Close claims faster with
this simple life hack.
Working while on a deployment requires focus and closing claims quickly with a high degree of quality. While you should be closing your claims on site, that’s not the end of your day. There are corrections, claim recon, etc. that will have you at your laptop for hours on end. One way to improve proficiency is to use a dual monitor setup. You’re probably thinking “I’m not lugging an extra monitor around in my truck.” but what if I told you that you already have the extra monitor. Dual monitors allow you to have critical information displayed on one screen for reference purposes while utilizing the second screen for actual work on claims. For example, one screen could have a PDF from the carrier showing specific guidelines for your deployment, while you work on claims in Xactimate on the other screen. Dual monitors also allow for easy comparisons should you get some of your claims kicked back from review. Make the requested changes, and then go through your claim side by side to make sure you’ve covered all of your bases.
Microsoft’s Research Center’s findings indicate that users can improve productivity by 9% to 50% by adding another monitor to their computing environment (depending on the type of task). Other studies cited in the New York Times suggest 20 to 30 percent productivity boosts. More efficient means faster, and faster means more money in your pocket while on CAT.
Whether you’re running CAT from a hotel room or an RV, there’s a high possibility that there’s a flat-screen TV at your disposal. If a TV isn’t available, it’s pretty safe to say that there’s an iPad in there with your gear especially if you’re using Sketch mobile with a Disto (which you should be, see this video from adjuster Brian Greul about Xactimate mobile sketch) or managing your claims with Scheduleit while on the go. Pretty much any screen with an HDMI input can be used as a second monitor.
Because of the differences between devices and the technical requirements, this is going to be a limited explanation of how to create a dual monitor setup. But this is a good starting point for anyone looking to get going. If you’d like to use your iPad as your second monitor, the dummy-proof app Duet Display is the way to go. DD has an app for PC and Mac users, and the app is just $9.99. Download the app to your iPad and your laptop and follow the instructions. You may need to enter the display settings of your laptop to get it set up correctly, but that’s not too tricky. You already have a case on your iPad that probably has a way to make it stand up, but if you don’t have a look here for a couple of ideas.
If you would like to use the hotel rooms monitor as your second monitor, you’ll need to pack an HDMI cable with you. You can get one here; a 3-meter lightweight cable works just fine in most rooms. Any laptop that can run Xactimate will have an HDMI output. Connect your laptop to the hotel room TV via HDMI, select the proper input on the remote, and there you go. Many hotel room remotes won’t have the input option on the actual remote, but most will have a button on the front of the TV. Your mileage may vary here because hotels want to idiot-proof their rooms as much as possible, but you can always call ahead to the hotel and ask the front desk about the TV situation. If they seem to be unsure, then ask to speak to maintenance, they will have the answer.
Once you’re hooked up, you’ll need to go to the display settings on your mac or pc and arrange the new monitor. Is it to the left or right of your laptop, higher, lower, etc. this makes it easy to move items between screens from your computer. This is just one easy way to boost productivity and help you close claims faster.
Here’s a link to a great video showing you how to setup your hotel monitor.
