InsuranceNoodle Announces Agreement with Insurance Marketing and Management Services - IMMS; Signs 3,000th `NoodleNetwork' Insurance Agency Partner.

Business Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2002

InsuranceNoodle announced today it has reached an agreement with Insurance Marketing and Management Services (IMMS) to provide agency members of the Los Angeles-based insurance and financial services marketing organization with online access to information, comparative quotes from major carriers, and the ability to bind small commercial business policies.

"For three decades, IMMS has offered an outstanding roster of services and products to help insurance agents better serve their customers," said InsuranceNoodle CEO Don Urbanciz. "Under this new agreement, IMSS will now further enhance those services by providing its agent members with access to the expanded online capabilities provided by InsuranceNoodle."

InsuranceNoodle's Internet-based distribution model provides online access to world-class commercial solutions from name brand insurance carriers, including AIG, Chubb, CNA Surety, The Hartford, Kemper, The St. Paul, and Zurich U.S. The company's proven Web-based technology screens risks, collects all underwriting information required by top-line carriers, and allows agencies to view proposals and bind quotes online within a few business days. InsuranceNoodle's current line of commercial insurance products covers more than 1,000 small business types and includes business owners policy (BOP), commercial auto, umbrella insurance, workers' compensation, employment practices liability insurance (EPLI), professional liability, and surety bonds.

"Our agreement with InsuranceNoodle rounds-out the offerings IMMS provides its members," said IMMS Chairman George Norhaus. "Regardless of their size, our members can now access - with no technology costs and very fair commission splits - hundreds of business categories through InsuranceNoodle. And by utilizing InsuranceNoodle's single entry multiple company interface (SEMCI) technology, they can quickly, easily and cost-effectively receive competitive quotes from several major carriers for the ultimate benefit of their customers."

3,000th NoodleNetwork Partner

Urbanciz also reported that InsuranceNoodle has signed its 3,000th "NoodleNetwork" insurance agency partner to quote and bind small commercial insurance business online.

Urbanciz said more than 200 agencies - large national brokers, family-owned agencies, and independent producers - from around the country are joining the network each month and that InsuranceNoodle is receiving an average of 2,300 quote requests each month from its agency partners.

InsuranceNoodle reaches every independent agency in the 49 states of the continental U.S., and through them, is able to provide the country's more than 5.4 million small businesses with tailored insurance solutions. The Chicago-based e-broker's proprietary, Web-based agency technology enables its agency partners to efficiently write small commercial business insurance and access leading national brands through a SEMCI application.

About Insurance and Management Services (IMMS)

Insurance Marketing and Management Services (IMMS) is the leading insurance and financial services marketing organization in North America serving the Property/Casualty industry. Founded in 1973, IMMS provides more then 200 time-efficient and cost-effective publications, products, and services to help insurance professionals build client relationships. IMMS members include more than 2,700 independent agents and brokers, as well as insurers, throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. IMMS owns a majority interest in Group 500, one of the world's largest Property/Casualty marketing affinity groups, with a total premium volume of more than $5 billion.

About InsuranceNoodle

InsuranceNoodle, a Chicago-based insurance e-broker, is the most complete online insurance solution for small business, ensuring comprehensive, tailored coverage at competitive prices. Through a quick and streamlined process, InsuranceNoodle offers agencies and small business owners comparative quotes and online purchasing of products from leading insurers such as AIG, Chubb, Clarendon, The Hartford, Kemper, The St. Paul, and Zurich. Real-time customer service and advice from licensed insurance advisors is available from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Central Time, Monday through Friday. InsuranceNoodle is licensed in 49 states, reaching over 99% of all small businesses in the U.S. through its extensive national network of independent insurance agencies or via direct access online. For additional information, visit www.insurancenoodle.com. More information about joining the NoodleNetwork of agencies may be found at https://www.insurancenoodle.com/secure/agency. For information about NoodleASP technology solutions and licensing options, visit http://www.insurancenoodle.com/products/licensing/index.asp, or contact InsuranceNoodle COO Kathy Emmerson at 312-372-0033.