MSN Carpoint.ca and kanetix.com Give Consumers Access to Competitive Insurance Quotes MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000

19 December 2000
MSN Carpoint.ca and kanetix.com Give Consumers Access to Competitive Insurance Quotes MICROSOFT LOGO Microsoft company logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM] REDMOND, WA USA 08/22/2000
   Full Suite of Insurance Information From Canada's Only Online Insurance
                  Marketplace now Available via Carpoint.ca

    REDMOND, Wash. and TORONTO, Dec. 19 Carpoint.ca and
kanetix.com, Canada's first and only online insurance marketplace, today
announced a strategic alliance. Through this agreement, users of the MSN(R)
Carpoint.ca online automotive service, the Canadian version of the most
visited U.S. car-buying and car-ownership site, will be able to receive
real-time quotes from Canada's leading insurance provider.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
    As the exclusive auto channel for MSN.CA, Carpoint.ca will now offer
3.5 million monthly visitors instant access to kanetix.com's Quotemaker
directly from the Carpoint.ca homepage. Using Quotemaker, visitors will be
able to search kanetix.com's network of insurance providers and find the best
quote and insurance plan to suit their needs.
    "We're excited to work with kanetix.com to provide our users with such a
comprehensive array of insurance providers in Canada," said Ruth D'Souza,
general manager of Carpoint.ca. "Carpoint.ca is committed to providing the
broadest range of choices to consumers, and this relationship enables us to
provide a full suite of insurance information for consumers purchasing a car."
    "kanetix's seamless integration with Carpoint.ca empowers consumers to
comparison shop and get the best value for their insurance dollar," said
Gregory Ellis, co-founder of kanetix.com. "We look forward to working closely
with MSN Carpoint.ca to collectively deliver a great user experience to online
insurance shoppers."
    Carpoint.ca, available in French and English, provides Canadian consumers
with comprehensive new car-buying services, up-to-date news and reviews, and
safety information, all tailored to the unique needs and interests of
Canadians. The site is modeled after the U.S. site's technology and design.

    About kanetix.com
    Launched in October 1999, kanetix.com ( http://www.kanetix.com/ ) is
Canada's first and only full-service online insurance marketplace. The
kanetix.com insurance information and shopping service allows consumers to
compare auto, life and property insurance quotes from a variety of Canada's
leading providers. Users can select the insurance policy of their choice and
complete the purchase online.

    About Carpoint
    Launched in October 1995, the MSN Carpoint(TM) service
( http://www.carpoint.com/ ) is the leading online automotive marketplace,
receiving more than 6 million consumer visits each month. From product reviews
and surround video features to new- and used-car pricing, the Carpoint site
helps consumers find the car they love, at a price they can afford. With
details on more than 10,000 car models and 100,000 used vehicles, visitors can
research and compare cars of virtually every make and model, identify local
dealers, and receive instructions for post-purchase service and maintenance.
    Carpoint generates more than $8 billion (U.S.) in auto sales each year for
its network of more than 5,000 affiliated dealers nationwide. Carpoint is
exclusively endorsed by the American International Automobile Dealers
Association.

    About MSN.CA
    On one Web page, MSN.CA makes available to Canadians compelling Internet
services, information, entertainment and a variety of communication options,
including the MSN Hotmail(R) Web-based e-mail service, the world's leading
globally accessible, free, Web-based electronic mail service. MSN.CA also
provides such high-quality interactive services as Zone.com, MSN Web
Communities, MSN Messenger Service and MSN Search for users of the
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating system and Apple Macintosh. The Web site
address is http://www.msn.ca/ .

    About Microsoft
    Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corp. is the worldwide leader in software,
services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The
company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower
people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
    Connect-time charges may apply.
    NOTE:  Microsoft, MSN, Carpoint, Hotmail and Windows are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.
    The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.