Increase Demand for Mobile Technology for the Mobile Customer

Insurance Networking News recently published an article about how mobile technologies create opportunities and challenges for today's property/casualty carriers. 1st Guard is one of several insurers featured in this article, but is the only TRUCK INSURER! The article focuses on 1st Guard's foresight in creating a mobile app for truckers - TRUCKER1 - which enables mobile customers to conduct business with just a few clicks. To read the entire article, please click on the following link: http://www.insurancenetworking.com/issues/13_11/insurance_technology_mobile_applications_strategy-26578-1.html?zkPrintable=true

Merry Christmas to you!

Mobile Technology is Finally Making a Move

1st Guard is quoted extensively in CRM Magazine's article "Anywhere is Everywhere," written by Lauren McKay. This article portrays how mobile devices and technology applications can help improve efficiency with the ease of doing business and increase overall consumer satisfaction. 1st Guard's implementation of an electronic signature app created by DocuSign (www.docusign.com) is featured in this article.

Please click on the link below to read the entire article.
http://www.destinationcrm.com/Articles/Editorial/Magazine-Features/Anywhere-Is-Everywhere-72089.aspx

1st Guard Gains Customer Confidence with Strict Security Standards

Venice, Florida – October 28, 2010 – 1st Guard Corporation, a specialty insurer for long-haul truckers, takes monumental steps in re-engineering the way they store customers' sensitive credit card information by embracing PCI (Payment Card Industry) data security standards. In fact, 1st Guard no longer "stores" an entire credit card number, only the last four digits plus the expiration date are given on the payment screen. This information is kept on file with an outside merchant services vendor for a maximum of 90 days and then destroyed. Long gone are the days of storing multiple credit cards for a single policyholder as well. By reducing the amount of personal financial information stored at 1st Guard the chance of any security data breach is drastically decreased, if not eliminated. "Being PCI compliant is all about protecting our customers' and building a positive, trustworthy business image with them," stated Dan Ribar, Chief Information Office at 1st Guard. "Customers enrolled in the automatic payment plan are extremely confident in the way we conduct business and are happy witih our early adoption of the best security measures," added Ribar.

The Grill of a Truck is No Place for a Deer!

According to the Insurance Information Institute there are an estimated 1.6 millionn deer-vehicle collisions each year resulting in 200 fatalities and over $3.6 billion in vehicle damage. Another billion is spent on medical payments for injuries and out of pocket expenses by vehicle owners. Unfortunately these numbers are increasing every year. Right now it's matting season for deer and that means the deer are EVERYWHERE!

The following precautions should be taken to avoid a costly deer claim:

• Pay attention to deer crossing signs. Areas with woodlands and agriculture are safe havens for deer.
• Deer are herd animals. When you see one deer there usually is another not far behind!
• Deer frequently travel at dusk and right before dawn. Be particularly attentive during these times as this is the highest risk for deer-vehicle collisions.
• Use high beams at night when there is no oncoming traffic.
• Always wear a seat belt. Deer collisions can cause severe damage to both you and your truck.

Celebrate National Truck Drivers Appreciation Week!

We appreciate truckers 365 days a year.



Technology for Truckers - A Webinar Designed for America's Leased Owner Operators

1st Guard is proud to announce a series of webinars that focus on technology for truckers. These webinars will highlight the advantages technology can bring to leased owner operators as small business owners. We are extremely excited to share our knowledge on this topic and hope you can join us for an hour of educational fun.  Sign up now!

Please click here for more information.

Listen to Courtney Wilson's Interview with Eric Harley of the Midnight Trucking Radio Network

Courtney Wilson, Marketing Director for 1st Guard, had the pleasure talking with Eric Harley of the Midnight Trucking Radio Network (MTRN) at GATS.  To listen to her interivew, click on the following link...

www.youtube.com/truckinsurance

First Guard Insurance Company Makes the Grade Again: A Rating Reaffirmed by AM Best

Specialty truck insurer First Guard Insurance Company announced today that A.M. Best Company has affirmed its financial strength rating of A (Excellent) with a stable rating outlook. For the latest ratings, visit www.ambest.com.

First Guard’s solid capitalization and balance sheet liquidity coupled with a history of excellent underwriting and operating profitability attribute greatly to the company’s A (Excellent) rating. The effective use of technology to leverage efficient policy issuance, billing, claims handling and communication with the leased owner operator targeted segment distinguishes First Guard amongst the competition. Management’s effectiveness and aversion to unreasonable risk also play strongly to long-term profitability and stability.

“We are very pleased that AM Best has affirmed our "A" rating,” stated Ed Campbell III, Chairman of First Guard Insurance Company. “First Guard's surplus continues to grow even in this challenging economy. Over the past year we have fine tuned our operating model concurrent with the development of new products for truckers. As a direct writer First Guard is well positioned to gain market share from competitors who remain beholden to agency and broker distribution channels,” concluded Campbell.

1st Guard had a blast at The Great American Trucking Show

Venice, FL - August 30, 2010 - It's hard to believe the Great American Trucking Show is over and now we are focusing on truck shows for 2011!  1st Guard had a great time speaking with existing customers (man, did we see A LOT of them!) and providing quotes on truck insurance for potential customers.  The SAVINGS alone was enough to get the "buzz" circulating around the show...leased owner operators were stopping by our booths asking US for quotes. The all female crew did a great job rallying the crowd. 

Visit our Facebook page to see all the truck show pictures. 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Guard-Truck-Insurance/103274905019
Click on Photos and then Great American Trucking Show 2010 photo album.

Visit 1st Guard at GATS 2010 - Booth #16131

1st Guard is gearing up for the Great American Truck Show August 26-28 in Dallas, Texas. As always, we are excited to see our customers and thank them for their continued business and support. But more importantly, we are looking forward to saving more leased owner operators money on their physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance. We'll be giving instant quotes at our booth #16131 in the upper level near the recruiting pavillion.

It will be sizzlin' at the 1st Guard booth. We look forward to seeing you soon!

DocuSign Electronic Signature Service Helps 1st Guard Close the Final Mile in Trucker’s Insurance

Insurance Firm Offers Flexibility and Convenience to Mobile Customer Base with DocuSign


SEATTLE – August 3, 2010 – DocuSign®, the market leader and global standard for electronic signature, today announced that 1st Guard® Corporation integrated the DocuSign electronic signature management service to complete and sign insurance applications online. 1st Guard, a leading truck insurance firm providing physical damage and non-trucking liability insurance to leased owner operators, trusts the DocuSign eSignature platform to quickly, securely and completely transact insurance documents online from anywhere, anytime.

“Our clients are truckers, essentially on the road 24x7 so we needed a flexible, mobile solution to meet their unique needs,” said Dan Ribar, chief information officer at 1st Guard. “With DocuSign, we get it all—ease of use, digital forms, legal compliance and complete mobility. Being able to complete election forms electronically is a huge benefit for our customers.”

1st Guard has eliminated the logistical nightmare of faxing, printing and mailing applications to customers constantly on the move. By integrating DocuSign into their online workflows, 1st Guard customers can complete insurance election in minutes. Plus, DocuSign offers the convenience of signing using an Apple iPhone, RIM® BlackBerry® or any other smart phone. DocuSign provides 1st Guard customers with a fast and trusted method to complete insurance forms, thereby significantly reducing the time, environmental impact and cost of traditional paper-based processing.

Insurance companies across the country are adopting the DocuSign electronic signature management. Industry leaders such as Amica, BannerLife, First Premium, iPipeline, QuickQuote and hundreds of other insurance carriers and agencies have migrated to DocuSign to ensure compliance and enhance client satisfaction. For more information on how the DocuSign eSignature management service can positively impact the insurance industry, visit http://www.docusign.com/e-signatures/insurance.

"We are pleased to be the trusted eSignature provider for 1st Guard and look forward to working with them continue to quickly and conveniently serve their clients," said Steve King, president and CEO of DocuSign. “Customer service is a top priority for insurance carriers and we’ve seen a steep increase in the adoption of DocuSign across the insurance ecosystem. By automating the signing process and enabling consumers to complete forms online, from anywhere at any time, companies like 1st Guard can strengthen their ties with their customer base while cutting costs and improving efficiencies.”

About DocuSign, Inc.
DocuSign, Inc. is the market leader and global standard for electronic signature. DocuSign provides the world’s largest and fastest growing electronic signature platform, empowering businesses to complete transactions online quickly and securely while improving compliance and dramatically reducing costs. To learn how DocuSign can accelerate your business, visit http://www.docusign.com/ or call (866) 219-4318. Subscribe to the DocuSign blog at www.docusign.com/blog and follow DocuSign on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DocuSign.

1st Guard Truck Insurance Offers Webinars to Fleet Customers

July 26, 2010 – Venice, Florida –Truck Insurer 1st Guard Corporation has implemented a series of webinars for their fleet customers. The webinars are conducted at the 1st Guard office while attendees participate at the convenience of their desk. A compatible computer with Internet access is the only tool needed to view and listen to the webinar. The webinars are educational and interactive -- allowing participants to ask questions during and after the webinar.

“We provide the best Internet experience to our fleets and want to make sure they are aware of everything available to them at their finger tips,” remarked Dan Ribar, Chief Information Officer for 1st Guard. “There is no doubt everyone who participates in the webinars will gain something of value from the sessions, including 1st Guard.”

The introduction of webinars for fleet customers adds to 1st Guard’s robust technology portfolio. Fleet customers are first in line to experience the webinars. Plans to offer a webinar series to direct customers (those not affiliated with a fleet program through their trucking company) are underway.

New Version of TRUCKER1 Available

Venice, Florida – July 21, 2010 - 1st Guard Corporation, a truck insurer for physical damage and non-trucking liability insurance for leased owner operators, announced today the release of version 1.06 for TRUCKER1. This release focuses on taking advantage of the new features in Apple’s iOS4 for the iPhone. Added functionality includes:

• Multi-tasking functions. When switching between apps, TRUCKER1 will go in to ‘sleep mode.’ This avoids having to restart the app every time.
• Enhanced security features.
• Access to better vehicle and coverage information for customers making it easier to view insurance in the palm of your hand.

TRUCKER1 is the only app of its kind created for truckers by the Trucker's Insurance Company -- 1st Guard Corporation. TRUCKER1 is still FREE. Visit Apple’s itunes store to download TRUCKER1.

1st Guard on The Midnight Trucking Radio Network

Venice, FL - April 6, 2010 - While attending the Mid-America Trucking Show 1st Guards chairman Ed Campbell appeared on The Midnight Trucking Radio Network. Click here to view.

RoadTweet Now in TRUCKER1

Venice, FL - April 6, 2010 - Truck insurer 1st Guard Corporation, a leader in providing physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to leased owner operators, announces RoadTweet. RoadTweet Automatically tweets your current location, speed and altitude. This allows you to keep your friends and family updated on your current location safely while driving. RoadTweet can be found inside the TRUCKER1 iPhone application along with other tools to help truckers stay in touch with their loved ones.

1st Guard Attends the Mid-America Trucking Show

Venice, FL - March 4, 2010 - Truck insurer 1st Guard Corporation, a leader in providing physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to leased owner operators, announced it will be attending the Mid-America Trucking Show held in Louisville Kentucky. You can find 1st Guard at booth #13056 located in the North Wing. You will be able to receive an instant quote, meet some of 1st Guard's staff and enter to win a $500 fuel card. Be safe out there and we hope to see you all in Kentucky.

New Look, New Feel and Better Rates

It's a new year and things are changing for the better. Our brand new website has made it easier to get an instant quote, access documents, report a claim and manage your account any time day or night. We also have new rates and discounts that reward you as a trucker -- especially if you have a clean MVR.

Call 800-995-4827 or click here for an instant quote to see how much you can save.

1st Guard
The Trucker's Insurance Company