Mr. Johnston told National Underwriter that with insurers seeking more market share and customers more inclined to use other associations besides traditional referrals to make their insurance purchase, the card appeared to be a great avenue to gain customer interest and business.

After a year-and-a-half of association with the Setauket, Long Island, N.Y.-based Perks Unlimited (it will remain in Setauket), the two sought a joint partnership. This took the form of Perks Unlimited becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Couch Braunsdorf.

Perks Unlimited president and founder, Bob Dow, was named chief executive officer of Couch Braunsdorf Affinity Division. Mark Chibbaro is president of the Affinity division.

Mr. Dow founded Perks Unlimited 15 years ago as a way for corporations to offer added benefits to employees by enabling them to save money on everyday items, Couch Braunsdorf said. Members can present the PerksCard for discounts at more than 10,000 participating local and national establishments, including Blockbuster Video, Men's Wearhouse, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, Linens 'N' Things, AVIS and Mrs. Fields Online.

He said discounts vary, but it is currently working on concluding a deal where individuals could receive a discount of up to 30 percent at theme parks throughout the country.

Some clients utilizing PerksCard include Cooper Health System, Computer Associates, Xerox, AOL Time Warner, Hamilton Sundstrand and the City of Los Angeles Employees' Club, Couch Braunsdorf said.

Mr. Johnston said the insurance marketing would concentrate on automobile and homeowners insurance. He said future products could include life products and other programs. He also foresees the possibilities of small commercial accounts.

Mr. Johnston said the firm is launching its first project in a southern state where the national firm is averaging 170 policies per week through call center purchase.

Couch Braunsdorf is a 100-year-old agency with commission income between $15 and $20 million, said Mr. Johnston, and employs 100 people.

Among the carriers supporting the agency in its program, Mr. Johnston said, are Liberty Mutual, Travelers, Hanover and MetLife