I have been focusing mainly on direct mail based on a driving for dollars list, then layering in a high equity list in the same area as the D4D list.

Its just another layer of protection, but its not perfect. 

I've had a few call and try to offer me properties that I passed on at trustees sale earlier that week (now with a new layer of markup).

@Remington Lyman shoot me a PM an I can give you a bookmark...we use esri/arc GIS, so we've built in quite a few layers that may be helpful. 

Focus on getting assets/real estate and worry about protection after you have something to lose- pay your insurance to begin with and it will become obvious when you need to add other layers of protection. you will be able to spread the cost over several assets. 

A good one will be doing an initial layer of vetting of the provider and can provide leverage in protecting the investor's interest, as well as being market agnostic (ie: choosing best for current analysis).  

They tend to be over priced to begin with, and some times missing a piece of vital information such as the Executors mailing address.Absentee lists, High Equity, and even negative equity are easily obtainable from places like List Source, Property Radar etc.

Being in the direct mail business it's vital to have uniqueness..

I think it's vital that you are EXTREMELY specific with your DM criteria.  

Fitzgerald Hall IMHO when marketing it is vital that you deliver your message in a fashion which attracts as much opportunity as it can.