TORONTO, Ont. — Markel Insurance Company of Canada today announced the launch of Markel LEGALink, a US lawyer referral service, available to all Markel policyholders who need the expertise of transportation lawyers in specific US jurisdictions.

"When Canadian carriers are involved in minor violations in the USsuch as traffic charges, inspection citations, hours of service infractions and logbook violationsthey need the experience of a transportation lawyer practicing in the state where the offence occurred," says Mark Ram, president and CEO of Markel. "Markel LEGALink maintains a database of legal defense professionals who have trucking expertise our clients can access in order to protect their driving record."

To request a list of applicable defense lawyers through Markel LEGALink, a carrier simply calls Markel toll-free at 1.888.MARKEL.1 and asks for Markel LEGALink by name. After identifying the nature of the violation and the state in which it occurred, Markel representatives will provide the policyholder, by fax or email, a list of transportation lawyers in that jurisdiction who may be able to help with the matter. This service is available exclusively to Markel policyholders.

"The best way to manage minor violations in the US is by securing local US legal counsel that specializes in defending trucking carriers," continues Ram. "By directing our policyholders to US transportation lawyers endorsed by leading trucking associations, we can provide our clients the resources they need to fight minor violationsa resource that can protect our policyholders’ driving records and, ultimately, insurance rates."