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CARSTAR Reaches National Agreement With Esurance

Collision Services Firm to Manage Auto Insurer's Repairs in 180 Shops

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jan. 5 -- CARSTAR Collision Services, the nation's largest group of collision repair shops, announced today that it has established a partnership with Esurance, a leading direct-to-consumer auto insurance company. The new arrangement will extend CARSTAR's regional Direct Repair Program (DRP) to a national program that will support Esurance's ongoing growth.

CARSTAR has managed Esurance repairs in more than 100 of its shops over the past year. The new agreement will add 80 CARSTAR shops to Esurance's repair program.

Esurance's Material Damage Director Joe Laurentino said he expects the relationship to continue to bring both companies success. "We developed a strong relationship with CARSTAR and they have proven to be an exceptional partner and we look forward to our mutual growth."

CARSTAR Vice-President of Insurance Dan Young concurred. "With our size and established systems, we have been able to help Esurance in its growth and customer satisfaction goals, by managing the repair process effectively, making Esurance policyholders very satisfied with the service they receive. We will continue to do this and are pleased with the opportunity to grow with them throughout our entire system."

With more than 262 domestic locations, CARSTAR leads the nation in the number of shops and in customer satisfaction. While the majority of CARSTAR shops are independently owned and operated, the organization focuses on providing a consistent customer experience throughout the nation.

Esurance is a direct-to-consumer auto insurance company that is committed to taking the hassle out of shopping and buying auto insurance through a Web-based consumer experience. While Esurance maintains state-of the-art- technology, it also delivers a high-touch customer experience, with a focus on superb customer service.

"CARSTAR has been busy building a quality collision network for 15 years," said Laurentino. "They consistently exceed 98 percent on CSI ratings, reflecting their excellence. They know how to treat customers from the moment they enter the door, and we like being associated with this type of experience."

CARSTAR is no stranger to national DRP programs. They have national relationships with a number of other major carriers across the country.

"We know to reach our potential, consistency is the name of the game," said CARSTAR Director of Insurance Larry Siembab. "Esurance is a successful, aggressive company that puts a premium on delivering value through strong customer service for affordable prices. This is right in line with what we are about."

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kans., CARSTAR is the largest group of auto body repair shops in the North America. The privately held company currently has 262 locations in 25 U.S. states, and 110 Canadian locations. U.S. states include Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland and the District of Columbia. In 2005, 29 new franchises were added to the CARSTAR roster. Since it was founded in 1989, CARSTAR has performed more than 2 million repairs with an average customer satisfaction rating of 98 percent or better. For more information visit, www.carstar.com.

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select online agents. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices. For more information, visit Esurance's award-winning Web site, www.esurance.com.