SAN FRANCISCO, March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Esurance, the direct-to-consumer auto insurance company, is breaking new ground with its strategic partner, Answer Financial. When customers get a quote from http://www.esurance.com/, they can also view real-time comparison quotes and buy a competitor's policy. Answer Financial provides the engine that facilitates Esurance's real-time comparisons and purchases.

Gary Tolman, Esurance's President and CEO, feels that the initiative represents an extension of the company's core commitment -- to improve the entire auto insurance experience from quote to claim. Tolman stated, "Esurance was one of the first auto insurance companies to offer instant rate comparisons online. Though we always thought it was beneficial for consumers to see rate comparisons, we feel it's even more beneficial to help consumers act on them."

Alan Snyder, CEO and founder of Answer Financial, noted, "Some auto insurance companies' Web sites provide a view of what their competitors charge. However, Esurance may be the first direct writer to give consumers the ability to buy a competitor's policy through its own site. The future is here."

Tolman added that auto insurance shoppers also save time with the new feature. "Drivers don't want to spend a second longer than they have to on auto insurance. With our comparison quotes enhancement, we take a few steps out of the shopping process. Our partner, Answer Financial, provides a very broad offering that will serve almost anyone who comes to our site," Tolman explained.

To coincide with the rollout of enhanced comparison quoting, Esurance has also launched the latest installment in its national television advertising campaign. The 30-second spot, "Quick Draw," features animated spokesperson, Erin Esurance, in a futuristic, western-themed setting. In the spot, Erin highlights the new auto insurance comparison feature.

About Esurance

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. , provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select online agents. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices.

Through Esurance's Web site, http://www.esurance.com/, customers can get instant quotes, view comparison quotes, buy an Esurance policy, and print their proof of insurance card -- all in minutes. Esurance also offers policyholders the ability to make policy changes and file claims instantly online, demonstrating its commitment to improving the entire insurance process from quote to claim.

About Answer Financial

Answer Financial (http://www.answerfinancial.com/) is one of the nation's largest independent insurance agencies, providing consumers with comparative quotes and custom policies from 400 top-rated insurance companies. Since pioneering its automated shopping engine in 1998, the Insurance Answer Center, Answer has delivered more than 20 million quotes for auto, home, life, health, dental and specialty insurance products in all 50 states. Consumers can consult with one of Answer's 400 licensed Insurance Agents by calling 1-800-233-3028, or they can visit http://www.answerfinancial.com/ to receive secure, real-time insurance quotes and buy their insurance policy Online. The Insurance Answer Center is also offered as a voluntary benefit program or cross-selling platform to hundreds of financial institutions, large employers, and affinity groups serving millions of American families.

Answer Financial is a private company headquartered in Encino, Calif.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "believe," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to White Mountains':

* growth in book value per share or return on equity; * business strategy; * financial and operating targets or plans; * incurred losses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance; * projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts; * expansion and growth of our business and operations; and * future capital expenditures.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by White Mountains in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including:

* claims arising from catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or terrorist attacks; * the continued availability of capital and financing; * general economic, market or business conditions; * business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued; * competitive forces, including the conduct of other property and casualty insurers and reinsurers; * changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to White Mountains, its competitors or its clients; * an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting its financial position; * recorded loss reserves subsequently proving to have been inadequate; * other factors, most of which are beyond White Mountains' control.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by White Mountains will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, White Mountains or its business or operations. White Mountains assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: Susan MacTavish Best of Best Public Relations, +1-415-505-0301,
or susan@bestpr.net, for Esurance; or Samantha Cornog of Answer Financial,
+1-310-396-2400, or scornog@cswpr.com

Web site: http://www.esurance.com/
http://www.answerfinancial.com/