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InsWeb Marketplace Debuts in Japan

6 April 2000

InsWeb Marketplace Debuts in Japan INSWEB.COM LOGO iNSWEB.com logo. (PRNewsFoto)[DM] REDWOOD CITY, CA USA 05/21/1999    

 Auto Insurers Compete Online in the World's Second Largest Insurance Market


    REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 6 InsWeb
announced today that InsWeb Japan K.K. -- a joint venture with SOFTBANK
Finance Corp. -- has launched its online marketplace (http://www.insweb.co.jp) for
consumers in Japan.  The new site features five leading auto insurers who
compete in the world's second-largest insurance market.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990521/INSWEBLOGO )
    InsWeb Japan's online marketplace enables consumers to comparison shop for
auto-insurance coverage, and access a range of interactive tools and
information on Japanese insurance matters.
    "InsWeb technology now enables millions of online consumers and leading
insurance companies to do business on both sides of the Pacific," said Hussein
Enan, chief executive officer of InsWeb.  "This is a powerful endorsement of
the technology platform we have built.  With the leadership and support of
SOFTBANK, participating insurers and other business partners, InsWeb Japan is
off to a tremendous start in the world's second largest insurance market."
    Japan's sizeable insurance business accounts for 25 percent of the world's
personal and commercial insurance premiums, according to research by Swiss
Reinsurance Company.  Combined with the U.S. marketplace, the two
InsWeb-branded Internet sites cover markets accountable for 56 percent of all
personal and commercial premiums worldwide.
    "InsWeb's technology and proven market performance in the United States
are well suited for our long-term efforts in Japan," said Yoshitaka Kitao,
president and chief executive officer of InsWeb Japan K.K.  "We expect that
our joint venture with InsWeb and other business partners will be of
tremendous value to Japanese consumers."
    Sumitomo Marine and Fire Insurance, Dai-Tokyo Fire and Marine Insurance,
Mitsui Marine and Fire Insurance, Yasuda Fire and Marine, and American Home
Assurance (a unit of AIG) are participating at InsWeb Japan today.  Tokio
Marine and Fire Insurance and Axa Non-Life Insurance are expected to
participate at InsWeb Japan later this year.
    InsWeb continues to expand its technology capabilities designed to
streamline the shopping and acquisition processes for consumers and insurers.
Earlier this week, InsWeb announced the use of online technology designed to
place enforceable auto-insurance coverage in the hands of U.S. consumers just
minutes after shopping among leading insurers.

    About InsWeb
    InsWeb ( http://www.insweb.com ) enables online consumers to compare free,
multiple quotes sponsored by 54 of the nation's leading insurers.  Featuring
auto, term life, health, homeowners, renters, condo, and pet insurance, InsWeb
also provides live, 24x7 customer-service, interactive tools and research
capabilities, and is accessible from more than 180 leading sites, including
Yahoo!, MSN, Snap.com, LookSmart, and E*TRADE.  InsWeb is headquartered in
Redwood City, Calif.

    About InsWeb Japan K.K.
    InsWeb Japan K.K. enables online consumers to compare free, multiple
quotes sponsored by five of Japan's leading insurers.  The company is a joint
venture with SOFTBANK Finance Corp., InsWeb Corp., and Marsh & McLennan
Companies Inc.

    This news release contains forward-looking statements.  It is based on
current information that we have assessed, but which by its nature is dynamic
and subject to abrupt changes.  The company's actual results might differ
materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due
to risks and uncertainties associated with the company's business; which
include, but are not limited to, consumer acceptance of an online insurance
marketplace and the company's further implementation of new insurance carriers
and their product offerings.  The forward-looking statements should be
considered in the context of these and other risk factors disclosed in the
company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    NOTE:  "INSWEB" is a registered service mark of InsWeb Corporation.  All
marks above are those of InsWeb Corporation, except for those of insurance
carriers, brokers, agents, industry organizations, financial institutions,
online partners, service providers, other mentioned companies and educational
institutions, which are the marks of their respective entities.