Employers Direct Announces Appointment of Karen A. Sterner as Vice President of Underwriting and Premium Audit

AGOURA HILLS, CA – September 22, 2006 – Employers Direct Insurance Company, a direct writer of California workers’ compensation insurance, announced that Karen A. Sterner has been appointed Vice President of Underwriting and Premium Audit.

“Karen Sterner brings a wealth of knowledge about workers’ compensation and underwriting to Employers Direct. She is a great addition to our senior management team,” said James E. Little, Chairman/President & CEO of Employers Direct Insurance Company.

Karen joined Employers Direct in March 2006 and has over 35 years of experience in workers' compensation underwriting and premium audit. Previously, she was Vice President of Workers' Compensation for ARM of California/Contractors First for five years, where she was responsible for the workers' comp underwriting and premium audit departments. Karen has a close relationship with the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), having served on the Classification & Rating Committee for many years, and is an expert on Experience Rating and Classifications. Karen is a licensed Property and Casualty Agent.

About EMPLOYERS DIRECT INSURANCE COMPANY
Employers Direct Insurance Company is California's only specialty direct writer of workers' compensation insurance. Founded in 2002, Employers Direct has been widely accepted by business owners throughout California as a result of providing highly competitive rates, claims services designed to fight fraud and abuse, and loss prevention services that assist employers to create safe work environments. As a newer company, Employers Direct is unburdened by legacy systems and takes advantage of the latest technology to provide its customers with 24/7 access to all policy and claims information via a secure Internet portal. Employers Direct is proud that a growing number of California’s best-run privately-held companies count themselves as policyholders. Niche industries include hotels, restaurants, golf and country clubs, new car dealers, food processors, manufacturing companies, specialty supermarket chains, and retailers. At the end of 2005, Employers Direct Insurance Company had more than $150 million in written workers' compensation premiums. Visit Employers Direct online at www.employersdirect.com.

CONTACT:
Employers Direct Insurance Company
Debbie Laskey
Tel: 818.575.2709
dlaskey@employersdirect.com