Four firms partner with Digital Insurance to service small business clients

Hausmann-Johnson, Taggart Insurance, Gulfshore Insurance and CIC sign agreements

ATLANTA - (May 6, 2003) Digital Insurance Inc. announced it has signed agreements with four Agency Peak Performance Exchange (APPEX) -affiliated brokerage firms to handle the day-to-day service and product sales of a portion of their small group benefits business.

These new APPEX partners include Hausmann-Johnson Insurance Agency in Madison, Wis., Taggart Insurance in Denver, Colo., Gulfshore Insurance in Naples, Fla., and California Insurance Center in Walnut Creek, Calif. Under these partnership agreements, Digital Insurance will serve as an extension of the small business unit of these benefits brokers to enhance service levels and sell to future small group prospects.

APPEX is comprised of many of the industry`s top performing insurance agencies that have come together to exchange operating strategies, to share strengths and opportunities and to hold each other accountable for success.

"We needed to find a creative business solution for our small business clients – one that would bring to them the broadest spectrum of products and services designed specifically for their sector,” said Bonnie Stewart, Chairman of CIC. “We looked at Digital`s established record of servicing the small business market and came away impressed with their small-business focus, superior technology and commitment to customer service which has resulted in a retention rate that far exceeds the industry standard.”

These new partnerships continue a trend among benefits brokers turning to Digital Insurance to rethink the way services can be delivered. Many brokers are finding it increasingly difficult to efficiently manage and sell their comprehensive set of services to this smaller market segment. The resource burden to maintain and grow their small group business, generally defined as employers with less than 25 employees, has increased while compensation is either fixed or reduced.

“There is a compelling business case to be made for benefits firms to leverage our significant investment in infrastructure, said Tom Usilton, CEO and President of Digital Insurance. “We have people, processes and technology that efficiently manage this market in a way that allows our partners to refocus their resources while providing their small business clients an expanded set of services.”

In its Customer Care Center, Digital Insurance provides each small business client with a dedicated account management team consisting of an account manager, account coordinator and sales consultant. These teams follow a customer-focused process designed to proactively reach out to each client at least six times per year and assist them in a variety of ways, including the renewal process.

About Digital Insurance

Headquartered in Atlanta, Digital Insurance delivers innovative health and benefits solutions designed specifically for small businesses nationwide. Digital represents the largest market share of small group business, working with brokers, agents and financial services companies to acquire or expand their customer base, as well as improve profitability and efficiencies. Through Digital’s INcompass suite of services, clients gain access to price advantages, an unparalleled range of products and the superior service experienced by large employers. For more information, visit www.digitalinsurance.com.