09 Jan 2006

Boise, Idaho, January 9, 2006 — Pets Best, insurance for pets, a division of General Fire & Casualty Company, today announced a free Veterinary locator service for pet owners. Through this Veterinary locator service, pet owners can quickly and easily find a veterinarian simply by entering a zip code on the Pets Best Web site: http://www.petsbest.com/VetLocator. The new service will be demonstrated in Booth #2421 at the North American Veterinary Conference, January 7-11 in
Orlando, Fla.

Pets Best, which was launched last October, provides comprehensive insurance plans for pet owners. The Pets Best plans allow pet owners the freedom to choose their own veterinarian, provides pet owners flexibility to choose appropriate veterinarian recommended treatment for their pets, and the ability to avoid the hardship that financial constraints might otherwise place on a pet owner’s ability to obtain optimum healthcare for their pet if they did not have pet insurance.

“With the Vet Locator option, we wanted to help pet owners who are traveling, moving to another community or looking for an emergency clinic to find a veterinarian,” said Dr. Jack Stephens, Pets Best founder and pet-insurance pioneer. “With our free Vet Locator service, we provide pet owners with a fast, convenient and informational way to locate a veterinarian to serve their needs. Our service is unique in that it provides the pet owner with a detailed map and directions, not just a list of veterinarians in
the area.”

How the Vet Locator Service Works

The program is simple. Any interested pet owner simply enters the zip code where they live or, if traveling, where they will be located. The system instantly produces a Geographical Information System (“GIS”) map of the zip code area indicating the veterinary locations in that vicinity. The pet owner can then choose from the nearest three, five, ten or even more veterinary locations. A detailed map references each location and the pet owner can scroll down the page to receive driving directions to any of the veterinarian practices.

The Vet Locator Service also features additional information on Pets Best participating hospitals, including areas of specialty medicine, services such as boarding, grooming, and special equipment, hours of operation and any other offerings. This service provides pet owners with a great way to find the veterinarian closest to them or one for an emergency or special need.

About Pets Best

Pets Best, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is a division of General Fire & Casualty Company, which specializes in agribusiness, livestock and animal-related insurance products. The company provides comprehensive insurance plans for pet owners whose pet is a family member. Its insurance plans provide the peace of mind that comes when a pet owner wants “simply the best.” Pets Best takes pride in offering its policyholders high limits, generous benefits and a variety of options for every budget. Pets Best knows that making the statement, “Simply the best pet insurance,” means it must live up to its name each and every day, and with each and every interaction with its policyholders.

Pets Best offers a generous 80 percent coverage of covered claims (after the deductible), liberal wellness benefits, the ability to choose your own veterinarian, and prompt claims settlement. Pets Best employees understand pet insurance and the needs of pet owners, as Pets Best’s founder, Dr. Jack Stephens, pioneered the pet insurance industry in 1981, has over 30 years of veterinary experience, and has instilled his passion and commitment to pet insurance in each and every one of his employees. For more information, visit
www.petsbest.com or call 877-PETS BEST (738-7237).

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