Cary, N.C. - Doug Cowles, President and CEO of HMI, announced that the company's Authorized Members (AMs) are wasting little time implementing creative programs that leverage the competitive advantage treeShield^® provides them. The treeShield^® Warranty provides the professional tree care companies in HMI's Authorized Member (AM) network with a low-cost way to warranty their clients' trees against storm damage. treeShield^® covers an AM's cost to remove or repair their client's trees if they are damaged or destroyed by a severe weather event. treeShield^® is only available through members of HMI's Network and therefore it represents a valuable competitive advantage against low-cost providers.

"When the treeShield^® program was enhanced recently expanding coverage for commercial and municipal properties we expected our AMs to quickly embrace the opportunity," said Cowles. "Tim Robbins, who runs Arbormax Tree Service, a highly respected tree company in North Carolina, has already won new clients by bundling the price for the treeShield^® Warranty into a quarterly inspection program on commercial properties. It's a very creative way to create a close relationship with a commercial client that provides sales opportunities throughout the year and ensures a phone call when they experience storm damage."

"I've been in this business for a long time and have always been looking for the secret weapon to help create brand loyalty with commercial accounts," said Robbins. "The inspection service combined with my warranty creates a program that is a no-brainer for my clients. For example for less than $200 per quarter I can offer a client, with up to 100 large trees, four on-site inspections per year plus a $15,000 treeShield^® Warranty against storm damage. The price they pay for my inspection service is very attractive and provides them with important information about the health and safety of their trees during the year. But, providing the Warranty coverage makes it an easy decision and treeShield^® solidifies my company's relationship with them, even when my low-priced competitors call on them following a storm."

Through its AM Network HMI represents the only national provider of comprehensive tree and landscaping services for the insurance industry. The company's services include emergency tree removals, standardized health inspections and average replacement cost analysis of trees. HMI currently receives insurance referrals from over 40 large insurance companies and independent adjusters. All referrals are qualified by HMI and provided to Network members. In addition, the treeShield^® Warranty program is only available through AMs in HMI's Network. For more information, please visit HMI's web site www.HMIadvantage.com or call (866) 937-6468.

Arbormax Tree Service has been providing expert tree care and tree removal services to residents of North Carolina since 1999. Arbormax is a family run business and owner Timothy Robbins is a third generation Arborist. The company has become a leader in its market by providing, and guarantying, their client's complete satisfaction. For more information, please visit Arbormax's web site www.ArbormaxTree.com

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