Search This Blog

Monday, August 21, 2006

1st Guard Partners with The Chrome Shop Mafia of Trick My Truck

Venice, Florida - August 21st, 2006 - 1st Guard Corporation announced a new partnership today with the Chrome Shop Mafia featured on the popular television show, Trick My Truck. The Chrome Shop Mafia are mechanics who perform sweeping big rig makeovers for owner operators profiled on the show. Last year the show debuted on the CMT (Country Music Television) network, creating an unforeseen following within the trucking industry and even among the general public. Trick My Truck is comparable to the hit TV show on ABC, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

"It makes perfect sense from a business and marketing stand point to partner with the Chrome Shop Mafia," stated Courtney Wilson, Director of Marketing for 1st Guard®. "These guys are geniunely interested in helping our customer (owner operators) and what better way to connect them," added Wilson.

Ed Campbell, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation and a huge fan of Trick My Truck and the Chrome Shop Mafia, could not be happier about the partnership. "Now in conjunction with our longstanding relationship with Bill Mack on XM radio, the 1st Guard® brand comes to television compliments of the Chrome Shop Mafia," stated Campbell. "I enjoyed watching Trick My Truck long before we struck up this important alliance. We believe our commitment to the show will only grow from here. Personally, I'd love to end each episode with a year's worth of truck insurance from 1st Guard®."

Monday, July 31, 2006

1st Guard Reaches Year-End Goal by the Close of 2nd Quarter

Venice, Florida - July 31st, 2006 - 1st Guard Corporation announced today that it met and surpassed their projected year-end goal for total number of "direct-bill" insured vehicles. Direct-bill business is comprised of individual owner operators that obtain insurance through 1st Guard®, and not through their fleet. At this pace, 1st Guard will likely set another record year.

"So far, 2006, has been a record-breaking year. The company has never experienced such tremendous growth in a short amount of time," stated Ed Campbell, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation. "We set our goals within reason, but always try to strive for a little more. We had no idea we would reach our year-end goal by the end of the 2nd quarter. It is apparent that the word is out about 1st Guard and how we can save owner operators money on their truck insurance" said Campbell.

"It was just a matter of time before the word spread about the superior products and services we provide owner operators" added Courtney Wilson, Director of Marketing for 1st Guard. "The consistent marketing efforts are a key to our success. The proof is in the numbers."

Thursday, May 25, 2006

1st Guard Adjustment Company Raises the Bar…Again!

Sterling Heights, MI - May 25, 2006 - 1st Guard Adjustment Company announced today that from the time period of January 1st, 2006 to May 17th, 2006, they received a claims service satisfaction rating of 99.93% from customers. If they continue at this pace, they will surpass 2005's record rating of 99.56%.

1st Guard Adjustment Company sends each claimant a survey to complete. The questions on the survey address the major areas of claims, including prompt response to the claim, efficiency in processing the claim, fair settlement of the claim and courteousness of the claims representative. The survey is a great tool used for service enhancement and betterment.

"Our staff is charged with the responsibility of expediting each and every claim received regardless of the size of the claim. We look for avenues in which to get claims funds to policyholders as quickly as possible so they can get their truck fixed and get back on the road," stated Terry Brosnan, President of 1st Guard Adjustment Company. "The surveys provide us with the tangible evidence we need in order to improve and fine-tune our services. And each year, our claims service satisfaction rating continues to increase," added Brosnan.

Friday, April 7, 2006

1st Guard Launches New Website

Venice, FL - April 7, 2006 - 1st Guard Corporation unveiled today the latest revision to its highly acclaimed truck insurance website. Located at www.1stguard.com the revised site offers a user friendly presentation that sets a new standard for on line truck insurance.

Ed Campbell, III, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation commented "No other insurer makes the truck insurance process faster or easier for owner operators and trucking companies. Our new website really drives that point home."

Owner operators looking for a quick quotation on truck physical damage insurance will enjoy the new "Instant Quote" tool located on the home page. "When owner operators inquire about insurance they usually want to know what it will cost," said Campbell. "Our 'Instant Quote' tool delivers that answer in seconds. Contrast that with our competitors who generally make you wait until they wrap up on the golf course." Early traffic to the site tends to validate Campbell's theory. The company observed more than one hundred unique request for quotations on the site's second day of operation.

In addition, the new site offers a password activated module called the Power Center, which allows customers instant access to policy, claims and accounting information. Power Center users can also make premium payments on-line. Walt Augustinowicz, Vice President of 1st Guard, stated "This website allows owner operators and trucking companies to access policy information 24/7 in real-time. You just do not get that kind of access or information from other insurers."

From a graphical standpoint 1st Guard's new site presents more pictures of people than trucks. "That's because this business is really about people not trucks. Truckers have become very sophisticated. You do not need to flash a picture of a truck to communicate your message to a trucker in this day and age," added Augustinowicz.

Tuesday, April 4, 2006

1st Guard Shines at the 2006 Mid America Trucking Show

Venice, FL - April 4, 2006 -1st Guard Corporation announced a new record for the number of truck insurance quotes given at this year's Mid America Trucking Show. Owner operators were lined up from both sides of the booth waiting to receive a physical damage insurance quote from the 1st Guard® staff. This year marked the 35th Anniversary of the Mid America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky, the largest truck show in the United States.

Courtney Wilson 1st Guard's director of marketing and also a participant at the booth stated "The show was unbelievable for us. We thought last year went well for us, but this year we surpassed all goals by quoting truck insurance for hundreds of owner operators."

"A steady stream of vendors, new prospects and existing customers kept our booth constantly active. Word about 1st Guard has clearly caught on. We feel very good about the position of our brand among owner operators." added Wilson.

Ms. Wilson was joined by Walt Augustinowicz, Vice President of 1st Guard and Ed Campbell, the President of First Guard Insurance Company. It was noteworthy that of all the insurance vendors exhibiting at the show only 1st Guard sent a team of top executives. Summing it up Mr. Campbell offered this observation, "If you're not willing to spend a little time in Louisville in March, you can't be serious about doing business with owner operators."

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Third Times A Charm for DD & S Express

Venice, Florida - January 26, 2006 - 1st Guard Corporation announced today that DD & S Express, a heavy and specialized transportation company, has won the "Fleet of the Year Award" for 2005. This is the third time DD & S Express has won the award in the past four years.

The "Fleet of the Year" award is presented once a year to the trucking company with the lowest physical damage loss ratio. The purpose of the award is to promote safety and efficiency among trucking companies. In 2002 and 2004, DD &S won this award because they had a zero percent loss ratio, meaning they had no physical damage claims for the entire year. Amazingly, in 2005, DD & S was able to replicate the zero percent loss ratio, a feat that is hard to accomplish in the trucking industry. DD & S Express has an owner-operator fleet comprised of approximately 80 vehicles.

"Not once, not twice but three times! At the rate they are going, DD & S will capture this award every year from here on out - they are tough to beat," stated Ed Campbell III, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation. "For a company of their size, a zero percent loss ratio is unheard of and speaks volumes about the quality of their drivers and the commitment of their management team to safety, added Campbell.

Robert Schuhmann, Vice President of DD & S, remarked "We are thrilled with our achievement and will continue to implement strong safety programs. It is apparent from our physical damage loss ratio that we are doing something right."

About DD & S Express DD & S Express was established in 1986 as a division of the Davidson Transfer & Storage Company in Baltimore, Maryland. The company offers heavy and specialized transportation along with standard shipments.

Friday, January 13, 2006

2005 Marks Record Year for 1st Guard

Venice, Florida - January 13th, 2006 - 1st Guard Corporation announced today that the total number of insured vehicles for 2005 surpassed more than 14,000. From 2004 to 2005, 1st Guard® saw an increase of nearly 10% in the total number of insured vehicles. This growth pattern is stable and consistent with the company's business plan.

"Our record vehicle count certainly validates the direct writing business model. The traditional truck insurance agent doesn't provide much value anymore. Automation has made him obsolete, and now he just adds an extra layer of cost" stated Ed Campbell, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation. "It's great when we can save customers money and make the truck insurance process surprisingly pleasant. 1st Guard® has struck a chord with owner operators, and the good word continues to spread," added Campbell.

Friday, January 6, 2006

1st Guard Ends 2005 With 99.56% Customer Satisfaction Rating

Sterling Hts, Michigan - January 6, 2006 - 1st Guard Claims Adjustment Company announced today that its customer satisfaction rating reached a record high of 99.56% for 2005, surpassing last year's phenomenal rating of 99.29%. This increase is openly welcomed in light of the record-breaking hurricane season and devastation brought to many industries, including the trucking industry.

"We were successful in our quest to expedite aid to our policyholders in those areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma" stated 1st Guard Adjustment Co. President, Terry Brosnan. "Taking a pro-active approach by contacting all policyholders within the affected areas to assess damages and settle their claims in a prompt manner along with the normal claims presented each year, helped to increase our customer satisfaction rating to 99.56%, the highest in company history. Challenges such as these only drive our staff to look for new and innovative avenues to increase the level of customer service to our policyholders, The American Owner Operator," added Brosnan.

About 1st Guard Adjustment Company
1st Guard Adjustment Co. of Sterling Heights, MI provides claim services for First Guard Insurance Company, a leader in truck physical damage for leased owner operators and small fleet owners. First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best, is affiliated with 1st Guard Corporation, based out of Venice, Florida.