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ARGO DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS

Insurance Carrier taking a hard look at ways to help rental car companies reduce their risk and cost

PRESS RELEASE

ARGONAUT RENTAL NEWS

Empire Insurance company, the leading provider of services for the rental car industry, is taking a hard look at ways to help rental compa-nies reduce their risk and cost. Em-pire is working with ARGO Devel-opment Systems, the national dis-tributor for MOGO GPS tracking systems, in promoting the use of GPS tracking devices for rental cars. Use of these devices offer numerous benefits for the rental car companies helping them to reduce their expo-sure to physical damage and finan-cial losses.

Let’s review some of the benefits when using the MOGO GPS track-ing device:

• Minimizes risk exposure to physical damage and theft helping to control your loss ratios. Loss ratios determine your rate.

• Assist in fast recovery of stolen vehicles, unauthorized use and renters failing to return, thus helping to reduce chances of filing a claim and lowering cost of associated fees such as towing, stor-age and lost income.

• Reduced exposure for liability claims.

• The tracking device also sends notification alerts if the rental ve-hicle enters areas that are unauthorized such as across state lines or country borders. These alerts can be sent to your email and a text message to your cellular phone.

These benefits can play a key role in saving money on insurance cost, your deductible and loss of income.

Use of the GPS tracking devices helps control and maintain cost fac-tors which are recognized by Empire and as such they are able and willing, through credits and indi-vidual risk consideration, to reward clients for practicing solid risk management and loss control. If you currently have these GPS devices or are looking to purchase them for your rental fleet regardless if you are insured currently or not with Empire, you may want to contact them to see if you can receive credits and individual risk consideration. This consideration may help in lowering your current premiums, and or assist in obtaining lower premiums if you become a new insured with Empire. In today’s current economy, we need to look for ways to save money whenever possible. This is an opportunity to save.

If you are currently insured with Empire, contact your agent to see if you qualify for any of these credits and individual consideration. If you are not currently insured with them, contact the following individu-als in your area for assistance.

North East South East West Central

Peter Franco Kirk Garner Vickie Betancourt Rick LaCroix

781-264-2432 541-954-0356 480-231-3854 815-347-8379

Also please note that ARGO is the only company that offers lease/financing for these devices so that you can afford to place them on all of your rental cars at once. Cost is as low as 8 to 11 dollars per car per month depending on fleet size. So don’t wait until you get your next insurance premium statement, sto-len car or unauthorized driver to make a decision, start now. Call one of our sales staff today!

VISIT OUR SALES STAFF ON PAGE FOUR OF THIS NEWSLETTER

“ IN today’s economy theft, un-authorized use and failure to return are increasing on a daily basis” Empire Insurance


Competition SOARS for Replacement Business

…”interconnectivity is an expectation”

Auto Rental News

With the current economic climate of the country, the car rental industry is seeing another sharp decline in the travel & leisure markets. Historically, we have seen these same type of declines over the decades whenever our economy suffers due to world related events such as the 1970’s Recession, September 11th, and now the price of crude oil.

There has been one company that has always survived these declines, Enterprise Rent A Car. While the rest of the rental industry was busy focusing on the airport and retail business, Enterprise was slowly cultivating relationships with the insurance carriers and capturing the replacement business. As a result of Enterprises continued focus and dedication to the replacement business, they have fortified a stronghold with the insur-ance industry and according to industry experts dominate approximately 85% of replacement rentals .

Noting the advantages of being in the replacement market, some of the smaller and major car rental compa-nies have begun to take efforts to enter the game. One advantage that Enterprise held over their competi-tors was their interconnectivity via an electronic reservation system known as ARMS, allowing them to inter-act with adjusters from the insurance companies.

The insurance adjusters are so accustomed to using ARMS, that both small and major rental car companies place themselves at an even greater disadvantage when they do not have access to an electronic reserva-tion system that interacts with the adjusters. With the heavy caseloads that adjusters struggle to process, the electronic reservation system steam lines the rental process making it easier and a time saving for the ad-juster. Interconnectivity is an expectation. The days of the phone calls and faxes are dying. Utilizing a electronic reservation system places the rental car companies on a list that the adjusters view giving the rental car company exposure and the opportunity to capture rentals.

How does an independent operator, franchisee or major rental car company gain access to such a electronic reservation system? The Argo Development System’s ICO (Insurance Connection Online) allows an adjuster to simply scroll through a list of available rental car vendors after typing in a state or zip code where the in-sured or claimant resides. The adjuster then selects a RAC and sends a rental request electronically. The rental location can either accept or decline the rental. The rental company then continues to use the ICO system to open the rental, correspond with the adjuster to extend rentals, other related issues, closing of the rental, and final invoicing.

Transmission occurs over the Web, using EDI (electronic data interface) protocol, or through a direct link to the insurance carrier’s mainframe. State Farm for example, maintains it’s own software program and re-quires a direct link. State Farm has operated its own rental management software for many years. Argo cre-ated ICO in 2000.

“It allows our claim representatives to make an electronic assignment to any participating rental company,” says Ed Weidmann, a State Farm claims consultant based at corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Ill. “But in order to participate, a rental company must have the ability to interact with us electronically using the scheme of elements we need to accept and transmit information,” Auto Rental News

If you want to become an active player in the insurance replacement business, it is essential that you gain access to an electronic reservation system that the insurance companies access, Argo Development Sys-tem’s ICO program can give you that access. ICO also provides you with additional electronic reservation systems such as “Service Writer” that allows you to provide your local dealership, body shop, transmission shop, etc. with direct electronic reservations and also serves as a “free management tool” for those referral sources.

If you are interested in learning more about Argo’s ICO systems, please contact one of the following:

Michael Zeller at 410-713-1593 Email: [email protected], Chris Rice at 972-278-0090 #1 Email: [email protected], or Doug Brittin at 972-278-0090 #2 Email: [email protected]


Another MOGO Product Saves the Day!

A customer who purchased the MOGO theft recovery device from Al Lambs Dallas Honda has realized the value of his investment. His motorcycle was stolen and within minutes, MOGO’s support staff located it. The police were notified of the stolen motor-cycle’s position and recovered it within an hour after the theft. Way to go MOGO!

How safe is your Motorcycle?

Introducing the ARGO Sales Team for MOGO Products and ICO Services Chris Rice

Ph: 972-278-0090 option 1

Fax: 972-278-1822

Email: [email protected]

Doug Brittin

Ph: 972-278-0090 option 2

Fax: 972-278-1822


Michael Zeller

Ph: 410-713-1593

Fax: 443-445-6902


David Middleman

Ph: 972-832-1786

Fax: 972-278-1822


Jim Schalberg

Ph: 800-396-9128

Fax: 707-221-2517


Jillian Schalberg

Ph: 800-396-9128

Fax: 707-221-2517


Andy Longtine

Ph: 877-320-5602

Fax: 707-221-2517


David Wells

Ph: 800-396-9128

Fax: 707-221-2517


Gary Gilbert

Ph: 561-427-8122

Fax: 707-221-2517


Jim Morgan

Ph: 619-425-2040

Fax: 619-427-6357


Tony Luciani

Ph: 619-425-2040

Fax: 619-427-6357

Email:[email protected]

Our Sales Family can provide all of your needs from GPS tracking to Electronic connections with Insur-ance carriers to protect your fleets and increase your rental utilization

Introducing the ARGO Sales Team for MOGO Products and ICO Services Chris Rice

Ph: 972-278-0090 option 1

Fax: 972-278-1822


Doug Brittin

Ph: 972-278-0090 option 2

Fax: 972-278-1822


Michael Zeller

Ph: 410-713-1593

Fax: 443-445-6902


David Middleman

Ph: 972-832-1786

Fax: 972-278-1822


Jim Schalberg

Ph: 800-396-9128

Fax: 707-221-2517


Jillian Schalberg

Ph: 800-396-9128

Fax: 707-221-2517


Andy Longtine

Ph: 877-320-5602

Fax: 707-221-2517


David Wells

Ph: 800-396-9128

Fax: 707-221-2517


Gary Gilbert

Ph: 561-427-8122

Fax: 707-221-2517


Jim Morgan

Ph: 619-425-2040

Fax: 619-427-6357


Tony Luciani

Ph: 619-425-2040

Fax: 619-427-6357

Email:[email protected]

Page 4

Our Sales Family can provide all of your needs from GPS tracking to Electronic connections with Insur-ance carriers to protecting your fleets and increasing your rental utilization

Dan Remillard

Ph: 906-440-1728

Fax: 906-635-0079


iTRACEme™ is the latest GPS tracking device to come from ARGO Development Systems Inc. iTRACEme™ installs in seconds in your vehicles and you can be assured that you have the ability to locate your vehicle 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You can monitor speed and receive alert notifications if the vehicle goes out of the area, state or country.

iTRACEme™ installs in seconds by simply plugging it into the diagnostic or “OBD” port on your car. You can just as simply unplug it and move it to a different vehicle. Most insurance carriers will give a discount on your insurance as iTRACEme™ is the ultimate in antitheft devices.

All iTRACEme™ devices come with a three year warrantee with the option of purchasing a lifetime of protection. iTRACEme™ is also available with a leasing plan for purchases of three or more units. To learn more about the latest tracking, and antitheft technology that is small enough to fit in your shirt pocket, call 866-663-1585 Email: [email protected], or contact one of our sales represen-tatives on page four and be on the way to protecting your

iTRACEme™ installs in seconds by simply plugging it into the diagnostic or “OBD” port on your car. You can just as simply un-plug it and move it to a different vehicle.

iTRACEme™ installs in seconds in your vehicles and you can be assured that you have the ability to locate your vehicle 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Ask about special pricing for five or more units with one year of unlimited air time.

Argo Presents iTRACEme™

Remember, in this economy cash flow is KING and we offer Marlin Leasing for any equipment purchase. They sent me the information below about the tax advantages and I thought I would pass it on. Rather you need our MOGO or iTRACEme GPS products or any computer products, even office furniture Marlin has a lease that will work for you. You can get a quote and even fill out a lease application at www.mogodemo.com or just call us at 866-663-1585.

IRS Section 179 Tax Advantages... With the Economic Stimulus Package came new advantages to leasing business equipment. To better help you use these

to your advantage, here is some more information on the benefits of the package.

Overview Business owners usually prefer to deduct the cost of the equipment they acquire in a single tax year, rather than bit by bit

over a number of years. This deduction is known by its section in the tax code, a Section #179 deduction.

Whereas in 2007, a business owner could only deduct up to $125,000, the Economic Stimulus Package increased this figure

greatly to $250,000 in 2008. Since this rule was designed for small companies, the deduction only applies to those

who purchase less than $800,000 of equipment in one year.

Leasing and IRS Section 179 Using leasing in conjunction with Section #179 presents very specific benefits when acquiring business equipment. This is

because a business owner can still deduct the total cost of the equipment without actually paying for the equipment up

front. This applies to Non-Tax/Capital leases, some of which include $1.00 Buyout Leases, Equipment Finance Agreements

(EFA), and a 10% Purchase Upon Termination (PUT) Lease.

Tax Savings Example - Section 179 Deduction

Cost of Equipment: $100,000

Section 179 Deduction: $100,000

Cash Savings on your Equipment Purchase: $35,000

(Assuming a 35% Tax Bracket)

Lowered Cost of Equipment after Tax Savings: $65,000

Only for 2008 To take advantage of the new 2008 tax incentives, all business equipment must be put in use by year-end. Unless these new

benefits are extended by Congress, the Tax Code 179 depreciation will return to $125,000 with the limit of $500,000 in

2009.

Contact your Marlin Rep (that’s ARGO at 866-663-1585) with any questions you may have and to assist you in taking full advantage of these new benefits for you!

With this in mind remember that we need to sell our inventory of MOGO, and iTRACEme GPS products by December 31 to avoid paying tax on it so we have close out prices for all programs and if you use leasing to purchase them it won’t effect your cash flow.

So be sure and order soon for year end discounts up to $50.00 per unit no matter what the quantity!

http://www.mogodemo.com/�

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