Response Insurance Company
International terrorism reared its evil head when the Aum Shinrikyo "Supreme Truth" cult executed a deadly nerve gas attack in the Tokyo subway in 1995 that injured thousands of people. That same year across the globe, Direct Response, the holding company of the Response Insurance Group, incorporated. Over the next couple of years, investors funded Direct Response in an effort to create a direct-to-consumer auto insurer that could provide low-cost coverage. Soon, a New York Geico employee became Response's first auto insurance customer. In 2000, Real Time Quoting capabilities were added to the Response website, and the Teachers' Insurance Plan was acquired from Lancer Insurance Company. Connecticut Life & Casualty Insurance Company and Warner Insurance Company became part of the Response Insurance Group in 2001. Two years later, Response acquired Worldwide Insurance Company and Worldwide Direct Auto Insurance Company from the Great American Insurance Company. National Merit Insurance Company was also attained in 2003 from Unigard Insurance.
Response Auto Insurance
The Response Insurance Group and its companies provide insurance to safe, low-risk drivers in 44 states. Policies are underwritten by several members of the insurance group, including Connecticut Life & Casualty, Warner, National Merit, Response Indemnity, Response Indemnity of California, and others. The Advantage program was launched in 2005 introducing new rate levels to include a narrow niche of drivers with similar driving records. This targeted customer approach, combined with an agent-free, direct-to-consumer operation style, allows Response Insurance to keep premium rates inexpensive.