users of Symbility.NET include claims managers, inside adjusters, claim reviewers, project managers, administrative or back-office support staff and anyone who doesn't need to build estimates.

At the heart of the mobile claims software is a graphical estimating tool, designed specifically for wireless, pen-based computers. You can also think of it as an extension of Symbility.NET, allowing you to take the claim data that is stored on the internet with you out into the field, without needing a constant Internet connection. lf you need to create or edit estimates, you would use Symbility mobile claims. As a registered user of Symbility, you can freely download mobile claims and install it anywhere, anytime. You are charged only if you process a claim.

I've tried running other estimating software on tablet computers at the loss site and found it just doesn't work—I resorted to going back to my old method of recording details on paper then building the estimate back at the office. What makes Symbility any different?

Symbility is different because it has been designed specifically for pen-based computers. Every other product on the market has been designed for a desktop environment. For software to be effective while moving around a loss site holding a pen-based computer, all the nuances of pen computers must permeate every aspect of the user interface and behind-the-scenes engineering of the software. Before we wrote one line of code, we considered slower CPUs, reduced memory capacity, low bandwidth connections, battery life, portrait screen orientation and input device ease of use.

Is Symbility easy to use?

Of course it's recommended you try it out yourself, but keep this in mind: it has to be easy to use because you need to be able to complete full estimates with just a pen. This means it has to be highly graphical, intuitive and offer numerous efficiencies without requiring memorization of codes, two-handed keyboard and mouse operation or a single keystroke.

Is mobile claims a true estimating software or just a glamorous "tick sheet"? When using it in the field, is there a full pricing database? Can I adjust the prices if necessary?

Symbility's mobile claims field estimating software is the first to provide a full claims estimating platform for use on a pen-based computer, but it is the same software you would use on a desktop PC in your office. Anything you're used to doing with other estimating software, like adjusting prices or noting unusual circumstances, can be done (with only a pen!) along with drawing very detailed floor plans, roof plans and exterior views.

Is it necessary for the companies I work with to also use your system for me to send estimates to them or receive estimates from them?

It's not necessary for your customers or vendors to also use Symbility, but it is beneficial. It's easy and free to share your claim files with non-Symbility users with our "Guest User Access" feature. Simply provide them with a time-limited username and password and direct them here. Upon logging in they will see a customized "portal" showing your company's name and logo and any claims that you have chosen to share. They see only parts of the claim that you allow to be accessed. They can print the claim or create a PDF file.

How flexible is the system with regards to making notes and comments for unique situations?

The price of any item from the pricing database can be changed when needed and the change can be remembered for future use.
A multi-line note can be attached to any line item in an estimate. The note can be entered using the innovative QuickList feature that stores commonly-used text or using handwriting recognition or the on-screen keyboard.
A digital photo can be attached to any line item in the estimate. A picture is worth a thousand words, so show it instead of typing it. Photos can have captions and can be annotated with electronic ink. Photos can also be placed right in floor plan, roof plan or exterior diagrams.
A voice annotation (a digital recording of your voice) can be attached to any line item (or added directly into a diagram) to narrate long comments instead of handwriting them. Any other user can play back the recording. This feature is also handy for taking a statement from the insured.
Text boxes and callouts can be added to diagrams to point out unique situations.
Using a pen provides the ability to draw freehand directly on top of diagrams and photos with "digital ink".

Do you provide standard forms within the software? Can I create my own forms in the software?

The software comes with 13 standard FEMA forms which can be added to any electronic claim file. Our "Form Editor" allows users to create, share and incorporate any single- or multi-page forms into any claim file with a simple desktop publisher-like interface.

Other

Do you offer training?

Yes, training is available either at our office, yours or via the internet. See the Training page of our support site for further details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cost and Purchasing

How much does it cost?