November 2008 - The Covea Group enters into BATIRENOVER capital, one of the key players in information and advice services for construction and renovation work.

In October, 2008, the Covea Group composed of the GMF, MAAF and MMA insurance companies took at 24% percent participation in the capital of BATIRENOVER Inc., joining Lafarge and GDF Suez. BATIRENOVER Inc. is one of the leading players in direct marketing services in the French construction and renovation market, targeting individuals as well as professionals.

Services proposed by BATIRENOVER are based on 4 areas of expertise :

• Internet with 6 sites : batirenover.com (information for General Public and housing renovation advice), e-travaux.com free site for quotations and getting in touch with local contractors), e-travaux.com (information sites targeted for general contractors), batissor.com et cyberbtp.com (sites aimed at prescribers: architects, engineering, and building of individual homes), creargos.com et cyberarchi.com (sites d’informations à destination des prescripteurs : architectes, bureaux d’études et constructeurs de maisons individuelles).
• 1 OJD magazine certified for contractors : L’Entrevous
• Organization of events Batirenover Demo Days ®, (Journées Démo de Batirenover), Decider's Meetings ® (Les Rencontres des Décideurs) for professionals, and workshops in major public exhibitions.
• Direct marketing, with a call centre for telephone contacts

For the COVEA Group, this participation can be seen as an operational partnership between BATIRENOVER and Covéa AIS, the common claims management organisation of GMF, MAAF, and MMA. Different synergies targeted at enhancing service level for policyholders while reducing costs have been identified :

• Increasing service quality networks of contractors are ready to act when needed for claims, by broadening their perimeters to work requested by BATIRENOVER Internet customers,
• Monitoring the evolution of prices for renovation work by using the quotation data analysed in BATIROVER sites. This renovation market knowledge will allow Covéa AIS to propose lower compensation amounts to its policyholders,
• Observing customer needs concerning housing services and advice using the BATIRENOVER data base of requests for information and renovation quotations.
• Informing policyholders on the best techniques and solutions to improve housing to address new demands for energy efficiency.
  

For BATIRENOVER, the COVEA Group partnership will ensure :

• Complete offers in which surfers will be able to access insurance and financing services,
• A greater number of contractors on the BATIRENOVER Internet sites, better able to respond to requests for work, thanks to the new network of professionals steered by Covéa AIS,
• A better cost monitoring thanks to Covéa AIS experience in steering repair services

For LAFARGE and GDF SUEZ, historical shareholders in BATIRENOVER, the objectives are :

• Lafarge : Promoting its innovative products and brands as well as constructive systems that respond to ever growing demands for Sustainable Development, with new canals, having a technical awareness watch for key construction players, and developing its know-how in controlling customer satisfaction.
• GDF SUEZ : Enjoying enhaced customer loyalty and attracting new customers when carrying out renovation work, promoting its services via Dolce Vita by information and advice sites.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BATIRENOVER : Identity Card

· 2nd French marketing platform in construction and renovation;
· 3rd market player for quotations;
· Internet site audiences: Nearly 700,000 visitors per month on all sites;
· Magazine: 70,000 copies quarterly (OJD certification;)
Created in June, 2007;
2007 - 2008 turnover: 4,000,000 €
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------