News Room

April 11, 2002

Home Service Contract Program from Assurant Group Helps Homeowners Solve Major Problems

Extra Benefits Set HomeReliance Apart from Traditional Plans, Help Lenders Enhance Revenue, Build Customer Loyalty

ATLANTA/MIAMI: Assurant Group, the leader in affinity marketing to lending institutions, has developed a new home services plan that surpasses traditional plans in both value and benefits for consumers.
In addition to mechanical breakdown coverage for major appliances and electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, the HomeReliance Plan provides:

• 24/7 toll-free access to customer service
• Coverage for food spoilage due to refrigerator or freezer breakdown
• Access to a "do-it-yourself" tradesman advice hotline
• Home improvement contractor referrals
• Expert review of contractor quotes and estimates
• Access to a nationwide service network
• Low trade service fee, and
• Transferability when a covered home is sold.

"HomeReliance provides a solid marketing opportunity for lenders looking for programs to enhance revenue, build customer affinity and protect borrowers from unforeseen home ownership problems," said Allen F. Tuthill, senior vice president and channel executive for Assurant’s specialty finance business. "We offer competitive pricing strategies, value-added benefits, flexible terms, private-label branding, result-driven marketing and regulatory support. Clients will gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace while measurably increasing revenue and profitability."

Available with Refi’s as Well as Original Loans

The turnkey program can be offered in a point-of-sale environment or through event-driven direct response marketing. Clients also can benefit from additional sales opportunities through a commission-based compensation program. "This program also is available with refinanced loans," Tuthill said.

Home Reliance is priced on both a retail (commission) and net-rate basis. This flexibility provides clients choices in how to market the program and additional opportunities to supplement the income its produces.

To discuss the HomeReliance Plan with a sales consultant, contact Jon Hayes, vice president and national sales manager, at 770.763.1316.

Federal Warranty Service Corporation, a member of Assurant Group that specializes in extended service contracts, administers the HomeReliance Plan. Founded in 1988, Federal Warranty has about $900 million in active service contracts. The company is certified to the ISO9001: 2000 standard.

ISO9001: 2000 certification is an internationally renowned quality management system certification. This family of standards represents an international consensus on good management practices with the ultimate goal of delivering quality products and services.

About Assurant Group

Assurant Group partners with financial institutions, auto dealers, retailers, utilities and others to leverage their relationships with consumers to distribute products and services using its technology, processing and marketing capabilities. Member companies are leading providers of specialty insurance, extended service contracts and membership programs. Assurant has more than 4,800 employees and operations in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.

Assurant is part of Fortis, an international financial services provider active in the fields of insurance, banking and investment. As of the second quarter 2001, Fortis had total assets in excess of $400 billion. As one of the world’s largest financial services companies, Fortis ranks 31st based on assets and 73rd based on revenues on the Fortune ‘Global 500’ and 42nd based on revenues on the Forbes ‘International 500’ list (July 23, 2001). Fortis is listed on the Amsterdam (FOR A), Brussels (FORB) and Luxembourg (FOR LX) stock exchanges and has a sponsored ADR program (FORSY) in the United States.

Assurant Group is a service mark of Fortis, Inc.

Media contact

James A. Sykes
Director, Corporate Communications
Assurant Solutions
260 Interstate N. Circle, SE
Atlanta, Ga. 30339-2111
Telephone: 770.763.1015
FAX: 770.859.4325
E-mail: james.sykes@assurant.com

Reference: 0207