TORONTO, Ont. — Markel Insurance Company of Canada has launched a new virtual safety advisor service for trucking companies and insurance brokers.

Markel 1Source is a toll-free information hotline that allows truck operators to acquire up to date information about regulatory compliance, safety management, driver management and training and cross-border issues.

"For years, Markel has operated the insurance industry’s largest team of truck safety and training experts, staffed largely by former trucking safety and compliance managers and trainers," says Mark Ram, president and CEO of Markel. "In order to increase the accessibility to our team of knowledge experts, we have launched Markel 1Source. With this service, all of our policyholders and brokers are one call away from a wealth of trucking information."

Ram added: "The more information our clients have, the better they can deal with issues before they arise," continues Ram. "Good planning starts with good information, both for our policyholders and for our brokers. Markel has now simplified and improved the process of accessing our expertise."

The service is available free of charge to Markel policy holders and insurance brokers. It can be accessed anywhere in North America by calling 1-888-MARKEL-1 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday to Friday.