AutoConnect shoppers can compare insurance rates for different model cars, as well as access data on each car's risk factors, including theft, or the amount of damage likely to be sustained in an accident. Quicken InsureMarket also allows drivers in 10 states to obtain insurance online. A national roll out of the auto insurance purchasing service is now in progress and is expected to be available to more than half the drivers in the country this fall. In addition, many drivers will be able to receive quotes and buy online from several carriers by filling out one simple form. Drivers in states not yet offering online underwriting can register now at the AutoConnect site for a follow-up e-mail when their state does come online. Drivers in all 50 states can also use the service to request offline quotes from Allstate, State Farm and MetLife, as well as to connect with local agents from those companies to receive personal assistance.

"Our exclusive partnership with Quicken InsureMarket reinforces our philosophy of offering AutoConnect shoppers the very best automotive resources available on the Web today," said Chip Perry, president and CEO of AutoConnect. "We are empowering consumers to make the best and most informed choices in buying, financing and insuring a vehicle by partnering with companies such as Intuit, Kelly Blue Book, PersonaLogic, Vicinity Corp., and GTE Directory Services."

"Combining services that consumers often need together, such as purchasing and insuring a car, makes the Internet a powerful tool for people who are trying to get the most for their money in the least amount of time," said Steven Aldrich, president of Intuit Insurance Services, Inc. (IIS). "By delivering a high level of functionality to end-users, we believe this partnership may lead to substantial traffic and revenue opportunities."

AutoConnect's business starts with the premise that online classified advertising should be free of charge to both the buyer and the seller. Unlike other online auto sites, AutoConnect generates revenue through transaction and advertising fees related to the sale of auto-related goods and services. This partnership is the first of many that AutoConnect will be announcing in the coming months.

The AutoConnect site offers the most comprehensive information available on pre-owned cars, which constitute nearly 75 percent of the cars sold in America today. The service streamlines the way consumers can shop for cars by providing online sources for pertinent information to help users make informed buying decisions. This information resource includes hundreds of thousands of pre-owned vehicle listings; individual and vehicle model comparisons; credible third-party reviews from a variety of sources including Consumer's Digest; safety information; Kelley Blue Book values; financing rates; insurance quotes; warranty information and contributions from experienced commentators like Jack Gillis and Lesley Hazelton. In addition, AutoConnect can proactively notify registered users about specific predetermined topics, such as automatic notification of vehicles they are interested in and vehicle recall information.

Quicken InsureMarket is the leading insurance site on the Internet, with participation from major, national insurance carriers, and the ability to offer real-time rate quotes and online payment options which can speed the process of buying insurance. AutoConnect's Quicken InsureMarket is a full-service site that features a library of educational material so consumers can learn more about insurance, as well as interactive insurance planning tools and information from independent insurance experts.