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Royal & SunAlliance USA Nonstandard Auto Operation Expanding Internet E-Commerce Site Across Country

22 May 2000

Royal & SunAlliance USA Nonstandard Auto Operation Expanding Internet E-Commerce Site Across Country
    DENVER, May 22 The Personal Insurance Division of
Royal & SunAlliance USA has successfully launched Orion AutoLink, its web-
based agency interface for nonstandard auto insurance products, in 23 states
where those products, marketed under the brand name of Orion Auto, are sold.
    On May 8 AutoLink was deployed to agents in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho,
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  AutoLink previously was made available in
California, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Dakota, and Texas.
    Accessible through the company web site, orionauto.com, AutoLink enables
agents to go online and submit endorsements, make cash payments, complete
billing and policy inquiries, and request supplies.  It also serves as a
source of e-mail communications between agents and the company.
    As one of the first insurers to offer a web-based system, Royal &
SunAlliance is encouraging agents to become web-proficient by providing
complimentary training through elementK, an online training source.  The
training is free for 30 days.  After that, agents may sign up for continued
service through elementK.  Additionally, marketing specialists are conducting
on-site training during routine visits with agents and their staffs, and the
company maintains an AutoLink help desk during business hours.
    Response to the easy-to-use AutoLink has been enthusiastic.  In
California, which went online in December, nearly 25 percent of the Company's
2,000 nonstandard auto agents have registered for AutoLink capability.  As
agents become familiar with AutoLink, usage is growing.  From February through
April, the number of online transactions completed in the state grew monthly
by 100 percent.
    "AutoLink has taken our already strong service to the next level," said
Steve Frisina, regional product manager, Irvine, California.  "We've seen no
resistance to this new technology and, in fact, agents not only are embracing
it, but they're using it to improve the quality of their service.  We've put
control of both time and accuracy into their hands, and they're passing this
efficiency on to their customers."
    AutoLink will be introduced in the remaining states where Royal &
SunAlliance's nonstandard products are sold by the end of June.
    The  Royal & SunAlliance Personal Insurance Division is headquartered in
Englewood, Colorado.  In addition to nonstandard automobile insurance, the
Division offers a broad mix of standard and preferred insurance products,
including auto, homeowners and umbrella coverages.
    Royal & SunAlliance USA is part of the international Royal & Sun Alliance
Insurance Group plc, London, one of the top 10 multi-line insurance companies
in the world.  The Group has $100 billion in assets, property/casualty and
life premiums of more than $16 billion, shareholders' equity of $10 billion,
and the ability to transact business in more than 130 countries.