On-line DMV Registration Announcement Overshadowed by Energy Crisis

    WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--Feb. 6, 2001--Due to the emerging energy crisis, some other elements of California Governor Gray Davis' recent State-of-the-State address did not receive as much attention as they might have otherwise. One example was the announcement of new, on-line technology to reregister motor vehicles.
    "Timing really is everything," says Ric Hill, vice president of Public Communications for 21st Century Insurance, one of the companies that helped the state and the California Department of Motor Vehicles design and implement the on-line registration procedure. "We know that Governor Davis is enormously proud of `My California,' the redesigned California website, and its use of web technology to make government even more accessible to people. Announcing the launch of the site and important new features like on-line DMV renewal would have, undoubtedly, received much more attention if not necessarily overshadowed by the energy crisis."
    21st Century Insurance began offering on-line motor vehicle registration to its 1.3 million California customers on September 11, 2000, after months of working with the DMV to perfect the system and provide the enormous policy database to make it possible. The company agreed to delay public announcement of the new technology until Governor Davis' announcement.
    By providing proof of insurance on its customers directly to the DMV, 21st Century Insurance enables policyholders to simply go on-line and renew registration of their vehicles using a credit card. Currently, 21st Century Insurance is one of only four companies in the state able to offer this convenience.
    Hill commented: "The Governor is justifiably proud of the interactive features of the new state website, and 21st Century Insurance is equally proud to have been a partner in bringing on-line vehicle registration to the people of California. 21st Century Insurance customers can log on to our own newly-designed website, www.i21.com, and be linked to the DMV."
    Customers of 21st Century Insurance and other insurers using online technology now receive vehicle registration renewal notices containing a unique Registration Identification Number (RIN). With this number and a credit card, registration renewal can be performed on-line. Hill points out that even vehicles requiring smog certifications can be renewed on-line, as smog certification stations provide results electronically to the DMV as well.
    21st Century Insurance is ranked as one of the top five vehicle insurance companies in the nation by J.D. Power and Associates and also holds an A+ (superior) rating from A.M. Best, the world's oldest independent insurance rating and information service. It recently received high marks in the California Department of Insurance's Consumer Complaint Study, tying for third best company among the largest six automobile insurers in California.
    21st Century Insurance is headquartered at 21st Century Plaza, 6301 Owensmouth Ave., Woodland Hills, CA 91367. For more information, log on to www.i21.com