Benefits of Membership
Membership in the NHWA Creates Great Value For Your Business!
| • Accreditation | • NHWA Insurance Program |
| • Training and Education | • Setting the Gold Standard |
| • Press and Media | • Targeted Marketing |
| • Business Profile and Contact Info | • Networking |
| • Certified Home Watch Professional | • Business Basics Curriculum |
| • Home Watch Boot Camp | • North American Conference |
| • Source for Data and Answers | • Helping to Set the Agenda |
| • Affiliates | • Affordable Cost for Annual Membership |
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Membership in the NHWA Creates Great Value For Your Business!
- Accreditation
- NHWA Insurance Program
- Training and Education
- Setting the Gold Standard
- Press and Media
- Target Marketing
- Business Profile and Contact Info
- Networking
- Certified Home Watch Professional
- Business Basics Curriculum
- Home Watch Boot Camp
- North American Conference
- Source for Data and Answers
- Helping to Set the Agenda
- Affiliates
- Affordable Cost for Annual Membership
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Accreditation
Once the vetting process has been completed, your company will become accredited. It shows the public that you have set your company apart from the others. It says that you are privy to the very latest and best policies, procedures and practices in the Home Watch industry. It tells the public that you carry the correct insurance coverage and bonding in order to protect them, that your company has been checked through Consumer Affairs and the BBB for complaints, and that all company principals have been background checked. Accreditation from the NHWA will give your business, new or old, credibility and status.
NHWA Insurance Program – available to members in good standing
The most crucial element of the Home Watch business is having the correct coverage to protect not only your company, but most importantly, your client. And because the Home Watch industry is not recognized by the NAICS (North American Industry Classification System), acquiring the correct general liability insurance can be a frustrating process. Being at the mercy of an insurance underwriter that might not have the proper insight as to what Home Watch is, often results in companies being classified incorrectly. There are many companies who are taking chances by having policies classified as House Sitting, Janitorial, Security, or even Pet Sitting Services. These classifications do not cover what a Home Watch company does. This not only makes the Home Watch company vulnerable, but also exposes the homeowner to a poorly insured Home Watch company. The NHWA Insurance Program provides the most comprehensive coverage that a Home Watch company can have. It is the only industry-specific coverage available. It is also extremely affordable. The program is available only to members in good standing and can be issued to members in all 50 states. We are currently working on this coverage for our Canadian members. We’ll help to guide and advise you through the insurance quagmire.
Training and Education
The NHWA offers continuing education through webinars and online meetings, conferences, constant conversation, and information sharing through our forums. The NHWA is built on the belief of the sharing of information. By gathering data and ideas from our membership throughout the U.S. and Canada, we are able to compile and share, strengthening the Home Watch industry. Home Watch Boot Camp is available to members, as well as our Certified Home Watch Professional and Business Basics courses.
Setting the “Gold Standard”
Since 2009, the NHWA has been bringing together like-minded Home Watch business owners, forming an alliance of those looking to better our still young industry. Beginning with a Code of Ethics, a Mission Statement, and the belief that protecting our clients from the unscrupulous, uninsured, and untrained, was of the utmost importance, we began to come together. Sharing ideas, knowledge and enthusiasm, the first members of the NHWA set out to “set the gold standard” in our very disjointed industry. Since then, as we’ve grown in size and stature, we have established best practices and a glossary for the Home Watch industry. The NHWA has mentored hundreds of Home Watch companies from their start-up through their day-to-day issues and questions. The NHWA believes in sharing, as this is how the best policies, procedures, and marketing practices are developed.
Press and Media
The NHWA will help to launch your new company or reacquaint your existing company with your local publications upon accreditation and re-accreditation. We will submit a press release and business brief to publications in your area. We will also use the power of social media and blogs to help get your company’s name out and noticed on the internet.
Targeted Marketing and Website Listing
Because the cost of marketing can be exorbitant, reaching a target audience can be difficult, expensive and very frustrating. The NHWA website is fully optimized and is found easily in Canada and U.S. searches. Our site generates over 10,000 visits per month. This directs clients directly to our website. And your company is listed on that website. The NHWA is contacted by potential clients looking for service every day.
Networking
Having your own business with no one to bounce ideas off or ask questions of can sometimes make you feel all alone. The NHWA is a “community” of businesses just like yours. The ability to talk, ask questions, and network with other like-minded people is a very powerful advantage to have. Our members learn much from each other and often develop alliances—whether they are in the same vicinity, or in a completely different region. Knowing that you aren’t alone, and that others have probably been through similar situations, make doing business a little easier with the support of the NHWA.
Certified Home Watch Professional (CHWP)
While our member businesses become accredited, company principals and employees of a member in good standing can take a course that will instruct them as to how the Best Practices Committee of the NHWA recommends they perform Home Watch. After successfully passing the exam, they will have earned the designation of Certified Home Watch Professional.
Business Basics Curriculum
The NHWA’s Business Basics curriculum was developed by leading Home Watch providers and some of the most successful people in our profession. Being able to take this class will give the new Home Watch company the inside track while navigating the start-up of their new business. It will also answer a lot of questions that haven’t been asked yet, or even considered. Because “you don’t know what you don’t know yet,” this course is invaluable to the new business.
Home Watch Boot Camp
Two days. One-on-one with your instructor. Each instructor is one of the top Home Watch providers in our profession. You’ll learn essentials in the field…not just in a classroom. And because Home Watch happens all over, the course is adapted for the region you’ll be doing business in. The Certified Home Watch Professional and Business Basics courses are included in the training.
North American Conference
Since 2013, Members of the NHWA have gathered in different locations to discuss, learn, brainstorm and network. According to members who have attended, it is by far the best value, with the greatest return on investment.
Source for Data and Answers
As the “portal” for Home Watch, the NHWA is constantly gathering data and useful information. We are contacted by potential clients, Home Watch businesses, national business concerns, insurance providers, brokers and agents. We always try to gather new information from each new contact.
Helping to Set the Agenda
The Home Watch industry has work to do. It is incredibly important on many different levels that we are assigned our own classification code by the North American Industry Classification System. This code is the key to being recognized by insurance providers, municipalities, and anything that requires a classification code to determine what Home Watch is. It is no secret that many insurers penalize the owners of vacation homes. One of the other current goals of the NHWA is to make employing an accredited Home Watch company a factor in the insurer’s decision-making process. Not only should this make the acquisition of homeowners insurance easier for absentee owners, but a discount should apply.
Affiliates
The NHWA is constantly approached by companies that want to do business with the Home Watch industry. The NHWA only allows the most reputable companies and industries to become affiliates. These companies must prove to be of value to members and are carefully screened.
Affordable Cost for Annual Membership
The annual cost of membership is $495. For the first year only, the NHWA requires an additional $50 per company principle to cover the cost of their background check. Because of the current exchange rate between the Canadian and US Dollar, the NHWA extends a 15% discount to its new Canadian members.
Have more questions? View our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or Contact the NHWA today.