Preliminary photos templates customization

How to create, edit and manage Preliminary Photo Templates used by EstVis mobile apps for structured photo documentation.

Overview

A Preliminary Photo Template is a structured photo-documentation template used during the photo capture process in the EstVis mobile apps (iOS and Android). A template defines:

the template name (usually the insurance company name),
a short template code shown in Workflow and mobile interfaces,
contact fields (phone, email) and an optional message for the insurer,
a list of ordered photo categories (Preconditions / Preliminary photo categories) and the required number of photos for each category.

Choosing an insurance template ensures the app guides users to capture photos in the insurer-required order and with correct descriptions.

Different insurance companies require slightly different sets of photos. EstVis uses templates to guide users through capturing required details, reducing missed shots and unnecessary photos. When exporting case photos to an insurer, EstVis automatically optimizes image size and adds overlayed photo names to simplify review.

Accessing Preliminary photos templates

Go to the Settings page, then select Preliminary photos templates in the left menu.

On this page you will see the list of available photo templates for the selected shop.

If you manage more than one bodyshop, first select the specific shop from the dropdown in the top-left corner of the screen.

Built-in templates

Initially you will see several pre-created (built-in) templates. These templates cannot be edited, but they can be duplicated and used as the basis for custom templates.

Available built-in templates (may vary by application version):

Unassigned – default template with a comprehensive list of categories.
Progressive – adapted to Progressive photo requirements.
State Farm Insurance Companies – adapted to State Farm requirements.
Mercury Insurance Group – adapted to Mercury Insurance requirements.
Geico – adapted to Geico requirements.

Built-in templates are protected from editing but can be duplicated to create custom templates.

You can reorder templates in the list by dragging a template row up or down.

Create or edit a template

To create a new template: click Create New.
To edit an existing (custom) template: click Edit on the template row.

The create/edit template page opens containing:

Template name – visible name for the template (typically the insurer name); you may use any name.
Template code – short code shown in Workflow and mobile app on the case card.
Additional phone – insurance company cell phone number.
Additional email – insurance company email address.
Additional message – message template for sending to the insurance company.

EstVis can send automated notifications to an insurer (SMS and/or Email) when a case moves to a specific bucket. For that to work, the bucket must have the action SendStatusNotifyToInsurance configured on the Bucket Customization page and the insurer's contact details and message template must be filled in this photo template.

More about configuring buckets, statuses and automated actions: Workflow Statuses (Buckets) & Automated Actions

You can use template variables for automatic substitution in Additional message

Preconditions area and precondition lines

Below the main template fields you will find the Preconditions area – a palette of available precondition types (photo categories) such as VIN Plate, Left Rear Corner, Damage Area, etc. The current template’s ordered list of precondition lines appears next to it.

To add a precondition line to the template, drag the desired precondition from the Preconditions area into the template list.

To remove a precondition line, click the – button on the right side of that line.

You can change the order of precondition lines by dragging them up or down. The mobile app will guide users through photo documentation process following this same order.

For each precondition line set the required number of photos. Available options:

Infinite – no automatic limit; user can take any number of photos.
1 photo
2 photos
3 photos

When the mobile app reaches the configured number of photos for a precondition line it will automatically advance to the next line. If a line is set to Infinite, the app will not advance automatically and the user must proceed manually.

After making changes to the template click Save to persist your changes.

Create a new template by copying an existing one

To duplicate an existing template and use it as a starting point for a new template, click Copy on the template row. The create/edit page opens with all fields and precondition lines prefilled from the source template. Modify name, code, contact fields, precondition lines and photo counts as needed, then click Save.

Delete a template

To delete a custom template, click the X button on the template row.

Built-in (preinstalled) templates cannot be deleted.

Restore defaults

If you want to revert the page and template list to the original developer-provided state, use the Restore Defaults button.

Restoring defaults will remove all your custom templates and any edits you made on this page. Use with caution.

Tips and best practices

Start from the insurer’s built-in template (copy it) and then remove or reorder preconditions to match that insurer’s submission rules.
Use concise Template code values so they are easy to identify on case cards in Workflow and mobile apps.
Fill in Additional phone, Additional email, and Additional message if you want automated notifications sent to the insurer (requires bucket action configuration).
Prefer the smallest required photo counts that still meet insurer requirements – this reduces user time and storage needs.