Safelite Glass Corp. Announces Developments in Diamond Triumph Litigation

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 6, 2003 -- Safelite(R) Glass Corp., a leading provider of property and casualty claims management solutions and the nation's leader in auto glass repair and replacement services, has announced several important developments in the company's litigation with Diamond Triumph Auto Glass, including the appointment of new legal counsel, Jones Day.

SAFELITE MOVES TO DISMISS DIAMOND TRIUMPH CLAIMS

On April 29, 2003, Safelite(R) Glass Corp. filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment in its litigation with Diamond Triumph Auto Glass.

Safelite's motion seeks to dismiss Diamond Triumph's claims based on: (1) an alleged breach of an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing; (2) alleged violations of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act; and (3) alleged violations of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. Safelite's filing with the Court states that, "Based on the undisputed facts, these claims have no legal merit."

"This motion is consistent with Safelite's position that it has not violated the law and that the Court should dismiss those claims," said Antonio Dias, a partner in the law firm of Jones Day and legal spokesperson for Safelite. Jones Day, one of the world's largest and most geographically diverse law firms, with more than 2000 lawyers in 25 locations, was appointed as Counsel for this matter by Safelite in April 2003.

"Safelite will move in an efficient and orderly manner to have all claims dismissed and to prosecute its claim against Diamond for disparaging conduct," said Mr. Dias, referring to the Counterclaim brought by Safelite against Diamond Triumph.

INSURERS INTERVENE IN SUPPORT OF SAFELITE GLASS CORP. EFFORTS TO PROTECT POLICYHOLDER PRIVACY

A significant number of major insurers have asked the United States District Court in the Middle District of Pennsylvania to prevent or limit the disclosure of confidential and proprietary information in litigation between Diamond Triumph Auto Glass and Safelite Glass Corp. Over seventy insurance companies (including subsidiaries and affiliates) joined in filing papers with the Court stating that Diamond Triumph "requested documents [from Safelite] that are wholly irrelevant to the matters at issue in the case and that contain the Insurers' confidential and proprietary information." The insurance companies argued that disclosure of this information "would harm the Insurers and invade the privacy interests of their insureds." As part of the discovery process, Diamond Triumph requested full disclosure of more than six million customer calls. Disclosure of that information would result in the dissemination of private policyholder information.

"We welcome the support of these insurance companies that have raised with the Court their concerns over the needless disclosure of customer information," said Antonio Dias of Jones Day. "Safelite is a model of best practices in the industry. Its operations provide the insurance companies and policyholders with a mechanism to honor customer preference and bring exceptional value."

Over and above the concerns raised by the insurance companies, Safelite has its own objections to providing the information requested by Diamond Triumph. "We have raised the privacy and confidentiality issues with the Court and question whether the information requested is relevant to this litigation," said Mr. Dias.

In the litigation, Safelite has denied Diamond Triumph's claims that Safelite is improperly operating vehicle glass claims programs and call centers. "Safelite has been the target of a lot of rumor and innuendo -- we are looking to set the record straight," said Mr. Dias.

"Safelite has taken steps in the litigation which would assure that there will be a full review of the relevant facts," said Mr. Dias. He added that "such full review of the facts would include information relevant to the counterclaim filed by Safelite against Diamond for Diamond's disparaging conduct in the marketplace.

SAFELITE GLASS CORP. SERVES SUBPOENA TO INDEPENDENT GLASS ASSOCIATION AS PART OF DIAMOND TRIUMPH AUTO GLASS LITIGATION

Safelite(R) Glass Corp. today served a subpoena on the Independent Glass Association (IGA). This request to review information created and collected by the IGA is part of Safelite's defense against claims made by Diamond Triumph Auto Glass and Safelite's counterclaim against Diamond Triumph for disparaging conduct.

Among the items requested in the subpoena are those relating to the IGA's efforts to track Safelite's behavior in the assignment of auto glass jobs as part of its role as a third party administrator of auto glass claims for many of the nation's leading insurers, as well as certain communications between the IGA and Diamond Triumph counsel Charles J. Lloyd, postings from the IGA's discussion boards, and IGA meeting and seminar materials.

"We are committed to the examination of the facts concerning Diamond Triumph's claims and conduct. The IGA has publicly stated that it is assisting Diamond Triumph's attorneys in the litigation. The subpoena seeks to discover what they have done and what kind of information they have collected," said Antonio Dias of Jones Day.

Privately held Safelite Glass Corp. is a leading provider of property & casualty claims management solutions to insurance and fleet companies, and leads the auto glass repair and replacement industry. The company offers convenient mobile service to more than 85% of the driving public in all 50 states, and provides wholesale glass and distribution services under its Service AutoGlass brand. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.safelite.com