Response Buying National Merit For $13.8 Million

Response Buying National Merit For $13.8 Million

NU Online News Service, Sept. 17, 2:38 p .m. EDT?Response Insurance Company, a Meriden, Conn.-based automobile direct writer, has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire National Merit Insurance Company from Unigard Insurance Company for $13.8 million.

The sale includes a personal auto book of business and a call center.Both firms are based in Bellevue, Wash.

Mory Katz, president and CEO of Direct Response Corporation, also based in Meriden, and chairman of its Response subsidiary, noted that "as with all of our prior acquisitions, National Merit strengthens our position in the market and enables us to continue our highly targeted growth strategy in key markets."

"National Merit has a strong name that represents quality to its customers. We share that commitment to excellence and look forward to serving them," Mr. Katz added.

According to a statement issued by Response, the purchase will provide a customer base in the strategic northwest region of the U.S. This is the latest acquisition in a string of purchases by Response. In April, Response closed on the purchase of the Worldwide Insurance Companies, which doubled the size of the company.