Selective Receives 'Leadership and Innovation' Award from Applied Systems

BRANCHVILLE, N.J., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Selective Insurance Company of America has announced it received the 2006 Interface Leadership and Innovation Award from Applied Systems, Inc. for promoting efficient communication between insurance carriers and independent insurance agents. The award was presented in Dallas, TX at the 2006 Technology, Education & Networking Conference (TenCon), hosted by the Applied Systems Client Network (ASCnet), the independent user group of Applied Systems products.

The award was granted based on Selective's ability to "advance agency- company interface through adoption, support and implementation of initiatives" through its xSELerate agency integration technology. xSELerate provides Selective's independent agents with the ability to quote new and existing business and access claims and billing information directly from their agency management systems.

"Selective's agency integration technology provides independent agencies with the speed, convenience and cost-effective power of straight-through processing," said Jeff Kamrowski, Selective's senior vice president for the company's Business Services Unit. "xSELerate eliminates double entry of data, reduces errors and increases transaction productivity, and most importantly, increases agents' service and response time to customers."

Kamrowski added, "We place a high priority on making it easy for agents and customers to do business with us. This award affirms our 'high-tech, high- touch' business approach, which allows Selective to deliver the technology agents need to exceed customer expectations and grow profitably. We are honored to receive this award and remain committed to delivering interface technology that improves agency efficiency and customer service."

Selective Insurance Group, Inc. is a holding company for seven property and casualty insurance companies rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best. Through independent agents, the insurance companies offer primary and alternative market insurance for commercial and personal risks, and flood insurance underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program. Other subsidiaries of the company provide claims, human resources and risk management services. Selective maintains a website at http://www.selective.com/.