Sharing just enough insider knowledge to not get me in too much trouble—this is something that’s been in the works for years. Nationwide Marketing Group has been exploring a number of different avenues through a variety of its partners to nail down a program that not only made sense for its members but for the homeowners who’d purchase these protection plans as well, which, until now, was a major challenge. Yet, today, the group announced a formal program through Guardsman that will bring forth all-in-one protection plans for custom integration projects.
This is a big deal.
Pro AV protection plans have been difficult to come by because there are so many moving parts in this channel. Projects range in size. They range in what’s actually integrated. And they range in the level of technology sophistication. So, for a protection plan to make sense, the coverage needs to be just as all-encompassing and flexible. With Guardsman, Nationwide has found a partner willing to provide coverage for projects valued up to $1 million, protecting all mechanical and electrical components against common failures and unexpected issues.
“Our goal is to help integrators grow profitability while offering added value to their customers,” Dan Cleary, VP of business development for Consumer Warranty, said in a statement. “The Guardsman Pro AV All-In-One Protection Plan delivers exactly that — an easy way to differentiate proposals, increase margins and provide extended protection beyond standard manufacturer warranties.”
The plans are reportedly designed for simplicity on all sides, from sales and enrollment to the potential service. The plans will seamlessly integrate into the dealer’s existing proposal process, while allowing them to attach a high-margin product that provides peace of mind for their client.
“Guardsman is a long-time NMG partner, and we are eager to share the news of this new, industry-leading program, specially crafted for members of Oasys and Azione,” Matt LeMay, senior director of insurance services for NMG, said in the statement. “Not only does it provide robust coverage, but it also creates a new, high-margin revenue stream for integrators’ residential projects.”
According to Nationwide, the Guardsman program will provide a minimum of 40 percent margin to the dealer on plan sales, while giving them control over the customer experience during the service claims process—meaning they won’t have to worry about some third-party having untold influence over their relationship with their client. For the client, these programs will provide up to five years of coverage while removing the need for costly deductibles or service fees with parts and labor fully covered.
The Guardsman program is available to all Oasys and Azione members immediately.
