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Esurance Adds Eight States; Expands Coverage To Half of U.S. Driving Population

5 June 2000

Esurance Adds Eight States; Expands Coverage To Half of U.S. Driving Population

    SAN FRANCISCO--June 5, 2000--

    Drivers in CT, FL, LA, MD, MI, OH, PA and SC now able to save time
    and money purchasing auto insurance instantly online with Esurance

    Esurance Inc., the leading Internet-exclusive provider of personal insurance, today announced that is now selling auto policies in eight additional states: Connecticut, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina through its website (http://www.esurance.com). Esurance is now available in a total of 16 states, the population of which represents half of the auto insurance consumers in the U.S.
    "This is a significant step in our efforts to offer affordable, quality auto insurance to the entire U.S. driving population," said Jean-Bernard Duler, chairman and CEO of Esurance. "Our services offer consumers a convenient way to get quality auto insurance online, while providing the information and support necessary to make a confident, informed decision."
    Esurance combines the service of an agent-based insurance company with the competitive rates of a direct provider. Esurance enables customers to get expert advice, instant quotes and immediate coverage, but also lets them manage their policy online at their convenience. Esurance customers can add a driver or a car to a policy, change their level of coverage and print out their policy or proof of insurance card, at any time.
    Esurance's web site is designed to provide an easy, streamlined experience for consumers who want to research and buy insurance instantly. Consumers shopping for auto insurance can research their options, buy insurance online and print out proof of coverage in a few simple steps. For example:

    1) Consumers log onto www.esurance.com and provide their zip code,
    then answer a few questions about the cars and drivers to be
    covered.

    2) Esurance provides a quote, as well as comparative quotes from
    other carriers in the same state.

    3) If they choose, consumers can easily customize their coverage
    options to see how raising or lowering their limits and
    deductibles affects their rates.

    4) If a consumer chooses to buy, Esurance automatically validates
    the information provided and issues a policy, not just a temporary
    binder, in real time. Consumers can then print out immediate proof
    of coverage.

    At any point during the process, a consumer can get help from an insurance advisor, either by using the live chat feature on the web site or a toll-free number.
    Esurance currently offers auto insurance in 16 states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Esurance is licensed to market policies in all 50 states and plans to continue expanding its business to additional states this year.

    About Esurance, Inc.

    Esurance is the leading Internet-exclusive provider of personal insurance. Through its web site (http://www.esurance.com), Esurance offers consumers expert advice, quote comparisons and instant coverage, as well as convenient, 24x7 policy management and superior claims handling. The San Francisco-based company was the first to offer this real-time quote to claims service nationwide. Founded in 1998, Esurance is backed by top-tier venture capitalists including Redpoint Ventures, Global Retail Partners, Trinity Ventures and 21st Century Internet Ventures.