"Zapien's Appraisal" was born in September of 1993 out of frustration with an industry that seemed lacking in accountability. This business was opened to make a difference, and we have! Collectively Zapien's brings over 200 years of field appraisal and claims handling experience to the table.
To bring an accountable solution to an industry that demands expertise. All of our appraisers assures the quality and integrity of each job submitted and that all cost effective measures are in play without compromising expedience.
We bring an accountable
solution to an industry that demands expertise. All of our
appraisers undergo background investigations to ensure the integrity
in the field that we serve.
Our
technology is cutting edge, that enables us to digitally transmit our
completed report back to via the Internet. This technology also
allows for a quality control that has not been available until now.
Our
management team is comprised of personal, that understand the Department of
Insurance guidelines that pertain to our field of endeavor and are all ASE and
I-CAR certified. Most importantly, we recognize that each and every claim has
it's own set of circumstances and policies.
To whom it may concern:
Attention: Property and/or Material Damage Manager
Thank you for taking the time to read and review the follow material.
This is a summation of our services and is meant as an overview of our company’s philosophy, general procedures, personnel, areas of coverage and fees.
“Zapien’s Appraisal” was born in September of 1993 out of frustration from working in an industry where professionalism is a rare commodity and accountability a bad word. “Zapien’s” was opened to make a difference! We are committed to Quality and Service!
“Fred Zapien” has been appraising wrecked vehicles since 1969. His journey through the Insurance Claims world started in 1975. Thirty of those years have been in management. Collectively Zapien's Inc., brings over 200 years of field appraisal and claims handling experience. “Zapien's” technical manager is “Mr. Tim Villa” and his job is to quality control all work that is submitted before being relayed back to our clients. He checks to ensure that all requests are satisfied and that “LKQ” and/or After Market parts” are being utilized (when practical). Assists our field appraisers in their technical work, checks to see that all “cost effective” measures are in play, that expedience is not compromised and that the vehicle owner and/or their vehicle have not been compromised. He is also responsible to make sure that our client’s individual wants and needs are met
Upon receipt of your assignment, we immediately make contact, usually within the hour. If, within the next 24 hours contact has not been made, we will send out a contact letter, but only after we have attempted to make contact in the evening. Management will talk to each appraiser daily, to make sure that the morale of those appraisers is in good working order before we ask them to go out and handle this demanding and delicate job. We have no problem sitting an appraiser down for a day, to let him or her regroup from this often-grueling business.
We are grateful to have highly motivated individuals both in the office and in the field. We have “Mr. Mike Roper”, “ Mr. Don Benson” and “Mr. Kevin Borum” covering the San Diego areas. “Mr. Matt Anderson”, “Mr. Tim Polcyn”, “Mr. Dennis Combs”, “ and “Mr. Rafael Rodriquez” covering the Inland Empire. “Mr. Nick Harris” in the Fresno and Modesto, with “Mr. Ron Montoya” as a back up to him.“Mr. Carl Harris” in the San Luis Obispo county. We also have “Mr. Herman Metcalfe” in the Bakersfield area. In the San Francisco area we have “Mr. Brent Feller” and in the Sacramento area we have “Mr. Miguel Lopez”. Our newest addition (most eager) is “Mr. Luis Meneses” and “Mr. Fred Zapien” handling Orange County. We also have, “Mr.Bill Seither” in the San Gabriel area. “Mr. Dirk Votaw” in the South Bay.
“Mr. Jerry Kang”, “Mr. Steve Chavez and our management people (Tim and I) in the greater metropolitan area of Los Angeles. “Mr. Tony Papic”, “Mr. Steve Yoon”, Mr. Al Arnold”and “Mr. German Aguilar”, in the San Fernando Valley, Ventura and Santa Barbara areas. We will shift personnel around occasionally to prevent any one appraiser a comfort level that may get him in trouble.
As far as our “HEAVY EQUIPMENT” department, we have “Mr. Carl Hutchinson”, “Mr. Matt Anderson, “Mr. Frank Tabakah” (Heavy crane and like machinery) and “Mr. Ruben Cain” at the helm and grateful to have them. We also Have “Mr. Paul Petty” (our resident A.S.E. Master Technician, who also has a Bachelor of Science degree in auto mechanics), for all mechanical claims. “Fred Zapien” is a back up to all areas and primarily handles all politically sensitive problem files that require a solution.
We utilize “Insurview” software that allows for us to digitally receive and transmit all paperwork and photos to our office for review and subsequent billing back to our clients. We are often able to get a completed file back to your office within 24 to 48 hours. If not, we will get a status to your office, indicating to exact nature of the delay within 72 hours. “Insurview” offers us a great deal in accountability and you may obtain access to it through a password that will give you all real time information (our activities in handling the claim file). Furthermore, we are in the process of creating our own ability to read “EMS” data and provide you with those management reports that are so vitally needed in today’s industry and be able to custom designed for your specific needs.
Our primary estimating software is “ADP’s Pen Pro” system, though I do allow the usage of Mitchell with certain appraisers. We also utilize E-Mitchell for the “Autoclub”. Our primary accounts include “Liberty Mutual”, “Golden Eagle”, “Automobile Club of Southern California”, “Chubb Insurance Company”, “Fireman’s Fund”, “AIG Commercial”, “Civil Service Employees Insurance Company”, “Employers Mutual Insurance”, “Mendota Insurance” “AIG Commercial”, “N.A.I.C.C.” and “Sterling Casualty”. Not to mention all the self-insured and quite frankly there are too many to list here.
We write our own estimates and do not look at the shop’s “wish list” until our estimate has been foundated. We attempt to secure an agreed cost of repairs in all cases. In cases where that is not possible, we contact the file handler with the details in hopes of gaining a course of action that will not delay the claim unnecessarily and we will always have a solution in mind. We are not afraid of utilizing the “APPRAISAL CLAUSE” of the policy to settle disputes. We have the expertise and confidence to win if we suggest this procedure in this delicate process, in fact we find this a necessary tool these days in combating the occasional extreme attitudes that some shops present in their assessment of damages. But again, only if we can win!
No appraiser will authorize a shop to do anything and that includes TEARDOWNS without consulting our management. This helps alleviate those additional charges should the vehicle become a Total Loss.
We will prepare an itemized cost of repairs, provide as many photographs as necessary complete a final report for a flat fee of $115.00 on all NORMAL losses of which includes a 50 miles radius. We will fill out your Total Loss form for an additional $10.00. If you want us to create our own “ACV”, the cost is an additional $50.00. On special assignments and/or Heavy Equipment, we charge $75.00 per hour and .75 cents a mile. We are open to negotiations on all fees.
We have also developed a program that addresses Senate Bill 1988, of which includes a summary report at the end of each month. This bill requires insurers that issue automobile liability or collision policies to inspect a statistical sampling of the vehicles for which claims are approved for auto body repairs to determine whether the work paid for was appropriately done, as specified. We currently perform this function for Chubb, C.S.E., A.I.G., Fireman’s Fund, Mendota, C.I.G. and the Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA).
We are always available to handle special assignments as your needs may dictate, whether it be scene accident investigation, vehicle or vessel evaluation, salvage disposal, competitive estimate review, subrogation analysis or any other task requiring special skills. Such special assignment work will be handled on a time and expense basis. We believe that we are the only company out there which offers such a diverse set of services with confidence in our expertise!
Thank you again for considering the utilization our services. It is our practice not to take on much work, so as to be able to handle the workflow properly without compromising other’s assignments. We are currently at 70% capacity and we are equipped to cover the entire Southern California area along with associates throughout the whole “State of “California” and we have your needs well in hand. Please feel free to contact “Fred Zapien” directly, (562) 756-5311. This is his cellular number, which is on all the time so as to be of better service to you and your clientele.
By the way, our staff has read and understands the “State of California”, Department of Insurance requirements regarding “Fair claim settlement practices regulations” outlined in Section 2695.1 - 2695.14.
Respectfully
Fred Zapien
Zapien’s Appraisal