How Just-in-Time Inventory Management ensures exceptional mobile repairs

Always ready: how Assurant’s Just-in-Time Inventory Management ensures white-glove service for all customers

Imagine dropping your phone and watching the screen crack, right as you're about to hop on a video call, navigate to a meeting, or share a moment with loved ones. For your customers, that’s more than just an inconvenience. It’s a disruption of daily life.
Mobile devices have become indispensable. The average American spends 4.5 hours per day on their phone, checking it 144 times. In fact, 57% self-identify as mobile phone addicts. In a world so tightly tethered to our devices, downtime isn’t an option.

A nationwide network built for speed and convenience

That’s why Assurant’s Authorized Repair Network continues to redefine same-day mobile repair. With over 925 repair centers offering 35% more coverage than our nearest competitor, we repaired more than 1.4 million devices in 2024 alone. But we’re not stopping there.
To further enhance our service delivery model, we’ve launched a new Just-in-Time Inventory Management program. Designed to meet evolving customer expectations for speed and convenience, JiT ensures all device and repair types receive the same white-glove service that prioritizes customer preference. This enables Assurant to offer repair even when their local repair center doesn’t have the part in stock.  

What is Just-in-Time Inventory Management and why it matters

The JiT model is a supply chain strategy where materials and goods are received from suppliers as close as possible to when they’re needed, minimizing storage costs and maximizing responsiveness.
The vast majority of repair claims are for flagship devices, but that doesn't mean Assurant can't support other models. JiT ensures that all customers experience premier service delivery. So all customers who come to our repair centers are greeted by an expert technician with a part in one hand and a tool in the other. 

Smarter repairs with JiT: solving the inventory challenge

Before implementing JiT, customers could only book repair appointments at locations where their needed part was already in stock. That worked for high-frequency repairs like screen replacements, but created barriers for less common issues, such as damaged charging ports, failing cameras, or malfunctioning vibe motors.
Now, with JiT, the repair center doesn’t need to stock every obscure part. Instead, Assurant’s intelligent inventory system dispatches the required part(s)  directly to the customer’s chosen location, guaranteeing it's there in time for the repair appointment. This means same-unit repairs remain the first line of resolution, saving both time and cost for customers, carriers, and MSOs.

How does JiT benefit customers?

Consistent service: Customers receive the same white-glove service regardless of device type or repair because we’re committed to delivering resolution in just one visit.

Speed: Many repairs are still completed in under an hour, now with an even wider range of issues eligible for repair.  

Convenience:   Customers are offered the option to book a repair at any eligible repair center in their vicinity, empowering customer choice with the confidence that the parts they need will be there on time.

Satisfaction: Repair satisfaction ratings are already at 95%. With more repairs completed on the same unit, customer satisfaction will only grow.

How does JiT benefit clients?

Increased volume: We can direct more customers to the preferred resolution, which is same-unit repair . 

Lower costs: Avoids device replacements by enabling more in-market, same-unit repairs.
Reduced claims complexity: Minimizes the need to escalate to advanced exchanges or full device replacements.
Stronger brand loyalty: When customers experience fast, local, hassle-free repairs, they’re more likely to remain loyal to their carrier or service provider.

Why Assurant leads in mobile repair

JiT isn’t just a logistics upgrade. It’s a competitive differentiator.
Unlike other repair providers, some of whom might not conduct inventory checks prior to appointment booking, Assurant's JiT program actively dispatches parts that will arrive before the customer’s scheduled appointment , ensuring readiness across our nationwide network. It’s this level of planning and execution that allows us to say with confidence: We’re ready when your customers need us most.
When a customer walks into a repair center, our certified technicians — trained in industry-standard techniques, safety protocols, and data handling — are already prepared to restore their device quickly and securely.
And, because we have access to genuine OEM parts for all major device manufacturers, every repair meets the highest quality standards.

The value of protection backed by JiT

When device protection programs are supported by a repair network this robust, the benefits are clear.

• White-glove service for all repair needs
• Faster claim resolutions
• Fewer device replacements
• Better customer experiences
• Stronger retention for carriers and MSOs

Assurant’s JiT Inventory Management program doesn’t just solve logistical problems. It helps transform the repair experience into a differentiator for your brand.

JiT is a service promise, not a strategy

Having the nation’s largest mobile repair network doesn’t matter if those locations can’t perform the repairs your customers need. JiT ensures we’re always ready to meet demand, no matter the part, device, or repair type.

At Assurant, we’re not just fixing phones. We’re delivering peace of mind, one perfectly timed part at a time.