News Alert: For Immediate Release

As you are aware, the House of Representatives passed the Senate health care bill and a reconciliation bill on Sunday, March 21, 2010. This bill has significant implications for employers who offer health care benefits and the employees and families covered by those plans.

We know you have a lot of questions and concerns about health care reform and how the legislation will impact your benefits. We have been closely following the health care reform legislation and the implications for employer-sponsored health care and benefits.

Listed below are some of the package's provisions that will affect employers:

• Employer Mandates. Effective in 2014, most employers with 50 or more employees must offer coverage to employees. Employers who do not do so may be subject to hefty penalties. The benefit plans offered will also have to meet certain requirements.
• Individual Mandates. Citizens and legal residents will be required to have a certain level of health coverage, or pay a tax penalty. These rules could restrict the usage of high deductible health plans and will decrease the chance that your employees will decline coverage under your plan.
• Coverage Subsidies. Small employers that provide health insurance for employees will be eligible for a tax credit. Also, employers who provide insurance to retirees over age 55 who are not eligible for Medicare are eligible for a temporary reinsurance program.
• Health Benefit Exchanges. In 2014, state exchanges will be established for small businesses and individuals to shop for health insurance. Larger businesses will be able purchase coverage in the exchanges in the future.
• Insurance Reforms. These reforms require policies to provide dependent coverage for children through age 26. They prohibit lifetime coverage limits, rescission of coverage except in cases of fraud, and imposing pre-existing condition exclusions on children. Many of these provisions will take effect in 2010. They may affect your benefits and how you administer your benefit programs.

Gowrie Group Can Help You Get Ready for Changes

Health care reform will almost certainly involve sweeping changes to the benefits you provide your employees and how you provide them. However, it will most likely affect each business differently. Gowrie Group will review your company's current employee benefits to make sure you are prepared for the changing landscape. We will work with you to maximize the value of your employee benefits and minimize your costs and risk. As always, we will continue to monitor the developments regarding health care and keep you informed.

Please contact your Gowrie Group employee benefits representative at 800.262.8911 with any questions.

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Gowrie Group celebrates 80th birthday of longtime employee, Carol Bastian

March 16, 2010, Westbrook, CT. Gowrie Group, Connecticut’s largest and most prestigious independent insurance agency recently celebrated the 80th birthday of longtime employee, Carol Bastian.

This treasured employee has been part of the Gowrie Group team for over 24 years. Over the years she has served the company in many different functions including account manager. She is currently an active employee in the Commercial Insurance department and maintains relationships with many key Gowrie clients. She is looked to for everything from insurance advice, to career guidance, to laughter. Interestingly, Gowrie also threw her a festive retirement party when she turned 70 (10 years ago!). However, a few months later she returned to the company because she missed the Gowrie spirit, working with clients, and the daily enjoyment of working with the exceptional team at Gowrie.

Carter Gowrie, Gowrie’s CEO, offered a tribute to Carol when he played his guitar and sang a customized and touching version of a Loudon Wainwright song. He entitled the song “80 Years Old”. You can listen to it here.

Carol is known within Gowrie and beyond for her dedication to her clients, loving animals of all types and sizes, and her commitment to the Gowrie team. Everyone at Gowrie looks forward to working with Carol for many years to come.

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News Alert: For Immediate Release

Farley Towse joins Gowrie Group as a producer and insurance advisor.

Westbrook, Connecticut. Gowrie Group, Connecticut's largest and most prestigious independent insurance agency, announced that Farley Towse joined the company in early February as a producer and insurance advisor in its Darien office. In his role at Gowrie, Farley will be focused on advising clients throughout New England on their insurance needs, including home, auto, umbrella, and yacht insurance.

"Farley is a strategic addition to the growing Gowrie team who will enable us to bring insurance expertise, customized solutions, and the Gowrie service experience to many new clients across the region," said John Fisher, president and principal of Gowrie's Personal Insurance Division.

Prior to Gowrie, Farley served in various capacities at Secured Marine Trust, a marine oriented financial services software company. At the company, his roles included sales, business development, treasurer, and operations manager. He is a licensed property & casualty agent in Connecticut.

Farley graduated from Trinity College with a BA in American Studies. He is an avid and accomplished offshore sailor, having won major events such as the Newport Bermuda Race, Marblehead Halifax Race, Vineyard Race, and Block Island Race. Farley currently resides in Duxbury, MA with his wife.

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News Alert: For Immediate Release

Gowrie Group corporate challenge raises $70,760 to benefit The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries.

Westbrook, Connecticut. This year marked the 6th annual Gowrie Group corporate challenge to benefit The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries. Each year the leadership team and employees at Gowrie make it a goal to give back to the shoreline community in a meaningful way. The Gowrie team feels the Soup Kitchen's mission of providing food and fellowship to people in need, along with their focus on educating our communities about hunger and poverty, is particularly critical today.

The focus of our annual corporate challenge, which ran from November 15th through December 31st, was to raise much needed money for The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP). As in the past, Gowrie matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000, and the LC Doane Company matched the next $5,000. Almost 175 businesses and friends contributed to the challenge, resulting in an amazing $70,760 in total to benefit the Soup Kitchen and our neighbors in need. This amount provides 283,040 meals worth of food.

To compliment our financial support, Gowrie employees also donate their time as volunteers at the SSKP. In the early weeks of December, when the soup kitchens typically see a lull in support, Gowrie employees focused on the SSKP. On December 2nd, almost 50 Gowrie employees helped prepare, cook, and serve lunch at the Old Saybrook Grace Church soup kitchen. Throughout December, a Gowrie employee food collection resulted in multiple car loads of additional food donated to the SSKP. Throughout the year, Gowrie employees also assist at food distribution sites and spend time planting and harvesting from the SSKP's garden.

While this past year has certainly been challenging for all, it has been particularly hard on families in need, and those families that have had to turn to the food pantries for the first time in the lives. In 2009, the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries distributed 873,137 meals, up 25% over the amount provided in 2008.

All of us at Gowrie Group are grateful for all the generous donations to our annual corporate challenge. Gowrie would also like to give a special thanks to our large contributors this year, The Essex Community Fund and Tom & Diane Neligon of Webster Bank Mortgages. In these difficult economic times, we are proud to be part of a very generous shoreline community.

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News Alert: For Immediate Release

Insurance agency unveils new online presence as part of overall corporate rebranding strategy.

Westbrook, Connecticut. Gowrie Group, a leading insurance, employee benefits, and finance company announces the launch of the company’s new website – www.gowrie.com

The new website is a key element of the company’s rebranding initiative. In 2009 Gowrie Group consolidated its multiple trade names and began offering its employee benefit and insurance solutions under the Gowrie Group brand.

“Our new website is yet another resource through which we can keep communication simple, provide expert advice, and deliver the creative and customized solutions our clients need and deserve today,” said Carter Gowrie, President and CEO of the Gowrie Group.

The new Gowrie.com website uses bold crisp imagery, an intuitive navigation scheme, and concise messaging to optimize the user experience. The new user-friendly interface features a simplified navigation and always present full sitemap displayed in the footer to enable site visitors to quickly and efficiently explore and learn about Gowrie’s complete offerings. The site also allows visitors to request a quote directly online. Gowrie.com is designed to meet the needs of multiple audiences, including prospects first experiencing Gowrie Group, and current clients learning about new services, seeking claims reporting information, or searching for specific contact information. Designed to give prospects and clients all the resources necessary to make informed decisions about their insurance and benefits, the new site brings to life the Gowrie Group brand in a digital format for a growing online audience.

The new Gowrie Group website was developed by Mascola Group, and its partner, Caffeine Interactive, a multi-discipline marketing firm based in New Haven, CT. Please visit us at www.gowrie.com

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