Employers Direct Joins California Grocers Association.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. -- Employers Direct Insurance Company, a direct writer of California workers' compensation insurance, is pleased to announce that it has joined the California Grocers Association (CGA), a Sacramento-based trade association that has been the voice of the California food industry since 1898.

"As we focus on providing the best possible workers' compensation programs to grocers and retailers in California, our CGA membership and participation in the Suppliers Executive Council (SEC) will allow us to gain additional insight and perspective into the food industry. We also strongly support CGA's commitment to preserve the SB 899 reforms through their advocacy efforts in Sacramento," said James E. Little, Chairman/President & CEO of Employers Direct Insurance Company.

According to Peter Larkin, President of the CGA, "A number of our members already purchase their workers' compensation insurance from Employers Direct. As a result, we welcome Employers Direct's membership and partnership with CGA's members and value their expertise in the ongoing legislative debate concerning workers' compensation."

"While Employers Direct may be new to the California Grocers Association, it is definitely not new to my company or this industry," said Richard Draeger, owner of Draeger's Super Markets, Inc., and a member of the CGA Board of Directors. "Draeger's is a policyholder of Employers Direct, who has many other policyholders in the grocery and retail arenas, so their membership in the CGA makes perfect sense. I welcome their involvement and advocacy regarding workers' comp reform."

The California Grocers Association is the largest state food industry association in the United States and is a leader in the areas of government and industry relations, public relations, education, and communications. CGA represents over 500 retail members who operate more than 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and 300 grocery supplier companies. More information can be found online at www.cagrocers.com.

About EMPLOYERS DIRECT INSURANCE COMPANY

Employers Direct Insurance Company is California's only specialty direct writer of workers' compensation insurance. Founded in 2002, Employers Direct has been widely accepted by business owners throughout California as a result of providing highly competitive rates, claims services designed to fight fraud and abuse, and loss prevention services that assist employers to create safe work environments. As a newer company, Employers Direct is unburdened by legacy systems and takes advantage of the latest technology to provide its customers with 24/7 access to all policy and claims information via a secure Internet portal. Employers Direct is proud that a growing number of California's best-run privately-held companies count themselves as policyholders. Niche industries include specialty supermarket chains, hotels, restaurants, golf and country clubs, new car dealers, food processors, manufacturing companies, and retailers. At the end of 2005, Employers Direct Insurance Company had more than $150 million in written workers' compensation premiums. Visit Employers Direct online at www.employersdirect.com.