Answer Financial and Zurich North America Form Alliance to Offer Commercial Insurance to Members of the Nation's Largest Warehouse Club

LOS ANGELES--Feb. 1, 20042, 2004--

SAM'S CLUB Expands Member Benefit Program to Address Critical Need of Small Business Base

Answer Financial, provider of SAM'S CLUB Insurance Services program, and Zurich North America today announced a strategic marketing alliance to provide high quality commercial insurance products to small business members in all states with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii.

The new products offered are Zurich North America's Precision(R) package policy which includes property, liability, umbrella, and automobile insurance coverage. Workers' compensation insurance is also available in most states. The comprehensive suite of products available from Zurich for small businesses target businesses such as offices, service providers, retailers and wholesalers.

"SAM'S CLUB continues to seek ways to better equip small business owners with quality services that increase productivity and profitability," said Cara Kinzey, VP Membership. "Finding the right commercial insurance to protect their businesses can be confusing, time-consuming and costly for owners who would prefer to concentrate on their main product or service. This offering from Answer Financial and Zurich North America will allow SAM'S CLUB to make the process easier and efficient."

The SAM'S CLUB Insurance Services program is available online to Members at the SAM'S CLUB website, www.samsclub.com, or via a toll-free call to 1-888-345-2111.

Jino Masone, executive vice president of Zurich North America Strategic Partnerships, said, "The marketing alliance with Answer Financial provides Zurich North America a terrific opportunity to deliver superior insurance coverage to eligible SAM'S CLUB Small Business Members."

"Small businesses are always seeking ways to save money, cut overhead costs and develop solid, long-term financial plans. Insurance policies should be reviewed to make sure a business has adequate coverage for replacement value and appreciation of assets," noted Answer Financial Inc. CEO, Alan Snyder. "Answer Financial and Zurich have teamed to build solid insurance choices and value for SAM'S CLUB Business Members."

SAM'S CLUB (www.samsclub.com), a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., is the nation's largest warehouse chain serving small business owners and operators. More than 46 million members utilize SAM'S CLUB as their purchasing agent and resource for consistent savings on products and services that meet their business and personal needs. Sales in 2003 were $31 billion.

Answer Financial Inc., rated #1 by multiple independent Web rating authorities, features auto, home, life, health, dental and long-term care insurance as well as annuity products, prepaid legal services, home warranty, vision and prescription discount plans, commercial insurance, online banking, travel protection, pet insurance and more. The company offers the products of more than 230 top-rated national providers through intranets, the Internet and by toll-free phone access to experienced, licensed agents. Answer Financial Inc. distributes its products as a voluntary benefit to hundreds of large employers and affinity groups, as well as a private labeled customer product for leading financial institutions. The Company has produced more than 635 web executions for its program sponsors.

Zurich North America (www.zurichna.com) is a leading commercial property-casualty insurance provider serving the multinational, middle market and small business sectors in the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., Zurich North America has 12,750 employees and wrote $13.6 billion in premiums in 2002. Zurich North America includes the Zurich U.S. business units (Corporate Customer, Middle Markets, Small Business, Construction, Specialties, Zurich Global Energy and Empire Insurance Companies), as well as Universal Underwriters Group, Zurich North America Canada, Zurich Corporate Solutions and Centre. The Zurich U.S. pool of companies is rated A (excellent) by A.M. Best and A+ (strong) by Standard & Poor's.