Unitrin Services Company Renews Long-Term Relationship With WorldCom

-- Nationwide Insurer Relies On Communications Solution To Increase Productivity and Reduce Costs --

CLINTON, Miss., March 19, 2003 - WorldCom today announced that it has extended its long-term relationship with Unitrin Services Company and will continue to deliver a wide range of voice, data and conferencing services for the company and its affiliates.

Under terms of the multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement, WorldCom will deliver a customized network solution that supports internal communications and application sharing between the insurer and its subsidiaries while enabling direct contact with customers. Employees will continue to share information online and through various conferencing applications that help reduce costs related to travel. Customers will continue to have quick access to service agents best able to meet their needs through a variety of voice and enhanced call routing services.

"Insurance consumers demand immediate attention and service when they contact us," said Jim Nordentoft, director of network services for Unitrin Services Company. "WorldCom's high quality voice and data services strike a balance between delivering the highest quality customer service while helping our affiliates drive more return on investment."

"As one of our first business customers in the Chicago area, we've been able to help Unitrin Services Company and its affiliates grow their business for more than two decades," said Blair Crump, WorldCom's senior vice president for Commercial Markets, East and Midwest. "WorldCom's innovative solutions and outstanding account service are helping companies like Unitrin Services Company and affiliates remain competitive in their respective industries."

Voice routing services such as enhanced call routing are now 'must haves' in any call center as enterprises adopt new voice recognition applications and 'find me, follow me' web and voice contact center solutions. Traditional transport services such as frame relay are being complimented by public and private IP VPN services to carry both voice and data with the same bandwidth for a more flexible network environment. Additionally, WorldCom's audio, video, and net conferencing services continue to deliver cost effective and convenient business travel alternatives. These sorts of advanced communications solutions, provided by WorldCom today, are helping to reshape business processes for companies like Unitrin and others in preparation for the future.

About Unitrin Services Company

Unitrin Services Company is a subsidiary of Unitrin, Inc. ("Unitrin"). Unitrin's subsidiaries are engaged in three businesses: property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, and consumer finance. Additional information about Unitrin is available for viewing by visiting its website (www.unitrin.com).

About WorldCom, Inc.

WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ) is a leading global communications provider, delivering advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With one of the world's most expansive, wholly-owned data networks, WorldCom provides innovative data and Internet services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. With products such as The Neighborhood built by MCI and the award-winning WorldCom Connection - the industry's first comprehensive managed voice and data network service - WorldCom continues to lead the industry in converged communications solutions for the 21st century. For more information, go to http://www.worldcom.com.