Category: RV

Atlanta, GA, January 15, 2018 – Safe-Guard Products International commemorated 25 years of service in the finance and insurance space in 2017, a year in which the company gained five new clients and five all-new products were added to their suite of protection products. The past year also marked the company reaching a milestone of processing nearly four million contracts annually while adding several team members to a staff of nearly 600.

In 2017, Safe-Guard added clients Aegis Security Insurance Company, Alphera Financial Services (a division of BMW Financial Services), Rolls-Royce (a division of BMW Financial Services), RumbleOn and Volkswagen Credit Inc. (Volkswagen, Audi and Ducati brands) to their roster of nearly 40 brands. Safe-Guard’s support for these clients includes fully private-labeled product solutions and industry-leading sales, marketing and administration. All-new products launched to clients in 2017 included Diminished Asset Protection (DAP), Tire Protection for customers in the service drive, Tire & Wheel Protection for commercial vehicles, a cosmetic version of Multi-Coverage Protection, and ZAZ GPS. In total, Safe-Guard now offers 19 different vehicle protection products to clients and their dealers.

Safe-Guard reached the milestone of selling 25 million contracts in 2017, coinciding with the company’s 25th anniversary. Safe-Guard now administers almost four million contracts annually. The claims team reached a milestone of reviewing and processing over 70,000 claims per month.

In the wake of last year’s major hurricanes Harvey and Irma, nearly $7.5 million was paid on nearly 2,000 GAP claims. The impact from these natural disasters triggered an immediate need for increased customer and dealer support, prompting Safe-Guard to quickly hire additional customer service and claims staff to support increased call volumes and reduce timing for claims processing.

Safe-Guard hired 38 employees in 2017 to support the new client and expanding product portfolios in both the U.S. and Canada. In the past year, the organization increased its focus on retail field support in order to help drive sales, and eCommerce and integrations with client and partner technology as the automotive industry continues to shift to digital retailing.

As for technology and service offerings, the company launched a new online self-service claims microsite, new and enhanced functionality within dealer portals, continued enrichments to the mobile claims app, a new business intelligence and reporting application and an enhanced dealer training offering.

As for community efforts, 2017 saw the Safe-Guard team supporting various nonprofit organizations surrounding education and family in both the U.S. and Canada, with team members serving nearly 400 hours in the community.

“2017 was an important year for us, not only because it was our 25th anniversary, but because we crossed many major milestones as an organization,” said Safe-Guard CEO Randy Barkowitz. “As we continue to grow with new clients and dealers, we will continue to increase our focus on providing innovative business solutions that help our dealers sell efficiently and help connect the automotive ecosystem. And of course this comes back to our talented and dedicated team and continual technology improvement. We’re quite excited about 2018 and what’s to come.”

About Safe-Guard Products International

Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of vehicle protection products in the finance and insurance space to the automotive, RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports industries. The company develops, markets and administers the highest-quality programs and matches them with unparalleled customer service, advanced technology solutions and industry-leading sales and marketing. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to top retailers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and independent agents across the United States and Canada.

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Atlanta, GA, February 16, 2016 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is pleased to announce a partnership with VW Credit, Inc. (“VCI”), doing business as Volkswagen Credit, Audi Financial Services and Ducati Financial Services, and the planned introduction in the United States of Volkswagen- and Audi- branded lines of automobile protection products, together with a Ducati-branded line of motorcycle protection products. Working in collaboration, the parties will develop, market and distribute the new enhanced suite of products with program introduction to the Volkswagen, Audi and Ducati dealer networks beginning on January 1, 2017.

Richard Howse, VP of marketing and business development for VCI, noted that providing a proven platform for dealer support in the distribution of branded vehicle protection products was key to the collaboration with Safe-Guard. Dealer support will include a fully dedicated national sales and training team consisting of 28 employees, a completely branded marketing offering and cutting-edge technology including a branded mobile claims application. A private label program providing vehicle protection products for nonbrand vehicles will also be made available for network dealers.

“Safe-Guard’s focus on a dedicated and completely branded sales and marketing solution will offer Volkswagen, Audi and Ducati network dealers the tools to help build customer satisfaction in parallel to supporting such dealers’ business needs,” said Randy Barkowitz, chief executive officer of Safe-Guard. “Building customer-focused protection product solutions is our number one priority, and Safe-Guard is proud to support a world-class customer and dealer experience for these brands.”

About VW Credit, Inc.

VW Credit, Inc. (VCI), was founded in 1981 to function as the captive financial services arm of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., and is affiliated with Volkswagen of America, Inc., Audi of America, Inc., and Ducati North America, Inc. VCI services Volkswagen, Audi and Ducati customers, authorized automotive/motorcycle dealers and their affiliated stores as Volkswagen Credit, Audi Financial Services and Ducati Financial Services. The company provides competitive financial products and services to dealers and their customers in the United States. VCI also manages and markets branded financial services through third-party providers. The company is headquartered in Herndon, VA. It maintains operational and customer service centers in Libertyville, lL, and Portland, OR, a remarketing department in Auburn Hills, MI, and regional offices in Woodland Hills, CA, Alpharetta, GA, Woodcliff Lake, NJ, Irving, TX, and Rosemont, IL.

About VWFS Protection Services, Inc.

Established in 2015 to serve as the obligor for the branded line of automobile and motorcycle protection products to be made available to Volkswagen, Audi and Ducati network dealers in the United States, VWFS is a wholly owned subsidiary of VCI with headquarters in Herndon, VA.

About Safe-Guard Products International, LLC

Founded in 1992 with global headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Safe-Guard is the leading provider of finance and insurance products in the automotive aftermarket industry and motorcycle segment. Safe-Guard develops, markets and administers the highest-quality finance and insurance programs and matches them with unparalleled customer service, advanced technology solutions and industry-leading training.

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Atlanta, GA, August 17, 2015 – Safe-Guard Canada is pleased to announce their relocation to a new, state-of-the-art office location in Mississauga, Ontario, to better service Safe-Guard clients such as Honda Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Nissan Canada Extended Services, Inc., Porsche Financial Services and North American Automotive Group as well as their dealers across Canada. With continued growth in the Canadian automotive industry, an increased focus from auto dealers on finance and insurance (F&I) products, and desire from consumers for complete and carefree auto protection, demand for F&I products is at an all-time high. Safe-Guard has been serving Canadian customers since 2001 and is now expanding Canadian operations at a new facility in Mississauga, Ontario.

The new and relocated facilities in Mississauga provide the necessary space and technology for Safe-Guard Canada’s growing call center and customer service team. The new facility also allows Safe-Guard to grow its training capacity and support Canadian clients and dealers with training initiatives through learning curricula such as Safe-Guard University and Nissan Academy. The office includes advanced training facilities and technologies to host corporate, regional and dealer personnel, and also offers technologies that allow one-on-one finance manager coaching. Safe-Guard University and other customized training programs are led by Safe-Guard managers with real-world dealer experience.

“We’re very excited about the opening of our new Mississauga office,” said Randy Barkowitz, CEO of Safe-Guard. “As our industry grows, we want to be able to coach our clients and their dealers on the latest F&I product knowledge, sales best practices and compliance standards. Our new and expanded office in Mississauga will allow us to offer on-site solutions to our Canadian partners to help them grow their businesses and create long-term customers. And having a new and expanded facility in Mississauga will better position Safe-Guard Canada to support and grow our clients’ businesses.”

The new Safe-Guard Canada office opens August 17, 2015.

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Atlanta, GA, August 18, 2014 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, announced that Jardon Bouska has joined the company as chief operating officer.

“I am pleased to welcome Jardon to the Safe-Guard team as chief operating officer,” said Randy Barkowitz, CEO of Safe-Guard. “His role will be essential to the next stages of growth within our company, and will help drive our commitment to operational excellence in order to better support our customers and our channel partners.”

With over 25 years of experience in strategic management, business development and daily operations, Bouska has a background that appeals to both the corporate and entrepreneurial side. Most recently Bouska was division president for Biller Solutions from Fiserv, which offers electronic billing and payment technologies for many Fortune 500 companies including Verizon, AT&T, Nissan, Bank of America, Allstate and Walmart. In addition to leadership roles in customer care, operations, IT and product management, Bouska has had success as co-founder, president and chief operating officer of SecureWorks, a company subsequently purchased by Dell.

“I am excited to join a strong leadership team with such entrepreneurial spirit. I look forward to leading the operational voice of Safe-Guard. It is my goal to help widen the margin that makes this company an industry leader and drive us into the next stages of success,” said Bouska.

About Safe-Guard Products International

Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of finance and insurance products in the automotive aftermarket industry as well as the RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports segments. The company develops, markets and administers the highest-quality finance and insurance programs and matches them with unparalleled customer service, advanced technology solutions and industry-leading training. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to more than half the country’s top 500 dealers, the most successful general agents and the largest dealer groups across the United States and Canada. With a complete product portfolio and smart technology solutions, top original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), dealers and independent agents choose Safe-Guard more than any other provider.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Kelly Noren at 404-816-3221 ext. 9477 or email at [email protected].

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Location in Irvine, CA, Will Service West Coast Partners and Support Sales & Marketing

Atlanta, GA, January 13, 2014 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is pleased to announce the opening of a third office location in Irvine, California, to better service clients across the United States and Canada. With recent growth in the automotive industry, an increased focus from auto dealers on finance & insurance (F&I) products and desire from consumers for complete and carefree auto protection, demand for F&I products is at an all-time high. Established in 1992, Safe-Guard is headquartered in Atlanta and opened an office in Toronto to service Canadian clients in early 2013.

The expansion to Irvine also allows Safe-Guard to grow their training capacity and support West Coast partners in training initiatives through Safe-Guard University. The office includes advanced training facilities and technologies to host corporate, regional and area salespersons. Safe-Guard University and other customized training programs are led by Safe-Guard managers with real-world dealer experience.

“We’re very excited about the opening of our Irvine office,” said Randy Barkowitz, CEO of Safe-Guard. “Client service is an important part of who we are. Having an office in Irvine will allow us to focus on West Coast partners to help them grow their business and create long-term customers. And having a state-of-the-art facility on the West Coast will help us expand our training capacity in order to continue to propel our clients’ businesses forward.”

The Safe-Guard Irvine office opened in December of 2013.

About Safe-Guard Products International

Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of finance and insurance products in the automotive aftermarket industry as well as the RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports segments. The company develops, markets and administers the highest-quality finance and insurance programs and matches them with unparalleled customer service, advanced technology solutions and industry-leading training. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to more than half the country’s top 500 dealers, the most successful general agents and the largest dealer groups across the United States and Canada. With a complete product portfolio and smart technology solutions, top original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), dealers and independent agents choose Safe-Guard more than any other provider. 

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Kelly Noren at 404-816-3221 ext. 9477 or email at [email protected].

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Tire & Wheel Protection Programs Offered Through Toyota and Lexus Dealers

Atlanta, GA, December 9, 2013 – Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Toyota Financial Services and Lexus Financial Services. Tire & Wheel Protection plans administered by Safe-Guard will be available to Toyota and Lexus buyers and lessees in dealer showrooms beginning December 9.

Developed through a partnership with Toyota Financial Services and in collaboration with Toyota and Lexus dealers, plans include:

• Full tire replacement (no plugs or patches; customers receive a new tire with a qualified claim, including for run-flat and aftermarket tires).
• Wheel replacement (when damage to the wheel prevents a seal between the tire and wheel).
• No limit to the number of claims; no aggregate dollar limit.
• Towing reimbursement (up to $100 when there is road hazard damage to the tire or wheel).
• Related costs for labor and fees.
• One-time transferability of benefits should the Toyota or Lexus vehicle be sold to a private party.

Through this plan, dealers will also have an option to offer cosmetic wheel repair for wheel scuffs and dings,¹ as well as an option to offer paintless dent repair and windshield repair.

“We’re pleased to have partnered with Toyota Financial Services to build and offer this whole new level of customer care,” said Dave Duncan, president of Safe-Guard. “Americans are spending more time on the road; average commute time is over 25 minutes with over 10 million people commuting an hour or more to work each day, and tire and wheel replacement can be a substantial out-of-pocket expense. Safe-Guard’s Tire & Wheel products add safety, security and peace of mind for Toyota and Lexus customers in the event their tires or wheels become damaged as a result of a road hazard. And it’s a greater opportunity for dealers to increase sales and customer retention, and build Toyota brand advocates.”

Interested Toyota and Lexus buyers should contact their local dealer to confirm Tire & Wheel Protection plans available.

¹ Cosmetic wheel repair option is not available in all states.

About Safe-Guard Products International

Founded in 1992 and based in Atlanta, Safe-Guard Products International, LLC, is the leading provider of finance and insurance products in the automotive aftermarket industry as well as the RV, marine and motorcycle/powersports segments. The company develops, markets and administers the highest-quality finance and insurance programs and matches them with unparalleled customer service, advanced technology solutions and industry-leading training. Safe-Guard is a proud partner to more than half the country’s top 500 dealers, the most successful general agents and the largest dealer groups across the United States and Canada. With a complete product portfolio and smart technology solutions, top original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), dealers and independent agents choose Safe-Guard more than any other provider.

About Toyota Financial Services

TFS is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing, as well as commercial equipment, truck and fleet financing, through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust. TFS also offers extended service contracts through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). Lexus Financial Services is the brand for financial products for Lexus dealers and customers. TFS currently employs more than 3,200 associates nationwide, and has assets totaling over $95 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Kelly Noren at 404-816-3221 ext. 9477 or email at [email protected].

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