Response Insurance Group Acquiring Worldwide Insurance Company & Worldwide Direct Auto Insurance

      Puts Response Among 15 Largest Direct Auto Insurers in the Nation

    MERIDEN, Conn., Jan. 27 -- The Response Insurance Group of
Companies, direct-to-the-consumer auto insurers, announced it had signed a
stock purchase agreement to acquire Worldwide Insurance Company and Worldwide
Direct Auto Insurance Company from Great American Insurance Company, the
insurance subsidiary of American Financial Group, Inc.  The purchase will more
than double the size of Response and make it one of the nation's largest auto
insurers.
    Upon completion of the sale and regulatory approval, the Response
Insurance group, which is a subsidiary of Direct Response Corporation, will
have more than 100,000 in-force policies in 44 states putting it among the
15 largest direct auto insurers in the nation and among the 100 largest
personal auto insurers.
    Mory Katz, President & Chief Executive Officer of Direct Response
Corporation and Chairman of the subsidiary Response Insurance Group of
Companies, made the announcement as the Company signed a stock purchase
agreement for an amount equal to the policyholders' surplus of the Worldwide
companies plus $17 million.  The transaction will require the filing of a
"Form A" application and approval from the Ohio Department of Insurance.
    "This acquisition solidifies our plan to build Response into the next
large national direct auto insurer in the country," said Mr. Katz.  He
estimates that their net written premium for 2003 will be $125 million.
    The acquisition includes a personal auto book of business with more than
55,000 policyholders, renewal rights on other policies, and a call center in
St. Louis, MO.  The premiums generated by the Worldwide companies represented
approximately 70% of AFG's personal auto insurance premiums written on a
direct basis.

    About Response: Response Insurance is a national auto insurance company
focusing on insuring safe, responsible drivers.  The Company is known for its
low rates and great customer service.  Consumers reach Response Insurance
through a toll-free number (1-800-RESPONSE) and their website,
http://www.Response.com, which provides real-time quotes and the power to fully
complete transactions online.  Response Insurance's parent company, Direct
Response Corporation (DRC), was formed in 1996.  DRC and its subsidiary
companies and programs, including Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance and
Teachers' Insurance Plan, are headquartered in Meriden, CT.  The Company also
has offices in Suisun City, CA and Melville, NY.

    About Worldwide: Worldwide Insurance Company and Worldwide Direct Auto
Insurance Company are both headquartered in Cincinnati, OH.  Their parent
company, Great American Insurance Company, was founded in 1872.

     Contact:   Ray Palermo
                Director of Public Relations
                Response Insurance
                500 South Broad Street

                Meriden CT 06450
                Tel: 203-634-7251
                RPalermo@Response.com