Continental Home Warranty Announces New Home Protection Plan; New Plan Offers Benefits to Owners of New Homes After Builder Warranty.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 23, 1999--

Expanding the benefits to its homeowner customer base throughout California, Continental Home Warranty (CHW), an operating unit of Chicago Title and Trust Co., announced its new Home Protection Plan home warranty package.

While most builders offer a one-year warranty on mechanical systems and built-in appliances for new homes, homeowners are responsible for the repair costs of these systems and appliances once the builder policy has expired. With this is mind, the CHW Home Protection Plan is designed specifically for new homes for the four years after the builder warranty.

According to the Home Warranty Association of California, the annual savings from home warranties to California homeowners exceed $63 million.

"This new policy is not only tremendous and cost-effective protection for new homeowners, but another example of CHW's commitment to providing innovative products to our valued customer base," said Shelly Lind, president, CHW.

The policy(a) for years 2-5 of ownership of a new home covers mechanical systems and appliances including plumbing, heating, water heater, range or oven, dishwasher, built-in microwave, garbage disposal, electrical, garage door openers and ductwork.

The benefits of the new CHW New Home Protection Plan include: -0-

--   Four-year protection, beginning on the first anniversary of the
     closing date

--   Low deductible per-service call

--   Facilitation of the manufacturers' claims during the first year

--   Toll-free customer service number

--   Customer service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

--   Flexible service with licensed, bonded, insured and approved
     subcontractors

--   Transferable coverage to new homeowners if the house is sold
     during the coverage period

CHW, a leading underwriter of home warranty insurance policies throughout California for 25 years, can be reached at 800/TO-COVER (800/862-6837) or visit the Web site at www.homewarranty.com.

Chicago Title (NYSE:CTZ) provides title insurance, escrow and closing services as well as property valuation, credit information, default management and flood compliance products through a network of more than 340 offices and approximately 4,000 agents nationwide.

Chicago Title's subsidiaries -- including Chicago Title Insurance Co., Security Title, Ticor Title Insurance Co. and Security Union Title Insurance Co. -- issue approximately one in every five title insurance policies in the United States.

Other subsidiaries and divisions furnishing real estate-related products include Chicago Title Flood Services Inc., Chicago Title Credit Services Inc., Chicago Title Field Services Inc., Chicago Title -- Market Intelligence Inc. and Consolidated Reconveyance, a division of Chicago Title Insurance Co.

Heritage American Insurance Services Inc. and Continental Home Warranty provide products and services throughout California.

Editor's Note: For further information on the Chicago Title products and services, visit the company's Web site http://www.westerndivision.ctt.com.

(a) See policy for coverage details.