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This is a business plan summary of "what we do."

DocuSav Inc.

What We Do

DocuSav Inc. is a service business that photographs and videotapes a homeowner’s valuables and provides the owner with a digital record of virtually all valuables for the purpose of insurance claims. Additionally, we maintain a copy of the record in a fire-safe environment. The purpose of keeping a “valuables inventory” is, in the event of fire, theft, or other loss, the owner has accurate records of all belongings making insurance claims relatively trouble-free.

The business will operate during the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, however, the opportunity for homeowners to engage the service will be offered during virtually any reasonable hours at the convenience of the client.

DocuSav Inc. customers are primarily homeowners. However, renters wishing to create and store records of valuables are also potential clients. In addition to the wide homeowner customer base, we expect to eventually branch out to commercial enterprises and provide our services for business establishments such as heavy industry, automotive, warehouse & storage, and retailers and others. Virtually anyone with insured valuables is a potential client.

Benefits of the Service (How We Save Clients Time & Energy)

Most people are aware that accurate records and photos of valuables are necessary to receive full value when making an insurance claim, yet few individuals maintain such records. DocuSav Inc. makes the process easy in that a bonded and insured photographer visits the residence and systematically photographs all items of value. Along with the photo documentation of valuables, any appraisals, purchase receipts, serial numbers, dates of purchase, or other evidence helping to verify the value of an item will be photographed and recorded.

Additionally, the photographer does a walk-through of the premises using a digital video camera focusing on both large and small items of value such as pianos, antique furniture, dining sets, clothes, toys etc. DocuSav Inc. delivers a computer disk and/or tape of the video and still shots to the client and saves copies in a fire safe and secure storage environment for the client. All of this is done with strict confidentiality. Of course, the homeowner could do this on her own. However, few people have the equipment and/or fireproof storage capabilities, or the initiative to accomplish this.

Competition

Outside of a few scattered local photography businesses that perform similar services as a sideline, there are few competitors. Most of these that we’ve encountered offer no permanent storage of records.
Qualifications

We are an organized, coordinated network of professionals dedicated to the efficient documentation of a client’s valuables. Our bonded, professional field personnel use only state-of-the-art equipment. We work fast and efficiently so the customer’s records are on file in the most expedient way possible. Confidentiality and privacy are of the utmost importance to our clients. First, the homeowner receives a copy of his records. Additionally, the client’s records are maintained confidentially in at least two secure and protected databases as well as an individual disk which is stored in a commercial fireproof locked unit.

Marketing of DocuSav Service

Marketing of the service will be approached from several directions. First, we plan to win over insurance agents to our concept. We believe insurance agents are the key to serious market penetration. Because the existence of a high quality file of the client’s valuables makes the agent’s job easier, we expect a high degree of agent cooperation.

Since this business will require volume for success, addressing agents en masse will be our ultimate goal. One method of speaking to large numbers of agents at a single time is to invite 30 to 50 insurance professionals to a complimentary luncheon at a central location such as a hotel. The agents will be notified that a no-obligation method for increasing their business and better servicing clients will be briefly discussed. The invitation will also make it very plain that there will be absolutely nothing to buy at the meeting or any time in the future. This should ensure good attendance. The benefits insurance agents will realize in offering DocuSav Inc. to clients are as follows:

1. Accurate and proper photo and video documentation of the homeowner’s valuables eliminates doubt and confusion over claims. Proper documentation makes a claim a hassle-free “no brainer” for the client, the agent, and the insurance company.

2. Referring DocuSav Inc. shows the insured that the agent is looking out for him and cares about his well-being. DocuSav Inc. represents a value-added service the agent can add at no cost to her.

3. It is inevitable that DocuSav Inc. photographers will discover personal items and valuables that are not covered under existing policies. Consequently, the agent will have the opportunity to write additional insurance. The field rep will suggest updating during the visit. The agent can follow up with a courtesy call several days after the service has been performed to see how things went and offer riders at this time. It also opens the door for the agent to offer a “comprehensive” check up.

4. The agent may receive a referral fee. If a fee is not appropriate, a donation to a worthy cause may be made in the name of the agent in the amount of the referral fee.

Based on the previously mentioned benefits to the insured, DocuSav Inc. expects to be able to approach an agent and have supervised access to the agent’s homeowner database. With this mailing list, either the agent or DocuSav Inc. can send out a mailing with a sales letter accompanied by a brochure describing the service. The mailing will be designed to appear as though it originated with the agent, as she will have already established a certain level of credibility with the insured.

The personalized sales letter from the agent will increase the percentage of customers that will purchase the service, thus the referral fee and subsequent additional insurance written for the agent. At the time of initial contact via mail the potential customer might be offered an incentive for acting such as a 2-hour free prepaid phone card or another premium. Cooperative agents may also call clients directly via telephone to solicit customers.

Other Marketing

Though insurance agents are the primary marketing focus of DocuSav Inc., there are many additional avenues for marketing the service. All existing “home related” industry service professionals are potential marketers for the service. Real estate agents, home inspectors, mortgage brokers, bankers, cleaning contractors, carpet installers and cleaners, general and specialty contractors, interior decorators, plumbers, pool service personnel, yard maintenance people, delivery help, etc. Virtually anyone with person-to-person access to the homeowner can sell the service and earn a referral fee. Also, referral fees may be earned by customers who have used DocuSav Inc. and convince friends to use it.

Schools and charities may also market the service and use referral fees to generate cash.
The service can also be marketed directly to the homeowner via television, radio, direct mail, newspaper, and through word of mouth. We anticipate the DocuSav service. to be a relatively easy sale due to the valuable nature of the service.

Cost of Service Breakdown

The anticipated cost of the DocuSav Inc. service will be $249 to document the belongings of one homeowner using both video and still digital photography. This price includes the first year of file storage. From time to time we will offer special pricing where for an additional fee, the client would receive five years of storage or even lifetime storage. Otherwise, yearly storage would be charged at the rate of $14.99 per year. Also, the opportunity for clients to update their records will be offered at $89. The $249 service fee, in most cases will be collected by the field representative and may be paid using a personal check or credit card.

From the $249 initial price, operating costs will be deducted: $25 as a referral fee. This might be paid to an agent, previous client, as a fundraiser, etc. Although a fee will not always be paid, such as in the case of “walk in” business, all projections will be calculated using it. A $50 payment will be made to the field representative who will be acting as a contractor and not a DocuSav employee. The rep. will be responsible for buying his/her own bond, auto insurance, camera equipment and computer if needed, as well as other operating incidentals.

As business grows, DocuSav Inc. plans to open a subsidiary that will offer much of the needed equipment on a lease or lease-to-own basis. After subtracting the referral fee of $25 and the payment of $50 to the photographer, the gross profit to DocuSav Inc. is $174. From this figure, insurance, advertising, printing, phones and all other fixed costs must be subtracted to arrive at a net profit figure.

Company Image

The company image will be one of extreme professionalism, security, class and style. It will be obvious from our professional conduct in the field that we care about our clients. Field personal will go out of their way to make the client feel comfortable, respected, and that their records will be handled with the utmost in confidentiality and security. A logo has been designed. As with any logo, it will be the goal of DocuSav Inc. to make this symbol recognized as the industry leader.

Initially, the business will be conducted economically, using contract personnel for virtually all functions such as answering phones and signing clients to the service. The ultimate goal of the business however, is to establish 3 to 4 successful company owned offices in northwest United States (Portland, OR and Greater Seattle, WA). With the successful operation of these offices it is the intention of DocuSav Inc. to offer franchises, first on the west coast, then nationally. Franchise offices will require professional retail storefronts in moderate traffic locations. Uniformity of office style will not be necessary, however, prominent display of the logo will be required as well as a smart, neat, clean professional commercial office to conduct business.

Start-Up Plan

After consulting with a well-established and prominent insurance agent in a moderately sized market in Puget Sound, the initial start-up will be based upon soliciting this agent’s homeowner client base. This will be DocuSav Inc.’s test market. According to the 2000 census there were 117,080 homeowners in this small community versus 78,426 renters. We feel these numbers have remained accurate over the past decade because the population has increased by fewer than 3200 people in that time.

The agent has agreed to allow the company supervised access to her client list for promotional mailings. This individual feels DocuSav’s service is a valuable one and has been excited to offer it to her customers. Insurance agents in other markets have been very receptive to the idea as well. As mentioned in the marketing section, a personal endorsement from the agent to the potential customer should go a long way in helping that client to become an actual customer. With the first test mailing complete we also plan to contact other agents in the area to mount a unified marketing effort. The success of this test will give DocuSav Inc. a basis for future business projections and feasibility of operations.

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