Choose the right agency for the needs of your business
If you’re a business owner or handle invoicing for a company, you know what a burden unpaid invoices can be. According to a study by independent consulting firm Plum, 11% of all invoices issued by small and medium-sized enterprises are paid late, totaling more than $1 trillion per year.
How much you can expect to collect on your own depends on your industry and clients. However, spending time chasing down delinquent accounts can cost you valuable time and human resources. In the United States, companies need to allocate an average of 15 workdays to follow up on late payments, adding to their administrative burdens.
Instead of doing the work yourself, hiring a debt collection agency can be a smart alternative. By working with a professional company, you can collect outstanding debt and save time. We reviewed companies based on their minimum requirements, transparency, fees, and more.
The 5 Best Debt Collection Agencies of 2020
- Atradius Collections: Best Overall
- The Kaplan Group: Best for Commercial Collections
- Summit Account Resolution: Best for Consumer Collections
- Rocket Receivables: Best for Small Businesses
- Prestige Services Inc.: Best for Low Invoice Amount
1. Best Overall: Atradius Collections
Pros
- No minimum debt amount
- Free instant online quote
- Experienced with international companies
Cons
- Extra commissions charged on older invoices
- Added fees for international invoices
- Higher commissions charged on invoices under $2,500
Atradius Collections has been in operation since 1925 and is a leading commercial debt collection agency. Based in the United Kingdom, the company is a member of several different debt collection trade associations throughout the world, including the International Association of Commercial Collectors (IACC), the Credit Services Association, and the Federation of European Credit Management Associations.
According to the company, it has a 79.3% global success rate, based on cases closed in 2014 through 2016. It supports more than 15,000 customers and handles more than 90,000 cases of commercial debt per year. Atradius provides commercial debt support worldwide, working in 29 different countries.
Unlike many companies, Atradius Collections does not have a required minimum on debt. Its fees are dependent on your invoice amount and client location. For businesses based within the United States, there is no introduction fee. If your invoice is for less than $2,500, there is a 22.5% commission. For invoices over $2,500, the commission is 18%.
For an invoice that is 180 days overdue or more, Atradius will charge you an additional 2% commission on top of its standard rate. If you have international clients that have not paid their invoices, you’ll pay an introduction fee and a higher commission than if they were based in the United States.
The company offers comprehensive services, including amicable debt collections, legal collections worldwide, insolvency services against bankrupt debtors, and standby services. Atradius operates the Collect@Net online platform so you can monitor the collection progress.
Why We Chose It: Atradius stands apart from the competition because of its strong reputation, international expertise, and transparent fees. It’s also the only agency that allows you to get an instant, detailed quote online without having to first speak to a representative.
2. Best for Commercial Collections: The Kaplan Group
Pros
- Low fees on large debt balances
- 85% success rate
- No upfront costs or membership fees
Cons
- High minimum on first claims
- Higher fees for international clients
Founded in 1991, The Kaplan Group is a top commercial debt collection agency that only works on B2B collection. It handles claims of different sizes, from $20,000 to $1 million.
As part of the debt collection process, The Kaplan Group offers the following services:
- In-house law firm: If an account is not paid, the law firm will apply additional legal pressure at no extra cost.
- Background investigation: The agency will research the debtor and business owners to determine its operations and profitability to inform negotiations.
- Skip tracing: The Kaplan Group will perform skip tracing to find clients who have ceased operations or moved locations.
- Credit analysis: The agency will do credit analysis to evaluate the debtor’s personal financial situation as well as the company’s financial performance to determine its ability to repay.
- Settlement agreement: If the debtor is unable to repay the amount owed in full, the agency will negotiate a payment plan or settlement agreement for a portion of the outstanding debt.