SEER Insurance Inspections, Inc.
SEER Insurance Inspections, Inc. is an insurance field-services company, operating from sea to shining sea across the fruited plains of North America. |
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| Remote Support Available | Our quality products are offered at competitive rates, and with a consistent level of service that no one can match. Reports from SEER deliver the information you need in a way that is satisfying, as well as enable your policy fee to be a profit center, not an expense. |
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When you order with SEER, we become more than your eyes and ears in the field; we help anticipate concerns and partner with you in understanding what you are insuring. Feel free to browse the rest of our website and give us a call so we can start our relationship today. Discover that SEER is more than a vendor: we become your partner. |
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SEER Insurance Inspections, Inc. Phone: 803 642-3573 Fax: 803 642-5394 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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| SEER Inspections provides a complete range of inspection service to Commercial and Personal lines Underwriters across the country and has done so since 1991. We currently serve over 100 Underwriting offices across the Nation and with many of them we enjoy the distinction of being their preeminent inspection source. We can save you money and headaches, plus add speed and convenience in fulfilling your inspection needs. First and foremost, our goal is to create a genuine, mutually beneficial partnership with our clients. |
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We Offer: |
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Stability and Experience: We have been around a long time and will not leave you hanging. We know how to finish work. |
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Errors and Omissions Insurance Coverage: Full insurance coverage lowers your exposure. Ask for COL |
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Nearly 500 Highly Experienced Inspectors |
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Coverage of all Zip Codes: Including Alaska & Hawaii |
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One Flat Rate, no hourly fees: Know your costs up front |
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Easy on-line ordering: Just one of the many ways to order |
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Data Transfer Feed: Automated process, no double entry for you |
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Great People Providing Quality Service |
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What we do (in a nutshell)
We conduct field services for insurance companies, specifically, but not limited to, inspections. These inspections are performed both physically in the field, and/or from our office via telephone interview. The method used depends on program, or type of coverage, and previously agreed upon parameters with our client companies.
A unique record is created in our database for each specific case; it is assigned to an inspector (either "zip code based" for the field, or worked from the office, or a combination of these methods); information is gathered, it is assembled together in a report, and the report is emailed to the client company in an Adobe .pdf 
format.
All the actions along the way are logged and recorded, and the report we produce is archived on the individual record. Paper (brochures, field notes, business cards, paper photographs, letters, envelopes) are saved for one year and then destroyed.
How insurance is sold: a primer
Insurance, even though it is an intangible (only a contract) it is sold remarkably like any other merchandise, say, Hershey candy bars: Hershey has a manufacturing plant where the candy bars are produced in bulk. They are sent out to area distribution by the truckload on pallets.
These truckloads are unloaded at an area distribution warehouse where different pallets are sent out to distributors in states, who break them down into cases, and these cases are sent to retailers in neighborhoods, where consumers come in at the street level and buy the contents of the cases (a candy bar) one at a time.
Insurance is not too different. Consumers do not come off the street and deal directly with the large houses. Large houses, such as the Lloyd's of London groups, Scottsdale, Lexington, Essex, and etc., offer coverage, but only through regional distribution.
These regional distributors are called Managing General Agents (MGA). MGAs represent the large houses (called the Carrier) in a state or collection of states, through retail houses (producing agents) at the street level.
These retail houses are the neighborhood agencies. The carrier, or company that actually takes the risk is like Hershey; they do not sell directly to the consumer, anymore than you could go to the plant and buy one candy bar. There are exceptions, like State Farm Insurance, who control distribution from main office to the street level, and their agents can ONLY sell their company's line in very specific ways to a narrow group of customers who fit certain underwriting guidelines.
Where we fit in
If you were to open a restaurant or motel, or buy a house, one of the steps you would take before you open for business would be to visit your favorite retail insurance agency and obtain insurance coverage for your particular business or home. You would fill out an application and give the agent a check to pay for the first installment of the premium.
This check or cash is called a binder. It "binds" the company to cover you from that minute forward. However, the company has the right, under state law, to review the subject property or business to be sure it is what it is represented to be, be sure it is suitable for coverage, and finally decide to keep or deny coverage.
This is where we come in. We are hired by the MGAs to go inspect these new contracts or the properties they cover, and write a report that describes the risk and make recommendations as to suitability or recommend changes or improvements that would possibly prevent a loss.
So we serve two purposes: 1) we more accurately describe the property or business than does the application, so the underwriters can make a more informed decision, and 2) we look out for problems that might result in losses, and make recommendations for mitigating or minimizing the potential for loss.
What our client does
At the inception of coverage, the MGA goes through a process of decision-making, and our report is a major part of this process. They will do one or more things:
How we respresent ourselves to our clients' customers
We conduct inspections as a third party verification service, and are there for an inspection. We never make statements that lead anyone to believe we have any information or make decisions about their coverage that is binding in any way.
We do not represent that we have any underwriting powers, do not lead anyone to believe that they will or will not be canceled or renewed, or continued, and if asked, we defer all questions and/or complaints about coverage, especially about premiums, to the agent.
We are clear, very clear, in our understanding and in our representation, that our only task is to collect information at the request of our client, the underwriter of the coverage. We do not make decisions that bind, continue, or cancel coverage. We normally are not included in, nor have knowledge of, final decisions of our client companies.
If the inspection is refused
We are paid from the policy fee, so we have no pecuniary interest in whether or not the coverage is maintained, thus we can be objective. If an insured refuses to be inspected, our responsibility is to be sure we have accurately informed the insured who we are and why we are there, being careful not to make any threatening comments.
We should make all reasonable accommodations for them, and if they still refuse, our responsibility is to report the fact that they have refused inspection. It is likely that their coverage will be canceled, but we have no surety of this, it is not automatic, and we will not represent that this will be the result.
Disclaimer
This disclaimer applies to all reports produced by us, past, present and future. Information contained on reports is gathered by humans in real world conditions and may also contain information reported by other humans, and as such is subject to error and interpretation, and in some cases relies upon the good faith and factual answers of the subject insured. Information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted to be so. Our warranty extends only to a re-inspection and review of reports and re-writing at our expense. We assume no liability or damages resulting from the use of our reports.
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Our Team of Inspectors are the Lifeblood of SEER. |
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Our inspectors are 100% qualified independents. Some work for other companies similar to ours, some are retired insurance professionals, some are first-responders or firemen working part time. All have to adhere to our policies and procedures, and information gathered has to pass through an authentication process that assures consistency and accuracy. |
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Resolving conflicts: What do I do if the insured is uncooperative?
The insured says someone was already here to inspect. What do I tell them?
Insured told me he also has Address B insured next door, or across town. Do I inspect it also?
Because we need a quick turnaround, and because gas is so expensive, we ask that your area be limited to what you can comfortably do within the fee structure and time window. See maps for reference [Provide your area of coverage using these maps]
Because we charge a flat fee, we pay a flat fee. There are special circumstances, of course. For confidential reasons we prefer you talk to us on the phone about this. No need to show our cards to the world, you understand.
Within 30 days of your submission. Sometimes sooner; generally your oldest invoice may be about 30 days old, and others that are younger will be paid with it. We usually pay at least twice a month.
4. Do you pay mileage or expenses?
No. As an independent, these are your responsibility, and we encourage you to keep extremely detailed records for your tax filings.
5. What tax records do you provide?
We send a 1099 form in January of the next year. If you make less than $600, there will be no 1099 sent. We will need your social security number (required by law).
No, you are not an adjuster. That is an entirely different field. What we do is paint a picture for the underwriter so they can get a better understanding of what is insured, and make a good decision. If damage is seen, though, you should make a note of it, but that is not the trigger that sends us out.
7. What triggers an inspection?
New inspections are triggered by some change in the coverage; primarily a NEW event. It may be new coverage, a renewal (including some change), or a periodic update.
8. How many inspections do you have in my area?
Right now there may be only a few, but we are getting our inspectors in place; more marketing in your state will increase the volume. We are positioning for future growth in the near future.
9. Are local agents often requested to verify my credentials?
Yes and No. They are sometimes asked, but not often, and in fact, they wouldn't know who we are anyway. Normally an insured is satisfied by seeing their agent's name (be sure you are prepared with an IR in hand). Especially since 9-11, we have seen a slight increase in paranoia but are prepared to show our credentials to involved parties, because everything we do is completely in sight. We operate in the open, do not sneak around to obtain information, and are totally above board about every single thing we do. Some people dislike having to jump through hoops because it wastes time and they would like to get on with it, but we totally understand hesitation on the part of the insured. We are willing to tolerate the confirmation, and you should patiently tolerate it as well, and help as much as possible. It is increasingly becoming part of the process, and we all are adjusting. Remember, the agent will not know who you (or we) are, but they WILL know who the underwriter is, so, as much as the agent's name is a key piece of information for the insured to recognize, the underwriter is a key piece of information for the agent to recognize. The underwriter might only be identified by initials on the IR so call us if necessary.
You do not represent the insurance agent, nor the carrying company. You work for a third party verification service, at the behest of the underwriter.
Internet access, a digital camera, and a measuring wheel. Polaroid and 35mm cameras are no longer acceptable.
12. How do I dress to inspect?
We expect you to look professional. A collared shirt, and slacks like khaki pants preferred. No sandals. No do-rags. Please no T-shirts. Shirt tucked in. If you are an off duty official, please don't wear your uniform unless you are totally comfortable in doing so; it might frighten people or give the wrong impression that you are on official government business. Just make it clear that you are working on your "off" time.
13. I am a firefighter. How is this process familiar?
It is very similar to the pre-plan you do for the fire department; type of construction, fire protection, layout of building, distance to hydrants, etc.
The two most commonly used forms are the MP form and Dwelling form. As you can see the forms are mostly check list and fill in the blank type. Please answer all blanks and don't give short answers. The more you explain the better. Keep in mind that when you are finished with your forms, a complete stranger should be able to read and know exactly without any question what this business does. Photos are worth a thousand words. If you can't explain to someone what this business does from your forms, nobody else can either. Keep in mind you are our "eyes and ears" in the field. Our reports depend on your accurate prompt information. We are a team! If you need to add additional comments, please do so. You don't need to over kill, but too little information does not provide necessary info.
15. How do I get the information back to you?
We have new system called the Inspector Extranet. Upon being hired, you will receive a username, password, and and information explaining the Extranet. This new system allows you to input your forms and send photos via our website.
Please use the Inspector Extranet to submit all work and pictures. If for some reason you are having problems with the extranet, please contact the office.
Currently we have 2 team leaders/account managers who are your main contacts.
18. You sent me an inspection too far away. What do I do?
LET US KNOW immediately. Don't sit on it. We don't expect anyone to work for nothing of course, and don't want you to work at a loss, so let us know immediately if you are assigned zip codes that are too far to handle. By the same token, remember that you are a lot closer than we are, and if you have a bunch close together, remember those were easy. We take the good with the bad and feel it averages out. But if something is indeed too far, call and maybe we can get more fee, or make some other arrangements.
Certainly. They are your best source of location information next to the insured themselves. Just don't wear out your welcome. Treat them with utmost courtesy and be professional. Be familiar with the process before you call so you understand where you fit in the process. See the operations tab. In many cases they can smooth the way for you and will help if they can.
20. I can't find it! What do I do?
Please exhaust reasonable efforts. Call the insured, if no luck, call the agent. If necessary, ask at a fire station or pizza parlor. Call us from the field. We are your support staff and will do all we can to help you find a location. Remember that most of us in the office have or still do field inspections, so we understand the frustration of dealing with field problems, and will do what we can to help you. Everything can be found; we just need to find the right person. It is VERY important that you contact us immediately with any delay or problem you incur when completing your request. If you are denied access or have an incorrect address OR anything that prevents normal quick completion/flow, call our office as soon as possible.
If the address does not exist, and you cannot get resolution in any way or If the Insured does not answer phone or return calls, agent is unreachable or doesn't know, then turn it in with explanation of your efforts. You will be paid a fair price for the effort. Nobody likes a dud.
21. Resolving conflicts: What do I do if the insured is uncooperative?
First rule: Never have a confrontation. Maintain calmness and professionalism. Be sure you have calmly explained who you are and why you are there. Frequently we hear, "this is the first time this has ever happened to me." This is probably just the first time they knew about it. If you are sure you have adequately explained and the insured remains confrontational, try to accommodate them in any way. If they want to call the agent, that is fine. Remain calm. If it is simply irresolvable and they want you to evaporate, thank them for their time, leave, and notify us as soon as possible. We are likely to call the agent and see if he can reason with them. Once they fully understand the gravity of turning you away they are likely to repent, so be sure you have professionally represented us and yourself, and be prepared to return and be nice. Either way you get paid so don't worry about it. Just be sure you are NICE.
22. The insured says someone was already here to inspect. What do I tell them?
Sometimes an agent puts together an insurance package for an insured that has many components involving more than one insurance company. It is very possible that another company has hired another inspector to look at another part of the risk. Reassure them that "this is your agent" (show them on the form) and that you have been hired to inspect this portion of the coverage. The other guy probably had another part of it, and it is not unusual at all.
23. Insured told me he also has Address B insured next door, or across town. Do I inspect it also?
Not at this time. We were ordered to inspect Address A. If insured also has Address B, mention it in your report, but do not inspect. The company may be asking for a sampling and chose Address A. If we mention Address B they have the option of ordering a full inspection or not.
24. Insured told me the place is elsewhere.
Call us. We need to get authorization to inspect the new location.
We will provide training memos as things are brought to our attention from our underwriters.
Remember, look professional, be nice. THANK YOU for being our eyes and ears in the field.
Working together we will all have plenty of work from our underwriters.
"We are more than a Vendor, We are your Partner!" |
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We are pleased that you are looking at our service.
We hope that you will find information here that is helpful to you and shows the level of service we can
provide. I believe you will be pleased to discover us. |
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You can learn much about us by browsing our website.
Please look at the Frequently Asked Questions for underwriters. You may also look at the instructions
to field inspectors, our “Policies and Procedures” and other descriptions of operations. “Walk the grounds until you feel at home,” in the words of Paul Simon. If you still
have questions, please call our friendly staff. |
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Basically, we strive to provide to insurance underwriters a
clear picture of what they have bound for coverage, and give reasonable assessments of risk from several
points of view, in an easy-to-read format that includes liberal photographs. We make recommendations
that are fair and reasonable, and within normal industry standards and common sense. |
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Because our service is internet based we can provide extremely
fast service. Field people receive their orders within minutes of your sending to us. Some inspections,
such as telephone surveys are completed in a matter of hours, depending on the cooperation of the insured.
Field inspections are normally done well within the industry standard of 30 days, depending on location. We
have over 450 inspectors in the field, and if you have a special need in an area, we will gear up with more people
there just for you. |
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Our standard service is fairly priced, and the product is
consistent across the board. Also, we will custom-make applications for you if our standard service
does not fit your needs. But many companies love our standard service. |
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| Please give us a call at (800) 499-5225, or drop us a note at info@seerinspections.net. We are always happy to make new
friends. |
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Sincerely, |
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We are an inspection company based in Aiken, SC, serving many MGAs nationwide. In fact, some consider us their secret. We specialize in commercial and personal lines loss-control inspections, (typical coverage by Lloyds, Essex, Scottsdale, Monticello, etc.) such as dwellings, daycare centers, resident care homes, restaurants, bar/taverns, retail stores, condo complexes, pawn shops, and so forth). We are especially well-equipped to conduct telephone inspections/audits.
Our narratives precisely illuminate the features our underwriters are looking for in a readable and logical format. We are very adaptable to your needs, and have even designed programs and forms for various clients. Fees are within industry standards, time service is good, and most companies who have used us prefer our informative and concise reports. Our references are readily available.
If you're happy with your present service, all well and good. If you are thinking of improving , try us and you will quickly find that all "facts" are not "equal," and you do have another choice that is reliable. We invite you to give us a call at 1-800-499-5225 and let's chat.
Contact Us |
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SEER Insurance Inspections, Inc. |
When contacting SEER, please have your IR number ready or include the IR number in your emails. If you do not know your IR number, please include the name of the Insured and policy number. |
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Call Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm EST |
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Mapping Tools |
Construction Tools |
Insurance Publications |
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bing.com |
OSHA |
Insurance Journal.com |
GoogleMaps |
ISO |
The National Underwriter Company |
MapQuest |
Realtor.org |
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America |
U.S. Geological Survey |
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P & C National Underwriter |
CDS Business Mapping |
Historical Concepts |
einsuranceprofessional.com |
U.S. County Outline Maps |
American Wood Council |
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Don Vandervort's Home Tips.com |
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Tech Tools & Tips |
Drawing Tools |
Chicken House Inspections |
Get Adobe Acrobat here |
Tips on how to use Rapid Sketch by Utilant |
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Get Microsoft Silverlight here |
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Microsoft Updates |
Rules and Regulations |
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ieSpell |
Federal Trade Commission |
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Policies, procedures, and general philosophy
Inspectors must always carry identification.
The first form of ID is the IR (Inspection Request) which contains all information about who is who
Inspector’s ID card, issued by SEER
Business cards
Inspectors do not necessarily need to make appointments (except in cases of battered women’s shelters, any child related care facility, private homes where an interior inspection is ordered, and where specifically requested).
Inspectors are expected to be professional and courteous at all times.
We are paid by the stop, not by the form, and the fee is generally a flat fee. We are paid to tell what is at a location. In extreme cases, please call in for fee adjustment or advice.
Inspectors are expected to make a reasonable effort at street level to locate insured before calling SEER. This means calling the insured, calling the agent, stopping at fire stations or other information sources.Call everyone at the street level, but not the underwriter. That is our job once basic sources are exhausted. All properties can be found; we just need to find the right person. Make reasonable accommodations. Remember, our competition will have no problem finding it and making us look incompetent.
We know the information we receive is not perfect. That is why we have a job. As one underwriting manager told us, “if everything was perfect, we wouldn’t need you.” So we are happy to be the problem solvers. If you are highly irritated by frequent bad information, perhaps you are in the wrong business, because we are paid to straighten out misinformation and set the record straight. We are the explainers and problem solvers.
Do not ask associates or employees for sensitive or confidential information, such as gross receipts. If the principal is not available, call later or refer it to our office for follow-up.
Wrong address procedure:
- Insured told me the place is elsewhere
Call us. We need to get authorization to inspect the new location.
- Insured told me he also has Address B insured next door, or across town. Do I inspect it also?
Not at this time. We were ordered to inspect Address A. If insured also has Address B, mention it in your report, but do not inspect. The
company may be asking for a sampling and chose Address A. If we mention Address B they have the option of ordering a full inspection or not.
- Address does not exist:
Call insured. Call agent. Maybe there was a typo. Maybe the street ends here but continues on the other side of this block. Call us if you
cannot resolve it at the street level. Expend reasonable effort.
- Address does not exist, and you cannot get resolution. Insured does not answer phone or return calls, agent is unreachable or doesn't know.
Turn it in with explanation of your efforts. You will be paid a fair price for the effort. Nobody likes a dud.
If the wrong place was inspected (it can happen) our action depends on
two conditions:
- has the report been written and submitted?
- or has it not?
If it has NOT been submitted and we discover it is a bad location before the narrative is sent, we send it out for a redo, inspector's fee depending on whose fault it is (if it is a clerical error in back-office, we pay him again… it is not his fault. If the inspector
made the mistake, we ask him to redo at his expense). For the report, we clear the narrative input form of information results and re-enter the correct information. Our charge to our client is the same, unless they caused the bad location with bad info that they
later corrected. Fees depend on work performed in these cases. We only want to reimburse the field inspector.
If it HAS been submitted, we would not know it was the wrong location until the client returns to us and notifies us of the mistake, or
asks for clarification (doesn't match what they have, or doesn't match old photos, or the agent has personal experience with the property, etc.) In that case, we Duplicate the IR making a new IR, and send it back to the field.
Charges depend on who is at fault for the bad address: If it is
-our fault, we pay the inspector and do not charge the client.
-inspector's fault, we do not pay the inspector, and do not charge the client;
-the company's fault (sent us to the wrong place, or we actually did the correct place and we can substantiate it) we pay the inspector, and charge the client.
Clarifying information: if you correct misinformation of any kind on the request, such as street number, please tell us “how you know” so we can explain. For example, if the IR asks for 507 and you inspect 509, unless you explain that you met the insured and he verified that the address on the IR is a typo and is actually 509, the company is probably going to ask us why we inspected the wrong place. So any corrections must have some sort of explanation of why they were corrected. Always tell how you know something. It is not that we don’t believe you, it just saves time up front.
ALWAYS note the name of the person you talked to.
Photographs: A front and rear photo of properties are standard parts of field inspections. If a pool is present, it is always photographed. Other hazards are photographed as well, to document recommendations. Exceptions: with properties that have extreme damage or many instance of damage, only a sampling will be done; it is redundant to show every instance of graffiti, where one photo can show it is extant. Photos are included in the base price.
