National Press Release

MIDDLETON, Wis., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Capitol Insurance Companies (Capitol) today announced the widely anticipated launch of their new commercial automobile insurance product. The product is available for appointed insurance agents and brokers through a newly designed online processing system that will allow them to rate and quote their automobile insurance in an easy and convenient manner.

With the release of this new online system, agents and brokers will have the ability to significantly speed up the process of obtaining automobile insurance quotes online, anytime. The initial system release is for agents and brokers located in the states of AZ, IA, IL, IN, MN, NV, ND, OH, SD, UT and WI with additional states scheduled for release throughout 2009. "We understand the importance in ease of doing business and believe that by expanding our product mix to include commercial auto, it will be even easier for our customers to place their business with Capitol," said Dave Pauly, Chairman and CEO.

Capitol has already written the first automobile insurance policy in the company's fifty-year history. The coverage was placed by Westland Insurance Services in Tomah, WI. "The Capitol team made this a real easy process and the Capitol Premier Endorsement provided some attractive coverage enhancements for a reasonable price," said John Katsma, President of Westland Insurance Services.

Although Capitol's automobile product can be written on a standalone basis, the primary focus will be on enabling agents and brokers to place the automobile coverage for many of their existing Capitol accounts. There are no minimum or maximum fleet sizes for consideration, but the company expects most of the business to be comprised of smaller fleets (e.g., 10 units or less) that consist of private passenger, service and light-to-medium commercial vehicles. "This is just one more step that's part of a natural progression of being able to meet the total insurance and surety needs of our agents and brokers," said Jim McIntyre, President & COO of Capitol Insurance Companies.

    Media Contact:

    Capitol Insurance Companies
    David Finkelstein - (800) 475-4450

About Capitol

Capitol has been insuring business owners since 1959. Capitol is a national underwriter of specialty insurance products in niche areas of the commercial property and casualty and the fidelity and surety markets. Through its operating entities, Capitol Indemnity Corporation, Capitol Specialty Insurance Corporation and Platte River Insurance Company, Capitol offers high-quality customer service in programs tailored to the needs of its customers' business and risk management strategies. Information on Capitol is available at http://www.capitol.net. Capitol has an A ("Excellent") rating from A.M. Best. Capitol Indemnity Corporation, Capitol Specialty Insurance Corporation and Platte River Insurance Company are subsidiaries of Alleghany Insurance Holdings LLC.

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SOURCE Capitol Insurance Companies