Microsoft Launches MSN Insurance Center on MSN MoneyCentral; InsWeb Provides Technology That Empowers Consumers To Shop for Insurance Online

REDMOND, Wash., and REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Dec. 9, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today launched the new MSN TM Insurance Center, powered by InsWeb technology, on the MSN MoneyCentral® online personal finance service, located at at http://moneycentral.MSN.com/ . Consumers who visit the MSN Insurance Center will be able to more efficiently shop for insurance, access expert advice and participate in step-by-step workshops. InsWeb, the Internet’s leading insurance marketplace, enables consumers at the MSN Insurance Center to research, compare and select coverage for auto, term life, home, renters and individual health insurance through InsWeb’s 49 participating insurance providers, including Allstate, John Hancock, Ohio Casualty Group and State Farm Insurance.

Through Microsoft’s agreement with InsWeb, consumers can now shop for insurance across the MSN network, including through the MSN HomeAdvisor TM online real estate service and the MSN CarPoint TM online automotive service, which provide convenient access to home or auto insurance. In addition, in the coming months, consumers will be able to access the MSN Insurance Center from MSN eShop and the WebTV Network TM services, as well as through Microsoft® Money 2000.

“InsWeb’s seamless integration with the MSN Insurance Center empowers consumers making lifestyle decisions to efficiently manage their related insurance needs,”
said Paul Weiskopf, senior vice president of InsWeb.
“Through its close integration with 49 brand-name insurance companies, the MSN Insurance Center powered by InsWeb technology is bringing the insurance industry to online consumers everywhere.”

“MSN is dedicated to providing consumers with the most complete selection of leading financial tools and information in one place on the Web, and our alliance with InsWeb is a significant extension of this,”
said Erik Jorgensen, product unit manager for MSN MoneyCentral.
“The MSN Insurance Center further enables the Everyday Web for consumers, providing a way for them to make smarter financial decisions and conveniently manage finances online at any time.”

MSN Insurance Center

Located in the MSN MoneyCentral Insurance department, the MSN Insurance Center ( http://moneycentral.msn.com/Insure/home.asp ) makes comprehensive, user-friendly insurance shopping easier than ever before with the following features:

  • InsWeb’s online marketplace. Users can request multiple quotes and information from leading insurers participating at InsWeb’s online marketplace.

  • Easy insurance selection. Visitors can select insurance coverage online through leading carriers on InsWeb.

  • Do-it-yourself tools. Insurance estimates can be quickly and easily reviewed through interactive features such as the Homeowners Insurance Quick Estimate and the Auto Coverage Analyzer. These tools can help consumers better understand a range of factors that may affect their insurance premiums and coverage choices.

  • Life insurance needs estimator. Consumers can use this calculator to quickly help determine the appropriate level of life insurance coverage, based on several financial variables such as one-time expenses, years of need and other assets.

InsWeb’s marketplace is revolutionizing the process of shopping for insurance by empowering consumers to compare and select products from direct writers as well as exclusive and independent agents at a single location. In addition to helping consumers shop for insurance online, the MSN Insurance Center provides comprehensive insurance news, expert advice, step-by-step workshops, and self-analysis and self-assessment tools.

About InsWeb

InsWeb, the leading online insurance marketplace ( http://www.insweb.com/ ), helps consumers save time and money by providing free, multiple insurance quotes sponsored by the nation’s leading insurance companies. InsWeb’s 49 participating insurers offer auto, health, homeowners, renters, term life and pet insurance. Accessible from Yahoo!, GO Network, Snap.com, LookSmart, Go2Net, ZDNet, E*TRADE and more than 130 other leading sites on the Internet, InsWeb features the largest network of online partners of any Internet insurance marketplace.

InsWeb provides real-time customer service, interactive tools and research capabilities that help consumers make more confident and well-informed decisions. InsWeb is rated the No. 1 insurance site by Gomez Advisors and Lafferty Group, and was recently named one of 50 Best of the Web financial sites by Money and the top insurance site by Yahoo! Internet Life. Across the Pacific, the InsWeb brand and technical platform support InsWeb Japan K.K. — a joint venture with co-founder SOFTBANK Finance Corp., and with Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. InsWeb is headquartered in Redwood City, Calif.

About MSN MoneyCentral

MSN MoneyCentral is a complete online personal finance resource delivering leading financial tools and information in nine key areas: Investor, News Desk, Saving & Spending, Banking & Bills, Family & College, Retirement & Wills, Taxes, Insurance and Real Estate. The award-winning service offers consumers the ability to complete a wide range of important financial tasks like paying bills, finding a financial advisor and managing investments in one convenient place online.

About MSN and Microsoft

MSN is the network of Internet services from Microsoft that helps people better organize the Web around what’s important to them. The network of MSN services, located on the Web at MSN.com ( http://www.MSN.com/ ), helps people easily stay in touch with friends and colleagues, make smart and secure purchasing decisions, and get more done. MSN offers award-winning e-mail functionality; personal communications services; wireless services information; customizable access to news; popular sites for personal finance, travel, automotive services, shopping and more; an online community; a Web search engine and directories; and top-rated Internet access.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.

Related Posts