National Press Release

WILKES-BARRE, Pa., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- GUARD Insurance Group is now accepting businessowner's policy (BOP) submissions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well as commercial auto in PA. Over the next several years, the company plans to introduce these new products in additional states as a natural complement to GUARD's traditional specialty -- workers' compensation insurance. Although the company plans to market these policies through an existing network of contracted independent agents and brokers, producers with substantial books of smaller commercial accounts are encouraged to contact the company about possible representation.

GUARD's new and growing family of commercial products is bundled under the trademarked name -- the GUARD Business Shield(SM). The group's businessowner's policy is ISO-based and has been customized to include numerous increased limits and extensions. Although GUARD has targeted several vertical markets (including restaurants, retail goods and services, professional offices, artisan contractors, and certain habitational accounts), a variety of other classifications are considered. The group is generally looking for risks with a per-location combined building and business personal property value of up to $5 million.

GUARD's commercial auto product is a traditional ISO-based policy that targets the same audience as the classes identified for businessowner's coverage. While supporting lines are preferred, monoline policies are considered. Smaller fleets, local and intermediate travel, and vehicle values of $75,000 or less are typical of the kind of accounts sought.

According to Executive Vice President of Insurance Operations Marshall Kornblatt, "GUARD actively writes workers' comp coverage in 26 jurisdictions. By the middle of 2009, our plan is to introduce the GUARD Business Shield in select states as a comprehensive insurance solution featuring multiple lines of coverage able to address all of the characteristic needs of smaller businesses -- our chosen niche within the insurance marketplace."

"For the past twelve months," stated Chief Executive Officer Sy Foguel, "we have been in the process of getting a full complement of products launched in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, making sure we have the right balance among price, service, and protection to be successful. We expect this phase of our work to be done over the next couple of months. Going forward, our goal will be to systematically roll out our complete multi-policy GUARD Business Shield to several additional states throughout our operating area per year. I believe the timing is right. The current soft market seems poised to harden over the next 18 months. As capacity becomes scarce, we believe both producers and policyholders will welcome the opportunity to address all of their coverage needs through a known and familiar source. GUARD has a history of being an open, reliable, and secure market through all kinds of industry cycles."

Rated A- "Excellent" by A.M. Best Company (an internationally recognized source of independent performance information), GUARD Insurance Group has four insurance company subsidiaries -- AmGUARD, EastGUARD, NorGUARD, and WestGUARD -- and is licensed in 45 jurisdictions. The organization has written workers' compensation premiums of approximately $200 million dollars over each of the past three years with additional growth planned in 2009. GUARD's resources are augmented by those of a strong parent organization. In May of 2007, the company was acquired by Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings, Ltd., an international operation with direct written premiums of $2 billion.

Producers interested in contacting GUARD about possible appointments can call 1-800-673-2465, extension 4567, or can visit www.guard.com.

SOURCE GUARD Insurance Group