Irving,TX, Sept. 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just in time for the holiday shopping season, two veterans of the service contract industry announce the launch of New Leaf Service Contracts, LLC, an Irving, Texas-based company. Joining forces to form an innovative third-party administration company, Sean M. Hicks and Richard F. (Rick) Gavino are committed to bringing "a whole new approach" to the service contract industry.
With more than 50 years of combined executive experience in the retail consumer electronics and extended service contract industries, Hicks and Gavino have created a dealer-centric formula built around customized service contract programs. During the past year leading up to the formal launch, clients partnering with New Leaf early on have been giving the company rave reviews. "Sam Pak, CEO of Appliance Direct stated "I chose New Leaf because of their dedication and commitment to their clients. With New Leaf we will see great progress with our ESP sales."
Currently, New Leaf offers service contract coverage on automotive components, consumer electronics, fitness equipment, jewelry, musical instruments, optics & eyewear, furniture, medical, home & garden equipment.
"Dominated by a handful of vertically integrated insurance/administration companies, the service contract market has been consolidating for years," said Rick Gavino, New Leaf's president and chief operating officer "At New Leaf, we've created a range of innovative programs that address the changing market by focusing on the driving force of the industry - the retailer."
"The New Leaf program empowers dealers with a variety of customized service contract products combined with state-of-the-art technology platforms. We have specially designed these programs to increase the retailer's bottom-line profits, while adhering to our philosophy of giving the consumers the service they believe they paid for," Gavino added.
One of the branded programs New Leaf offers is ServicePro, a carded product utilizing a customer- friendly activation website that gives the smaller independent dealers a consumer-driven solution. In addition, New Leaf has developed a full suite of technology solutions to streamline and support the way retailers conduct business online.
"We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all service contract business model," said Hicks, the company's chief executive officer. "The biggest benefit of working with New Leaf is that we listen to our clients and then work to develop unique programs tailored to their specific needs. This dealer-centric strategy reinforces the loyalty and value of the retailer's brand to their customers."
New Leaf's ability to custom-tailor service contract programs stems from the company's relationship through a network of top quality A. M. Best-rated underwriters. Currently, New Leaf partners with Dealers Assurance Company, which is rated A- financial size VI ($25 million to $50 million) and A-rated Starr Indemnity and Liability Company, a financial size X ($500 million to $750 million) institution. And, New Leaf is in the process of engaging a third A-rated underwriter. Hicks noted, "Having multiple underwriter relationships gives New Leaf the flexibility to select a service contract program most suited to the needs of the individual retailer."
In support of the New Leaf dealer network, the company has created Service & Service Contract Consulting Services (SSCS). This innovative program facilitates training, development and delivery, enhances service center operations, streamlines call center management and assists with software selection. SSCS even provides marketing design services for retailers.
New Leaf also has partnerships with multiple direct marketing companies to provide outbound telemarketing, email, and mail services for missed point of sale and renewal campaigns. Like the company's underwriters, New Leaf only partners with specialized marketers that have decades of experience in increasing margins and profit opportunities for retailer clients on both second effort programs and renewals.
To provide the best customer service, New Leaf is in the process of obtaining call center certification with the renowned firm of JD Power & Associates. New Leaf contracts with more than 10,000 manufacturer authorized service centers nationwide to ensure that repair requests are handled promptly. Each service center is licensed and insured.
For additional information on New Leaf Service Contracts, contact Sean Hicks at 972-573-1268 or sean@newleafsc.net.
About New Leaf Service Contracts, LLC:
Based in Irving, Texas, New Leaf partners with A-rated insurance carriers to administer and market service contracts consumers throughout the U.S. on a wide range of products including: automotive, consumer electronics, fitness equipment, jewelry, musical instruments, optics & eyewear, furniture, medical, home & garden equipment and more. For more information, visit www.newleafsc.net.