Zurich, April 12, 2000. - Together with Boston-based Artificial Life, Inc., the Zurich Financial Services Group is developing a virtual sales agent for customers of Eagle Star Direct in the United Kingdom.
The virtual sales agent is being designed to create a new and interactive customer experience for visitors to Eagle Star’s web site www.eaglestar.co.uk. An interactive animated character, based on Artificial Life’s intelligent "bots" for the Internet, will take customers visiting the web site through the quotation process, programmed to respond to any queries raised.
Gunnar Stokholm, member of the enlarged Group Executive Board of Zurich Financial Services and responsible for the development of the Group’s Global e-Business, commented: "The sales agent prototype is a novel element of our market approach. From a wide array of communication tools, the customer can choose the one he prefers - from personal advice to electronically supported business transactions."
The animated software "bots" will be able to answer customers’ questions regarding Eagle Star’s offerings and support customers in filling out application forms. An immediate personal quotation is sent in reply to the online inquiry and, with the customer’s agreement, cover can be granted immediately. By providing a quick and easy way to obtain insurance coverage, Eagle Star proves again its leadership in online business.
"The virtual customer services agent will create a new and fresh experience for our customers", said Ian Owen, Managing Director of Eagle Star, "by making our site not only easier to use but also adding a fun element. Of course, should customers wish to speak with a ’real’ agent at any time, they will be able to do so."
Eberhard Schoneburg, Artificial Life’s President and CEO, added: "Eagle Star Direct brings a pioneering approach to all it does. Our innovative ’bots’ technology is a perfect complement to Eagle Star’s business and customer service goals."
Eagle Star is a pioneer in the e-commerce insurance industry, having been the first insurer to sell motor insurance via the Internet in 1997. It now offers a range of products including motor, home, travel and life assurance.
Eagle Star is part of the Zurich Financial Services Group - a global leader in the financial services industry, providing its customers with solutions in the area of financial protection and asset accumulation. The Group concentrates its activities in four core businesses: non-life and life insurance, reinsurance and asset management. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Group’s worldwide presence builds on strong positions in its three key markets - the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. It has offices in more than 60 countries reaching over 35 million customers and employing 68,000 people. Based on consolidated figures for 1999, the Group achieved gross premiums of USD 48 billion. This amount includes insurance deposits as well as premiums from the Farmers Exchanges. The net income amounted to USD 3.26 billion. On December 31, 1999, the Group had USD 442 billion of assets under management of which USD 264 billion represent funds managed for third-party institutional and retail customers.
Founded in 1994, Artificial Life, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALIF) develops, markets, and supports intelligent software robots for the Internet. The company offers uniquely conversational bot-based products for customer service, consultative selling, Web site navigation, automated e-mail response, and financial portfolio management. Artificial Life is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A, and maintains subsidiaries Germany, Switzerland, and Russia. Detailed information about Artificial Life, Inc. and its products is available at
http://www.artificial-life.com.
