How to Write an Xactimate Estimate Fast & Get More Insurance Roof Jobs Approved
In today’s roofing industry, efficiency is key to staying ahead. Contractors handling insurance claims know that writing an Xactimate estimate is a critical step in getting jobs approved. But with increasing competition and evolving technology, traditional methods of creating estimates can slow you down.
Writing a detailed and accurate insurance estimate used to take hours—gathering measurements, labeling photos, adding line items, and making sure every necessary supplement was included. Now, with AI-driven tools, contractors can streamline this process and focus on what truly matters: getting more jobs approved and providing a better experience for homeowners.
Why Speed Matters in Insurance Restoration
Speed is everything in the insurance restoration industry. Homeowners want quick answers, but insurance adjusters are becoming more selective and meticulous with claims. If an adjuster receives an estimate that lacks detailed documentation and supporting data, they will likely slow down the process by requesting additional information or even rejecting the claim.
If you’re taking days to put together an estimate while another contractor submits one with all necessary details included upfront, you risk falling behind.
A fast, detailed, and well-documented estimate helps in several ways:
Higher Approval Rates: Adjusters are more likely to approve claims that include detailed labeled photos, weather data, and proper building codes.
More Homeowner Confidence: A professional and fast estimate builds trust with homeowners, making them more likely to choose your company.
Less Back-and-Forth: A well-prepared estimate reduces the chances of adjusters asking for revisions, keeping the process moving forward.
How AI is Changing the Way Contractors Write Xactimate Estimates
Traditionally, contractors have had two main options for creating insurance estimates:
Manually writing estimates – This requires significant time and expertise in Xactimate, along with constant training to stay up to date on pricing and codes.
Hiring an in-house estimator – While effective, this option adds overhead costs and can slow things down if the estimator is overloaded.
Now, a third option is emerging: AI-powered estimating.
By using AI-driven platforms, contractors can automate much of the estimate creation process, reducing errors and saving hours of work. AI can analyze uploaded loss summaries, photos, and measurements, then generate a full Xactimate-ready report in less than 24 hours.
Two Ways Contractors Can Use AI for Insurance Estimates
1️⃣ Creating Detailed Insurance Estimate Reports
Contractors who still want to handle supplementing on their own can use AI to generate a complete Xactimate estimate.
These reports include labeled photos, weather data, building codes, and a structured cover page and summary page.
This allows contractors to quickly submit professional estimates without spending hours writing them manually.
2️⃣ AI + Supplementing Support
For contractors who want additional help, some AI platforms also offer full supplementing services.
This means that if the initial report isn’t enough to get full claim approval, an expert team can step in to maximize the claim value and handle negotiations.
This option is ideal for contractors who want to ensure every supplement is included while minimizing time spent on paperwork.
A Company That Combines AI Estimates & Supplementing: XBuild
As the roofing industry shifts towards automation, contractors who embrace AI-powered estimating will have a competitive edge. XBuild is one of the top platforms available today, offering two solutions for contractors:
✅ AI-Generated Xactimate Reports – Upload your loss summary, photos, and measurements, and receive a fully detailed Xactimate estimate with labeled photos, weather data, building codes, and a professional cover page.
✅ AI Reports + Full Supplementing Services – If you need additional assistance, XBuild’s team can handle the supplementing process for you, ensuring your claim is fully maximized.
By using XBuild, contractors can spend less time on paperwork and more time winning jobs. The insurance industry is evolving, and those who adapt to AI-driven tools will be able to work smarter, not harder.
