ATLANTA, July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Crawford
Contractor Connection, a high-quality managed repair vendor network
for residential and commercial property claims, and USAA, a
financial services provider, have expanded their 15-year
partnership to launch the Home Improvement Network, an online
service that connects USAA members with professional
contractors.
"Inexperienced or unreliable contractors can make home
improvements a painful process for the customer," said Angela Wong, USAA's executive director of
product management. "The Home Improvement Network eliminates the
guesswork and gives members the assurance of working with someone
with a history of great service."
Contractor Connection offers a network of more than 4,000
contractors in the United States
and Canada. Initially providing
services to insurers and their claimants, the network launched a
consumer program in 2010. Property owners interested in home
improvement projects now can access Contractor Connection's
credentialed network to provide bids for their work.
The Contractor Connection network includes providers in all
major metro areas and beyond. To be included, contractors must:
- Provide proof of all appropriate licenses and insurance
- Stay in good financial standing
- Own professional equipment and facilities
- Perform background checks on all employees who work at customer
sites
- Provide workmanship warranties
- Meet minimum performance standards to stay in the network.
"Our consumer program leverages our position as an industry
leader for insurance restoration to offer the same value and
benefits to property owners," said Larry C.
Thomas, president of Contractor Connection. "This includes
properly credentialed contractors who are financially stable,
licensed and insured. We track contractor activity and monitor
customer satisfaction to ensure that we are providing a
consistently high level of customer service."
About Crawford
Based in Atlanta, Ga.,
Crawford & Company is the world's largest independent provider
of claims management solutions to the risk management and insurance
industry as well as self-insured entities, with an expansive global
network serving clients in more than 70 countries. The Crawford
System of Claims Solutions(SM) offers comprehensive, integrated
claims services, business process outsourcing and consulting
services for major product lines including property and casualty
claims management, workers compensation claims and medical
management, and legal settlement administration. The Company's
shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbols CRDA and CRDB.
SOURCE Crawford & Company