Author: Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Breaking Barriers & Taking Names

Breaking Barriers & Taking Names

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Breaking Barriers & Taking Names

 

What a whirlwind! Michele Loker started at America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) in August 2019, both as a brand-new Area Sales Manager and in a brand-new APHW territory. After rocking that for about 6 months, APHW promoted her to a Senior Virtual Sales Manager training position. Suffice it to say, she’s had quite a ride breaking barriers and taking names!

Taking the Leap

“I loved the challenge of having a completely new territory,” Michele said, adding that over 25 years in the real estate industry contributed to her success. But Michele was quick to recognize her colleagues as well. “Everyone in this company was just such a tremendous help! There’s no one that I can’t just pick up the phone and ask a question of.”

Of course, APHW customers choosing their own licensed contractors made a good selling point. “Every time I mention it to an agent, I just pause and their jaw drops,” Michele said. “I knew it would be a big hit to get me started.”

A Greater Challenge

Building a territory from the ground up certainly kept her busy, but this is a woman who leaps at opportunity. “I have a background in real estate training, and I overheard a conversation about a new training role,” Michele said. So she leapt, applied, and gained the position. “Now I’m responsible for a virtual training world to train new real estate agents in all the ways APHW can help build their business,” she said.

“When I first hired in, I saw the opportunities to come with the growth of the company. Having that opportunity right now is just amazing, and I truly feel that they know who you are here—you’re not just a number, or just an employee. The family atmosphere is genuine, through and through.”

Michele loves her current role and plans to keep breaking barriers and taking names. “It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s challenging—there’s never a dull moment, that’s for sure,” she said. “And life is too short to be anything but happy.”

Call 800.648.5006 ext. 232 or visit APHW.COM today for information on job opportunities.

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Start a Claim Online

Start a Claim Online Is Here!

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Start a Claim OnlineHEY! Did you know you can now Start A Claim Online with America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW)? You did? Okay, alright… it’s been here for a minute, true. BUT! Did you know about…

All the benefits that come with it:

  • NO LINES: We know you love our award-winning customer service, but sometimes you just don’t have the time to talk! Whether you’re at work, out with the kids, away on a business trip—how convenient would it be to fill out three little things on a form and instantly get a claim number?
  • EASY TRACKING: Just log in, and from the moment you complete our simple online form, your claim number immediately arrives in an email—along with the ability to track all sorts of useful things, including any active warranties, all claims, claim status and updates, authorized contacts, payments, and more.
  • PERSONAL UPDATES: Need to update your contact phone or email? How about authorized users on your account (like a property manager or your parents if you’re out of town)? With Start a Claim Online, you have easy access to update these details on your account from any device, giving you the freedom to maneuver when you need it.

“It’s easy information and an easy registration process, with all your instructions right there,” said APHW Technology Administrator Tim Henderson, who led the design of the program. “You can validate all your information, add authorized contacts, and even dig deeper to get more detail about your claim. And you can see exactly what has been approved all the way through. We’ve actually gotten a lot of compliments on it,” he said.

“We want to ensure that our customers can always quickly and easily start a claim at any time, and get their contractor appointment set,” said APHW Vice President of Operations Mike Sadler. “Start a Claim Online can be especially useful to you during times with higher call volumes.”

Need more info?

Visit APHW.COM and click Start a Claim to get started, or call 800.648.5006 for more information.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty Donation Leads to Child and Family Charities Gift Cards

Plans Change, But CFC Still Finds a Way to Recognize Foster Families

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty Donation Leads to Child and Family Charities Gift CardsEvery year, Child and Family Charities (CFC) of mid-Michigan finds a way to recognize and thank their foster families. This year, between mass closures and social distancing, they needed a new way to do that—and America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) stepped up.

“APHW sponsors our event with a Lansing Lugnuts game every year, so foster families can come enjoy a meal and we can thank them, but we couldn’t do that this year,” said CFC CEO Julie Thomasma. “So we were talking about another way to recognize the families.”

During this difficult time, foster families are facing additional challenges between home schooling and earning issues, among other things. “So we used the money to purchase Meijer gift cards, and worked with APHW to develop postcards with a message of thanks,” Julie said.

The gifts are going out to about 60 foster families in mid-Michigan this week, and Julie is thrilled that CFC is able to do so through APHW’s sponsorship. “These have been unique times for our families, and they will appreciate being seen and recognized in this way,” she said. “There are a lot of unsung heroes in the background—social workers, foster families, and the people who keep working for these kids. We appreciate you all, and God bless!”

Visit ChildandFamily.org today to learn more about this amazing organization!

For more information about America’s Preferred Home Warranty, visit APHW.COM or call 888.351.3681 today.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty Donates to Flood Relief

Doubling Down on Giving Back — And Then Some

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty Donates to Flood ReliefA couple days ago we shared a video and information regarding America’s Preferred Home Warranty’s (APHW) contributions to the Keller Williams (KW) Premier Real Estate flood relief efforts in Midland, Michigan. Here is the rest of that story—including doubling down with an additional $100,000 donation to the charity organization Samaritan’s Purse.

Two Cultures, One Purpose

APHW and KW have a longstanding relationship that’s beyond just being business partners; they also have similar values. “Their culture very much mirrors our own in giving back to those in need,” said APHW Area Sales Manager Brian Heath. “So when they asked us to get involved with their project in Midland, it just made sense.”

KW initially asked APHW to sponsor a breakfast for the KW volunteers on Thursday, June 4th. But APHW President and Owner Randy Caltrider felt moved to do more.

“He wanted to do something on a larger scale,” Brian said. “God put it on Randy’s heart to help the KW relief efforts with a donation of $25,000 on top of the sponsored breakfast, and we also had several staff members volunteer to help that day.”

But Randy Wasn’t Done

After some research, he donated $100,000 to Samaritan’s Purse as well. “They’re just phenomenal,” Randy said. “They were the first ones on the ground in Italy when COVID-19 hit, and then they went to New York and set up a complete tent hospital in Central Park. The unselfish things they do all over the world brings tears to my eyes, and they’re in Midland right now.”

Between APHW doubling down, KW’s efforts, Samaritan’s Purse, and a LOT of other volunteers, Midland will soon become home again to its residents. “For me it was just a small thing of giving of my time and energy,” Brian said. “But for the families we helped, it was the world.”

Visit SamaritansPurse.org for more information about the charity, or to donate to their cause.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, In Good Hands, Customer Service

In Good Hands – Literally

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty, In Good Hands, Customer Service

Sometimes ‘snail-mail’ is the only option, so it’s nice to know when you’re in good hands. This was the literal case for a potential customer, when Elizabeth Sokol personally delivered an America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) brochure to her home.

As someone who typically works with real estate agents, the APHW North and South Carolina Area Sales Manager didn’t understand at first why she had received the request, or why APHW had mailed the warranty instead of sending it by email. “I couldn’t find her as a REALTOR® or a homeowner in our system, so I called her,” she said.

When ‘The Usual’ Isn’t Quite Enough

It turned out the homeowner wasn’t terribly computer savvy, so she was waiting for ‘snail mail’ to come through instead—but COVID-19 kept causing delays with the postal service. “And when I talked to her, I realized she was also an unaffiliated REALTOR®, who lives only about four miles from me,” Elizabeth said. “And she was so excited to have somebody local that she knew was attached to the warranty she was trying to purchase!”

Going the Extra Mile – Literally!

They discussed coverage options for a while, and the REALTOR® asked Elizabeth if she could come drop off a brochure at her home. “I said, ‘I’m almost at your driveway,’ and she just lit up over the phone,” Elizabeth said. “So I got there, stood on the front porch, and told her how the home warranty would pertain to her particular situation. She’s not selling right now, but she will be, and she wanted the best coverage.”

The REALTOR® originally discovered APHW through her Continuing Education training, where another real estate agent had recommended the company. “We’ve talked a couple times since then,” Elizabeth said. “And I’ll call her back again today with more answers about getting her registered as an agency.”

More Information

Are you a real estate agent? Call 800.648.5006 ext. 179 or visit APHW.COM for to see how APHW can help you grow your business—you’ll be in good hands.

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America's Preferred Home Warranty, Midland, Michigan, Flood Relief, KW

KW & APHW Partner in Offering Flood Relief for Midland, MI

Posted on | by Clive Gillett


Keller Williams (KW) Premier Real Estate coordinated a flood relief effort in the Midland area, after heavy rains on May 19 caused two dams to fail in Michigan. The flooding forced about 10,000 people to evacuate their homes and caused nearly $20 million in damages to Midland, Gladwin, and Saginaw counties.

KW invited America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) to sponsor a breakfast for their volunteers. APHW was honored to help, and took things a few steps further, including additional volunteers and a check for $25,000 toward the effort, as well as a letter with the following statement:

“APHW has grown exponentially over the last several years, built upon the cornerstone of Luke 12:48 of the Bible: ‘To whom much is given, much will be required.’ … In giving the glory back to God, we want to give back to you … We pray that these funds and volunteers help in your efforts to bring Midland, Michigan back to the place so many people call home. You are doing the work of God. May He Bless you and give you strength as you continue your efforts.”

Let us know your thoughts on this flood relief story, on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram.

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Child and Family Charities Partnership, Home Warranties

APHW Partnership with CFC Boosts Efforts During COVID-19

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Child and Family Charities Partnership, Home WarrantiesChild and Family Charities (CFC) and America’s Preferred Home Warranty (APHW) have a relationship going back nearly a decade. The nonprofit has grown considerably over the years, and APHW has not only kept donating, but repeatedly increased donations, fundraisers, and volunteers. These increases have made a huge impact on CFC’s reach among mid-Michigan children, youth and families—particularly during COVID-19.

“APHW has helped us become a stronger organization,” said CFC CEO Julie Thomasma. “And because of their help, we felt better about going into this situation, being better able to offer support and increase our services where they are needed most,” she said.

Child and Family Charities assists mid-Michigan youth and families through 25 programs across 6 divisions. They have focused extra efforts around providing food assistance, childcare, shelter, and mental health services during COVID-19, Julie described, because so many more families need them these days, and so much more.

APHW’s support also helped CFC to keep their entire staff during COVID-19, and even expand it. “We’ve actually hired additional coaches to meet the need,” she said. “And we’ve been doing even more work because that need is so great. We’re in a really great position because of APHW.”

“The support from [APHW President and Owner] Randy Caltrider and APHW gives us that spark of hope to continue working with the populations and families we serve,” said CFC Director of Development Demphna Krikorian. “We’re seeing the increasing needs, and we’ll see more tomorrow and onward until we get through this. And we really couldn’t do it without that spark, that hope, that APHW gives us.”

Want to help? Visit ChildAndFamily.org or call 517.882.4000 for more information.

Luke 12:48 – “To whom much is given, much will be required.”

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Home Warranty, How to Choose a Contractor

Difficulty Finding a Contractor? We Can Help

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

America's Preferred Home Warranty, Home Warranty, How to Choose a ContractorI get to choose any licensed contractor for claims! But… this one over here said ‘they don’t work with home warranties…’ Having the freedom to choose gives you a huge advantage in claims—if you can get one to listen to you for half a second. We can help you with finding a contractor.

Here’s the thing: Your contractor doesn’t HAVE to ‘work with us.’ They are working with and for YOU. We’re just paying the bill.

So, the real problem here isn’t that they won’t work with home warranty companies—they’re just leery of the concept. We understand that this can cause difficulty for some of our customers, so we’ve put together some ideas to help you get the contractor you need.

Remember, They Work for YOU

After you’ve filed a claim and received a claim number, when reaching out initially, just tell them you have a problem that needs a contractor. That’s it. After your contractor has diagnosed the problem, ask them to speak with us over the phone before any repairs are completed.

We Need to Talk to Them

Our claim decision is based on your contractor’s professional diagnosis, which is why approval is required before repairs are completed. All we need from them is a few details about the unit, what caused the failure, and their price for repair or replacement. That’s it. Easy, right?

You May Have to Pay Up Front

We get it… the whole point is to prevent you from paying out of pocket. Though we do offer immediate payment by credit card over the phone, because your contractor doesn’t work for us, they’re not obligated to accept payment from us. This is why we also offer reimbursement to you for approved claims, with near immediate processing—most customers receive it in only a few days.

Lastly, much of a contractor’s business is gained through referrals. Tell your contractor if you might be referring their services—and let them know we refer their services, too.

Call us today at 800.648.5006 ext. 179 for more information on finding a contractor. We’re here to help.

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