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OrionAuto Launches E-Commerce Site on Internet

2 June 1999

OrionAuto Launches E-Commerce Site on Internet

    DENVER, June 2 -- Nonstandard automobile insurer OrionAuto
successfully introduced its electronic commerce interface, Orion AutoLink, in
Illinois on Monday, May 17, 1999.  Following a week of training, beta testing
for AutoLink was conducted with a small group of Illinois agents.  Accessible
through the company's web site, orionauto.com, the interface provides agents
with features such as QuickQuote, new business, endorsements and cash
collection.  During the first week of testing, OrionAuto marketing specialists
also spent a day in the office of each test agency to provide additional
support and training.
    As one of the first insurers to offer a web-based system to agents,
OrionAuto is actively partnering with agents to support implementation of
Orion AutoLink.  In an initiative to prepare its agents for the company-wide
rollout of AutoLink, which is scheduled to be complete by year-end, OrionAuto
just launched OrionAuto University.  Unique in the insurance industry, this is
a partnership between OrionAuto and Ziff-Davis, Inc. (ZDU) to provide
complimentary online training to agents.
    According to Jack Buffington, e-business director, the beta testing is
very interactive for OrionAuto.  "We're looking for feedback from these agents
that will help us improve our site and get it ready for a company-wide
rollout."  An in-depth feedback process is in place between test agents,
marketing specialists and the AutoLink deployment team.  Agents keep a daily
log to communicate problems and issues to marketing specialists.  Agent
feedback will then be discussed and adjustments made to the system and
processes.  The next phase of the rollout, deployment of AutoLink to all
Illinois agents, will begin in June.
    OrionAuto has been in business for over 40 years and operates through
independent insurance agents in 35 states.  The company writes nonstandard
private passenger automobile insurance through its six insurance affiliates
which carry A.M. Best ratings of "A(Excellent)" or "A-(Excellent)."  The
Company is one of four principal specialty insurance operations wholly-owned
by Orion Capital Corporation , a Fortune 1000 company with assets in
excess of $4.0 billion.