1851

What makes PDA unique among damage appraisal firms?To start, the strength of our technology is unparalleled. We have built all of our technology internally. It’s proprietary and not beholden to any other party, which means we can customize it to the exact specifications of our clients.&nbsp;That technology has had an enormous impact on our cycle time. We’re down to 1.5 days on average, compared to the industry average of five days. Every day that a client has a piece of equipment down, they are losing money, so the reduced cycle time has a profound financial impact.&nbsp;Technology is just one piece of what we’re doing differently — and better — than our competitors. Another big piece is the structure behind that technology, which allows us to have a uniquely wide field presence. We have 650 appraisers across the country, and each of them has different specialties. When we receive an assignment, no matter what it is, we have an optimizer tool that matches the assignment with the appraiser who is best equipped to handle the estimate..How has PDA become a leader in its industry?Over the years, we’ve developed and rolled out strategies and technologies that are crafted explicitly to meet the specific needs of our clients. In doing so, we’ve raised not only our standards but our clients’ standards. So, there are now huge segments of the market that won’t settle for anything less than what PDA — and only PDA — offers.What are some of PDA’s most significant growth milestones?I’ve been at PDA since 2011, and we’ve made major leaps forward in a short time span. We’ve added proprietary technology, systems and strategies that have changed what people expect from appraisers.&nbsp;The same-day-service guarantee for specialty and heavy equipment is a major milestone for us. If someone has a piece of construction equipment that gets damaged, we can guarantee that we’ll have it inspected within 24 hours. That means that the insurance carrier who underwrites the equipment will know the status within a day, reducing downtime and getting people back to work quicker.&nbsp;Another major milestone was the introduction of our hybrid franchise model. PDA has always had franchise locations, but in 2016 we introduced our first corporate store. Since then, we’ve expanded to 64 corporate store locations. We have a great mix of franchise and corporate locations, which allows us to really optimize our model. Plus, being on the front lines with our franchise owners allows us to see firsthand what challenges and opportunities they are facing, and we can work together to create new solutions and improvements.&nbsp;What does PDA have planned for the years ahead?We’ve got a definitive strategic vision for where we want to take the company over the next decade. One of the things we’re most excited about is an improved claims convergence process. Today, if a tree falls on your property and it damages your car, your house and your RV, that’s three different exposures, and potentially three different insurers. That means you would have three separate claims to file with three carriers. We can already send one person to appraise all three exposures and submit all three claims, but we’re going to make it even easier. We are building a process that will allow insurance carriers to automate with us so that they don’t have to manually send us assignments for each exposure. Instead, there will be one assignment that automatically files for all three carriers. We’re very close to rolling this out, and we think it’s going to be another game-changer.Why should a franchisee candidate choose PDA?Franchisees choose PDA because there is so much we can offer that our competitors can’t; namely, the vastly reduced cycle time, our nationwide coverage and service guarantees. By partnering with PDA, franchisees can use those tools to edge out the competition and dominate their markets.&nbsp;

Q&A With Property Damage Appraisers Executive Vice President Tom Slimak

1851 Franchise

PDA’s EVP offers insight into how the independent damage appraisal firm has carved out an enviable position in the franchise and insurance industries.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

qa-with-property-damage-appraisers-executive-vice-president-tom-slimak

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite Franchise - DTE - National Service Dog Month - 1851 Franchise

Celebrating Service Dogs: Why Proper Training Changes Lives — And How Dog Training Elite Is Leading the Way

dog-training-elite-national-service-dog-month

Senior Care Authority

How This Senior Care Authority Franchisee Turned Love for His Grandparents Into a Lifelong Calling

how-this-senior-care-authority-franchisee-turned-love-for-his-grandparents-into-a-lifelong-calling

Hometown News: Like Father, Like Son — Family-Run Inspection Business Blends Generations of Expertise and a Keen Eye for Detail

father-son-home-inspection-franchise-florida

KLA Schools

KLA Schools of Beachwalk Hosts Admissions Kick-Off Celebration

kla-schools-of-beachwalk-hosts-admissions-kick-off-celebration

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

graphic image of a financial deep dive of americas swimming pools co.

America’s Swimming Pool Company Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

americas-swimming-pool-asp-franchise-deep-dive

image of The Cleaning Authority Franchise Deep Dive Article financial investment details

The Cleaning Authority Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-cleaning-authority-franchise-deep-dive

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Q&A With Property Damage Appraisers Executive Vice President Tom Slimak

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS