Cary, N.C. - HMI announced that one of its Authorized Members, CW Arborists, Ltd. in East Hampton, Long Island, has become the first company in the country to sell the treeShield^® Warranty. treeShield^® is a service warranty program developed by HMI that enables a qualified property owner to minimize or avoid expensive tree clean-up and restoration costs following a storm. treeShield^® is only available through HMI's Authorized Member Network that includes only high quality and professional tree care companies.

"Mike Gaines, the owner of CW Arborists, provided HMI with good insight during the development of treeShield^®," stated Doug Cowles, HMI's President and CEO. "Mike plans to use the warranty as a premium service that will distinguish his company in a highly competitive market. We are certainly happy to have his company leading the treeShield^® launch."

"With treeShield^® backing our promise to our clients, they know that we will be there to repair what we can and remove what we must if storm damage occurs." said Mike Gaines. "treeShield^® will minimize my customers' anxiety in storm related situations and allow us to do what's best for their trees. I believe treeShield^® represents an important new service that allows professional tree care companies to really differentiate themselves."

HMI is the only national provider of comprehensive insurance claim support and other services involving trees and landscaping. HMI's services include emergency tree removals; standardized health inspections and average replacement costs, proof and cause of loss analyses as well as cost estimates for tree removal and repair. HMI established its Authorized Member network to ensure professional, quality services are available nationwide to insurance organizations, commercial businesses and residential property owners. HMI also developed the treeShield^® Service Warranty that the company's AMs can sell to property owners to aid with post-storm cleanup and recovery. treeShield^® protects property owners from the cost of tree removal, tree debris removal, hazard tree/limb removal, as well as restoration services (restorative pruning, cabling, etc.). For more information, please visit HMI's web site at www.hmiadvantage.com or call (866) 937-6468.

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