Kemper Auto and Home Certifies IBQ Systems for Real-time XML Rating.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2003

Kemper Auto and Home (KAH) announced the certification of IBQ Systems for real-time XML rating of its products. KAH agents can now get quotes and apply for policies through IBQ's SEMCI interface. The certification gives Kemper Auto and Home wider distribution for its products and leverages the investment the company has made in building an insurance portal with XML standards.

IBQ Systems is the first vendor that KAH has certified for real-time rating outside of Transformation Station. To rate and apply, agents use a thin client software package from IBQ and any internet connection. Agents enter quote information into IBQ's Q-Rater program and the software automatically connects to IBQ's platform via the internet. The platform queries the KAH mainframe and then displays real-time rates in a comparative environment for every carrier on the IBQ platform. An agent can take the next step and apply for a policy without any re-keying of data.

To ensure that Kemper Auto and Home agents have the optimal experience, IBQ programmed the company's business logic into the platform and "cleans" any agent entered data before streaming the XML request to the KAH mainframe.

"IBQ really understands the needs of independent agents," said Keith Sievers, CIO for Kemper Auto and Home. "They've solved the data overhead issues in streaming XML requests. Plus, IBQ did all the mapping and configuration, so we did not have to make any modifications or changes to our system."

Kemper Auto and Home is one of the first "insurance portals" to be added to the IBQ platform. Since KAH and IBQ had adopted XML standards, the implementation was extremely quick and efficient. IBQ is now actively seeking other carriers using ACORD XML standards to add to its growing comparative platform.

"IBQ is thrilled to add Kemper Auto and Home to our platform. We welcome any carrier with real-time capabilities, but we can also help carriers running in batch mode as well," said Bruce Hopkins, Vice-President of Business Development. "We are expecting phenomenal growth in the near future and agent acceptance of our products has been tremendous."

About Kemper Auto and Home, A Unitrin Company

Kemper Auto and Home specializes in the sale of personal automobile and homeowner's insurance through a network of independent agents. Kemper Auto and Home is part of the Unitrin group of companies which have an "A" rating from A. M. Best. Kemper Auto and Home's net written premium was approximately $700 million last year.

About IBQ Systems

IBQ Systems (www.ibqsystems.com) is an application service provider (ASP) focused on increasing productivity in the insurance industry via the internet. IBQ's suite of policy processing products enables real-time data exchange between agents and companies. From rating to upload with integrated credit scoring, IBQ delivers a true SEMCI product. By moving the industry away from paper-based transactions, IBQ increases the efficiency of the insurance sales and maintenance process, and reduces the cost per transaction. IBQ is a privately held company.