Palisades Outclasses Other Auto Insurance Companies in Statewide Survey of Claim Services

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Feb. 10, 2009 -- A recent survey of New Jersey auto repair shops conducted by USA/DIRECT Inc., an independent research firm, showed there are significant differences in repair quality, speed of repairs, and customer experience when it comes to how well auto insurance companies provide claim services to policyholders.

In a blind survey, Palisades Safety and Insurance Management Corporation ("Palisades") was ranked far superior to many of the leading companies, including Progressive, GEICO and State Farm. The survey asked body shops to rate auto insurance companies on how well their practices and policies supported quality of repairs, speed of repairs, and the overall customer experience.

"We founded Palisades over 16 years ago as a new kind of auto insurance company--one that would redefine exceptional customer service," said CEO and President, Ed Fernandez. "We were the first in the industry with our Crashbusters(R) mobile claims settlement vans and later Door to Door Valet Claim ServiceSM and guaranteed shop repairs to provide customers with the very best in innovative services," said Fernandez.

The survey results showed that Palisades scored one and one-half times (1-1/2) higher than State Farm, nearly six (6) times higher than GEICO, and nearly nine (9) times higher than Progressive on quality of repairs.

For speed of repairs, Palisades was almost one and one-half (1-1/2) times higher than State Farm, over three (3) times higher than GEICO, and over four (4) times higher than Progressive.

When the body shops were asked how a company's policies and practices contributed to a positive overall customer experience, Palisades scored over one and one-half (1-1/2) times higher than State Farm, over three (3) times higher than GEICO, and over five (5) times higher than Progressive.

"Ours is an industry that's driven by rates... but customers shouldn't have to give up great service for low rates," said Fernandez. "When your car has been damaged because of an accident, all you want is an insurance company to repair the damage quickly without hassles and to do it right--that's what we've been doing for over 16 years," he continued.

The surveys were conducted via telephone and email between December of 2008 and January of 2009. Out of 1,700 licensed body shops in NJ, 170 were selected for this survey based on having sufficient experience with Palisades to render an opinion. Of the 170, 50 completed the surveys. Companies were evaluated on each question using a 10 point scale with 10 being excellent and 1 being poor.

About Palisades

Palisades is the nice New Jersey car insurance company that gives you more. Drivers and agents get more reasons to smile with more value, friendly New Jersey expertise, and service done right. Palisades sells exclusively through over 300 independent agents and is a leader in the fast settlement of claims. Insurance is underwritten by Palisades Safety and Insurance Association, Palisades Insurance Company and Palisades Property and Casualty Insurance Company. Palisades Safety and Insurance Management Corporation is a Plymouth Rock managed company. The Plymouth Rock Companies write and manage more than $1 billion in personal and commercial auto and homeowner's insurance across the Northeast.

About USA/DIRECT

USA/DIRECT is a New Jersey based research firm in operation for nearly two decades. Their experience is based on decades of hands-on, client-side Fortune 500 market research and marketing background. USA/DIRECT offers a complete range of studies for new product development and established brand repositioning including market studies to determine new areas of opportunity, branding, concept and product testing, test market research, national category tracking, customer satisfaction benchmarking and tracking, corporate image and issues of public importance. USA/DIRECT has been awarded the Marketing Research Association's highest PRC "Expert" Rating.