Percent of business in Illinois by line:
Commercial: 13% Personal: 87%

Are you currently appointing new agents? On a limited basis.

What type of agency is your company looking for? Professional agencies seeking a long-term relationship with an established company. We look for a history of growth and profit and seek agencies that demonstrate a real need for us.

What are your premium volume requirements? Generally, we have a $50,000 requirement for profit sharing qualification. We expect a solid growth pattern.

Are you currently doing any niche-marketing program? Our "niche" is personal lines and main street businessowners.

What is your company's most aggressive line of business? Private passenger automobile

Do you use credit scoring? Yes, new and renewal.

Do you currently download/upload with your agencies? We intend to test and implement a download program in 2003.

What methods do you use to distribute your insurance products? Independent agents

What do you think makes your company stand out from all the rest in Illinois? Why would an agent want to contract with your company? A company our size can concentrate on first class service and the development of strong agency/company relationships.

If we had agents agree to sell homeowners policies with actual cash value endorsements, would you write more business in southern Illinois? Using a form HO-2 with an ACV endorsement, we would consider doing so.

What are the major ways in which you are interfacing electronically with your agents today? Are you pleased with the results? Our current electronic interface with our agents is through the use of e-mail. As previously stated, we anticipate moving into the upload/download arena soon with interactive interface to follow.