Employers Direct Sponsors Cyber Café at PIHRA’s 50th Annual Conference

Agoura Hills, CA – October 8, 2007 – Employers Direct Insurance Company, California’s only specialty direct writer of workers’ compensation insurance, announced its sponsorship of the inaugural Cyber Café at the 50th Annual Conference and Exhibition presented by the Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) to be held October 16-18, 2007, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

“We consider all HR professionals to be our colleagues because they determine the policies and procedures that influence safe working conditions, medical care, and training. HR professionals are often decision-makers who purchase workers’ comp insurance, or they make recommendations to California’s business owners. We are proud to be the Cyber Café sponsor at PIHRA’s 50th Annual Conference and support our extended team,” said James E. Little, Chairman/President & CEO of Employers Direct Insurance Company.

Since this year’s annual conference will be PIHRA’s 50th annual educational conference, the inaugural Cyber Café is an appropriate sponsorship choice for Employers Direct, a tech-savvy insurance company. In 2005, Employers Direct launched the Policyholder’s Claims and Information Center (PCIC), to provide customers with 24/7 access to all policy and claims information via a secure Internet portal. At the “Employers Direct Cyber Café” kiosks, conference attendees will be able to visit the Employers Direct website and learn about PCIC as well as check their emails. The Employers Direct Cyber Café will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 17, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 18.

“As we continue to enhance the conference experience for our attendees, PIHRA is pleased to offer a Cyber Café at this year’s 50th Annual PIHRA Conference and Exhibition. We are thrilled to have a returning conference sponsor, Employers Direct, join us in sponsoring our first Cyber Café. We look forward to working with Employers Direct again this year and are sure that our members will be excited about this new service,” said Desmond Brown, PIHRA Senior Sales and Marketing Associate.

Over 1,000 attendees from Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties will attend the 2007 conference. Educational sessions will focus on employee relations, compensation, health and safety, management training, organizational development, recruitment and retention, and workplace diversity. In addition to educational sessions, there will be a comprehensive Exhibit Hall. Members of Employers Direct’s sales and marketing team will be present to discuss the benefits of purchasing workers’ compensation from a direct writer.

About EMPLOYERS DIRECT INSURANCE COMPANY
Employers Direct Insurance Company is California’s only specialty direct writer of workers’ compensation insurance. Rated “A-” (Excellent) VIII by A.M. Best, 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. Founded in 2002, Employers Direct 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. Niche industries include construction, hotels, restaurants, golf and country clubs, new car dealers, food processors, manufacturing companies, specialty supermarket chains, and retailers. Employers Direct is a subsidiary of Alleghany Corporation (NYSE: Y). Visit Employers Direct online at www.employersdirect.com.

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