| Message from the President
As we enter the 2010 storm season, I want to share my thoughts on how HMI and our Authorized Members benefit the insurance industry during this typically active time of year. It goes without saying that our ability to provide 24-hour emergency tree removals is a primary benefit; however, our collective value goes well beyond this service.
One of the benefits we provide insurance companies is a high level of customer service. As quality, service-oriented insurance companies work toward distinguishing themselves from the competition, the products and services we offer become very valuable. Being able to provide their clients with access to the best tree care companies in the country following a storm is a valuable service that many insurers don't offer. From the first contact by HMI until the last piece of debris is removed, each client is receiving the highest quality service and support in the industry. We represent a level of service that is unmatched and in demand. [Read more...] |
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| Various Scenarios for Collecting Payment When an Insurance Claim is Involved
Awareness of how the insurance industry works and how payments are processed will help you with collections. You need to know the process, what questions to ask, and who is involved. With this information you will know when payments have been made, how much has been paid out, and who actually received the payments. Ultimately, your contract is with the property owner and you should have a signed work authorization in hand before beginning any job. If you do not collect payment upon completion of the work, following the "money trail" can assist you with the following decisions:
- When should this go to collection?
- When should the insurance company be contacted for payment? (for instance, the insurance company may be withholding payment for the tree work and the property owner does not have the financial ability to pay your bill)
- When should the primary contractor be involved if the work was subcontracted to you?
- When should a mortgage bank be contacted if the insurance payment was made directly to the bank? ( a fairly common occurrence in today's economic environment)
[Read more...] |
| HMI and Cool Springs Press Partner to Publish The Landscape Valuation Guide
HMI recently issued a press release describing an exciting new publication, The Landscape Valuation Guide that we are producing together with Cool Springs Press, a leading publisher of gardening guides. HMI is contributing its extensive data base of replacement costs on trees to provide U.S. property owners with customized Landscape Valuation Guides of the trees and shrubs on their property. The publication will launch in 15 southern states. Authorized Members that are selling HMI's treeFacts ® Reports know the impact of providing your clients with replacement cost values on their important landscape assets. It is our hope that these new Guides will encourage property owners to value their landscape, thus increasing demand for new plants and services to maintain existing ones. [Read more...] |
My First Year with HMI
Andy Ross, President, RTEC Treecare The market is full of websites and services that promise to provide leads for a fee but do not deliver. When I was first introduced to HMI by Ron Keith of Arbor Masters, he said that HMI not only generated meaningful revenue for his company, but that they also assisted with collections and managed the process with insurance companies and adjusters. I was intrigued with what HMI had to offer but still remained skeptical. Then, last year, I joined HMI's network to give it a "test drive".
As an owner of an established tree care company in Virginia, I was not sure how referrals for storm work would actually work. During the initial months of our membership we saw little activity. But when winter storms hit we began receiving assignments. The referral process was efficient and the majority of leads turned into actual jobs. [Read more...] |
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Does HMI dictate my pricing if I get a referral through them?
In instances when HMI provides an authorized member a referral, HMI relies solely on the professionalism and integrity of its members. In some instances HMI is requested by its insurance clientele to provide more details on the invoice but once again HMI does not determine pricing. In instances when HMI hires a member as a consultant, HMI and its member shall agree upon pricing.
Does HMI ever become involved in determining how the work should be done?
Never. HMI allows only leading tree care companies to join its network in order to ensure that tree work is done safely and professionally. HMI unequivocally supports its members without question when it comes to decisions involving safety matters, work planning, equipment, labor and the like.
During storm events, our customers have first priority. How does our being part of HMI's network affect this prioritization of work?
HMI is a membership program that is entirely discretional meaning HMI will offer its members work but not require them to take a job. We understand that in major weather events our members have their own customers that may require emergency work. We work with our members to do triage in order to create sensible and responsible work priorities that will meet the needs of both your and HMI's customers.
How many members are there in my area?
HMI's authorized member program is not a franchise nor is it exclusive so there may be more than one member in any given area. However, HMI wants to create maximum value for its members so we will only recruit multiple members in an area if our commercial activity justifies it. It is important for HMI that we have more than one member in active areas in order to ensure redundancy in case one member cannot take an emergency assignment.
Does HMI give the same referral lead to all members in the area so that I am competing against them to get the job?
No. We are not a random referral generator that distributes referrals to multiple members. Each referral is given to one member only. In areas where there is more than one member referrals are assigned on a round robin basis. |
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