The Main Street America Group Introduces Main Line BOP and New Policy and Quoting System

Business Wire, Feb 3, 2009

Robust New Small Business Product Will Be Written on State-of-the-Art Systems Platform

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Main Street America Group, a super regional property-casualty insurance carrier, announced today the availability of its new Main Line business owners policy (BOP) product and Main Street Station for Commercial Lines quoting and policy issuance system in Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Utah.

Main Street America's Main Line BOP property and liability product for the small business owner features broader eligibility than its previous BOP. Four new programs--condominium associations, garages, restaurants and light manufacturing--have been added, with 106 new classes. With the existing wholesale, retail, services, offices, apartments and contractor programs, Main Line BOP features a total of nearly 500 classes. The product will be written with either Main Street America's NGM Insurance Company or its Main Street America Assurance Company.

The new BOP product also has significantly increased limits, and many new and expanded coverages, including two that are particularly important to business today--employment practices liability insurance, which is underwritten by Hartford Steam Boiler, and identity theft.

Coverage can be extended with the product's many new options, such as product withdrawal, and condominium directors and officers, and main line extension and contractors inland marine optional endorsements.

"Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Utah are the first states to receive our new Main Line BOP and we are confident that our independent agent-customers will be pleased with it," said Henry Pippins, Main Street America's vice president of commercial lines. Arizona, Nevada and Utah are new states for Main Street America in 2009 and this will be the first product offered in these markets.

"We developed our new product based on feedback from many of our customers and as a result, it features some of the most sought-after coverages that small business owners are seeking. It is also very competitively priced, making our Main Line BOP ideal for any Main Street business," Pippins added.

Main Street America's customers in Arizona, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Utah will be able to quote and submit new business applications for Main Line BOP on the company's new state-of-the-art Main Street Station for Commercial Lines quoting and processing system, which has been launched in conjunction with the new product.

"Our customers will also be able to use Main Street Station to quote and issue new commercial auto and workers' compensation policies. In later phases of the new system rollout, they will also be able to use it to process endorsements and cancellations," Pippins said.

As the new system features automated underwriting, agents will receive an immediate response on eligibility, or notification of referral to a Main Street America underwriter.

The processing system is accessed directly through Main Street America's secure agent Web site within the company's public site, www.msagroup.com.

Main Line BOP and Main Street Station for Commercial Lines will be rolled out on a state-by-state basis throughout the 22 states where Main Street America writes business.

About The Main Street America Group

With roots dating back to 1923, The Main Street America Group is a super regional insurance company that operates five property-casualty insurance carriers: NGM Insurance Company, Old Dominion Insurance Company, Main Street America Assurance Company, MSA Insurance Company and Great Lakes Casualty Insurance Company. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Main Street America offers a wide range of commercial and personal insurance products, and fidelity and surety bond products, to individuals, families and businesses.

With more than $800 million in direct premium written exclusively by nearly 1,200 independent insurance agents, Main Street America insures more than 500,000 policyholders in 22 states. The 86-year-old company has regional offices in Jacksonville; Keene, N.H.; Richmond, Va.; Syracuse, N.Y., and Grand Rapids, Mich., and a claims reporting center in Auburn, Mass. A.M. Best Company rates The Main Street America Group as an "A" (Excellent) due to its financial strength. The Main Street America Group is the founding company partner of Trusted Choice[R], the global branding program of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. For more information about The Main Street America Group, please visit www.msagroup.com.