Cleanup Group Allies With Claim Handler

"We're very pleased with the results of connecting ServiceMaster Clean to the claim reporting service we have with First Notice Systems," said Gale Harder, assistant vice president of claims at General Casualty Insurance Companies.

"Being able to immediately enlist a restoration specialist for any type of water loss means that we have a chance to contain damage before it gets worse. This service is very convenient for our policyholders who are looking for a restoration solution that's available on short notice," commented Ms. Harder.

Insurance carriers that utilize First Notice Systems' outsourced claim-reporting services or its claim reporting software ? ClaimCapture ? can easily leverage this combined service, the alliance announcement said.

Insurers determine up-front the conditions under which ServiceMaster Clean restoration specialists are offered to callers, it was explained.

The companies noted, for example, that carriers often choose to extend this option only to policyholders with a certain type of coverage, loss type or loss severity. Once a caller is deemed eligible ? a process that's automated by First Notice's claim reporting application ? the customer service representative explains the program to the claimant using carrier-specific scripting.

If the caller expresses interest in ServiceMaster Clean, the claim information is instantly transmitted to one of ServiceMaster Clean's Quality Restoration Vendor businesses, which calls back the insured within one hour to schedule an appointment at the damage site. The restoration specialist then arrives on site within four hours to work at stopping water damage.

"By triggering our emergency restoration services during First Notice's claim reporting process, we can get to the loss site sooner and maximize the impact of our restoration services," commented Jeff Coulter, vice president of Disaster Restoration at ServiceMaster Clean.

Mr. Coulter noted that "water is a moving fluid. It seeks equilibrium. The longer it's left untouched, the more damage it causes a homeowner.",

ServiceMaster Clean, said that working with the Boston Consulting Group, found that 85 percent of damaged flooring is saved when homeowners' claims are referred to them within two days of the loss date.

"Many of our clients are familiar with ServiceMaster Clean and have relied on them at the local level," said Will Fulton, First Notice Systems president. "With our new joint solution, their restoration specialists can be even more effective because they're dispatched earlier in the claims process."

ServiceMaster, which offers lawn care and landscape maintenance, termite and pest control, plumbing, heating and air conditioning services, cleaning, furniture repair and home warranty, said it has over 5,400 company-owned and franchised service centers and business units.

First Notice Systems ^,founded in 1993, (www.firstnotice.com) is a provider of claim reporting and customer service solutions to the insurance and healthcare industries. The firm connects insurance carriers, third-party administrators and healthcare organizations with their customers through a combination of call center outsourcing services and rules-based Web technology.