DaimlerChrysler Insurance Co. (DCIC), a company within DaimlerChrysler Services North America, announced Oct. 24 an alliance with Sentry Insurance that “focuses on providing dealers with a broader insurance product range that meets their daily insurance needs,” according to DCIC.

The recently launched initiative includes a garage package that complements the current floorplan insurance DCIC has provided since 1964.

The programs offered in conjunction with Sentry cover non-physical damage insurance needs, such as property, liability and worker’s compensation. Furthermore, specialized loss control services enabling the dealer to prevent losses are also available in the package.

“The alliance with Sentry allows us to provide dealers with a competitive insurance alternative that caters to their specific needs as well as allowing us to further concentrate on our core competence of floorplan insurance,” said Tom McAlear, president and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Insurance Company and vice president of Chrysler Financial.

Since January 2002, when DCIC began focusing on the physical damage insurance coverage, dealer penetration has increased, according to the company. This trend is expected to increase with the introduction of the newly introduced program in conjunction with Sentry.

The program is available to all Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers as well as Mercedes-Benz dealers, according to Jim Haan, vice president of DaimlerChrysler Insurance Company responsible for the operations. “Regardless of the brand, each dealer has the same general requirements when it comes to their insurance package,” Haan said. “We strongly feel that we are now in an excellent position to offer our dealers a one-stop shop that covers their diverse needs.”

DaimlerChrysler Insurance Company began offering insurance coverage to automotive dealers in 1964. Working closely with the dealers, DCIC provides complete coverage for new and used vehicles in inventory.

About DaimlerChrysler Services North America LLC

DaimlerChrysler Services North America LLC provides brand specific financing for automotive dealer inventories and retail consumers and does business as Chrysler Financial and Mercedes-Benz Credit.

Doing business as DaimlerChrysler Services Truck Finance, it also finances commercial vehicles for affiliate products such as Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star.

The company serves as the headquarters for operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico and has more than 5,000 employees who manage a portfolio of $80 billion with nearly five million contracts.

DaimlerChrysler Services North America is a member of the DaimlerChrysler Services Group, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, which operates in 38 countries with an employee base exceeding 10,000 and a global portfolio of EUR 114 billion.