Jan. 9, 2007 -- RENO, Nev. -- EMPLOYERS(sm) has joined in partnership with the payroll outsourcing company E-chx, Inc., together with the Granite Professional Insurance Agency on the new E-COMPsm program. Granite will serve as the exclusive agent for the program, which is designed to allow small businesses in California to conveniently manage workers' compensation insurance coverage in partnership with payroll services.

The new partnership can simplify the process of managing payroll and workers' compensation coverage, helping small businesses by easing administrative tasks and freeing businesspeople to focus on what they do best. Combining payroll and workers' comp services can lead to convenient, electronic payment for both services through E-PAY(sm); with no deposits or down payments required; and premiums calculated on actual payrolls, with no on-site or physical audit required, unless state-mandated.

David Quezada, president of the EMPLOYERS Strategic Markets Region, explained, “We're proud of this new partnership with E-chx Payroll Services and the Granite Professional Insurance Agency, which further expands the integrated payroll programs EMPLOYERS makes available to small businesses throughout California. We believe true, time-saving convenience is essential to small businesspeople trying to grow their companies.”

The new program, available through Employers Compensation Insurance Company, can be accessed through E-chx representatives throughout California, who refer interested parties to the Granite Professional Insurance Brokerage, Inc. A dedicated in-house Program Director is available, along with toll-free information, by calling (888) 49E-Comp or (888) 493-2667.

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Copyright © 2006 EMPLOYERS.  All rights reserved.  EMPLOYERS is a service mark and trade name for a group of companies which provide workers' compensation insurance and services. Insurance is offered through Employers Compensation Insurance Company, except in Nevada, where insurance is offered through Employers Insurance Company of Nevada. Employers Compensation Insurance Company does not do business in all jurisdictions.  Please consult with your local EMPLOYERS Sales Executive for more information or visit www.eig.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements about EMPLOYERS.  Forward-looking statements include statements regarding anticipated future results and can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  They often include words like "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and "intend" or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may."  Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, general economic conditions and legislative and regulatory changes that could adversely affect the business of EMPLOYERS and its subsidiaries.

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CONTACT:  Trish White, EMPLOYERS Corporate Communications Director, E-mail: twhite@eig.com