New Company to Enter NJ Auto Insurance Market
Esurance Insurance Company to sell policies over the Internet

TRENTON – New Jersey Banking and Insurance Acting Commissioner Donald Bryan today announced that a new auto insurance company is entering the state. Esurance Insurance Company, an online auto insurer, will begin writing new private passenger auto policies on March 29. Esurance is the third new company to enter the New Jersey marketplace since the auto insurance reforms of 2003.

“The arrival of another auto insurer in New Jersey is good news for the state's drivers,” said Acting Governor Richard J. Codey. “It means more competition and more choices, putting Garden State drivers in the fast lane toward better rates for auto insurance.”

Esurance follows GEICO and Mercury General into the state's auto insurance marketplace. The company joins GEICO as the second company approved to write private passenger auto insurance online. New Jersey 's newest auto insurer leverages the latest technology to operate as a complete Internet based insurance company with 24 hour service, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“This is a great day for Esurance,” said Gary Tolman, Esurance president and CEO. “It makes sense that one of the fastest growing auto insurance companies in the United States will soon be doing business in New Jersey , where competition has shifted into the fast lane. Anytime additional companies enter a state's auto insurance market the enhanced competition helps keep rates reasonable.”

Along with greater selection in auto insurers, Esurance brings added convenience to consumers. Customers can secure binding coverage and obtain an insurance card online. The entrance of Esurance into the New Jersey marketplace brings more opportunities for consumers to shop online for insurance just as they do for other products and services.

“Esurance entering the marketplace is yet another mile marker on the road to providing New Jersey consumers with a variety of choices, continuing the downward pressure on rates,” Acting Commissioner Bryan said. “Esurance's entrance is further proof that d rivers in New Jersey are well on their way toward having the same choices as the rest of the country.”

Esurance, domiciled in Oklahoma , is a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM). The company offers instant auto insurance quotes online through its web site, www.esurance.com , where consumers also can view comparison quotes, buy an Esurance policy and print their proof of insurance card within minutes. Esurance policyholders can also make changes to their policy and file claims online. The company is licensed in 30 states and is actively writing in 18 states including New York , Pennsylvania , Florida , Michigan , Illinois and Virginia .

Today's announcement follows a trend of increased competition for auto insurance business in New Jersey . In the two years since reforming the auto insurance marketplace:

• Auto insurers have returned more than $300 million to nearly two million drivers ;
• Mercury Insurance and GEICO entered the New Jersey market;
• More than 1,500 new auto insurance agents were appointed;
• Consumers have benefited from protections and tools such as the online Auto Insurance Purchasing Planner, an improved Auto Insurance Buyer's Guide, regulations requiring three price quotes for auto insurance and an Automobile Insurance Consumer Bill of Rights.