Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness in October with 1st Guard

The changing colors of the leaves mark the beginning of fall and the fun festivities of harvest and Halloween. Add a splash of pink to the mix and what comes to mind? Breast Cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and pink is the color associated with this cause. In recognition of breast cancer awareness, 1st Guard is using their Internet radio show, The Courtney Wilson Show, to promote awareness amongst the trucking industry.

Host Courtney Wilson will interview Jerad Wittwer, owner of Peformance Diesel Inc. (PDI Inc.) and master-mind behind the Breast Cancer Awareness "Truck" Fundraiser on October 4th. PDI Inc. will be raffling off a "hot pink" 2001 rebuilt Peterbilt 379 worth $80,000 at the 2013 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. All proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

To finish out the month with a bang, Courtney will circle back to breast cancer awareness and speak with co-founder Mary Beth Gibson of Beyond Boobs. This organization has a special Peterbilt show truck called Ma'am O'Gram that travels the country as a working truck while at the same time spreading awareness and prevention about breast cancer. You could call her [Ma'am O'Gram]a traveling billboard.

Breast cancer is most commonly associated with women; however, men can get breast cancer too. Predominantly a male-oriented industry, trucking is a great marketing outlet to utilize in order to get the message across to all types of people.

To learn more about The Courtney Wilson Show, please click here.

First Guard Insurance Company Reaffirmed "A" Rating by A.M. Best for 8th Consecutive Year

Specialty truck insurer First Guard Insurance Company announced today that A.M. Best Company (Oldwick, NJ) has affirmed its financial strength rating of A (Excellent) with a stable rating outlook.  Since 2004, First Guard Insurance Company has maintained the rating of A (Excellent). For the latest ratings, visit www.ambest.com.

The “A” (Excellent) rating of First Guard reflect its solid risk-adjusted capitalization and balance sheet liquidity as well as history of excellent underwriting and operating profitability. First Guard’s expertise in the trucking physical damage market for leased owner-operators coupled with prudent underwriting standards, immediate attention to operational issues and a conservative operating strategy continues to play a strong role in long-term profitability and stability.

A reduction in claim activity and loss experience for the latter part of 2011 resulted in sound underwriting profits and this trend has continued into 2012. Solid underwriting capability in conjunction with a conservative operating strategy reassure A.M. Best analysts that First Guard Insurance Company will continue to produce favorable operating results.

“First Guard Insurance Company has stayed true to an underwriting discipline that speaks to our consistently profitable results,” stated Chairman Ed Campbell III. “Surplus has grown by a factor of over ten since the company's founding. While we hope the economic environment improves, we feel well positioned for profit and growth regardless the state of the economy."

About First Guard Insurance Company

First Guard Insurance Company, rated “A” by AM Best, provides physical damage and non-trucking liability insurance to leased owner operators.  First Guard is the only specialty truck insurer in the country that does not market through independent insurance agents.   First Guard Insurance Company is an affiliate of 1^st Guard Corporation, based out of Venice, Florida.

 

The Great American Trucking Show Countdown Begins

Well folks, it's that time of year again. It's hot and steamy across most of America, the dog days of summer as they say. But beyond wrapping up summer, this is also the time of year when the hottest truck show in America takes place - The Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Texas. Mark your calendars for August 23rd - 25th. If you can make it to Dallas one of these days, you won't be disappointed!

1st Guard will be exhibiting at the show, as always. Please make a point to stop by Booth # 15132 to say hello to the fabulous 1st Guard Ladies - aka "The Dallas Divas." They are ready to talk truck insurance and answer any questions you may have regarding truck insurance. You may even be able to sweet talk your way into having Courtney Wilson, host of The Courtney Wilson Show, autograph a special edition 1st Guard Radio t-shirt!

You don't want to miss another great show. We look forward to seeing you there!
www.1stguardradio.com OR www.1stguard.com

Independence Day Reflection on The Courtney Wilson Show

The Fourth of July is a time of family fun and barbecues and time for oh's and ah's when watching fireworks. But beyond the festivities, the Fourth of July is when we recognize and celebrate the birthday of The United States of America and furthermore, remember all those who have fought to protect our country.

1st Guard is proud of the American Trucker and 100% geared toward the American Trucker. In celebration of America's 236th birthday and in honor of all our heroes, Courtney Wilson - radio host of The Courtney Wilson Show on 1st Guard Radio - interviewed owner operator and true patriot, Martin Walsh. Martin had an extraordinary story to tell regarding his involvement in the World Trade Center Steel Convoy a few years ago. The story is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, but makes us all feel proud to be an American. Martin tells the story so well, almost like you were there yourself.

You don't want to miss this captivating half-hour reflection told straight from the heart of Martin Walsh. The show took place July 5th, 2012. Listen now!

Songplugger Chris Keaton on The Courtney Wilson Show - Listen!

Venice, FL - May 10, 2012 - Did you miss The Courtney Wilson Show today? Don't fret - you can listen to the show archived on 1st Guard's website. Or, you can download the podcasts from iTunes.

Today's show stepped out of the realm of trucking and into the world of the music industry. The interview unveiled a niche of the music industry that many people are unaware of -- songplugging. Enjoy listening to the engaging interview with Nashville-based songplugger Chris Keaton of Chris Keaton Productions. You'll also be one of the first to listen to a new song entitled Taylorsville Angel just released on the radio by new artist Joseph Scott.

Host Courtney Wilson takes you through a journey never before chartered by the truck insurance industry! Listen now!

Truckload Carriers Association on The Courtney Wilson Show

Join Courtney Wilson, host of 1st Guard's own radio show - The Courtney Wilson Show - this Thursday, May 3rd at  2pm Eastern. The special guest this week is the President of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), Chris Burruss. Chris has an extensive career in the trucking industry, particularly heading up state trucking associations for Missouri and Tennessee. Chris has been President of the TCA for 8 years and counting. We're excited to discuss hot button trucking issues with Chris and listen to what he has to say about the state of the trucking industry. You don't want to miss this show!

In order to listen to the show LIVE, go to www.1stguard.com/radio. 1st Guard Radio is the only radio show geared for the American Trucker. Relevant trucker news, interviews with top executives and management at renowned motor carriers, the latest technology  for truckers, insurance tips and much more are featured on the show. If you cannot listen LIVE, you can listen ANYTIME as each show is archived on our website for 12 months. 1st Guard Radio is an Internet-based radio show streamed live over the Internet every Thursday at 2pm Eastern.

1st Guard Truck Insurance Releases Version 2.0 of TRUCKER1 iPhone® App

Venice, Florida - April 10, 2012 - 1st Guard Corporation is proud to announce today that Apple has approved version 2.0 of the TRUCKER1 iPhone app. It is accessible to download now from the Apple App store.

"The need to improve and enhance TRUCKER1 ultimately came from ideas given to us by truckers", stated 1st Guard's® Chief Information Officer, Dan Ribar.  "Many of the changes seen in this new version started out as conversations we had with our customers at trade shows."

The main goals of enhancing TRUCKER1 were to provide faster access to detailed data in a more efficient manner. Quite technical but very practical in today's world of virtual e-commerce. Some features were removed in version 2.0 of TRUCKER1that were not needed while those that were critical were enhanced to met the truckers needs.  Here's what we did:

• Eliminated our speedometers. Too many out there.
• Eliminated the Find a Friend feature. This is available on the iPhone so we eliminated our version.
• Email alerts is now integrated with contacts.This idea came from a trucker!
• Added Agent Connect. This feature is on the front screen and will automatically connect your phone number to an agent at 1st Guard. This keeps you from having to find the number.
• Added Trucker Referral. 1st Guard believes in word of mouth. This new feature gives you the opportunity to refer one of your trucker friends to 1st Guard for a quote.
• Added 1st Guard News. Stay current with the latest news and happening from 1st Guard on the web.
• Added Customer Pictures. Store a picture of yourself and your truck. If you are insured with 1st Guard these pictures show up in your account.
• Added My Status. This new function gives you an executive view of your performance with 1st Guard regarding your truck insurance.

TRUCKER1 is a free iPhone app for anyone - but it is particularly useful for truckers and 1st Guard customers. No matter where you are or what time of day it is, TRUCKER1 provides essential detailed information about the trucker's insurance. "TRUCKER1 is a virtual ID card in the palm of your hand," concluded Ribar.