Venice, FL - For the second time in three years DD&S Express of Baltimore, Maryland has won the coveted 1st Guard Corporation "Fleet of the Year" award.
1st Guard Corporation started the "Fleet of the Year" competition in 1997 to recognize the safest and most productive trucking companies in the country. The annual award is presented to the trucking company with the lowest physical damage loss ratio. Interest in the competition continues to grow. In fact many trucking executives now regard "The Fleet of the Year" award as the de-facto mark of quality when it comes to judging fleet safety.
Said one trucking executive, "This is the Superbowl of fleet safety awards. Most industry sponsored competitions boil down to good ole boy backslapping. Winning 'The Fleet of the Year' award actually means something."
DD&S' physical damage loss ratio for 2004 was zero. They did not have a physical damage claim for the entire year. The company operates close to 100 power units and moves heavy specialized loads across the country.
"To win the award once is a major accomplishment," commented 1st Guard Chairman, Ed Campbell. "To win the award twice - both times with a zero percent loss ratio - is unprecedented. DD&S Express has taken the practice of safety to a new level. I only hope more trucking companies follow their lead."
Robert Schuhman, Vice President of DD&S Express, remarked that "we don't view accidents as an automatic given in this business. People say we've set an unrealistic standard, yet we've hit the mark two out of the last three years. Don't tell me it can't be done."
DD&S Express was established in 1986 as a division of the Davidson Transfer & Storage Company. The company offers heavy and specialized transportation along with standard shipments. 1st Guard Corporation and its affiliate First Guard Insurance Company provide truck physical damage insurance for owner operators and trucking companies across the country.
Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
First Guard Insurance Company Upgraded by Best to "A"
VENICE, FL - First Guard Insurance Company announced that A.M. Best Company has upgraded its financial strength rating from A- (excellent) to A (excellent). Best views the rating outlook on the company as stable.
"The rating reflects the company's strong capitalization reflecting its very low underwriting leverage, excellent operating profitability and solid balance sheet liquidity," said Best. As further basis for the upgrade, the rating agency also cited First Guard's expertise in underwriting and servicing truck physical damage insurance for owner operator truckers.
First Guard Insurance Company operates as a direct writer of truck physical damage coverage. "The upgrade from Best only reinforces our commitment to this model," commented First Guard's President, Edmund B. Campbell, III. "Increasingly truckers prefer to deal directly with their insurance company, and insurers that cling to outdated marketing models will find it harder to compete."
"The rating reflects the company's strong capitalization reflecting its very low underwriting leverage, excellent operating profitability and solid balance sheet liquidity," said Best. As further basis for the upgrade, the rating agency also cited First Guard's expertise in underwriting and servicing truck physical damage insurance for owner operator truckers.
First Guard Insurance Company operates as a direct writer of truck physical damage coverage. "The upgrade from Best only reinforces our commitment to this model," commented First Guard's President, Edmund B. Campbell, III. "Increasingly truckers prefer to deal directly with their insurance company, and insurers that cling to outdated marketing models will find it harder to compete."
Monday, April 26, 2004
1st Guard Chairman to Appear on The Midnight Trucking Radio Network
Venice, FL - Ed Campbell, III, the Chairman of 1st Guard Corporation will appear as a special guest on the Midnight Trucking Radio Network on the morning of April 29th. The show will broadcast at 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time (12:00 a.m. Central).
Along with hosts Eric Harley and Joe Kelley, Mr. Campbell will discuss truck insurance issues relevant to owner operators. Truck insurance has become an increasingly complex and expensive issue for owner operators. Mr. Campbell will share his extensive knowledge on the subject to help the show's listeners gain a better understanding of the truck insurance process.
The Midnight Trucking Radio Network broadcasts live from Dallas each morning through affiliate stations across the country. The show is replayed during afternoons on Sirius Satellite Radio (channel 141). For more information on the Midnight Trucking Radio Network visit http://www.midnighttrucking.com.
Along with hosts Eric Harley and Joe Kelley, Mr. Campbell will discuss truck insurance issues relevant to owner operators. Truck insurance has become an increasingly complex and expensive issue for owner operators. Mr. Campbell will share his extensive knowledge on the subject to help the show's listeners gain a better understanding of the truck insurance process.
The Midnight Trucking Radio Network broadcasts live from Dallas each morning through affiliate stations across the country. The show is replayed during afternoons on Sirius Satellite Radio (channel 141). For more information on the Midnight Trucking Radio Network visit http://www.midnighttrucking.com.
Monday, January 5, 2004
Claims Service Satisfaction Reaches New High
STERLING HEIGHTS, MI. - Survey results show that customer satisfaction with 1st Guard's physical damage claims service has reached an all time high in 2003 of 98.69%.
"We take great pride in this number." commented, Terry Brosnan the President of 1st Guard Adjustment Company. "People buy insurance for the future promise of responsive claims service. We're glad our customers recognize that 1st Guard works very hard to deliver on that promise."
Any delay that prevents an owner operator from using his truck can add up to big dollars in terms of lost revenue. 1st Guard's emphasis on settling claims in a fair and efficient manner makes it the preferred truck insurance source for many owner operators.
Upon payment of every covered claim, 1st Guard Adjustment Co. sends the customer a short survey covering five distinct areas of the claim process.
1.) Did we respond quickly following your report of the loss?
2.) Was our representative courteous?
3.) Was our settlement fair, in your opinion?
4.) Were our final settlement, repairs, and replacement, completed within a reasonable time?
5.) Would you recommend 1st Guard Corporation based on the claims service you received?
The percentages of "yes" answers given to each question appear below:
1.) 99.26% 2.) 99.70% 3.) 98.05%, 4.) 98.50%, 5.) 98.95%
"Taking all of the above percentages into account, the analysis has determined that our customers have advised that their overall total claim satisfaction percentage is 98.69%." said Mr. Brosnan.
1st Guard Adjustment Company based in Sterling Heights, Michigan provides physical damage claims adjusting services for 1st Guard Corporation a leading provider of physical damage insurance to the trucking industry.
"We take great pride in this number." commented, Terry Brosnan the President of 1st Guard Adjustment Company. "People buy insurance for the future promise of responsive claims service. We're glad our customers recognize that 1st Guard works very hard to deliver on that promise."
Any delay that prevents an owner operator from using his truck can add up to big dollars in terms of lost revenue. 1st Guard's emphasis on settling claims in a fair and efficient manner makes it the preferred truck insurance source for many owner operators.
Upon payment of every covered claim, 1st Guard Adjustment Co. sends the customer a short survey covering five distinct areas of the claim process.
1.) Did we respond quickly following your report of the loss?
2.) Was our representative courteous?
3.) Was our settlement fair, in your opinion?
4.) Were our final settlement, repairs, and replacement, completed within a reasonable time?
5.) Would you recommend 1st Guard Corporation based on the claims service you received?
The percentages of "yes" answers given to each question appear below:
1.) 99.26% 2.) 99.70% 3.) 98.05%, 4.) 98.50%, 5.) 98.95%
"Taking all of the above percentages into account, the analysis has determined that our customers have advised that their overall total claim satisfaction percentage is 98.69%." said Mr. Brosnan.
1st Guard Adjustment Company based in Sterling Heights, Michigan provides physical damage claims adjusting services for 1st Guard Corporation a leading provider of physical damage insurance to the trucking industry.
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
First Guard Insurance Company Receives Rating Upgrade
VENICE, FL - Rating firm A. M. Best upgraded First Guard Insurance Company yesterday from B++ (very good) to A- (excellent). Best sited First Guard's consistently favorable operating results, solid capitalization and conservative investment strategies as the basis for the rating upgrade.
First Guard Insurance Company began operations in 1997. Yesterday 1st Guard Corporation Chairman, Ed Campbell, III remarked. "We started First Guard Insurance Company to reinsure our truck physical damage program. In that capacity the company has performed extremely well. Our customers have enjoyed stable rates, and we have sidestepped the reinsurance problems that continue to plague so many other trucking programs. Now we want to take the process further and position First Guard Insurance Company to write business directly. The rating upgrade we received yesterday will certainly facilitate this course of action."
The upgrade for First Guard Insurance Company comes at a time when many insurance companies have actually seen their ratings decline. Poor underwriting results and a weak investment environment have hit the insurance industry particularly hard. In contrast, First Guard Insurance Company has always generated an underwriting profit. Annually it has outperformed the industry's loss ratio for automobile physical damage coverage by roughly 10 points. The company has avoided stock market losses by keeping its capital invested exclusively in U.S. Treasuries.
First Guard Insurance Company began operations in 1997. Yesterday 1st Guard Corporation Chairman, Ed Campbell, III remarked. "We started First Guard Insurance Company to reinsure our truck physical damage program. In that capacity the company has performed extremely well. Our customers have enjoyed stable rates, and we have sidestepped the reinsurance problems that continue to plague so many other trucking programs. Now we want to take the process further and position First Guard Insurance Company to write business directly. The rating upgrade we received yesterday will certainly facilitate this course of action."
The upgrade for First Guard Insurance Company comes at a time when many insurance companies have actually seen their ratings decline. Poor underwriting results and a weak investment environment have hit the insurance industry particularly hard. In contrast, First Guard Insurance Company has always generated an underwriting profit. Annually it has outperformed the industry's loss ratio for automobile physical damage coverage by roughly 10 points. The company has avoided stock market losses by keeping its capital invested exclusively in U.S. Treasuries.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Advancements in Paperwork Reduction
VENICE, FL - In an effort to eliminate customer paperwork and make it easier than ever to buy truck insurance, 1st Guard Corporation has introduced digital voice authorization. Filling out paperwork to join their popular automatic credit card and direct debit (ACH) programs is now a thing of the past. New voice digitizing techniques designed by 1st Guard's® in house software developers allow customers to give voice authorizations over the phone.
"This eliminates the faxing of hard to read forms and the added frustration of filling them out." Said company president, Donna Fortuna. "We only recently added this capability and it has been an instant success. Almost all of our customers now choose this method of payment authorization. We believe people are fed up with the mounds of paperwork required by many providers of truck insurance and are turning to 1st Guard®."
"This eliminates the faxing of hard to read forms and the added frustration of filling them out." Said company president, Donna Fortuna. "We only recently added this capability and it has been an instant success. Almost all of our customers now choose this method of payment authorization. We believe people are fed up with the mounds of paperwork required by many providers of truck insurance and are turning to 1st Guard®."
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
INTERNET DIVISION REPORTS FIRST PROFIT
VENICE, FL - The Internet sales division of insurance firm 1st Guard Corporation reported a profit in January of 2003 after just five months in operation. The company anticipates that the division will remain profitable and expects profit margins and sales volume to show further increases in the months to come.
"We're fourteen months ahead of our target." Said division manager, Walt Augustinowicz. "The demand for on-line insurance quotations and policy service has surpassed all expectations."
The company attributes its on-line success to a combination of factors. 1st Guard® invested very heavily in Internet delivery technology in the late nineties. Now the company enjoys an edge over its competitors at a time when interest in the Internet among truckers is surging. Today most trucking companies have high speed Internet networks and increasingly owner operator truckers keep track of their expenses and stay in touch with their families using laptop computers.
"We don't require you to enter tons of personal information to get a firm insurance quotation. We developed this site with the customer's privacy and convenience considerations in mind."
"We're fourteen months ahead of our target." Said division manager, Walt Augustinowicz. "The demand for on-line insurance quotations and policy service has surpassed all expectations."
The company attributes its on-line success to a combination of factors. 1st Guard® invested very heavily in Internet delivery technology in the late nineties. Now the company enjoys an edge over its competitors at a time when interest in the Internet among truckers is surging. Today most trucking companies have high speed Internet networks and increasingly owner operator truckers keep track of their expenses and stay in touch with their families using laptop computers.
"We don't require you to enter tons of personal information to get a firm insurance quotation. We developed this site with the customer's privacy and convenience considerations in mind."
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