Hertz and First Notice Systems Team Up to Facilitate Insurance Replacement Car Rentals

    BOSTON & PARK RIDGE, N.J.--March 24, 2003--

Ability to place auto insurance claimants in rental cars without delay
    increases policyholder satisfaction and reduces claims expense

    First Notice Systems(TM), Inc., the leader in claim reporting solutions for the insurance industry, and The Hertz Corporation, the world's largest car rental company, today announced a strategic alliance that enhances the services insurance carriers can provide their policyholders when auto claims are reported. With the new alliance, insurance companies affiliated with First Notice are now able to offer a Hertz car rental reservation to policyholders who need alternate transportation when reporting an auto claim.
    The ability to reserve a car at the onset of reporting a claim eliminates the period most customers must wait for a claim adjuster to examine the customer's file. During this time, policyholders usually need to find an alternate means of transportation. Individuals who require an immediate solution often end up paying standard prices instead of the discounted rates their insurance carriers may have pre-negotiated with a car rental provider like Hertz. The joint solution between First Notice and Hertz, however, reduces claims-paid expenses and fills the void in customer service associated with such rentals.
    "This alliance allows auto insurance carriers to leverage complementary services that, when combined, can really assist policyholders," said Martin Aita, Director of Administration, Suburban Development for The Hertz Corporation. "Anyone who's been involved in a car accident knows that there's enough to worry about without considering how to find a rental car. Policyholders whose carriers use First Notice get prompt relief; a car is reserved at a Hertz Local Edition location as soon as they report their claim."
    "Some carriers worry about authorizing car rentals too early - before a claim is evaluated by an adjuster," said Jim Leightheiser, Vice President of Product Marketing for First Notice. "Our rules-based software uses the same decision-making process that adjusters use. It ensures that we only offer Hertz rentals to qualified claimants who have the appropriate coverage. In addition, we can limit the initial rental authorization period to last just long enough so that claim adjusters can follow up with policyholders to extend the rental as needed."

    The Integrated Service

    First Notice Systems call center representatives initiate car rentals with Hertz through an automated connection. Once a caller qualifies for a rental, he or she chooses the nearest Hertz Local Edition branch. First Notice immediately transmits the rental authorization request to that branch, which makes an outbound phone call to the policyholder within one hour to finalize the rental details, including the type of car and pick-up time. When claim adjusters receive the first notice of loss report, they're informed that a rental has been authorized for an initial period. Adjusters can then access the web-based Hertz Insurance Replacement System to manage the remainder of the rental.
    Hertz Local Edition is Hertz's network of suburban car rental locations with more than 500 suburban branches across the United States. The network offers a fast and convenient customer pick-up service and a wide variety of current car models. In addition, special insurance replacement rates and direct billing to insurance carriers are available. Backed by 24-hour emergency roadside assistance, this network embodies the Hertz reputation for quality.
    "Insurance policyholders contact First Notice in times of need," said Will Fulton, President of First Notice Systems. "By teaming up with Hertz we can, on behalf of our insurance clients, confidently offer them a value-added service from a company known for treating customers with the utmost care. The combined service exceeds customer expectations and saves our clients money in the process."

    About First Notice Systems

    Founded in 1993, First Notice Systems (www.firstnotice.com) is the premier provider of claim reporting and customer service solutions to the insurance and healthcare industries. First Notice connects insurance carriers, third-party administrators and healthcare organizations with their customers through a combination of call center outsourcing services and rules-based Web technology. With headquarters in Boston, MA, First Notice Systems, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Concentra Inc. Concentra is a leading healthcare company offering a broad range of products and services that provide quality patient care for work-related injuries and that manage the rising costs of healthcare and workers' compensation. Concentra serves the occupational healthcare, group health and auto/liability markets. "Concentra" is a registered trademark of Concentra Operating Corporation (www.concentra.com).

    About The Hertz Corporation

    Hertz is the world's largest car rental company, operating from approximately 7,000 locations in more than 150 countries. Hertz Local Edition is Hertz's suburban network of rental locations with business, leisure and insurance replacement rates available as well as pick up and drop off service.