Irvine, Calif., Sept. 2, 2008 — GreenUmbrella.com™, the revolutionary all-in-one extended service platform that empowers consumers to collectively protect an unlimited number of most home electronic, computer and appliance purchases for just $9.95 a month, announced today a plan to include all major purchases made in 2008 for customers who enroll in September. Customers who purchase coverage during September now will have the opportunity to register any major electronic, computer and appliance products they've purchased during the calendar year for extended service protection.
Plans purchased through GreenUmbrella.com ordinarily provide consumers with extended protection on an unlimited number of major home electronics, appliances and computer products purchased within 60 days of enrollment.
“Providing consumers simple, convenient and affordable product protection is our number one priority,” said Mike Balducci, general manager of GreenUmbrella.com. “For a limited time, consumers now have an opportunity to get a level of protection against unexpected repair or replacement costs that is unprecedented.”
Backed by warranty and Internet marketing industry leaders The Warranty Group and Experian, the global information services company, GreenUmbrella.com is built upon a consumer-conscious service platform that is completely unique to the industry. With a mission of providing consumers with peace of mind, reliability and affordability, an extended service plan from GreenUmbrella.com offers a customized, three-year plan based on those qualities, which were found to be most important to consumers following extensive outreach and feedback.
“We've listened to consumers and created an extended service plan that is consumer-friendly, convenient and, most of all, affordable,” said Balducci. “Consumers may spend weeks researching their expensive home appliance and electronics purchases only to be forced to make a split-second decision on extended service just before checkout. GreenUmbrella.com gives consumers an affordable option that they can thoroughly research before making that important decision.”
GreenUmbrella.com is part of Experian InteractiveSM, whose products include FreeCreditReport.com®, PriceGrabber.com® and LowerMyBills.com®. These leading consumer Internet sites aim to empower consumers with opportunities to better manage key financial aspects in life. GreenUmbrella.com now offers consumers a cost-effective and revolutionary option for protection against unexpected product repair or replacement costs.
With more than 40 years of experience, The Warranty Group has grown to become the world's largest single-source provider of service plans, and its subsidiaries will serve as the administrator and underwriter of the plans offered by GreenUmbrella.com.
An extended service plan purchased through GreenUmbrella.com provides consumers with coverage features that are comparable to major retailer service plans and includes all major brands of new consumer electronics, computers and home appliance purchases. Consumers can register multiple products under one plan at any time following sign-up at no additional cost and with no deductibles or fees for in-home repair or replacement service. Additionally, plans also cover products purchased up to 60 days prior to the start of the extended service plan, for products with a one-year standard manufacturer's warranty. That 60-day window is extended to eight months for customers who purchase plans during September 2008.
Once enrolled, consumers have the ability to add an unlimited number of new consumer products to their personalized protection plan - all managed in one easy account and accessible online 24 hours a day. Enrollment for an extended service plan from GreenUmbrella.com is simple and available both online at www.GreenUmbrella.com and via telephone at 1 888 698 6273.
In addition, consumers seeking to place a claim will have the support of The Warranty Group's nationwide network of approximately 25,000 local repair service providers.
To learn more about this revolutionary new extended service plan, visit www.GreenUmbrella.com.
About GreenUmbrella.com
GreenUmbrella.com™ provides a direct-to-consumer, all-in-one extended service plan, empowering consumers to collectively protect an unlimited number of home electronic, computer and appliance purchases for one low monthly fee of $9.95. The revolutionary service is part of Experian InteractiveSM, whose family of products includes FreeCreditReport.com, PriceGrabber.com and LowerMyBills.com, which aims to empower consumers with opportunities to manage the key financial aspects in life and now by bringing cost-effective options to the table for extended warranties.
About Experian
Experian is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.
Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organizations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage.
For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organizations from financial services, retail and catalog, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Experian has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Nottingham, UK. The Group employs approximately 15,500 people in 38 countries worldwide, supporting clients in more than 65 countries around the world. Continuing sales for the year ended March 31, 2008, were in excess of $4 billion.
For more information, visit Experian plc's Web site on www.experiangroup.com.
“Experian” is a registered trademark in the EU and other countries and is owned by Experian Ltd. and/or its associated companies.
About The Warranty Group
The Warranty Group, Inc. is the world's premier provider of extended service plans and related benefits. With underwriting, claims administration, compliance and marketing expertise, The Warranty Group is a global single-source solution for manufacturers, distributors and retailers of consumer goods including autos, homes, consumer electronics, furniture and appliances as well as financial institutions and the travel and leisure industry. Assets are in excess of $5 billion (2007). The Warranty Group has headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, with operations in 33 countries worldwide and 2300 employees. www.thewarrantygroup.com. For more information on The Warranty Group, please contact Rob Mancuso, SVP, Corporate Communications/Investor Relations, 1 312 356 2320, rob.mancuso@thewg.com
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