AT&T CONNECTS AGENTS, INSURERS IN CYBERSPACE; Internet Access and Document Archiving Announced at ACORD.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 1996--AT&T today announced an innovative way for insurance agents to provide rate/quotes, write policies, and track billing over the Internet with AT&T Property and Casualty Insurance Services.

In a press briefing at the ACORD Technology Conference, AT&T introduced the new Internet option plus a new document archiving application, both designed to help simplify the work of carriers and insurance agents.

The Internet option for AT&T Property and Casualty Insurance Services, in conjunction with AT&T InView Services, provides web-page hosting for insurance carriers so agents can access up-to-date rates, create quotes, and check client billing on-line.

Another new offer, AT&T Easy Archiving-Insurance Service, uses an on- demand storage and retrieval system to handle the enormous volume of electronic documents mandated in the insurance industry today.

"AT&T is targeting each link in the insurance industry value chain. By combining our networking expertise with proven industry applications, we can make the entire business process faster, less expensive, and more powerful," said Robert Portrie, AT&T insurance market director. "Today we are addressing agent/carrier communications and the stubborn problem of document storage. Our mission is to add value to all the links in the chain -- sales, marketing, underwriting, claims and customer service."

Last year, AT&T InView Services formally introduced an interface for insurance carriers to download rates and other critical policy writing information through InView's value-added data services. Agents of all kinds can dial in directly toll-free to submit applications, distribute policies, submit claims and inquire about claims and billing. Now AT&T is extending these services to make use of the Internet and Interactive Voice Response technology.

Soon, using AT&T WorldNet(sm) Service or any other Internet access, agents will be able to jump on the Internet to reach the same location. Policy writing will be even faster, as agents produce rate quotes for customers on-line and then upload finished applications to the underwriting insurance carrier. Completed policies are later downloaded to the agent and distributed to the customer.

Plans call for the Internet environment to feature exceptionally fast response and secure transactions. Security safeguards such as passwords, encryption and secure directories will be customized to each carrier's needs.

"The Internet is the key to truly universal access to critical resources," said Portrie. "We want to give agents, brokers, and insurance carriers common electronic ground where they can talk to each other, consult third-party information providers, and conduct business on a real-time basis."

AT&T Easy Archiving-Insurance Service addresses the continuous need to store and retrieve policies, claims, and government-mandated information. With Easy Archiving, users can attach a virtually unlimited amount of insurance data to electronic mail messages that are then transmitted to the data center provided by Aegis Star, a leader in data capture and retrieval. Individual documents are then indexed by a unique system that facilitates retrieval, regardless of volume -- within 15 seconds. Documents are then delivered to the customer by electronic mail.

"Our customers wanted an easy-to-use, high-speed solution that economically brings all the necessary documents and messages to the desktop in a few seconds," said Portrie. "Easy Archiving combines a sophisticated data storage system with the intelligence of AT&T's network, and solves a tough problem the insurance industry faces every day."

AT&T is working with Insurance Technology Services of America, Inc. (ITSA) to provide the rate/quote and billing inquiry capabilities of the Internet option. ITSA, a developer of Internet and Intranet insurance products, is located in Peabody, Massachusetts.

The data storage system in AT&T Easy Archiving-Insurance Service is provided by Aegis Star, a company based in Pleasanton, California, specializing in data capture, archiving, high-speed retrieval and electronic commerce.

Agents can reach AT&T Property and Casualty Insurance Services today by direct toll-free modem connection, and can also check billing and claim status through AT&T's Interactive Voice Services.

The Internet option will begin customer trials later this month, and is expected to be generally available later in the year. AT&T Easy Archiving- Insurance Service is available now.

For further information on AT&T's insurance offers, call 1-800-648- 3445, or check the insurance section of AT&T's Home Page at http://www.att.com/business/global/custom/insurance.

CONTACT: Karen Way

Work: 908-221-6632

AT&T Personal Reach Service: 888-239-0369

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or

Gary Morgenstern

Work: 908-221-6153

AT&T Personal Reach Service: 888-239-0370

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