Meriden, CT - November 7, 2001 - Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance Company (CL&C), a direct-to-the-consumer company focusing on insuring safe, responsible people, beat the household-name auto insurers, as measured by the fewest number of complaints against the companies, according to the Connecticut Insurance Department's recently released rankings.

The Meriden-based company's ranking placed it well ahead of all of the state's largest auto insurers, including: Allstate, which has the most policyholders in Connecticut yet ranked number 48 out of 61 insurance companies/groups; Progressive, which ranked number 46; Nationwide (number 41); GEICO (number 35); and Travelers (34).

"We take great pride in our Connecticut roots," stated Ron Licata, President of Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance Company. "And, it only makes us more proud when we best the big household-name companies."

Connecticut Life & Casualty was the largest Connecticut company not part of an insurance group to be included in the number one ranked group for the year 2000. There was not a single "justified," or even "questionable," complaint against CL&C in any of the rated categories, which included claims, policy service, sales, marketing, underwriting, and other complaints.

Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance Company's ranking was in category of companies that have more than $1,000,000 in automobile earned premium for the year 2000. The list included 61 insurance companies and groups, which combined have more than 350 licensed insurance companies authorized to sell in the state. The complete rankings can be found at the Department's website: www.state.ct.us/cid.

Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance Company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Meriden, CT. More information can be found at the CL&C website: www.cl-c.com. CL&C is now a part of the Response Insurance group of companies.