An Assignment of Benefits or AOB is a legal document which allows policyholders to assign some or all of the benefits of their insurance policy to another party. This agreement allows the other party to directly deal with the insurance company and the right to enforce its payment. When a claim occurs after unexpected damage, restoration companies will accept an AOB as opposed to receiving cash up front from the policyholder. Then, the contractor will bill the insurer directly so clients don’t have to deal with the hassle of coordinating between their restoration and insurance companies. All in all, this allows restoration contractors to work more efficiently and put their customers first. Below we’ll discuss the benefits of AOBs for contractors and their customers.
Increased Flexibility And Control Over The Claims Process
AOBs help contractors streamline the restoration process because they remove the need to continually run decisions through the client. While being transparent with the client about what is going on is very important, lacking an AOB can significantly delay the restoration process when contractors must check in with the client for every small decision.
“Within the property insurance world the contractor is able to deal directly with your insurance company for payment as long as a client has the appropriate coverage,” said Josh Ehmke, Co-founder and General Counsel of One Claim Solution.
This increased flexibility with the claims process helps contractors deliver services that increase customer satisfaction, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance cash flow.
Increased Customer Satisfaction
AOBs allow contractors to quickly and effectively make decisions that are best for their clients, which leads to greater customer satisfaction.
“AOBs are a great tool for contractors to be able to come in and help put their customers’ minds at ease and assure them that they got the payment part figured out,” Josh said.
According to Josh, contractors can help build trust with clients by being transparent with them.
“Customers don’t always know what the costs are associated with emergency services and sometimes contractors will try to hide those costs from them. That can result in hard feelings and make customers think they got taken advantage of,” Josh said. “But if contractors are upfront with these types of things, and really help your customer understand the nature of the industry, that typically smooths things over.”
The importance of customer satisfaction can’t be overstated, as it establishes a foundation of trust and loyalty. Satisfied clients are more likely to seek the services of the contractor again in the future, ensuring a steady and reliable base of loyal customers.
Alleviated Financial Burdens
Moving through the claims process smoothly is also a huge benefit to homeowners who want to get their life and home back together. In the face of unexpected restoration expenses, homeowners often find themselves grappling with the burden of upfront payments. However, AOBs allow contractors to provide a remarkable benefit that alleviates this financial strain—the ability to proceed with the work without requiring immediate payment. This saves homeowners from tapping into their limited savings or enduring additional financial stress.
AOBs also relieves homeowners from the stress of dealing directly with insurance companies for payment and instead places that responsibility on the contractor. Contractors, being familiar with the industry standards and the value of various services, are well-equipped to create accurate and detailed invoices.
“It doesn’t give the contractor the right to price gouge or bill for additional items because the carrier’s not going to pay anything above what’s reasonable,” Josh said. “But it does allow the contractor to make sure the insurance company does pay the reasonable amount.”
AOBs also help homeowners receive the optimal benefits from their insurance, which is a lifesaver for many individuals and families.
“The more that I’ve been in the industry, the more I realize that insurance is absolutely necessary. With insurance it makes financial sense to buy a house because it’s protected,” Josh said. “There’s a book called ‘Delay, Deny and Defend‘ that I read, and it talks about how insurance is the great equalizer of the American middle class because it allows the middle class to be able to afford houses.”
Josh expressed that adopting this mindset has allowed him to perceive insurance companies from a different perspective, encouraging him to approach them with a willingness to collaborate rather than as adversaries. He suggested considering the fact that homeowners possess the rightful protection to address their needs, and it’s important to find reasonable ways to work together in resolving issues without resorting to unfair pricing practices.
“I also want to help contractors realize that insurance companies aren’t the enemy, that we all exist and they have guaranteed payments for their type of work because of insurance companies,” Josh said. “It’s important to have mutual respect for eachother.”
AOBs are an incredible tool in helping contractors to better serve their customers in the unfortunate event of a property disaster. It streamlines the process to not only ensure a more efficient resolution, but also enables contractors to initiate timely repairs. With the authority granted through AOBs, contractors can expedite the claims process and commence necessary repairs promptly, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of the property and its occupants.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of using AOBs for your jobs, consider subscribing to the newsletter at One Claim Solution today. By staying informed, you can further understand how AOBs can empower contractors to better serve their customers and provide efficient solutions in times of property disasters.