---

Mitchell International Announces FirstEstimate.com, The First Internet-based Estimating System

17 July 2000

FirstEstimate.com Part of Larger Mitchell Internet e-business Strategy

    
    SAN DIEGO - Mitchell International today announced that FirstEstimate.com, 
the first Internet-based estimating system for the automotive collision repair 
industry, has entered on-line beta testing with various repair shops.  
FirstEstimate.com is part of Mitchell's wider e-business strategy to create new 
partnering opportunities and shared efficiencies throughout the industry.  "Our 
goal is to offer the entire industry lowered cost structures, more efficient 
claims management and supply chain processes, and improved collision repair 
quality," said Jim Lindner, Mitchell's President and Chief Executive officer.  
"FirstEstimate.com is a significant step toward this goal."

    Mitchell was the first to publish collision repair data, first with a
Windows-based estimating system, and now is first to offer both total loss
(iNTOTAL.com) and partial loss (FirstEstimate.com) products on the Internet.

    "We welcome shop operators wanting to create accurate, more professional
estimates to participate in the beta test by connecting to
http://www.FirstEstimate.com," Lindner said.  In order to acquaint shops with the
service, Mitchell is offering free estimating to shops in the United States
during this introductory period.  New users will be required to register
before using First Estimate.

    "FirstEstimate.com leverages our industry standard data, our proven
expertise in estimating systems, and new state-of-the-art Internet technology
to bring the means of creating accurate, more professional estimates within
the reach of all market segments," Lindner said.  All a shop needs to begin
estimating is Internet access and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 to go to the
FirstEstimate.com site.  Shops that have not previously benefited from
automated access to Mitchell data and use of Mitchell P-page logic can now
present more professional estimates to their customers, and establish smoother
business relationships with insurers.

    Sean Heimdal, of Body Kraft, San Diego, Calif., was among the first of the
shop owners to use FirstEstimate.com.  "FirstEstimate.com is a great idea for
smaller shops.  It gives me all the benefits automated estimating systems have
given larger shops for years," he said.  "It was simple and took only a few
minutes to complete a professional estimate ready to save, print, fax and/or
e-mail."

    About Mitchell International

    Mitchell International, The Source of information software and e-business
solutions for the insurance and automotive repair industries, provides
services that enhance productivity, profitability and customer satisfaction.
Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell also has offices in Milwaukee and
Toronto.