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Patelco Teams With Esurance to Introduce Nation's First Integrated Online Auto Insurance and Loan Platform

Patelco Teams With Esurance to Introduce Nation's First Integrated Online Auto Insurance and Loan Platform

  Credit Union Cites Esurance Integration as a More Efficient Way of Selling
                                  Insurance

    SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 20 Esurance Inc., a nationwide
direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance provider and subsidiary of
Folksamerica Holding Company, Inc., along with San Francisco-based
Patelco Credit Union, today announced the launch of the first integrated
online auto loan and auto insurance application platform.  The new platform
combines Patelco's Automated Lending Process, which includes online
application and approval of auto loans, with Esurance's quick and convenient
quote-to-claims auto insurance coverage platform.  The new platform is now
available in the online loan center on Patelco's Web site, http://www.patelco.org.
    Patelco's highly automated Internet Lending System enables its members to
complete a loan application, be qualified, and receive approval for an auto
loan online.  However, since Patelco requires proof of auto insurance before
it approves a loan, it made sense to find a partner that could provide the
same level of automation for auto insurance.  Esurance was chosen based on the
company's ability to quickly integrate its service and technology with
Patelco.
    "We believe that the best time to sell auto insurance coverage is when our
members are going through the auto loan process," said Scott Waite,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Patelco Credit Union who
also heads up the investment and insurance subsidiary corporation.  "We chose
Esurance because we wanted an insurance provider who could seamlessly
integrate into our automated online loan process and still provide a product
to our members at a good value."
    With the addition of Esurance, Patelco expects that more of its members
will use the credit union's online loan center because of the convenience and
the site's ease of use.  Patelco is optimistic that a greater number of
members using the loan center will be able to complete their transaction
online with the addition of Esurance's online auto insurance.  The two
companies have agreed to jointly market the service online to the credit
union's customers.
    "Patelco members are technologically savvy and demand services with high
quality online and offline customer support," said Tom Capp, National Accounts
Director for Esurance.  "Our partnership adds to Patelco's already robust
online services by enabling instant access to auto insurance coverage during
the loan application process.  In addition, members have access to Esurance's
dedicated Customer Service Center, staffed with licensed insurance
professionals, available via email and phone 24-hours a day, seven days a week
to help consumers with any questions throughout the decision-making process
and beyond."

    About Esurance Inc.
    Esurance Inc. is redefining the insurance experience by creating an easy
and time efficient way to buy and manage personal auto insurance online.  The
company's unique Internet-based business model reduces the overhead of
traditional insurance operations, while still performing the key functions of
an insurance provider, including pricing, underwriting and claims handling.
This direct model eliminates paper-based processes and creates cost savings
that are passed on to customers in the form of low rates for top-rated
insurance policies.  Through its online service (http://www.esurance.com), Esurance
offers consumers expert advice, quote comparisons, instant coverage, as well
as convenient 24x7 policy management, customer service and superior claims
handling.  The company was the first Internet-based provider to offer
real-time quote capability and fulfillment service online to more than half of
the nation's driving population.  Esurance is an operating subsidiary of
Folksamerica Holding Company, Inc., a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance
Group .

    About Patelco Credit Union
    San Francisco-based Patelco Credit Union is a full service financial
cooperative with assets of over $2.2 billion and over 200,000 members.
Patelco was chartered in 1936 in the State of California as the credit union
to serve the employees of Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company.  Patelco
remained a "telephone company" credit union until divestiture in 1983, at
which time they expanded their Field of Membership to include Select Employer
Groups.  Today, Patelco provides credit union services to more than
2,000 organizations, including Pacific Bell, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, GTE,
Sprint, Walgreens, Autodesk, Pacific Exchange, Harris Digital Corporation,
Internal Revenue Service, San Francisco Giants, Visa International and various
federal government agencies.  Surrounding their 30 branch offices, Patelco
offers membership to those who reside, work or worship in over 40 communities
throughout Northern California.
    Patelco is the 11th largest credit unions in the United States and 4th in
the State of California.  They are considered a leader in the financial
services industry and one of the most successful credit unions in the U.S.
They are also one of the most convenient and innovative in delivering products
and services to its members.

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