Creating Assignments

To create an assignment

On the New menu, select Assignment.
Enter the Claim-Suffix numberat the top of the page.

If a claim already exists in the system, the available information is added to the form.

Click Save.

You can click Save any time after you've entered a claim-suffix number. The first time you click Save the record is created, the created date and created by information appears at the bottom of the window, and any associated items appear in the Claim Navigator.

In the Claim/Policy Information section, complete or confirm the Policy Number and Deductible amount.
In the Administrative Details section, complete or confirm the information.

Required information is indicated by a red asterisk (*).

Click Save & Continue.
In the Required Expertise section, select any special appraisal skills required for this assignment. This information helps identify qualified resources.
Click Save & Continue.

The Administrative Details section collapses and the Inspection Method section expands. Options for different methods of investigation (Drive-in, Field Inspection, Service Center Drive-in, and the like) appear in the list.

Select an Inspection Method or click Choose Resource to dispatch the assignment yourself.

If the option appears, you can defer resource selection to a Dispatch Center.
If you are sending an assignment to someone outside of your network or DRP, choose Non-Network Shop as your MOI (Method of Inspection) when creating and sending an assignment.

The Inspection Method section collapses and the Assignment Details section expands.

Click Save & Continue.
Complete or confirm the information in the Assignment Details section.
Enter Notes if needed, VIN for non-network/non-DRP shop assignment.

If you are sending an assignment to someone outside your network or DRP, the Notes section is a good place to include the VIN or log on credentials for the assignment so that the shop can log on to WorkCenter and view the assignment.

To import an existing assignment

When you are creating a new assignment, you have the option of checking to see if there is any information already entered for the claim-suffix number. By importing this information you can save the time you would spend re-typing the information.

On the New menu, select Assignment.
Enter the Claim-Suffix number, then click Import.

If a claim already exists in the system, the import window appears.

Select to open the existing assignment or to not import and create a new assignment.

If you select Open existing Assignment, confirm or select the correct suffix.

Click Continue.

The Import window closes and the system shows the appropriate assignment form.

Claim/Policy Information

Claim-Suffix	Enter the claim number and suffix for the assignment. Note: Only the Claim-suffix number is required in this section.
	Click to search for the claim-suffix number. If a match is found, any information in the Administrative Details section will be overwritten with this imported information. To undo any of these, click Undo in the confirmation message at the top of the window.
Choose Adjuster/Adjuster	Click Choose Adjuster or to open the Resource Lookup window. Once an Adjuster is selected, the adjuster's name and contact information appear. Click to change adjusters if needed.
Policy Number	The policy number associated with this claim-suffix.
Deductible	The deductible amount associated with the policy.
Deductible status list	Select Unknown, Waived, Not Waived, or None.

Administrative Details

Claim Party
Insured, Claimant, and Owner These tabs contain the contact information for the various parties associated with the claim-suffix. You can set one of these parties as the primary contact. You must enter the contact information for the Insured or the Claimant before you can send the assignment.
Loss Information
Coverage Type of Loss	Select the type of loss (e.g., collision, fire, theft) from the list.
Date of Loss	Enter the date of loss in the text box or click to select the date from the calendar. You can enter a loss date that is older than five years, but you cannot enter a future date.
Date Reported	Enter the date the loss was reported in the text box or click to select the date from the calendar. You can enter a loss date that is older than five years, but you cannot enter a future date.
Property Type
Property Type	Select the type of property.
Property Description	If the Property Type is other than Motor Vehicle (the default), the Property Description text box appears. Enter information to describe the selected property type.
Property Address	If the Property Type is other than Motor Vehicle (the default), the Property Description section appears. Select the Same as or Other option as needed.
VIN	The Vehicle Identification Number is required before you can send the assignment. If it is not available, select VIN not Available, and enter as much information about the vehicle as possible.
Decode	Click Decode to get the Year, Make, and Model information. The Vehicle Identification area will expand and allow you to enter more detailed information on the vehicle.
Vehicle Condition
Drivable	Select Unknown, Yes, or No.
Primary POI	Select the primary Point of Impact from the list.
Secondary POI(s)	Select any secondary Points of Impact from the list. You can use Ctrl+click and Shift+click to select more than one secondary POI.
Damage Description	In the text box, enter unique or specific damage information not already noted.
Vehicle Location
Same as Primary ZIP/Postal Code	The ZIP or postal code will be used to search for resources within proximity.
Other ZIP/Postal Code	Enter a different ZIP code if needed. The ZIP or postal code will be used to search for resources within proximity.

Required Expertise

Special appraisal attributes

Vehicle Types: Auto, RV, Collectible, Rental, Snowmobile, etc.
Loss Types: CAT, Fire, Theft Recovery
Property Types: Mobile Homes, Fixed property, etc.
Special Skills: Custom paint, Audit, Aluminum repairs, etc.
Languages: Spanish and French

Select the expertise you need for this assignment. These selections help identify qualified resources.

Loss Evaluation

Question/Answer	Prepared questions for the assignment based on the type of vehicle and the reported damage.
Evaluate	After completing questions asked, selecting Evaluate provides Loss Evaluation Results
Loss Evaluation Results	Typical result categories include Repairable, Score in percentage, Outcome message

Inspection Method

Method Options	In most cases, these options will appear: Field Inspection, Network Shop, Non-Network Shop, Independent Appraiser, Drive-in, and Staging Yard. Depending on your configuration, other options may appear.
Resource Lookup	If there are no system recommended resources, click Resource Lookup to search for the resource you want.
Defer Resource Selection to Dispatch Center	Select this check box to have a Dispatch Center select the resource, and then select the dispatch center from the list. This option is not available for all inspection method options.
Choose Other Option	If you want to choose another option than the default, click this link to display the Resource Lookup dialog box and search for the resource you want.

Assignment Details

Appraisal Resource	The resource selected in Inspection Method.
Secondary Notification	Select the method you want to use to send notification to the selected resource.
Assignment Status	The status (for dispatch) of the assignment.
Place on Hold	If you use the Dispatch Scheduling Board, you can place the assignment on hold from here. Placing an assignment on hold prevents it from being scheduled by the Scheduling Engine, and it cannot be dispatched.
Urgency	Select Standard, Elevated, or High from the list.
Assignment Duration	Select the estimated assignment duration from the list.
Customer Scheduling Preferences
Day	Select Day of the week, Date Range, or Specific Date from the list. For Date Range and Specific Date, enter the date in the text box or click to select the date from the calendar.
Time	Select Morning, Afternoon, Time Range, or Specific Time from the list.
Assignment Location
Use Insured/Claimant/Owner Address	A button appears for each contact address you completed in the Administrative Details section. If the vehicle is located at one of these addresses, use the appropriate button to complete the fields with the correct address.
Choose Shop	Click to open the Resource Lookup window and select a shop. The address of the selected shop completes the address fields in this section.
Address information	The address is required before you can send the assignment.
	Click to validate the address. (A complete address is required.) With a valid address, maps and directions to the resource and/or location are available.
Location Type	A short description of where the assignment will take place. It is automatically defined with the shop, drive-in, service center or salvage yard if the corresponding resource was selected in the Inspection Method. For example, if a network shop was chosen in the Inspection Method, then the word "Shop" appears here.
Location Name	Enter the name of the shop, drive-in, service center, or salvage yard.
Travel Required	Select whether travel is required.
Included Artifacts	If photos (or other attachments) are part of the claim, you can select those files here and send them.
Notes	Enter any additional information to help the appraiser complete the assignment.