Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Support
- What are the differences between Preferences and Estimate Settings?
- How do I allow my estimates to calculate Taxes, or Overhead and Profit?
- Why isn't my estimate figuring for Recoverable Depreciation?
- How do I prevent a particular coverage from showing on the Proof of Loss report?
- How do I add Contacts?
- How do I get the company information to show in the header of the report?
- How do I set the costs for my area? Why are the costs different for each area?
- Can I add more than one operation to a line item?
- Why do some of the costs in the operations field not give a cost?
- How do I find the individual costs associated with an operation such as material, labor, and equipment?
- How do I tell PowerClaim how much of a particular item I need?
- How do I know if the line item is for square feet, square yards, or something else completely?
- How do I change the cost of a particular operation?
- Is there a way to search for a particular item in the database?
- How can I use the different databases for my line items?
- How do I delete a line from the line items screen?
- Can I copy an area and all of its line items?
- Can I add something new to the cost database or change what is there?
- In the diagrams section, what is the difference between the dimensions bar and the line tool?
- Why don't I see the forms I created in the Caption Report Generator when I go to print them from reports?
- How do I create a template in the property valuation section?
- How do I update PowerClaim?
- How do I depreciate just remove and not replace?
- Why am I not getting prices on my line items?
- Can I edit the prices permanently?
- Why is PowerClaim running slow?
- What does the "Include" box mean?
- Why does PowerClaim want to be reauthorized?
- PowerClaim is asking for a username and password. What do I do?
- How do I create a macro?
- I used an item from the search box, now my categories are different in the line item screen. Why did this happen?
Technical Support
- What are the differences between Preferences and Estimate Settings?
When you go to Tools and Preferences, you are changing the settings for the entire program from that point on. This will only apply to claims made after this action, therefore not affecting any claim created prior to the modification. In contrast, if you just want to change the settings for one claim, choose your claim from the selection screen and click on the Estimates button. Now a list of your coverages will be displayed. Click on the Estimate Settings button. Here you can edit the settings for this estimate only.
- How do I allow my estimates to calculate Taxes, or Overhead and Profit?
If you have chosen to disable either Taxes or Overhead and Profit in the Preferences or the Estimate Settings for a particular claim, you will not have the option to enable them from the line item screen. To remedy this, simply place check marks into the appropriate fields in the Estimate Settings window. You can also edit these fields in the Preferences window to allow them to be active by default for any future claims. However, if these options are enabled, you will have the option to disable them for individual selections on the line item screen.
- Why isn't my estimate figuring for Recoverable Depreciation?
In order to get recoverable depreciation you must have "Replacement Cost" enabled.
Click on the Claims button Double click on the claim you are working on This will open the claim setup screen The coverages are listed in the center Click on the first coverage Click on the "Replacement Cost" check box This will insert a check mark into the box Repeat these steps for every coverage you need recoverable depreciation on
Now you will be able to click on the "Recoverable Depreciation" check box on the line items.
- How do I prevent a particular coverage from showing on the Proof of Loss report?
On the Claim Setup Screen you will notice a box titled Include. If you click into this box and remove the check mark, this particular coverage will not be displayed or totaled on the Proof of Loss report.
- How do I add Contacts?
The Contacts section is located on the Claim Setup Screen, shown at the bottom when you create a new claim or double click on an existing claim. One of the fields that produces a few questions is the Unique Name. This is basically just a file name that will store all of your contacts information such as name, address, and phone number. I suggest filling out The Unique Name first as it will result in less difficulties. If you are completing the contact for Adjusting Company you may wish to type the name of the company into the Unique Name field as well as the Company field. Once you have filled in all of your contact information, click on the Save to List button. If you would like this contact to be displayed automatically, click on the Set as Default button. Remember, the Unique Name is only used for your reference as a way to sort and organize multiple contacts under the same category, and will not display on your reports.
- How do I get the company information to show in the header of the report?
In order to accomplish this, all you need to do is fill out the Adjusting Company contact. This information will display in the header of your reports.
- How do I set the costs for my area? Why are the costs different for each area?
You can change the regional cost adjustment from either the preferences window for every preceding claim, or from the estimate settings window for a single claim. You can set it to your state, your state and the area you are located in, or your state and the closest city. Alternately, you can set it to Base (no adjustment) to leave everything at 100%; the national average. Think of the national average as the standard price that would be charged for something. Some areas may be slightly higher or lower than the average for various reasons, and by setting the regional cost adjustment appropriately will reflect this. If you decide to set this to your area, it will result in more accurate totals based upon the costs and charges of your region.
- Can I add more than one operation to a line item?
Yes, by using the Operation Builder. Just click the dropdown menu in the Operation box, then choose Operation Builder.
- Why do some of the costs in the operations field not give a cost?
When you look at the selections from the drop-down menu for the operations field, you will notice there are two different sections. The operations at the top are colored in green and the operations below are colored in black. The green operations at the top have a cost associated with them while the black operations at the bottom do not. We give you access to these operations for the chance that you might wish to create a custom line item. You will have the opportunity to choose any operation from the Craftsman database but if you choose one of the operations in black, you will be required to enter in a cost of your choosing.
- How do I find the individual costs associated with an operation such as material, labor, and equipment?
On the line items screen, all your operations are displayed at the bottom left hand side of the screen. A separate line will be shown will all related costs. These can be changed if so desired.
- How do I tell PowerClaim how much of a particular item I need?
On the line item screen you will notice a field titled Qty. Here you will input how many units of the item you need to calculate for. If you are doing a line for removing and reinstalling a kitchen sink, you would more than likely only need one unit so you would just put the number 1 into this field. Additionally, you can click on the dropdown menu for a list of other options such as wall area and ceiling area. These numbers are based upon the dimensions you entered when setting up your rooms or areas. The Qty box does not limit you to using only one of these selections at a time however. For instance if you are working on a line item for removing and replacing drywall in a bedroom and you needed to do the walls and ceiling you could simply type in WA+CA. This will calculate removal and replacement for drywall of the entire wall and ceiling dimensions of the bedroom. You can also use subtraction ( - ), multiplication ( * ), and division ( / ). You can mix the selections from the dropdown menu with numbers as desired.
- How do I know if the line item is for square feet, square yards, or something else completely?
To determine what unit of measurement is being used, simply observe the operations lines at the bottom left of the line items screen. The Unit field will display the measurement being used for the particular item.
- How do I change the cost of a particular operation?
If you ever wish to change the cost of an operation or need to enter in a cost for a custom line item there are two different places you can accomplish this. The first will be in the line item under the field titled Cost. Here you can just type in the cost per unit of measurement. Based on the amount you entered in Qty PowerClaim will total your cost and present your ACV at the end of the line item. You can also go to the bottom left hand side of the screen where you will see a separate line for each operation of your line item. Here you can enter the costs separately for labor, materials, and equipment.
- Is there a way to search for a particular item in the database?
PowerClaim allows you to search the database from the line items screen. You will notice a button with the Craftsman logo titled Search Cost. Click on this icon to open a new window. Here you will be able to enter the selection you wish to search for. On the right you will notice a drop-down window. Here you can choose from the databases we have available individually or you can search all databases at once.
- How can I use the different databases for my line items?
When creating line items you can change the database you are pulling from for each line. At the bottom right hand side of the screen you will see a drop-down menu. From here you can choose to either use the Craftsman or NCE database. Keep in mind that this setting will stay until you change it again; so if you only need to use the NCE database for one line, remember to change it back to the Craftsman database on your next line.
- How do I delete a line from the line items screen?
To remove a line completely first click on the grey box to the left of the line you are working with. Once you click into this box the entire line should be highlighted. Now click on the button located at the top of the screen titled Delete Item.
- Can I copy an area and all of its line items?
On the area selection screen click and highlight the area you wish to duplicate. Now click on the Copy Area button. You will now be presented with a new window. Here you can choose the number of copies you wish to create, if you would like to include line items, as well as a few other assorted options. Click the OK button to create the copy. If this is satisfactory, click Done. This can also be done on the claim selection screen to copy claims. This can be used if you want to create a template claim or merely want to duplicate a particular claim for any reason.
- Can I add something new to the cost database or change what is there?
To add something new to the database, just create a line item with that item and the cost. Once done, right click on that particular line item and choose Save to Database.
- In the diagrams section, what is the difference between the dimensions bar and the line tool?
The dimensions bar will automatically display the appropriate length of the line you create based upon the scale you chose when first creating a new diagram. For example, 1 inch equals 10 feet. When using the dimensions bar, by creating a 2 inch line it will automatically display 20 feet, however if you only wish to create a diagram that you will supply your own dimensions you can use the line tool. Now you can just draw your lines to create your diagram and label the dimensions using the font tool if you wish.
- Why don't I see the forms I created in the Caption Report Generator when I go to print them from reports?
When you start a new form you are usually creating this in the templates section of the caption report generator. Once you have completed this template it will be stored for future use. To have access to this form for a particular claim you much double click on the particular template. This will move it into the documents tab. If created properly it will contain your desired claim information and will be printable from the reports screen.
- How do I create a template in the property valuation section?
Create a valuation like normal. Complete any information you would like stored in your template. Once this if finished click File and Create Template. Enter a file name and click OK. This template will now be available for selection when you start any future valuation.
- How do I update PowerClaim?
In order to update PowerClaim, first make sure the program is closed. Click Download from the navigation bar at the top of the screen. Click Download PowerClaim XML. You will need to fill out the Download Form then choose submit. On the following page, choose Click here to begin the download. Once the download is completed simply follow the instructions through the installation. Updating will not overwrite any of your claims or settings.
- How do I depreciate just remove and not replace?
You can adjust the amount of depreciation per operation at the bottom left on the line item screen. A separate field will be shown for each operation you choose in your line item.
- Why am I not getting prices on my line items?
You may not have a qty entered. If you chose from the dropdown menu (FA/Floor Area) you may not have entered dimensions for that room. You may not have entered an operation.
- Can I edit the prices permanently?
You can edit the prices in the materials database permanently. Click ?Tools? Click ?Cost Database Editor? You can edit the costs permanently from here
- Why is PowerClaim running slow?
PowerClaim must load up the entire database and if you have a large amount of claims, it could take a few moments to completely load every claim. You may also have spyware on your machine. You will need to run a spyware removal tool to properly eliminate any malicious software on your machine. Spyware can cause various problems on your machine and needs to be removed as soon as possible.
- What does the "Include" box mean?
It will include the specific coverage in the proof of loss.
- Why does PowerClaim want to be reauthorized?
Spyware and viruses have been known to cause this problem. Scan your entire computer with an anti-virus program as well as a spyware removal tool and remove anything they find.
Hardware changes cause this to occur as well such as docking stations for laptops or changing out video cards.
You may be out of days and need to reauthorize.
- PowerClaim is asking for a username and password. What do I do?
If PowerClaim ever asks you for a username and password or says your password is invalid, simply create a new username and password. The username must be new and can not be the same username you used before. The easiest way is to simply add the number 1 to the end of the username that is currently in there or the one you used before. PowerClaim will give you the opportunity to add this new user. You will need to click on the ?Yes? button to add the new user. You will be prompted to verify your password.
- How do I create a macro?
Add each item you want to use in the macro to the line items screen. Click the small grey box on the left in front of the first line item. Then hold down the SHIFT key and click the grey box in front of the last line item you want to include. This should highlight all items you chose. Click on Save Macro, give it a specific name and choose Save.
- I used an item from the search box, now my categories are different in the line item screen. Why did this happen?
When you insert an item from the Craftsman Search Cost that was located in a database different than the one you were previously using, that database will become the default in the line item screen. To change back to your previously used database, click Change next to Cost Database in the lower right hand corner. You can then choose from the drop down menu the database you would like to work in.
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