The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Autobytel.com Inks Deals with Three More Insurance Providers

22 February 2000

Autobytel.com Inks Deals with Three More Insurance Providers, Upping its Stake in the Multi-Billion Dollar Online Insurance Sales Market
 eCoverage, Esurance and Avomark.com Expand Autobytel.com's Online Automotive
                     Insurance Comparative Quoting System

    IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 22 -- Autobytel.com , the
company that controls nearly 50% of all online car-buying purchases, today
announced that its comparative quoting auto insurance system will now offer
real-time quotes through three additional insurance providers, eCoverage,
Esurance, and Avomark Insurance Company* or one of its affiliates.
    "With these agreements in place, Autobytel.com becomes one of the largest
one-stop resources for automotive insurance on the Internet," said Mark
Lorimer, President and CEO of Autobytel.com.  "Autobytel.com's auto insurance
program gives our customers fast, real-time insurance quotes from competitive
providers and enables application submission online.  This is another tool
that Autobytel.com has implemented to ensure that the total car-buying
experience can be completed online."
    To receive comparative quotes, consumers need only spend a few moments
answering some simple questions on a single online application.  The
time-saving benefits are tremendous, delivering multiple quotes in real time
and eliminating repetitious calls.  The addition of eCoverage and Esurance
gives Autobytel.com access to two "virtual" insurance providers that were
created solely for the Internet.  When working with these companies, customers
will be able to complete the entire insurance purchasing process online.
    According to Forrester Research, the Internet will influence $11.4 billion
in auto insurance sales in 2003 and actual sales over the Internet are
predicted to reach $3.2 billion.  As the leading automotive e-commerce site,
Autobytel.com plans to capture a significant amount of that business by
growing and enhancing its insurance program to meet the needs of its
consumers.
    In addition to eCoverage, Esurance and Avomark.com, Autobytel.com has
agreements with three other major insurance carriers, as well as direct
relationships with insurance agents through a live lead distribution system
established by InsurQuote Systems.  Using contracted independent agents that
can guarantee a quick response, InsurQuote's distribution system connects
consumers with local Internet-enabled agencies that can issue the policies and
provide further service.
    Insurance services are provided through Autobytel.com's wholly-owned
subsidiary, Auto-By-Tel Insurance Services, Inc.

    About autobytel.com inc.
    Internationally-branded Autobytel.com (http://www.autobytel.com) is the
acknowledged leader in online automotive commerce(1).  The most comprehensive
automotive Internet site, Autobytel.com offers consumers a positive purchasing
and ownership experience, while providing its Accredited Dealer Network with
the most efficient way to reach online car buyers.  As it assists consumers
through every aspect of the automotive lifecycle, Autobytel.com provides
continuity into the next vehicle purchase.  Launched in March 1995,
Autobytel.com's low-cost, no-haggle car-buying program is available in the
U.S., Canada (http://www.autobytel.ca), the United Kingdom (http://www.autobytel.co.uk),
Sweden (http://www.autobytel.se) and Japan (http://www.autobytel-japan.com).  In 1999,
Autobytel.com was ranked #1 in Dealer Satisfaction with Online Buying Services
for the second year in a row(2).

    The statements contained in this press release that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws.  These
forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to
predict.  Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is
expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements.  Autobytel.com
undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Among the
important factors that could cause Autobytel.com's actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking
statements are changes in general economic conditions, increased or unexpected
competition, changes in A.I.N. Corporation's financial performance, and other
matters disclosed in Autobytel.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

    (1) As reported by J.D. Power and Associates, Autobytel.com accounts for
        45% of all new vehicles sold through an online service. (8.23.99).
    (2) J.D. Power and Associates 1998-1999 Dealer Satisfaction With Online
        Buying Services Studies(SM).  1999 study conducted among dealership
        Internet specialists who completed 1,024 individual evaluations.

    *Description in this press release is intended to give general information
only and is subject to and controlled by the terms, conditions and exclusions
stated in the actual policy forms.  Policies are underwritten by Avomark
Insurance Company, the Ohio Casualty Insurance Company, Ohio Security
Insurance Company, or West American Insurance Company, subject to availability
which may vary by company and by state.