CEO, Robert Soby, Gives 2007 Operations Update

Atlanta, GA - September 20, 2007-  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: Robert Soby, Chief Executive Officer

Continuing its success as one of the largest independent adjusting companies in the US and Puerto Rico, Custard's 2007 Operations Update provides a positive outlook for continued growth and expansion, according to Mr. Robert Soby, Chief Executive Officer.

Sales and Marketing

“We continue to show significant progress in expanding our market share through the studied implementation of the Company’s strategic sales initiatives,” states President, Rick Linville. “These initiatives along with the continued growth and maturation of our professional claims savvy sales team are primary identifiers driving our growth.”

The introduction of strategic initiatives will continue to be prominent this fiscal year. We are particularly excited about the rollout of a transportation initiative that is tailored from our historical business model. From CIA’s early beginnings, we have been recognized as a premier loss adjusting company with roots firmly planted in handling commercial transportation losses. Much of our company’s growth has been strongly driven by its successful partnerships with major trucking companies, insurance companies with commercial transportation risks and self insured risks.  Recognizing this, we have committed to a national marketing effort directed to the transportation industry to promote our long standing history, strength and expertise in handling the immediate response services associated with transportation losses. 

With our basic business plan in mind, we have continued to focus on strengthening relationships with our core business partners and aligning ourselves with those prospects that best match our multi-line claims expertise. Throughout the course of our development, we have favored growth that emphasizes quality. We remain committed to this approach, continuing to place emphasis on excellence at all levels of our organization and by maintaining a strong sense of urgency in responding to the needs of our client partners. Our success in this area can be attributed to an untiring focus on providing consistent superior customer service both in sales and in our service products.

“We want to thank the members of our staff throughout the organization, who have contributed so much to our success," states Soby. "We also want to extend appreciation to our loyal customers many of whom have been with us for a number of years with some extending back twenty-five years or more. Thank you for your business.”

Catastrophe Operations

During the past fiscal year, the Catastrophe Division continued to gain market share and growth by attracting new client partners. Our catastrophe preparation continues. We have refined our Catastrophe Manual, held catastrophe seminars in Columbia, SC and Dallas, TX and added to our overall availability of qualified adjusters for deployment in the event of a catastrophe.

To further enhance our catastrophe operations, we worked closely with our client partners and their respective IT Departments to develop ways to improve customer service. We initiated Web-EX training for all CIA Property Adjusters and our capacity to handle large complex property claims by adding more General Adjusters and Executive General Adjusters to our staff.

Larry Beck, formerly with Nationwide Insurance Company, joined our staff as Catastrophe Supervisor. His past experience as Property Claim Manager, District Claim Manager and a member of Nationwide’s catastrophe team, increased our overall management experience within our CAT Division. He joins David String, AVP, Catastrophe Manager and Donny Reed, Assistant Director of Catastrophe Operations, on our management team in Columbia, SC. The team is totally committed to providing our client partners with exceptional customer service for all events.

Catastrophe Manager, David String comments, “We are pleased to report that we have agreements with a number of major and regional insurance companies, third party administrators and self-insured’s throughout the United States to provide services in the event of a catastrophe. This group includes Nationwide, Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association, Rhode Island Joint Reinsurance Association, The Barnstable County Mutual Insurance Company, TransGuard General Insurance, Merchants Insurance Group, Service Insurance Company, and Arbella Insurance Group.”

Lastly, we are in the final stages of developing a complete property training program for our CIA employees and CAT adjusters. We also plan to implement a Large Loss Division this year.

For additional information on Custard’s Catastrophe Operations, contact Dave String at (803) 865-1313 ext. 102.

About Custard
Custard Insurance Adjusters, Inc. is one of the largest independent loss adjusting companies in North America. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Custard has over 600 employees and 243 offices serving the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The company’s multi-line capability includes expertise in all lines of coverage including commercial transportation, personal and commercial automobile, general liability, workers compensation, property, professional liability, inland and wet marine, product liability and hazardous/environmental claims. CIA also provides third party administration, risk management and catastrophe claim services. Custard’s experienced staff, 24-hour Hotline service and its nationwide network of adjusters supports the company’s ability to respond to the unique needs of its client partners.

News Contact:
Susan Meadows
Custard Insurance Adjusters, Inc.
smeadows@custard.com