1st Guard Press Releases

1st Guard Corporation Shines among the Lease Operators at the Mid America Trucking Show

2008-04-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

Venice, Florida - April 2nd, 2008 - 1st Guard Corporation, a leader in providing physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to leased owner operators, announced today they had another successful truck show. This year marked the 37th annual Mid America Trucking 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 a hit for us. Despite high fuel costs and freight shortage, attendees were plentiful and our booth had a constant flow of traffic. The condition of the economy did not seem to be a significant talking point with our customer base,” added Wilson. “Rather, it was just something we all would have to overcome.”

1st Guard's® booth design enabled leased owner operators to receive physical damage quotes on the spot. The only information required for a quote was the state of residence, the year and make of the tractor/trailer, and the type of tractor/trailer. There were no other insurance vendors at the truck show who could provide such accurate information. Unlike their competitors, 1st Guard® is a direct-writer for physical damage insurance, placing coverage with their affiliate, First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best.

Besides the daily truck show regimen, 1st Guard® hosted a breakfast with Bill Mack for leased owner operators and their immediate family members. Bill Mack is a well-known radio personality in the trucking industry and has his own show on the Open Road channel (171) on XM satellite radio. “The breakfast allowed current 1st Guard® customers and potential customers to mingle amongst themselves and enjoy a wholesome breakfast at the same time,” noted Wilson. “There is no doubt 1st Guard® will be hosting more breakfasts with Bill Mack in the future. It was a tremendous success for us,” added Wilson. Bill Mack has a huge fan base in the trucking industry and his popularity has helped solidify 1st Guard’s® presence in the leased owner operator community. For the past several years, Bill Mack has produced commercials for 1st Guard Corporation.

Courtney Wilson was joined by Dan Ribar, Chief Information Officer, Dale Pikula, Network Administrator and Ed Campbell, III, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation. It was noteworthy that of all the insurance vendors exhibiting at the show only 1st Guard® sent a team of top executives.

1st Guard® Hosts Breakfast with Bill Mack at the Mid America Trucking Show

2008-03-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

March 10, 2008 – Venice, Florida - 1st Guard Corporation, an insurance firm specializing in truck insurance for owner operators leased to a motor carrier, announced today that they hosting a breakfast with Bill Mack at the Mid America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky at the end of this month. The breakfast is complimentary and will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center on Friday, March 28th at 8:00 am in room C104, located in the South Wing hall. The breakfast is open to lease operators and their immediate family members. Those planning on attending the breakfast do not have to be a customer of 1st Guard®. The only qualification is you must be leased on to a trucking company.

“This event is the first of its kind and we expect a good turnout,” stated Courtney Wilson, Director of Marketing for 1st Guard Corporation. “Over the years, we have developed a strong friendship with Bill Mack and what better way to bring the XM Satellite Cowboy to our target audience than to host an event at the largest truck show in the world,” added Wilson.

The complimentary breakfast is based on a first come first serve basis. Space is limited so it is important to arrive at the Kentucky Exposition Center is a timely manner. To reserve a spot in advance for the Breakfast with Bill Mack, call 1st Guard® directly at 866-FAST234.

1st Guard Corporation will be exhibiting at the truck show all three days, March 27th – 29th. Make sure to stop by their booth, #62144 in the West Wing, for a customized truck insurance quote.

First Guard Insurance Company Awards Baggett Transportation Company Fleet of the Year

2008-01-09T07:38:00.000-08:00

Venice, Florida – January 9, 2008 – First Guard Insurance Company announced today that Baggett Transportation Company, a general freight transportation company located in Birmingham, Alabama, has won the “Fleet of the Year Award” for 2007. This is the first time Baggett Transportation has won this prestigious award.

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 amongst trucking companies and their owner operators.

“Winning Fleet of the Year is a noteworthy award for any trucking company,” stated Ed Campbell III, Chairman of First Guard Insurance Company. “This award goes beyond achieving the lowest physical damage loss ratio. It really boils down to the structure and implementation the trucking company takes in regards to safety and compliance. Baggett Transportation deserves this award because of their strong safety measures and quality drivers,” added Campbell.

Baggett Transportation Company got its start in 1928, specializing in hauling dynamite to local coal mines in Birmingham, Alabama. Not too long after, a world war broke out and Baggett Transportation was summoned by the Department of War (Defense) to haul munitions due to its experience hauling dynamite. Baggett Transportation still remains a major hauler for the Department of Defense today.

About Baggett Transportation Company
Baggett Transportation is located in Birmingham, Alabama and hauls explosives for the Department of Defense. They also have a less-than-truckload division that hauls a variety of general commodities within the state of Alabama and other Southeastern states.

Claims Division of First Guard Insurance Company Now Under One Roof

2008-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:00

Venice, Florida (January 3, 2008) – First Guard Insurance Company (FGIC), one of the nation’s premiere physical damage truck insurance companies for commercial (Class 8) vehicles,
recently relocated their claims office to their Venice, Florida home office. Both the insurance company and the claims division now reside in the same building. “For many years we used 1st Guard Adjustment Company out of Sterling Heights, Michigan to handle all 1st Guard® claims,” remarked Donna Fortuna, President of First Guard Insurance Company. “But First Guard Insurance Company has grown to the point where it strategically made sense to have underwriting and claims in one location,” added Fortuna.

“We are a progressive company and this is the right move at the right time,” added Ed Campbell III, Chairman of First Guard Insurance Company. “Having the two power-houses of our company under one roof is advantageous for our customers because they are dealing directly with the insurance company and not the typical insurance agent. When our customers have questions, we have the answers.”

First Guard Insurance Company does not broker through agents but rather deals directly with the owner operator. By cutting out the middle-man they are able to pass on cost-savings to their customers. FGIC specializes in truck physical damage insurance for owner operators leased to a motor carrier.

1st Guard® Announces Concierge Style Loyalty Program For Truckers

2008-01-02T07:25:00.000-08:00

January 2, 2008 – Venice, Florida - 1st Guard Corporation, an insurance firm specializing in truck insurance for owner operators leased to a motor carrier, announced today that they are launching a customer loyalty program for their most prestigious group of customers. The program is called the Class 8 Elite. Class 8 signifies the type of vehicle (tractor trailer) 1st Guard® insures.

“We are launching the first elite customer program in the insurance industry similar to the elite status that hotels and airlines confer on their best customers,” stated Courtney Wilson, Director of Corporate Communications for 1st Guard Corporation. “The goal is to recognize our best customers and support them with a concierge style experience.” added Wilson.

Class 8 Elite members will enjoy an array of perks that will enhance their experience as a 1st Guard® customer. Some of the more notable benefits include a special customer service number that guarantees their call will be answered first, VIP tickets to select truck shows, invitations to all 1st Guard® special events and access to 1st Guard’s® top executives via telephone or e-mail. “As the program grows in the number of members we anticipate the expansion of benefits as well,” commented Wilson.

“We are excited about the launch of the Class 8 Elite loyalty program,” stated Ed Campbell III, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation. “We have always been on the cutting edge in the truck insurance industry,” added Campbell.

1st Guard Offers Instant Quote On-Line for Physical Damage Insurance

2007-11-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

November 6, 2007 – Venice, FL – 1st Guard Corporation, an insurance firm specializing in owner operator truck insurance, continues to be the only truck insurer to offer an instant quote on-line for truck physical damage insurance. The quote is instant and in real-time. “If you scour the Internet you will see many insurance agencies advertising instant quotes or quick quotes, but the fact of the matter is there is nothing instant about their quotes,” remarked Courtney Wilson, Director of Marketing for 1st Guard Corporation. “In this case, the owner operator has to submit requested information and then wait for an agent to call him back. It could take days before the agent has a quote for the owner operator and by that time, it is too late,” added Wilson. “With 1st Guard®, all it takes is four clicks of the mouse and the owner operator has his truck physical damage quote. It is truly an instant quote.”

1st Guard Corporation launched their version of an instant quote several years ago. Subsequently, each day their website receives hundreds of clicks for truck insurance quotes. In order to obtain an instant quote, the owner operator must select the state of residence and the year, make and type of tractor or trailer. The quote is based upon having the monthly premium automatically drafted from a debit card, credit card, checking or savings account. “Our goal is to make truck insurance fast, simple and hassle-free for the owner operator leased to a motor carrier. The on-line, instant quote is one example of this,” stated Ed Campbell, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation. “Beyond the instant quote, we also offer the owner operator the ability to purchase their truck physical damage policy on-line, 24/7.” This feature is called Buy It Now.

To obtain an instant quote, owner operators can go on-line to http://www.1stguard.com/ or http://www.fast234.com/. They can also call direct at 866-FAST234 to speak with a customer service agent.

First Guard Insurance Company Reaffirms “A” Rating

2007-09-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Venice, Florida (September 28, 2007) - First Guard Insurance Company (FGIC), one of the nation’s premiere physical damage truck insurance companies for commercial (Class 8) vehicles, today announced that A.M. Best Company has affirmed its financial strength rating of A (Excellent) with a stable rating outlook.

“The A rating certainly validates the merits of our direct writing model,” commented Ed Campbell, Chairman of First Guard Insurance Company. “It all comes down to execution. As a direct writer we not only save truckers money but we deliver superior service as well. Independent agents, at least in the truck insurance business, look to go the way of the dinosaurs. They’re good golfers, but they simply don’t add value.” added Campbell.

First Guard Insurance Company began operations as a reinsurer in 1997. It started writing truck physical damage insurance directly in 2003. Presently the company holds licenses in twenty-five states, recently adding North Carolina and New Jersey to their license list. First Guard Insurance Company is the only truck specialty insurer in the country that does not market through independent insurance agents.

First Guard Insurance Company Adds North Carolina and New Jersey To Their License List

2007-09-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

Venice, Florida (September 27, 2007) – First Guard Insurance Company (FGIC), one of the nation’s premiere physical damage truck insurance companies for commercial (Class 8) vehicles, today announced they will start writing business direct in North Carolina and New Jersey beginning January 1, 2008. Currently, FGIC is licensed in twenty-three states, primarily concentrated east of the Mississippi. The addition of North Carolina and New Jersey brings the total to twenty five. First Guard Insurance Company is rated “A” by AM Best.

“Strategically, North Carolina and New Jersey make sense for our business model. A lot of truckers live in those states. It made sense to get licensed and write some more business.” stated Donna Fortuna, President of First Guard Insurance Company. “As a direct writer we are able to pass on the cost-savings to the owner operator by cutting out the middle man,” added Fortuna. “Customers in these states are going to enjoy the benefits of dealing direct.”

First Guard Insurance Company is the only truck specialty insurer in the country that does not market through independent insurance agents.

1st Guard® Receives 100% Customer Satisfaction from Survey

2007-08-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

August 22, 2007 - Venice, Florida – 1st Guard Corporation, the nation’s leader in owner operator truck insurance, announced today that they have received a 100% customer service satisfaction rating year-to-date. Surveys are sent at random to new 1st Guard® customers. The format of the survey is short and concise, which helps increase the overall response rate. Simple yes or no responses are required along with extra space for additional comments. The questions asked on the survey cover five distinct areas of customer service:

1. Knowledgeable
2. Friendly
3. Fast & Efficient
4. Pleasant Experience
5. Highly Recommendable

Since the beginning of the year, 1st Guard® has received an overwhelmingly positive response from surveys sent to customers. In fact, they have yet to receive anything less than 100%.

“We take great pride in providing our customers with fast, friendly, and competent service – every time,” stated Clinton Thornton, Director of Client Services for 1st Guard Corporation. “The feedback received from the surveys helps us tweak any areas of improvement and continue to reinforce areas of strength,” added Thornton. “We will continue to send out these surveys indefinitely.”
The customer service satisfaction survey is also a useful tool for the marketing department. “Word of mouth is an important referral source for 1st Guard®, as is with many companies,” said Courtney Wilson, Director of Marketing for 1st Guard Corporation. “Existing customers, previous customers and friends and family referrals are referrals that stay with us [1st Guard®] for the long-term,” noted Wilson.

About 1st Guard Corporation
1st Guard Corporation is a leading truck insurance firm providing physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to leased owner operators and small fleet owners. First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best, is a direct-writer for truck physical damage insurance and an affiliate of 1st Guard Corporation based out of Venice, Florida.

Owner Operators Flock to 1st Guard® at the Great American Trucking Show

2007-08-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

Venice, Florida – August 28, 2007 - 1st Guard Corporation announced today that they surpassed previous truck show records for the number of truck physical damage quotes given to leased owner operators at this year’s Great American Trucking Show held at the Dallas Convention Center, August 23rd – 25th, 2007. During this three-day event, 1st Guard® gave 530 physical damage quotes.

“Each show we up the ante for the overall number of physical damage quotes, and at the end of each show, our truck show team easily meets and beats the goal set,” stated Courtney Wilson, the marketing director for 1st Guard Corporation. “We’ve been attending these shows with a great presence for the past few years and it is clear that we are making a lasting impression,” added Wilson. “There is no doubt 1st Guard® has become the name brand for the truck insurance industry.”

1st Guard’s® booth design allows owner operators to receive physical damage quotes on the spot. The only information required for the quote is the state of residence, the year and make of the tractor/trailer, and the type of tractor/trailer. The quote is strictly anonymous and within seconds, the owner operator knows exactly how much physical damage insurance would cost with 1st Guard®. Unlike their competitors, 1st Guard® is a direct-writer for physical damage insurance which is placed through their affiliate, First Guard Insurance Company, rated “A” by AM Best. Being a direct-writer enables them to provide fast and efficient “on the spot” quotes.

Courtney Wilson was joined by team members Dan Ribar, Chief Information Officer and Dale Pikula, Network Administrator, both of 1st Guard Corporation and Ed Campbell III, Chairman of First Guard Insurance Company. “Rarely do you see the Chairman of a company working the trade show booth,” remarked Wilson. “Having Mr. Campbell present and interacting with our customers and prospects added to the strength of our booth.”

About 1st Guard Corporation
1st Guard Corporation is a leading truck insurance firm providing physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to leased owner operators and small fleet owners. First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best, is a direct-writer for truck physical damage insurance and an affiliate of 1st Guard Corporation based out of Venice, Florida.

1st Guard Corporation Offers Anti-Theft Device Discount on Physical Damage Insurance

2007-07-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

1st Guard Corporation, an insurance firm specializing in owner operator truck insurance, continues to offer customers a discount on physical damage insurance for anti-theft devices installed in their tractors. In fact, 1st Guard® has offered an anti-theft device discount for several years. “We realized the importance of anti-theft devices several years ago and decided to reward those individuals who had one in their vehicle by offering a discount on their physical damage insurance,” stated Donna Fortuna, President of 1st Guard Corporation. “It not only saves the customer money on their monthly premium but it also reduces the risk of stolen trucks,” added Fortuna. “It’s a win-win situation.”

“The message is clear,” stated Ed Campbell III, the Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation. “Offering a discount on insurance because an anti-theft device is installed is positive reinforcement for our customers. We end up saving them money, which is critical in today’s world of rising living costs.”

1st Guard® offers a standard discount to all customers who have an anti-theft device in their tractor regardless of name brand or type of device. The anti-theft device discount is available nation-wide and is applicable to tractor trailers that are newer than twenty years old.

About 1st Guard Corporation
1st Guard Corporation is a leading truck insurance firm providing physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to leased owner operators and small fleet owners. First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best, is a direct-writer for truck physical damage insurance and an affiliate of 1st Guard Corporation based out of Venice, Florida.

First Guard Insurance Company Receives a 99.83% Claims Satisfaction Rating

2007-06-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

Venice, Florida – First Guard Insurance Company [FGIC] announced today that they received a 99.83% claims satisfaction rating from their physical damage customers for the 2006 calendar year. This unbelievable rating benchmarks an all-time high in the company’s history. In 2005, they received a 99.56% rating, which beat out the previous year’s record.

“The claims survey gives us insight on where we need to improve and where we need to continue to be strong,” stated Terry Brosnan, Vice President of First Guard Insurance Company. “Each year our execution of the claims process continues to be fine-tuned, and each year our customer satisfaction rating for claims continues to increase. It is apparent the surveys are definitely working,” remarked Brosnan.

A survey is sent to each customer who has a physical damage claim on his or her tractor/trailer. 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.

“If an owner operator experiences a covered loss and cannot operate his power unit, it is our job to make sure we fix it and get him back on the road as quickly as possible. I think this philosophy is what makes us so unique in this business,” added Brosnan.

About First Guard Insurance Company
First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best, is a direct-writer for physical damage insurance for leased owner operators and small fleet owners and an affiliate of 1st Guard Corporation based out of Venice, Florida.

First Guard Insurance Company Names Donna Fortuna President

2007-06-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

June 12, 2007 – Venice, FL - First Guard Insurance Company (FGIC), a truck insurance company specializing in physical damage insurance for leased owner operators, announced today the appointment of Donna Fortuna as President. She will be in charge of the daily operations and fiscal allocations of the company. Prior to her promotion, Fortuna was Secretary of FGIC.

“Donna is an exceptional leader with tremendous knowledge in both the trucking and insurance industries,” said Edmund B. Campbell III, Chairman of First Guard Insurance Company. “She is a progressive thinker, always trying to keep our company on the cutting edge. She is a dynamic individual and definitely an asset to our company.”

Fortuna has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years.

About First Guard Insurance Company
First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best, is a direct writer of physical damage insurance for leased owner operators and small fleet owners and an affiliate of 1st Guard Corporation, based out of Venice, Florida.

Insurer Asks New Congress to Repeal McCarran Ferguson Act

2007-01-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

Venice, FL – The President of First Guard Insurance Company, Edmund B. Campbell, III, broke ranks with other insurers and encouraged the Democrat controlled congress to repeal the McCarran Ferguson Act. “I have no argument with the system of state regulation,” stated Mr. Campbell. “However, the provision of McCarran Ferguson that provides anti-trust exemption and allows service firms like ISO to accumulate and publish collective loss, expense and rating data clearly discourages creativity and competition in our industry.”

Mr. Campbell has offered to testify before both the House and Senate Judiciary Committee’s in favor of repeal. Many leading Democrats including Representatives John Conyers of Michigan and Robert Wexler of Florida have expressed a desire to hold hearings on this issue. Even Republicans such as former Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlene Specter have articulated a need to review the anti-trust exemptions permitted by McCarran Ferguson.

Congress originally passed the Act in 1945 to establish state regulation over insurance. The Act includes a provision that exempts the industry from federal anti-trust laws and allows insurers to share loss and expense data to help with policy pricing and form development.

“Well run insurance companies understand their cost structures and exposure to risk,” said Campbell. “First Guard Insurance Company does not need or rely upon data collected from our competitors. We operate with a different model. If Congress repeals McCarran Ferguson it will force this industry to pay more attention to its excessive overhead costs and to become more entrepreneurial in the assessment of risk. Consumers in the end will benefit.”

About First Guard Insurance Company
First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best, is a direct writer of physical damage insurance for independent truckers.

SOURCE: First Guard Insurance Company
CONTACT: Courtney Wilson, Director of Corporate Communications
941-485-6210 e-mail: Courtney@1stguard.comwww.1stguard.com

1st Guard Launches Buy It Now…Online!

2007-01-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

Venice, Florida – January 2, 2007 – 1st Guard Corporation, a truck insurance specialist, has launched Buy It Now, a tool that allows leased owner operators to securely purchase physical damage insurance on their truck or trailer over the Internet. 1st Guard® is the first and only truck insurer to provide physical damage coverage with just a few clicks of a mouse. “A few years ago, we were the first truck insurer to offer instant quotes on-line and today, we are the first to offer truck insurance coverage on-line,” stated Ed Campbell, Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation.

Buy It Now provides an alternative resource for owner operators looking for physical damage insurance. Owner operators are constantly on the road and it is difficult for them to make calls during normal business hours. Buy It Now provides them [owner operators] the opportunity to secure coverage any time of day or night. “The Internet is a valuable tool for businesses today and that includes truck insurance,” added Campbell. The Buy It Now tool is completely safe for the end-user.

In December 2006, 1st Guard® discretely unveiled Buy It Now on their website (http://www.1stguard.com/) on trial basis. During this period of time, 1st Guard® was able to secure several physical damage policies for owner operators who used the Buy It Now tool. Currently, the only product available on-line for purchase is physical damage (comprehensive/collision) coverage.

“We have always been on the cutting edge of technology, and a leader in the truck insurance industry. Buy It Now is an example of the direction we are headed,” commented Dan Ribar, Systems Engineer for 1st Guard Corporation. “We are excited to further develop this tool to offer more unique products and services to our customers,” added Ribar.

About 1st Guard Corporation
1st Guard Corporation is a leading truck insurance firm providing physical damage and nontrucking liability insurance to leased owner operators and small fleet owners. First Guard Insurance Company, rated "A" by AM Best, is a direct-writer for truck physical damage insurance and an affiliate of 1st Guard Corporation based out of Venice, Florida.