CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R), Costello & Sons Insurance to form "Real Estate Risk Services".

LOS ANGELES -- The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS[R] (C.A.R.) and Costello & Sons Insurance (CSI) today announced the creation of Real Estate Risk Services LLC (RERS), a subsidiary of Real Estate Business Services Inc. (REBS).

Real Estate Risk Services will consolidate several of the current C.A.R. insurance offerings supporting all aspects of a real estate company, from errors and omission and workers' compensation insurance to home and auto insurance. One important value-added component of the new program will be a comprehensive no-obligation risk analysis and insurance needs assessment for REALTORS[R], brokers, and their staff.

"Real Estate Risk Services has joined forces with CSI because it represents an insurance brokerage firm whose goals and objectives align nicely with our vision for this new entity," said Gary Thomas, chairman of REBS. "We have several thousand firms throughout the state of California that now can integrate their needs under one competent and respected brokerage."

"We welcome our relationship with C.A.R. and are confident that we can offer their members the kind of outstanding service and selections that have made our company known throughout the state of California," said Bryan Costello, CEO of CSI. "Our intention is to begin with our basic menu and to enhance the services package going forward."

CSI is a third-generation brokerage firm with a home office in Northern California and three branch offices throughout the state. The company specializes in real estate companies, technology companies, and personal insurance and was recognized as one of the "25 Most Innovative Insurance Agents in the United States." CSI was certified in March as a green business by the Marin Green Business Program, due in part to its commitment to operate as a "paperless" insurance brokerage and process most queries and documentation through its Web site. CSI generates more than $35 million in premiums annually.

Real Estate Business Services Inc. (REBS) is a subsidiary of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS[R] (C.A.R.) and the leading provider of real estate products and services to practitioners in California.

Leading the way...[R] in real estate news and information for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS[R] (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with nearly 175,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.