Builders Insurance Company Announces Dramatic Growth; One of Nevada's Two Largest Workers' Comp Carriers Experienced 9% Growth in 2005.

LAS VEGAS -- Builders Insurance Company, one of Nevada's two largest workers' comp insurance providers, announced dramatic growth - more than 9 percent - at their just-completed Appreciation Luncheon for insureds. More than 1,100 area construction industry contractors and sub-contractors are represented by Builders Insurance Company, up from 1,025 firms a year ago, according to President Wayne Harris. Since its inception, Builders Insurance has grown from insuring 11 companies and $750,000 in annual premiums to 1,100-plus companies and nearly $60 million in annual premiums.

Builders Insurance provides workers' comp coverage - as well as comprehensive safety and fraud-reduction measures - to help participating companies reduce on-the-job injuries and reduce workers' comp claims - and costs. In doing so, they have achieved a loss ratio of just 37 percent in the fiscal year just completed - down from 42 percent a year ago and less than half the national average of 85 percent for construction industry workers' comp claims, Harris explained.

This reduction in loss ratios occurred even though the gross number of claims rose from 3,500 to 3,800, a growth that closely matches the overall growth in the number of member companies. The actual dollar value of the claims filed - $22 million, up from $19.5 million a year ago - actually grew at a slower pace than the overall growth of the company. This was attributed to the less severe nature of the on-the-job injuries which occurred in the past year, due largely to Builders Insurance's aggressive on-the-job safety training program. When the cost of claims goes down as a percentage of total revenues, it means the company's safety training programs are working, according to Harris.

About Builders Insurance Company:

BIC offers post-accident drug testing, back-to-work programs and created a drug-free workplace program to save Nevada's construction companies millions in workers' comp costs. Builders Insurance also offers comprehensive on-the-job safety training programs, as well as effective fraud-prevention programs. Builders is committed to quickly settling all legitimate claims - putting workers back on the job, healthy and ready to resume work - while at the same time vigorously prosecuting all fraudulent claims. Builders Insurance Company is a Nevada domestic insurer wholly owned by Nevada Contractors Insurance Company Inc., a Nevada captive insurer. For more information, please visit the Web site at http://www.nevada-comp.com.