PAULA FINANCIAL
10-Q, 1999-05-07
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   -----------
                                    FORM 10-Q

     (Mark One)

    [X]         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

                                       OR

    [  ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                    FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM     TO

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-23181

                                 PAULA FINANCIAL
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               DELAWARE                                       95-4640368
    (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                      identification number)

                                 PAULA FINANCIAL
                        300 NORTH LAKE AVENUE, SUITE 300
                               PASADENA, CA 91101
                    (Address of principle executive offices)

                                 (626) 304-0401
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                              Yes  X     No 
                                  -----     -----

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Number of shares of Common
Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as of close of business on April 30, 1999:
5,928,967 shares.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

PAULA FINANCIAL
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                                                Page
<S>                                                                                          <C>
Item 1.  Financial Statements

           Condensed consolidated balance sheets as of
                  March 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998 (unaudited) ..........................2

           Condensed consolidated statements of income for the three
                  months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 (unaudited)...........................3

           Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for
                  the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998
                  (unaudited)................................................................4

            Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months
                  ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 (unaudited)..................................5

           Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for the three
                  months ended March 31, 1999 (unaudited) ...................................6

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial
                  Condition and Results of Operations........................................7

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

         Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..........................................15

SIGNATURE...................................................................................16

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                        PAULA FINANCIAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (In thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                March 31,           December 31,
                                ASSETS                                            1999                  1998
                                                                          ------------------    -----------------
                                                                              (Unaudited)              (*)
<S>                                                                       <C>                   <C>
Investments:
  Fixed maturities, available for sale, at market
     (amortized cost: 1999, $157,548; 1998, $171,379)                            $ 155,070            $ 170,792
  Equity securities, at market
     Preferred stock (cost: 1999, $999; 1998, $999)                                  1,025                1,040
     Common stock (cost: 1999, $5,151; 1998, $3,252)                                 5,050                3,219
  Invested cash, at cost (approximates market)                                       2,898                2,572
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
        Total investments                                                          164,043              177,623
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------

Cash (restricted: 1999, $1,420; 1998, $1,398)                                        7,459                4,145
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for uncollectible
   accounts (1999, $901; 1998, $901)                                                27,145               26,846
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and
    loss adjustment expenses                                                        36,079               25,852
Deferred income taxes                                                                6,354                6,306
Other assets                                                                        19,424               14,176
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
                                                                                 $ 260,504            $ 254,948
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------

                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

LIABILITIES:

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                                       $ 137,803            $ 136,316
Unearned premiums                                                                   21,841               20,234
Accrued policyholder dividends                                                         486                  335
Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                               18,455               21,360
Notes payable                                                                        8,142                2,667
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
                                                                                   186,727              180,912
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------


STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value.  Authorized 4,058,823
   shares, none issued and outstanding                                                   -                    -
Common stock, $0.01 par value
  (Authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued: 1999,
     6,338,767; 1998, 6,338,815)                                                        63                   63
Additional paid-in-capital                                                          67,388               67,386
Retained earnings                                                                   11,224               10,182
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
  Net unrealized gain on investments                                                (1,685)                (382)
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
                                                                                    76,990               77,249
Treasury stock, at cost (1999 and 1998, 409,800 shares)                             (3,213)              (3,213)
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
                                                                                    73,777               74,036
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
                                                                                 $ 260,504            $ 254,948
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------
                                                                         ------------------    -----------------

</TABLE>

*  Derived from audited financial statements.

   See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                                       2

<PAGE>

                        PAULA FINANCIAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                 (In thousands, except share and per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                MARCH 31,
                                                           1999            1998
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                             (Unaudited)
      <S>                                            <C>             <C>
      INCOME:
      Net premiums earned:

        Workers' compensation                            $16,502         $27,820
        Group medical and life                               185             175
      Commissions                                            832             717
      Net investment income                                2,740           2,054
      Net realized investment gains                          101              30
      Other                                                  207             199
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                          20,567          30,995
                                                     ------------    ------------

      EXPENSES:
      Losses and loss adjustment
        expenses incurred                                 11,238          20,798
      Dividends provided for policyholders                   151             423
      Operating                                            7,176           8,632
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                          18,565          29,853
                                                     ------------    ------------

      Equity in net loss of unconsolidated
        affiliate                                            (84)              -
                                                     ------------    ------------

      Income before income taxes                           1,918           1,142
      Income tax expense                                     639             119
                                                     ------------    ------------
            NET INCOME                                    $1,279          $1,023
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                     ------------    ------------

      Earnings per share                                   $0.22           $0.16

      Weighed average shares outstanding               5,928,995       6,322,455

      Earnings per share - assuming dilution               $0.22           $0.15

      Weighted average shares outstanding -
        assuming dilution                              5,937,049       6,799,951

</TABLE>

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                                       3

<PAGE>

                        PAULA FINANCIAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
                                 (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED    
                                                            MARCH 31,           
                                                        1999          1998      
                                                     -----------    ----------  
                                                           (Unaudited)          
      <S>                                            <C>            <C>
      Net income                                         $1,279        $1,023   
                                                                                
      Other comprehensive income (loss),                                        
       net of tax                                                              
        Unrealized gains on investments:                                       
           Unrealized holding gains (losses)                                   
             arising during period (tax impact:          (1,106)           59  
             1999, $570; 1998, ($31))  
           Reclassifications adjustment for gains
             included in net income    
             (tax impact:  1999, $101; 
                   1998,  $9)                              (197)          (16)  
                                                     -----------    ----------  
                                                         (1,303)           43   
                                                     -----------    ----------  
            COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)                    ($24)       $1,066   
                                                     -----------    ----------  
                                                     -----------    ----------  

</TABLE>

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


                                       4

<PAGE>

                        PAULA FINANCIAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                        MARCH 31,
                                                                                1999                1998
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------
                                                                                     (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income                                                                     $1,279              $1,023
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY 
   (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Depreciation and amortization                                                     395                 336
   Amortization of fixed maturity premium, net                                       139                 153
   Equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliate                                     84                   -
   Loss on sale of property and equipment                                              4                   4
   Gain on sales and calls of investments                                          (101)                (30)
   Increase in accounts receivable                                               (9,839)             (8,024)
   (Increase) decrease in deferred income taxes                                      623               (240)
   Increase in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses                          1,487               7,023
   Increase in accrued policyholder dividends                                        151                  82
   Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses                  (2,905)                 768
   Increase in unearned premiums                                                   1,607              10,220
   Other, net                                                                      (338)               (982)
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES                              (7,414)              10,333
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Proceeds from sale of available for sale fixed maturities                      14,146               3,285
   Proceeds from maturities and calls of available for sale fixed                  2,728               1,202
      maturities

   Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                       15                  19
   Purchase of preferred and common stocks                                             -             (3,183)
   Purchase of available for sale fixed maturities                               (4,980)             (9,367)
   Purchase of property and equipment                                              (490)               (506)
   Purchase of book of business                                                    (105)                   -
   Investment in unconsolidated affiliate                                        (5,500)                   -
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                5,814             (8,550)
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Borrowings under line of credit agreement, net                                  5,500                   -
   Payments on notes payable                                                        (25)               (277)
   Dividends paid                                                                  (237)               (253)
   Exercise of stock options                                                           -                  50
   Issuance of common stock                                                            2                   -
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                5,240               (480)
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND INVESTED CASH                                             3,640               1,303
Cash and invested cash at beginning of period                                      6,717              19,452
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------
CASH AND INVESTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD                                          $10,357             $20,755
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------
                                                                         ----------------    ----------------

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>

                                       5

<PAGE>

                        PAULA FINANCIAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 (UNAUDITED)



NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

PAULA Financial and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an integrated insurance
organization specializing in the production, underwriting and servicing of
workers' compensation and accident and health insurance primarily for
agribusiness clients in California, Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Texas,
Florida, New Mexico and Nevada.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the
Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions
to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include
all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normally
occurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included.

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 1999 are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the year ended December 31, 1999.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and
footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1998.

NOTE B - ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

During the fourth quarter of 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants issued Statement of Position No. 97-3, "Accounting by Insurance and
Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments" ("SOP 97-3"). SOP 97-3
addresses the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities related to
guaranty funds and other assessments. SOP 97-3 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1998, although early adoption is encouraged. The
Company adopted SOP 97-3 effective January 1, 1999. The impact of adoption was
not material.

NOTE C - NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED

In June 1999, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). SFAS 133 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 1999 and establishes standards for the reporting for
derivative instruments. It requires changes in the fair value of a derivative
instrument and the changes in fair value of assets or liabilities hedged by that
instrument to be included in income. To the extent that the hedge transaction is
effective, income is equally offset by both investments. Currently changes in
fair value of derivative instruments and hedged items are reported in net
unrealized gain (loss) on securities. The Company has not yet adopted SFAS 133.
However, the effect of adoption on the condensed consolidated financial
statements at March 31, 1999 would not be material.


                                       6

<PAGE>

PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

The Company is a California-based specialty underwriter and distributor of
commercial insurance products which, through its subsidiary PAULA Insurance
Company ("PICO"), is one of the largest underwriters specializing in workers'
compensation insurance products and services for the agribusiness industry. The
Company sells complementary products through the Company's insurance agency
subsidiaries (collectively "Pan Am"), including group health and life products
provided by the Company's subsidiary PAULA Assurance Company ("PACO").

The Company's revenues have consisted primarily of premiums earned from workers'
compensation insurance underwriting, premiums earned from group medical
insurance, commission income, net investment income and other income. Premiums
earned during a period represent the portion of direct premiums written for
which all or a portion of the coverage period has expired, net of reinsurance.
Gross premiums written for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, were
$29.5 million and $39.0 million, respectively. Commission income is earned from
Pan Am's distribution of insurance for insurers other than PICO and PACO. Net
investment income represents earnings on the Company's investment portfolio,
less investment expenses. Other income consists of third party administration
fees and other miscellaneous items.

The Company's expenses have consisted of losses and loss adjustment expenses
incurred, dividends provided for policyholders and operating expenses. Losses
include reserves for future payments for medical care and rehabilitation costs
and indemnity payments for lost wages. Loss adjustment expenses include expenses
incurred in connection with services provided by third parties, including
expenses of independent medical examinations, surveillance costs, and legal
expenses as well as staff and related expenses incurred to administer and settle
claims. Loss and loss adjustment expenses are offset in part by estimated
recoveries from reinsurers under reinsurance treaties. Operating expenses
include commission expenses to third party insurance agencies and other expenses
that vary with premium volume, such as premium taxes, state guaranty fund
assessments and underwriting and marketing expense, as well as general and
administrative expenses, which are less closely related to premium volume.

The Company's revenues are seasonal, and have tended to be highest in the second
and third quarters of each year. This is due primarily to the seasonality of the
size of the workforce employed by the Company's agribusiness clients.


                                       7

<PAGE>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 COMPARED TO THE
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998:

GROSS PREMIUMS WRITTEN. The Company's premiums written for the three months
ended March 31, 1999 decreased 24.2% to $29.5 million from $39.0 million for the
comparable 1998 period. The decrease in gross premiums written relates primarily
to the declines in the Company's large account business in California. This was
partially offset by rate increases in California and a 9% growth in gross
premiums written in other states.

NET PREMIUMS EARNED. The Company's net premiums earned for the three months
ended March 31, 1999 decreased 40.4% to $16.7 million from $28.0 million for
comparable 1998 period. The decline in net premiums earned is due principally to
the impact of $10.5 million in premiums ceded in the first quarter of 1999 under
a reinsurance arrangement which became effective October 1, 1998.

COMMISSION INCOME. For the three months ended March 31, 1999 commission income
was $0.8 million compared to $0.7 million for the comparable 1998 period, a
16.0% increase. The increase is primarily a result of increased premiums placed
with insurance carriers other than PICO and PACO which generates non-risk fee
income for the Company. Commissions paid to Pan Am on PICO and PACO business are
eliminated in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

NET INVESTMENT INCOME. Net investment income increased 33.4% to $2.7 million for
the three months ended March 31, 1999 from $2.1 million for the comparable 1998
period. The increase was the result of cash flow increases from PICO's
underwriting activity in 1998. Average invested assets increased to $172.4
million for the three months ended March 31, 1999 from $140.4 million for the
comparable period in 1998. The Company's average yield on its portfolio was 6.4%
for the three month period in 1999 and 5.9% for the three month period in 1998.
The average yield on the Company's investment portfolio increased over the
related 1998 period due to a repositioning of the investment portfolio from
tax-exempt securities to taxable securities in the third quarter of 1998.

LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES INCURRED. The Company's net loss ratio 
for the three months ended March 31, 1999 decreased to 67.4% from 74.3% for 
the comparable 1998 period. The 1999 loss ratio includes the benefit of 1.3% 
in favorable development on prior accident years while the loss ratio for the 
1998 period includes 5.0% of adverse development on prior accident years. The 
decrease in the 1999 loss ratio is due principally to the significant impact 
of the reinsurance treaty entered into in the fourth quarter of 1998.

DIVIDENDS PROVIDED FOR POLICYHOLDERS. Dividends provided for policyholders as a
percentage of premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 1999 was 0.9%
compared to 1.5% for the comparable 1998 period. During the first quarter of
1998, the Company paid $0.3 million in policyholder dividends related to certain
Arizona policies in which the loss experience developed better than anticipated.


                                       8

<PAGE>

OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses decreased 16.9% to $7.2 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1999 from $8.6 million for the comparable 1998
period. Variable expenses include the benefit of $2.2 million in ceding
commissions received in the first quarter of 1999 in conjunction with the
reinsurance arrangement which was effective in the fourth quarter of 1998.
Excluding the benefit of the ceding commissions, operating expenses in 1999
would have increased $0.8 million over the 1998 period due principally to
increased salary and related expenses.

INCOME TAXES. Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 1999 was
$0.6 million compared to $0.1 million for the comparable 1998 period. The
effective combined income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 1999
and 1998 were 33.3% and 10.4%, respectively. The difference in the effective tax
rates is due to a repositioning of the investment portfolio from tax-exempt
securities to taxable securities in the third quarter of 1998.

EQUITY IN NET LOSS OF UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE. The equity in net loss of
unconsolidated affiliate in the first quarter of 1999 represents the Company's
share of the net loss of Altus Insurance Holdings, LLC in the first quarter of
1999. The Company is accounting for this investment using the equity method.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

As a holding company, PAULA Financial's principal sources of funds are dividends
and expense reimbursements from its operating subsidiaries, proceeds from the
sale of its capital stock and income from its investment portfolio. PAULA
Financial's principal uses of funds are capital contributions to its
subsidiaries, payment of operating expenses, investments in new ventures,
dividends to its stockholders and repurchase of Company common stock.

California law places significant restrictions on the ability of the insurance
subsidiaries to pay dividends to PAULA Financial. Based on these restrictions
and the Company's results for the year ended December 31, 1998, PAULA Financial
would be able to receive $5.4 million in dividends in 1999 from its insurance
subsidiaries without obtaining prior regulatory approval from the California
Department of Insurance ("DOI"). No dividends were paid by the insurance
subsidiaries to PAULA Financial during the three months ended March 31, 1999.

Management believes that the remaining proceeds from the Company's initial
public offering held at the parent company level, funds available under the
Credit Agreement described below, and expense reimbursements and dividends from
its operating subsidiaries will be sufficient to meet the parent company's
operating cash needs for at least twelve months.

In March 1997, PAULA Financial entered into the Credit Agreement with a
commercial bank providing PAULA Financial with a revolving credit facility of
$15.0 million until December 31, 1999. At such time PAULA Financial may elect to
convert all or a portion of the borrowings then outstanding under such facility
into a term loan payable in quarterly installments and maturing on December 31,
2001. The Company is currently in discussions with the bank to renew and extend
the Credit Agreement at the end of its initial term in December 1999. Each of
PAULA Financial's non-insurance subsidiaries has guaranteed all obligations of
PAULA Financial under the Credit Agreement. As of April 30, 1999, $9.6 million
was outstanding under this facility. This use of the Credit Agreement was for
repurchase of the Company's common stock and investments in new ventures.


                                       9

<PAGE>

The Company's investments consist primarily of taxable and tax-exempt United
States government and other investment grade securities and investment grade
fixed maturity commercial paper and, to a lesser extent, equity securities. The
Company does not generally invest in below investment grade fixed maturity
securities, mortgage loans or real estate. The Company has invested in the
equity securities of two founders of the PAULA Trading Company (an affiliated
agency) other than Pan Am as a part of the parent company's investment
portfolio.

As of March 31, 1999, the carrying value of the Company's fixed maturity
securities portfolio was $155.1 million of which $153.5 million was rated. Of
the rated fixed maturities portfolio 94.4% was rated "A" or better by S&P,
Moody's or Fitch. In December 1998, the issuer of a $2.0 million par value bond
held by PICO declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At that time, the Company ceased
accruing investment income and realized an "other than temporary" decline of
$0.1 million on this bond. The carrying value of this bond at the end of 1998
was $1.6 million based on market values obtained from the Company's investment
advisor. The Parent purchased the bond from PICO in March 1999 in exchange for
cash and marketable securities held by the Parent. As of March 31, 1999, this
bond continued to have a carrying value of $1.6 million based on market values
obtained from the Company's investment advisor. In response to further
developments, in April 1999 the Company was informed by its investment advisor
that the ultimate recoverability of the bond could be as low as 30% of its par
value. The Company is continuing to monitor the status of the bankruptcy
proceedings, which are still in the early stages. At this time, the Company is
unable to predict the magnitude of any additional "other than temporary"
declines on this security.

California workers' compensation insurance companies are required to maintain
some of their investments on deposit with the California DOI for the protection
of policyholders. Other states in which PICO is licensed have also required PICO
to post deposits for the protection of those states' policyholders. Pursuant to
applicable state laws, PICO had, as of March 31, 1999, securities with a par
value of $84.5 million held by authorized depositories pursuant to these deposit
requirements. In addition to the deposits, the Company's insurance company
operating subsidiaries must maintain regulated levels of capital and surplus in
relation to premiums written and the risks retained by the subsidiaries.

In early 1999, the Company made an investment in the recently formed Altus
Insurance Holdings, LLC, the parent company of Altus Casualty Company Ltd.
("Altus"), a specialty workers' compensation insurance company. The Company
invested $5.5 million and has the option to acquire additional equity and
provide quota-share reinsurance to Altus through PICO. The Company is accounting
for its investment in Altus using the equity method.

In March 1999, the Company announced that Pan Am had agreed to purchase the
insurance agency assets of the Sacramento and Stockton, California offices of
CAPAX for approximately $2.9 million. The Company funded the transaction with
$1.3 million in cash and $1.1 million in CAPAX securities which were owned by
the Company. The balance of $0.5 million is due on May 1, 2001 and is subject to
a downward earnout adjustment. The transaction closed as of April 30, 1999.


                                       10

<PAGE>

YEAR 2000 CONSIDERATIONS

THE FOLLOWING IS A YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.

OVERVIEW. The Company's Year 2000 Project (the "Project") is steadily
proceeding. The Project involves resolving the potential impact of the Year 2000
on the processing of date-sensitive information by the Company's internal
computer systems and equipment and by the computer systems and equipment
utilized by third parties with whom the Company maintains material
relationships.

The Company believes that it has identified substantially all of its own
information technology systems ("IT Systems") and non-information technology
(embedded technology) systems ("Non-IT Systems") which require modification in
order to become Year 2000 compliant. In addition, the Company believes that it
has identified those third parties whose inability to handle date-sensitive
processing could materially and adversely impact the Company if corrective
action is not taken in a timely manner.

The Company has identified five major internal IT Systems which require
attention as part of the Project: General Ledger ("GL"), Agency Operations
("Agency"), Underwriting, which includes policy issuance, maintenance of policy
records, billing and auditing ("Underwriting"), Claims Adjudication ("Claims")
and Third Party Administration, which includes life insurance and accident and
health insurance policy issuance, maintenance and billing operations ("TPA").
The Company's approach to each of these systems differs based on the Company's
use of the system and whether the system was purchased from a third party or
developed in-house.

GL SYSTEM. The Company has completed in-house construction and testing of a new
GL system which is Year 2000 compliant.

AGENCY SYSTEM. The Company has completed the process of out-sourcing its Agency
System needs to James G. Parker Insurance Associates ("Parker"), one of the
founders of the PAULA Trading Company. Parker utilizes an agency software system
provided by a third party vendor which is Year 2000 compliant according to a
written statement received from the vendor.

UNDERWRITING SYSTEM. The Company's in-house Underwriting system is not yet fully
Year 2000 compliant. The Company has therefore chosen to make its existing
Underwriting system Year 2000 compliant using a technique known as "windowing,"
which is a solution that will work for many years, but not permanently.
Windowing is faster and requires less testing than permanent solutions. The
Company believes permanent solutions are not necessary in light of the new
system under development.

The Company has purchased a software tool to perform the windowing project and
has retained several consultants familiar with the software tool to perform the
project. The consultants will work under the supervision of the Company's
information services staff. The Company has identified the programs to be
modified, prioritized those programs based on their earliest expected date of
failure and has begun using the software tool to perform the correction to the
programs. The Company has prepared a testing environment to perform the
corrective procedures and to test the results in a realistic data environment.


                                       11

<PAGE>

The windowing project is proceeding on its revised schedule and the Company
expects the windowing project, involving correction and testing of all necessary
Underwriting system programs, to be completed during the end of the second
quarter of 1999.

The Company is currently constructing a new in-house Underwriting system that
will be Year 2000 compliant, but this new system is not expected to address the
Company's Year 2000 issues in a timely fashion.

CLAIMS SYSTEM. The Company's Claims system is licensed from a third party
vendor. The Claims system uses two distinct products, one for claims telephonic
reporting and one for claims adjudication. The Company has added custom features
to the standard version of each of the products provided by the vendor. The
Company's current version of these two system products are not Year 2000
compliant.

The Company has received delivery of a standard upgrade to its Claims
adjudication system which is Year 2000 compliant, according to the vendor, which
is currently being tested by the Company. The Company and the vendor have
identified customized features which must be added to the upgraded Claims
adjudication system and the vendor has agreed to perform the customization. The
Company expects the customization to be completed during June 1999 and final
installation, testing and training to be complete by early in the third quarter
of 1999.

The Company has determined that it cannot modify the programs of the existing
version of the Claims system to make it Year 2000 compliant. However, the
Company does not believe that continuing to utilize the non-Year 2000 compliant
version of the Claims adjudication system through the third quarter of 1999 will
materially impair operations. The Company expects to implement the customized
upgrade early during the third quarter. If necessary, the Company will commence
using the "standard" version of the claims system upgrade it has already
received and is currently testing.

The Company's Claims telephonic reporting system will not be made Year 2000
compliant by the vendor. As scheduled, the Company has modified its Claims
telephonic reporting system to properly process claims during 1999, but this
modification will not allow claims processing in 2000. The Company has chosen to
move to a vendor maintained, Year 2000 compliant, mainframe-based telephonic
reporting system. This is expected to be effective during the middle of the
second quarter of 1999.

TPA SYSTEM. The Company has licensed a third party claims administration
software product that the Company uses for all TPA functions. The Company has
completed the installation and testing of the vendor provided Year 2000 upgrade
to this software.

NON-IT SYSTEMS. The Company has addressed its primary Year 2000 issues relating
to Non-IT Systems by purchasing a new IBM mainframe computer to run its IT
Systems. The Company intends to extend the capacity of this new mainframe as
necessary. The Company's old IBM mainframe will be relegated to a back-up role
as more functions are moved to the new mainframe during 1999. The Company has
received, installed and tested an upgrade to both mainframes' operating systems
and has obtained satisfactory evidence that these upgraded operating systems are
Year 2000 compliant from IBM's Internet website.


                                       12

<PAGE>

The Company is continuing to inventory its other Non-IT Systems as part of the
Project. These systems include the Company's personal computer network,
telephone switching equipment and other office equipment. Once these systems are
inventoried, the Company will prioritize the impact of their failure due to Year
2000 issues and then begin testing and correcting to bring them into Year 2000
compliance. The Company expects the inventory and prioritization phases to be
completed by the middle of the second quarter of 1999 and corrective action to
be completed by the middle of the third quarter of 1999, a delay of
approximately 60 days from previous disclosures.

The Company does not believe that it is materially exposed to any
Company-specific Non-IT System Year 2000 issues other than those addressed by
purchasing a new mainframe computer due to the nature of the Company's business.
The Company has no material property, plant or equipment.

THIRD PARTY YEAR 2000 ISSUES. The Company has made good progress in obtaining
Year 2000 compliance assurances from third parties with whom the Company has
material trading arrangements, or upon whom the Company relies to a material
extent in its normal operations. The Company will continue working to satisfy
itself that each third party performing important functions for the Company has
taken necessary measures to ensure that their IT and Non-IT Systems will be Year
2000 compliant in a timely manner. The Company believes it will suffer no
material disruption of its operations from its trading partners' Year 2000
issues. The Company has not, and will not, attempt to assess the Year 2000
compliance of regulatory authorities, statistical rating bureaus or public
utilities as the Company cannot cause such entities to increase their efforts to
become Year 2000 compliant.

COSTS. The total cost associated with required program modifications, software
upgrades and equipment purchases to become Year 2000 compliant is not expected
to be material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or
cash flows. The Company's total budget for its Year 2000 compliance program,
which began in 1997, is $875,000. This estimate does not include the Company's
potential share of Year 2000 costs that may be incurred by the Company's trading
partners which the Company may choose to bear to increase the likelihood of
their timely Year 2000 compliance.

Of the total budget amount, $80,000 was spent in 1997, $300,000 was spent in
1998, $191,000 was spent in the first quarter of 1999 and $304,000 will be spent
during the remaining nine months of 1999. The costs associated with the
Company's new Underwriting System are not included in the Year 2000 budget. The
Company is utilizing cash flow from operations to fund its Year 2000 budget
needs.

CONTINGENCIES. The Company continues to review its alternatives in the event
that it is not able to complete its Year 2000 compliance plans in a timely
manner. These alternatives include, without limitation, purchasing third party
insurance company software packages, acceleration of the construction of the
Company's new Underwriting system and outsourcing the non-compliant Company
functions to third parties. Each of these alternatives is less advantageous to
the Company than its current Year 2000 compliance plan and, if required, could
have an adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of
operations or cash flows.


                                       13

<PAGE>

RISKS. The failure to correct a material Year 2000 problem could result in an
interruption in, or a failure of, certain normal business activities or
operations. Such failures could materially and adversely affect the Company's
results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. Due to the general
uncertainty inherent in the Year 2000 problem, resulting in part from the
uncertainty of the Year 2000 readiness of regulatory authorities, statistical
rating bureaus and public utilities, the Company is unable to determine at this
time whether the consequences of Year 2000 failures will have a material impact
on the Company's results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The
Company believes the Project will significantly reduce the Company's level of
uncertainty about the Year 2000 problem.

CONSULTANTS. The Company has not used the services of independent Year 2000
consultants to assess its IT System and Non-IT System needs, although the
Company is utilizing the services of independent consultants in its Underwriting
System windowing project and in constructing its new Underwriting system. The
Company continues to review its Year 2000 program with its outside auditors on a
regular basis.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In connection with, and because it desires to take advantage of the "safe
harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the
Company cautions readers to recognize the existence of certain forward-looking
statements in this Form 10-Q and in any other statement made by, or on behalf
of, the Company, whether or not in future filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are statements not based on
historical information and which relate to future operations, strategies,
financial results or other developments. Some forward-looking statements may be
identified by the use of terms such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates,"
"intends," or "judgment." Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon
estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business,
economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's
control and many of which, with respect to future business decisions, are
subject to change. Examples of such uncertainties and contingencies include,
among other important factors, those affecting the insurance industry in
general, such as the economic and interest rate environment, legislative and
regulatory developments and market pricing and competitive trends, and those
relating specifically to the Company and its businesses, such as the level of
its insurance premiums and fee income, the claims experience of its insurance
products, the performance of its investment portfolio, the successful completion
by the Company of its Year 2000 compliance program, acquisitions of companies or
blocks of business, and the ratings by major rating organizations of its
insurance subsidiaries. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual
results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed
in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The
Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking information.


                                       14

<PAGE>

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6:  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K:

         (a)      Exhibits.

                  10.35    Asset Purchase Agreement among PAULA Financial, Pan
                           American Underwriters, Inc. and CAPAX Management &
                           Insurance Services and its subsidiaries dated April
                           30, 1999.

                  11.      Computation of Earnings Per Share.

                  27.      Financial Data Schedule.

          (b)     Reports on Form 8-K.

                  There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the three
                  months ended March 31, 1999.


                                       15

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
the Registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  May 7, 1999                  PAULA FINANCIAL

                                       By: /s/ James A. Nicholson
                                           ----------------------------------
                                       Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                       Officer









                                       16

<PAGE>
                                                                EXHIBIT 10.35

                              ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This Asset Purchase Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
this 29th day of April, 1999 by and among CAPAX Management & Insurance Services,
a California corporation ("CAPAX"), Giddings, Corby, Hynes, Inc., a California
corporation ("GCH"), Sacramento Valley Insurance Agents/Brokers, Inc.
("SacValley"), PAULA Financial, a Delaware corporation ("PAULA"), and Pan
American Underwriters, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Purchaser").  CAPAX, GCH
and SacValley are referred to herein collectively as the "Seller" and the
"Sellers" as the context requires.  The parties agree that for purposes of
determining prorations of expenses and revenues hereunder, the transaction shall
be deemed to have closed at midnight April 30, 1999.

                                      RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Seller is an insurance agency licensed to sell insurance in the
State of California and elsewhere;

WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to acquire substantially all of the non-cash assets
and book of insurance business of  the Seller serviced from its Stockton and
Sacramento California offices (the "Offices"), other than those portions of the
book of business idenitified on Exhibit A hereto (the "Excluded Book"),
including the rights associated with the name "Sacramento Valley Insurance
Agency" and to assume certain selected liabilities of the Seller in exchange for
the consideration set forth herein, and the Seller desires that such assets be
sold;

                                     AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the
representations, warranties and covenants herein set forth, and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                     ARTICLE I


                            PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS

1.1  PURCHASE AND SALE OF PURCHASED ASSETS.  On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, the Sellers shall sell,
assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall purchase
and accept from the Sellers, all of the respective right, title and interest of
each of the Sellers, and all of the interest of Sellers' respective employees,
employed or directly contracted producers, officers, directors and affiliates
(the "Affiliates") in and to the Purchased Assets (as defined below), free and
clear of all Liens (as defined below) other than Permitted Liens (as defined
below).

                                       1
<PAGE>


"Purchased Assets" shall mean all personal properties and assets, tangible and
intangible, of the Seller associated with the Book of Business (as defined),
other than the Excluded Book, including without limitation the name "Sacramento
Valley Insurance Agency," and the tangible assets which are located, or were
located on December 31, 1998, in the Offices, but excluding the Excluded Assets
(as defined in Section 1.2 below).

"Book of Business" shall mean all of the book of insurance business of the
Seller serviced from the Offices including the rights to all policies and
policyholder information produced by, placed by or serviced by the Seller with
various insurance carriers from or through the Offices (other than the Excluded
Book), all such policies with respect to which the Seller or the Affiliates is
named as the broker or agent of record, all such prospective policies which have
been submitted to carriers for quotation and all such prospective policies with
respect to which the Seller has actively solicited quotation in the past 12
months, other than the Excluded Book.  The Book of Business will also include,
without limitation, all of the Sellers' and the Affiliates' respective interest
in those policies being produced and/or serviced from the Offices actually
produced by independent agents (the "Sub-Producers") and brokered through the
Seller (the "Sub-Produced Business"), other than the Excluded Book.  The
following individuals are not considered Sub-Producers and their business is not
considered "Sub-Produced Business:"  Messrs. Seawall, Van Noate and Duckworth
and Ms. Michaels.

"Lien" shall mean any pledge, security interest, lien, charge, encumbrance,
equity or option of whatsoever nature or other interest of any kind held by any
person other than the Sellers.

"Permitted Liens" shall mean (i) Liens for taxes not yet due and payable or
being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been taken,
(ii) mechanics', carriers', workers', repairers', materialmens', warehousemens'
and other similar liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business
and (iii) where the asset conveyed is a leasehold interest in an asset, the
lessor's interest in the asset.

Without limiting the foregoing, the Purchased Assets shall include the
following:

          (a)  TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY.  All the Tangible Personal Property.

          "Tangible Personal Property" shall mean all machinery, equipment,
electrical devices, vehicles, furniture, fixtures, office materials and
supplies, hardware, tools, spare parts, phone numbers and other tangible
personal property of every kind and description owned by the Seller, including
without limitation, those listed and described on SCHEDULE 3.7 hereto which are
located, or were located on December 31, 1998, in the Offices, excluding
computers and related accessories and software located in the Sacramento
Offices, and any additions, improvements, replacements and alterations thereto
made between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date in the ordinary
course of business.

                                       2
<PAGE>


          (b)  ASSUMED CONTRACTS.  All the Assumed contracts.

          "Assumed Contracts" shall mean all right, title and interest of the
Seller in and to the contracts and agreements listed or referred to on
SCHEDULE 1.1(c) hereto, together with the contracts and agreements entered into
between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business pursuant to which the Seller's obligations do not exceed $1,000 per
year and which are terminable on less than ninety days' notice without penalty.

          (c)  INTANGIBLE RIGHTS.  All the Intellectual Property.

          "Intellectual Property" shall mean the Sellers' and the Affiliates'
interest in all of the following to the extent they are associated with the Book
of Business (other than the Excluded Book): all intangible rights, including,
without limitation, (i) all trademarks and service marks and all applications
therefor and registrations and recordings thereof, together with the goodwill
symbolized by and associated with such trademarks and service marks, (ii) all
trade dress connected or used with such trademarks and service marks and all
applications, registrations and recordings thereof, (iii) all trade secrets,
proprietary information and know-how, (iv) all franchises, patents, jingles,
slogans, logotypes and other intangible rights, (v) all customer lists, in each
case including, without limitation, those listed and described on SCHEDULE 3.22
hereto and (vi) all rights with respect to the goodwill and renewal rights with
respect to the Policyholders (as defined in SECTION 3.22), including without
limitation the right and authority to issue bills for existing and renewal
policies, the right to issue renewal policies and process changes and claims on
existing policies and the right to communicate with the Policyholders under
color of the agency with whom the previous relationship existed and any
additions or modifications thereof made by the Seller in the ordinary course of
business between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date to any items
described in clauses (i)-(vi) above.

          (d)  FILES AND RECORDS.  All files and other records of the Seller
relating to the Book of Business and the other Purchased Assets, wherever
located, including without limitation, all available schematics, blueprints,
engineering data, customer lists, correspondence, reports, specifications,
projections, statistics, market research data, marketing plans, sales records
and histories, promotional graphics, original art work, mats, plates, negatives
and other advertising, marketing or related materials, and all other technical
and financial information, accounting and personnel records concerning the
Purchased Assets.

          (e)  CLAIMS.  All of the Seller's warranty or other claims, refunds,
causes of action, choses in action, rights to recovery (including rights to
insurance proceeds or other recoveries for damaged assets acquired by
Purchaser), rights of set-off and rights of recoupment relating to the Book of
Business, except rights the Seller has to receive

                                       3
<PAGE>


commissions, and fees in lieu thereof, from items billed prior to the Closing
Date as more fully described below.

          (f)  BILLING RIGHTS AND CERTAIN ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, RUN-OFF
COMMISSIONS AND FEES.  All rights to bill, collect and retain any and all
commissions and fees relating to the Book of Business invoiced after the Closing
Date in the ordinary course for items having an inception date before or after
the Closing Date, whether agency bill or direct bill.  In addition, all rights
to collection of items invoiced prior to the Closing Date by the Sellers with
policy inception dates after the Closing Date, regardless of whether such items
are collected prior to Closing or after Closing ("Future Billings").

1.2  EXCLUDED ASSETS.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchased Assets shall
not include the following assets of the Seller (collectively, the "Excluded
Assets"):

          (a)  CORPORATE RECORDS; TAX RETURNS.  The stock books, stock ledgers,
shareholder lists, minute books, corporate seals and similar corporate records
of the Seller, as well as all tax returns of the Seller and any and all records
that the Seller is required to retain pursuant to applicable law.

          (b)  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND RUN-OFF COMMISSIONS.  All accounts
receivable, run-off commissions and fees relating to the Book of Business
invoiced prior to the Closing Date in the ordinary course for items having an
inception date before the Closing Date, whether agency bill or direct bill.
Note that Future Billings are for the Purchasers account and when such funds are
collected they will be promptly turned over by the Sellers to the Purchaser.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 2.16 will supercede the
provisions of this Section to the extent that they conflict.

           (c) CASH AND INVESTMENTS.  All cash, cash equivalents and securities,
including cash deposited in the Seller's trust account(s) relating to the Book
of Business.

          (d)  MODESTO ASSETS.  All other property of the Sellers not
specifically sold herein.

          (e)  OTHER EXCLUDED ASSETS.  The other assets, if any, set forth on
SCHEDULE 1.2(d) hereto, which will include, without limitation, the computers
and related technology equipment located in the Sacramento Office as of December
31, 1998.

1.3  ASSUMPTION OF CERTAIN LIABILITIES.  Purchaser is not assuming any debt,
liability or obligations of the Seller or any Affiliate, whether known or
unknown, fixed or contingent, except for the liabilities of the Seller to be
paid or performed after the Closing Date under the Assumed Contracts listed in
SCHEDULE 1.1(c) (the "Assumed Contracts") which are assigned by the Seller to
the Purchaser and the other assumed liabilities which are set forth on SCHEDULE
1.1(c) (the "Assumed Liabilities").  The parties agree, without limitation, that

                                       4

<PAGE>

Purchaser is not assuming any obligation under the Sellers' agreements with
Messrs. Seawall, Van Noate and Duckworth and with Ms. Michaels.  The parties
agree to work in good faith after the execution of this Agreement to resolve
open questions as to whether the Purchaser will assume some, all or none of the
Sellers' obligations under the NEC phone system lease.

Except as and to the extent otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement,
Purchaser does not, and shall not, assume or be deemed to assume, nor shall
Purchaser discharge, be responsible for or liable with respect to any other
liabilities or obligations of the Seller or any other person, whether arising
prior to, on or after the Closing Date (collectively, the "Retained
Liabilities"), including without limitation:

(a)  any liability or obligations of the Seller arising out of or relating to
     any contract or agreement not fully and effectively assigned to and
     specifically assumed by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, including
     without limitation any obligations of the Affiliates or the Seller to
     pay Messrs. Buck, Duckworth, Seawall and Van Noate and Ms. Michaels and
     any other person for the purchase of their interests in the Book of
     Business or any other amounts under the Sellers' agreements with such
     persons (the Purchaser having entered into new agreements with such
     persons regarding services rendered post-closing) and any obligation to
     pay Mr. Chenu or any other producer for the producer's share of
     commissions received and retained by the Sellers which were produced by
     such producer;

(b)  any liability or obligations of the Seller arising out of or relating to
     any employee benefit (including health) plans, programs, policies or other
     arrangements or agreements which provided the Sellers' employees in the
     Offices with benefits, including the payment of severance pay or special
     bonuses, if any, to terminated employees under agreements or policies not
     constituting Assumed Contracts;

(c)  any liability or obligations of the Seller arising out of any litigation,
     claim, arbitration or other similar proceeding relating to the Purchased
     Assets before the Closing Date, regardless of whether or not such
     litigation, claim, arbitration or other similar proceeding is pending,
     threatened or asserted before, on or after the Closing Date;

(d)  any liabilities and obligations of the Seller relating to the Excluded
     Assets;

(e)  any and all liabilities and obligations, direct or indirect, fixed or
     contingent, for Taxes, whether or not such Taxes are assessed prior to, on
     or after the Closing Date;

(f)  accounts payable of the Seller as of the Closing Date, including without
     limitation, all Seller and Affiliate credit card balances, liabilities to
     insurance carriers for premiums billed prior to the Closing Date whether or
     not such premiums will be earned before or after the Closing Date, any
     liability to insureds for returned premiums due with respect to items
     billed prior to the Closing Date; and miscellaneous payables other than a
     pro rata

                                       5

<PAGE>
     share of the rent and utilities for the Office for the month in
     which the Closing Date occurs; and

(g)  any and all other liabilities relating to the Book of Business for the
     period ending on the Closing Date, including without limitation, carrier
     payables, client payables, errors and omissions liabilities and obligations
     to service the policies included in the Book of Business with respect to
     those changes, additions and deletions requested/required as of, or prior
     to the Closing Date.

"Tax" or "Taxes" means all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, including
without limitation, income, profits, franchise, license, employment, estimated,
transfer, premium, withholding, property, excise, sales, and use taxes
(including any interest, penalties, deposits or additions with respect thereto).

1.4  PURCHASE PRICE FOR PURCHASED ASSETS.


A.   PAU will pay a combination of cash and other consideration for the Book of
Business in an amount equal to 1.335 multiplied by (A) Seller's annual
commission revenues, and fee revenue received in lieu of commission, but
excluding contingent commissions and interest income, relating to the portion of
the Book of Business (other than the Excluded Book) which is in-force on the
Closing Date and renews or is replaced and is in force at the end of the period
ending 24 months after the Closing Date (the "24 Month Period"), less (B) the
portion of that annual commission revenue, and fee revenue received in lieu of
commission, relating to the Sub-Produced Business that is passed through to the
Sub-Producers, less $80,000 (as ultimately determined, the "Purchase Price").

B.   The parties agree to estimate the Purchase Price for convenience.  The
     estimated purchase price will be (A) 1.335 multiplied by (B) $2,253,949
     with the product reduced by (C) $80,000.  The estimated purchase price of
     $2,929,022 is referred to herein as the "Estimated Purchase Price."

C.   At Closing, PAU will pay to the Seller or to others at Seller's direction
     in cash a sum equal to $1,300,000 (the "Down Payment") plus $170,000 (the
     "Working Capital Adjustment").

D.   The Purchase Price will be adjusted at the end of the 24 Month Period based
     on the actual amount of commissions and fees in lieu thereof invoiced by
     PAU on the Book of Business (which is still in force) (other than the
     Excluded Book) during the 12 months beginning with the 10th full month
     after Closing and ending with the 21st full month after Closing, plus the
     actual annual amount of new commissions and fees in lieu thereof invoiced
     by PAU which are generated from the former Seller producers working for the
     Purchaser during such 12 month period, less the amount passed through to
     Sub-Producers during such 12 month period.  The parties agree that Messrs.
     Anthony, Buck, Chenu,

                                       6

<PAGE>
     Duckworth, Hoffman, Kerns, Seawell, Takahara and Van
     Noate are the only former Seller producers for purposes of the foregoing
     (the "Former Seller Producers").  The actual commissions/fees measured will
     be input into the formula set forth in Section 1.4 A above to determine the
     Purchase Price.  In the event that payment of any of the measured
     commissions/fees is not received by the end of the 24 Month Period, the
     commissions/fees not paid will not be considered "invoiced" for this
     purpose.  In no event will new production by the Former Seller Producers
     increase the Purchase Price above the Estimated Purchase Price.

     In the event that Purchaser sells or otherwise disposes of any portion of
     the Book of Business prior to the end of the 24 Month Period, for purposes
     of calculating the Purchase Price, the said portion of the Book of Business
     will be treated as if it was still in force and held by the Purchaser and
     that the Purchaser received during the 12 month measurement period an
     amount of commissions and fees equal to the amount of commissions and fees
     received by the Purchaser and/or the Seller for the 12 months immediately
     prior to the sale of such accounts by the Purchaser.

     In the event Purchaser terminates any Former Seller Producer or either of
     Barbara Gromacki or Barbara Field formerly working in the Offices for any
     reason prior to the end of the measurement period set forth above, any
     portion of the Book of Business being serviced by such terminated producer
     or terminated CSR at the time of termination will be "frozen" for purposes
     of measuring the commissions and fees from that portion of the Book of
     Business.  The value of the frozen portion will equal the invoiced
     commissions and fees for the 12 months immediately prior to the producer's
     termination which are actually paid.  Voluntary terminations by any Former
     Seller Producer or CSR named above will not result in any freezing of the
     value of the Book of Business serviced by the separating producer.

     The Purchaser covenants that all business produced by the former personal
     lines unit of the Seller will be considered business produced by Mr.
     Takahara for measurement purposes unless any such business is actually
     produced and credited to another producer.

E.   The Purchaser will pay to the Seller, or to its order, the difference
     between the Purchase Price and the Down Payment made at Closing at the end
     of the 24 Month Period.  The Purchaser will pay interest on the actual
     amount of the final payment, calculated at the rate of 7 1/2% per year from
     the Closing to the payment date.  Interest will be payable at the same time
     that the final payment is paid.  In the event this payment is not made
     promptly when due, the interest rate will increase to the lesser of 18% or
     the highest rate permitted to be charged by the Seller to the Purchaser
     under applicable law.

F.   In addition, at Closing, PAULA will tender all of its Series A Preferred
     Stock in CAPAX, duly endorsed for transfer, to CAPAX and CAPAX will redeem
     such stock for

                                       7

<PAGE>
     the sum of $955,624 to be paid to PAULA as a portion of the
     principal of a promissory note to be given by CAPAX to PAULA as described
     below (the "CAPAX Note").  Incidental thereto, the Series A Preferred Stock
     Purchase Agreement dated March 11, 1997 among PAULA as successor and CAPAX,
     along with all exhibits thereto, will be canceled and terminated.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, CAPAX will remain a PAULA Trading Company
     founder entitled to all related rights thereto and nothing herein is
     intended to alter the existing working relationship among Messrs. Jeff
     Snider, Jim Parker and Joel Geddes.

G.   In addition, at Closing, PAULA Financial will exchange the outstanding
     promissory note due from GCH to PAULA in the principal amount of $195,265,
     plus accrued, but unpaid, interest to date, for a portion of the principal
     amount of the CAPAX Note equal to the old principal balance plus the
     interest due.  All existing collateral for the GCH note shall be released
     at Closing.

H.   The CAPAX Note will contain the following terms and will be in the form
     attached hereto as SCHEDULE 1.4H:

     1.   Principal balance as discussed above;

     2.   Interest will accrue on the unpaid balance from the Closing at 7.5%
          per year payable at maturity, as maturity may be extended as discussed
          below;

     3.   Maturity will be coincidental with the final payment of the Purchase
          Price;

     4.   The CAPAX Note will be repaid, to the extent possible, by offset
          against the final payment of the Purchase Price; provided that in the
          event the final payment of the Purchase Price is less than the
          principal and interest then due under the CAPAX Note, the outstanding
          portion of the CAPAX Note, plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon,
          shall become payable over the succeeding 36 months in 36 equal monthly
          payments which will fully amortize the remaining principal and accrued
          and accruing interest due under the CAPAX Note;

     5.   In the event that the CAPAX Note becomes payable in 36 equal monthly
          payments, PAULA will have the option to convert the then outstanding
          balance of the CAPAX Note into CAPAX voting common stock at a value of
          $20 per share at any time until the CAPAX Note is paid in full.  If
          PAULA converts any portion of the balance into CAPAX stock, such stock
          will be governed by the applicable provisions of the then existing
          CAPAX Shareholders' Agreement;


1.5  ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE.  The parties agree to allocate the purchase
price among the Purchased Assets for all purposes in accordance with
SCHEDULE 1.5 hereto.

                                       8


<PAGE>

1.6  CLOSING.  The Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(the "Closing") shall occur at 10:00 a.m., on the next business day following
the satisfaction of the last unsatisfied condition set forth in Article V hereof
(the "Closing Date") unless the parties hereto agree in writing upon a different
time, date or place.  The Closing shall be deemed to have occurred at Midnight
on April 30, 1999.

                                     ARTICLE II


                       CERTAIN UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS


2.1 EMPLOYEES. The Seller agrees to give notice of termination to each of its
employees working in the Offices immediately prior to the Closing Date.   The
Purchaser agrees to hire all those producers and staff persons currently
operating from the Offices other than Mr. Maxwell.  In addition, the
Purchaser agrees to retain Messrs. Seawell, Van Noate and Duckworth and Ms.
Michaels under new agreements on terms substantially similar to the current
arrangements between the Sellers and such persons with respect to their
compensation for servicing the portion of the Book of Business for which they
are responsible.

All producers and staff persons hired by the Purchaser will be offered
compensation packages either equal to that set forth in Mr. Jaques Presentation
Book with respect to this transaction or the compensation packages they had with
the Seller at December 31, 1998, Purchaser's choice, which will be made on an
individual basis. The Seller agrees to pay to all former employees of the
Offices all ESOP, vacation and other accrued employee benefits due to them under
the Seller's policies or applicable law relating to their separation from the
Seller, if any.  Personnel hired by the Purchaser will be treated as new hires
by the Purchaser for all purposes except that the Purchaser will provide to
those persons hired credit for service in the minimum amount necessary to
provide such persons with immediate eligibility for the Purchaser's normal
medical, dental, life and disability insurance benefits and the Purchaser's
401(k) plan and will provide to such persons the same vacation benefits to which
they were entitled from the Sellers.  The Sellers acknowledge that the Purchaser
is unable to provide credit for time served with the Sellers for purposes of
determining the new hires' eligibility for the Purchaser's ESOP.

2.2  EMPLOYMENT AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENTS.  On or before the Closing Date
Mr. Jim Chenu, shall have executed a producer agreement with the Purchaser which
is reasonably acceptable to the Purchaser.

2.3  TRUST ACCOUNT.  The Seller shall be responsible for all payments due to
third parties which are required to be made from funds in the Seller's trust
account(s) based on, or relating to, invoices billed prior to the Closing Date.
In the event that funds available from the Seller's trust account are
insufficient for this purpose, the Seller, and not the Purchaser or the

                                       9

<PAGE>

Purchased Assets, will be solely responsible for contributing additional funds
to the Seller's trust account(s) to fund such obligations.

2.4  ACCOUNTING FUNCTIONS.  The Seller will direct all insurance carriers and
other payors to direct all payments due to the Purchaser hereunder relating to
the Book of Business to the Purchaser's Fresno, California servicing center
commencing immediately after the Closing Date.  Any such payments received at
the Seller's existing facilities pending the change of address will be promptly
redirected to the Purchaser's Fresno center.

2.5  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Until the Closing, the parties hereto and their
respective agents, accountants and attorneys shall keep confidential any
information (unless readily ascertainable from public or published information
or sources) obtained from any other party hereto.  Each party hereto further
agrees that it will not otherwise disclose any such information to any third
party (other than to its agents, accountants and attorneys in connection with
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) except upon
the written consent of the furnishing party, or except as required by law.  Such
obligation of confidentiality shall not extend to any information which is shown
to be or to have been generally known to others engaged in the same trade or
business as the furnishing party, or that is or shall be public knowledge
through no act or omission by the party to whom the information was furnished or
any of its directors, officers, employees, professional advisors or other
representatives.

2.6  RESERVED.

2.7        NOTIFICATION OF MARKETS/BROKER OF RECORD LETTERS.  Purchaser and the
Seller agree to jointly notify all markets which have appointed the Seller of
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby promptly after the
Closing Date.  Such notification shall seek such markets' consent to such
transactions and all parties agree to use best efforts to obtain such consents.
The Seller will provide the Purchaser with a blanket broker of record letter
addressed to all markets with which the Seller has placed a portion of the Book
of  Business.  Seller does not represent that such markets will accept the
Broker of Record letter, but Seller will use its best efforts to accomplish such
objective.  In the event any such letter is rejected, the Seller will allow the
Purchaser to broker the applicable portion of the Book of Business through the
Seller to such market without additional compensation, for a period of 24 months
after Closing.

2.8        FILE COPIES. The Seller shall have unlimited access to the Files and
Records transferred to the Purchaser as part of the Purchased Assets for all
valid purposes.  The Seller can copy any and all of such Files and Records prior
to Closing and the documented out-of-pocket cost of such copying will be shared
by the Purchaser and the Seller equally.  The Seller can copy any particular
File or Record post-closing, at the Seller's expense, upon reasonable notice to
the Purchaser so long as such File or Record is the subject of any alleged or
actual errors and omissions proceeding or any other third party claim.  The
Purchaser will

                                       10

<PAGE>

exercise the same degree of care with the transferred files as it
uses with respect to its own files.

2.9        TAX MATTERS.

A.   TAX PAYMENTS.  If either the Seller or Purchaser is required by law to file
a Tax Return attributable to the ownership of the Purchased Assets for a taxable
year or period which begins before and ends after the Closing Date, then (i)
Purchaser shall be responsible for all Taxes shown on such Tax Return allocable
to the period after the Closing Date, and (ii) the Seller shall be responsible
for all Taxes allocable to the period ended on or prior to the Closing Date.
Taxes allocable to such taxable year or period shall be determined using an
interim closing of the books method assuming that such taxable year or period
ended on the Closing Date.  The parties shall cooperate in the preparation and
filing of any such Tax Returns.

B.   SALES AND TRANSFER TAXES.  All Taxes incurred in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be borne
by the Seller, including, without limitation, all sales, bulk sales, transfer,
gains and recording and registration Taxes, and the Seller will, at its own
expense, file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to
all such sales, transfer, gains and recording Taxes.

2.10          LEASES.  The Purchaser shall assume the Seller's obligations under
its existing building leases for the Offices effective on the Closing Date.   In
the event that any of the Purchased Assets are leased, the Purchaser will assume
the respective lease obligations as more fully set forth above as Assumed
Contracts; provided however, that the parties agree to work in good faith to
determine after the execution of this Agreement whether the Purchaser will
assume some, all or none of the Sellers' obligations under the NEC phone system
lease.  In the event any such leases are not assumable, the Purchaser will
reimburse the Seller for all continuing lease obligations for the transferred
items and the Seller will maintain such leases in its own name through normal
expiration.


2.11          EXPENSES. The Seller will pay all fees due to John H. Jaques, Inc.
as finder.  Each party shall pay their own professional fees and other expenses
related to this transaction.

2.12          NAME TRANSFER. As discussed above, the Seller will transfer all
rights to the name "Sacramento Valley Insurance Agents/Brokers" at closing as
part of the transaction.  The Seller will cause its existing corporate
subsidiary execute and deliver to the Purchaser at the Closing all documents
necessary to change its name to something which does not conflict with the sold
name effective upon the Closing, will cease operating under the sold name upon
closing and will cooperate with the Purchaser to allow the Purchaser to become
licensed to sell insurance under the sold name as a "dba."  The Purchaser agrees
to broker any of Seller's retained insurance business through the Purchaser for
no cost to the extent that such business must be brokered due to the Purchaser's
use of the sold name as a dba for a

                                       11

<PAGE>

period of 24 months after the Closing Date.

2.13          ERRORS AND OMISSIONS INSURANCE.  Each of the Seller and the
Purchaser agree to purchase professional errors and omissions insurance for
their retained obligations with respect to the Book of Business and to maintain
such insurance for a period of not less than two years after Closing in the
Purchaser's case and until the CAPAX Note is paid in full in the Seller's case,
in amounts and with deductibles reasonably acceptable to the other party.

2.14          BULK SALES LAW.  The Purchaser hereby  waives compliance by the
Sellers with any applicable bulk sales laws and the Sellers agree to jointly and
severally indemnify the Purchaser and hold the Purchaser harmless against any
losses, liabilities or damages (including reasonably attorneys' fees and costs)
incurred by the Purchaser for reason of any failure to comply with any such
laws.

2.15          POST-CLOSING COMMISSION PAYMENTS TO PRODUCERS.  The Sellers agree
to continue to pay to each producer hired by the Purchaser who formerly worked
for the Sellers (other than Mr. Chenu) and to each of Messrs. Duckworth, Seawall
and Van Noate and Ms. Michaels all compensation due to them in the ordinary
course for items invoiced by the Seller prior to closing which are paid to the
Sellers post-closing, except to the extent that the producer's or consultant's
share was paid pre-closing and except to the extent described in Section 2.16
below with respect to the May and June Commissions.

2.16          TREATMENT OF CERTAIN DIRECT BILLED COMMISSIONS RECEIVED BY SELLER
IN MAY AND JUNE 1999.  The parties agree that although the provisions hereof
would otherwise allow the Sellers to retain direct billed commissions received
in May and June 1999 which relate items invoiced prior to Closing (the "May and
June Commissions"), it is their intention that the Sellers pay the May and June
Commissions over to the Purchaser.  The amount of the May and June Commissions
paid over to the Purchaser shall be subject to a maximum payment of $170,000 and
to a minimum payment of $170,000.  The Purchaser will be responsible for paying
the producers portion of the May and June Commissions to the producers to the
extent that the May and June Commissions are paid by the Sellers to the
Purchaser.  The Seller shall retain all errors and omissions liability with
respect to the May and June Commissions.


                                    ARTICLE III


                           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each of the Sellers jointly and severally represent and warrant to Purchaser
that, except as disclosed in the exhibits hereto:

                                       12


<PAGE>
3.1  MARKETABLE TITLE.  The Sellers, collectively, have good and marketable
title to the Purchased Assets, free and clear of any and all Liens except
Permitted Liens.

3.2  POWER AND AUTHORITY.  The Sellers each have the full right, power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to transfer, convey and sell to
Purchaser at the Closing its respective interest in the Purchased Assets.

3.3  LITIGATION.  None of the Sellers nor any Affiliate is a party to, subject
to or bound by any agreement, judgment or order of any court, governmental body
or arbitrator which would prevent the execution or delivery of this Agreement by
the Sellers or the sale of the Purchased Assets to Purchaser pursuant to the
terms hereof.

3.4  NO BROKERAGE FEES.  No broker or finder has acted for the Sellers except
Mr. John Jacques in connection with this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.

3.5  AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and all other agreements and
instruments to be executed by the Sellers in connection herewith have been (or
upon execution will have been) duly executed and delivered by such party, have
been effectively authorized by all necessary action, corporate, shareholder or
otherwise, and constitute (or upon execution will constitute) valid and binding
obligations of each such party enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms.

3.6  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Included in SCHEDULE 3.6 are the internally prepared
profit and loss statements for each of the Offices for the year ending December
31, 1998 (collectively, the "Financial Statements"). The Financial Statements
(i) were prepared from the books and records of the Sellers; and (ii) reasonably
represent the results of operations for the Offices for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1998.  The Financial Statements contain adjustments for the
allocation of expenses incurred by the Sellers in their entirety.  While the
Sellers believe the allocation methodology reasonably represents an estimate of
a proportional amount of such expenses consumed by the Offices, the actual costs
incurred on a stand-alone basis may vary from these estimates.

3.7  TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY.  There is listed on SCHEDULE 3.7 a description
of each item of Tangible Personal Property owned by or in the possession of the
Sellers and located in the Offices having on the date hereof either a
depreciated book value or estimated fair market value per unit in excess of
$1,000; and (ii) a description of the owner of, and any agreement relating to
the use of, each such item of Tangible Personal Property not owned by the Seller
and the circumstances under which such property is used.  Except as indicated in
SCHEDULE 3.7:

          (a)  Each item of Tangible Personal Property not owned by the Sellers
is in such condition that upon the return of such property to its owner the
obligations of the Sellers to such owner or lessor will be discharged;

                                       13

<PAGE>

          (b)  Each item of Tangible Personal Property is in operating condition
and repair and is currently in use in connection with the operation of the
Business; and

          (c)  The Sellers owns or otherwise has the right to use all of the
Tangible Personal Property now used by the Sellers in the operation of the
Business.

3.8  RESERVED.

3.9  INTANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY.

          (a)  No actions or other judicial or adversary proceedings concerning
any Intellectual Property has been initiated, there is no known basis for any
such action or proceeding and, to the best knowledge of the Sellers, no such
action or proceeding is threatened;

          (b)  The Sellers have the unrestricted right and authority to use the
Intellectual Property and such use does not conflict with, infringe upon or
violate any rights of any other person, firm or corporation;

          (c)  There are no outstanding, nor any threatened, disputes or other
disagreements with respect to any licenses or similar agreements or
arrangements;

          (d)  The Sellers are the owner of all right, title and interest in and
to each item of Intellectual Property, free and clear of all Liens; and

          (e)  Purchaser shall be permitted to do business under the names
"Sacramento Valley Insurance Agency" or derivations thereof following the
Closing Date.

3.10 AGREEMENT NOT IN BREACH OF OTHER INSTRUMENTS. Neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will violate, or result in a breach of, any of the terms and
provisions of, or constitute a default under, or conflict with (i) any agreement
to which any of the Sellers is a party or by which it is bound; (ii) the
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Sellers; or (iii) any applicable
judgment, order or award of any court, governmental body or arbitrator, or any
law, rule or regulation applicable to the Sellers.

3.11 INSURANCE.  SCHEDULE 3.11 sets forth a true and correct list of all
insurance policies of any nature whatsoever maintained by the Sellers that
provide coverage to the Offices or the Book of Business at any time during the
three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement.  To the best knowledge of
the Sellers, no cancellation, amendment or increase of premiums with respect to
the such insurance is pending or threatened.

3.12 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS.  There are no (i) employment, commission, profit
sharing, deferred compensation, bonus, stock option, stock purchase, pension,
retainer, consulting,

                                       14

<PAGE>

retirement, health, welfare, or incentive plan or contract
to which the Sellers are party, or by which it is or may be bound relating to
the personnel working in the Offices or relating to the Book of Business; or
(ii) plan and agreement under which "fringe benefits" (including, but not
limited to, vacation plans or programs, sick leave plans or programs, dental or
medical plans or programs, and related or similar benefits) are afforded to
employees of the Seller working in the Offices or relating to the Book of
Business to which the Purchaser will be bound after the Closing.

3.13 TAX RETURNS.  Except as discussed in SCHEDULE 3.13:

          (a)  The Sellers have duly and timely filed with the appropriate
federal, state, local and foreign taxing authorities all Tax returns required to
be filed through the date hereof, and the Sellers have paid all Taxes owed.  The
Sellers have not requested any extension of time within which to file any such
return;

          (b)  All Tax returns filed by the Sellers are complete and accurate in
all material respects; and

          (c)  There are no material liens for Taxes upon the assets of the
Sellers, except for statutory liens for Taxes not yet due or delinquent.

3.14 LITIGATION.

          (a)  Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 3.14(a) hereof, there is no
action, suit or proceeding to which any of the Sellers is a party (either as a
plaintiff or defendant) pending before any court or governmental agency,
authority or body or arbitrator; there is no action, suit or proceeding
threatened against the Sellers; and to the best knowledge of the Sellers, there
is no basis for any such action, suit or proceeding; and

          (b)  There is not in existence on the date hereof any order, judgment
or decree of any court or other tribunal or other agency enjoining or requiring
any Seller to take any action of any kind with respect to the Book of Business
or the Seller's assets or properties.

3.15 ASSUMED CONTRACTS.  SCHEDULE 1.1(c) sets forth the Assumed Contracts which
consists of a list of each contract, agreement, purchase order, lease or
commitment, written or oral, to which the Seller is a party and has ongoing
rights or obligations or by which any of their respective assets are bound which
the Seller expects the Purchaser to assume after the Closing Date.  SCHEDULE
1.1(c) does not include any agency appointment agreements since none are being
transferred to Purchaser hereunder.  True and complete copies of each of the
Assumed Contracts, or where they are oral, true and complete written summaries
thereof, have been delivered to Purchaser by the Seller.  Except as set forth in
SCHEDULE 1.1(c):

                                       15

<PAGE>

          (a)  Each of the Assumed Contracts is a valid and binding agreement of
the Seller and all other parties thereto; and

          (b)  No consent of any party to any of the Assumed Contracts is
required by the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby except the consents of the
three landlords (and sublandlords) which have been obtained and the consent of
NEC which may or may not be required, depending on whether or not the Purchaser
will assume any obligations under that lease.

3.16 INVOICES.  Attached hereto as SCHEDULE 3.16 is a complete listing of the
invoices billed by the Seller for 15 months prior to Closing on the in-force
portion of the Book of Business.


3.17 NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  The Seller has no liabilities or obligations
of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, and whether
due or to become due (including, without limitation, any liability for Taxes and
interest, penalties and other charges payable with respect to any such liability
or obligation) which is, or which could result in, a lien or a charge to the
Book of Business or the Offices except those disclosed in one of the Schedules
to this Agreement.

3.18 REGULATORY APPROVALS.  All consents, approvals, authorizations and other
requirements prescribed by any law, rule or regulation which must be obtained or
satisfied by the Sellers and which are necessary for the execution and delivery
by the Sellers of this Agreement and the related documents have been obtained
and satisfied.

3.19 LICENSES.  SCHEDULE 3.19 sets forth all licenses, permits or authority
(collectively, the "Licenses") issued to the Sellers by any state insurance
department or other insurance regulatory body or agency (collectively, a "State
Insurance Department") which relate to or impact the Book of Business or the
Offices.  The Licenses set forth on SCHEDULE 3.19 constitute each license,
permit or authority, known to the Sellers or which reasonably should be known to
the Sellers, that it is necessary or appropriate for the Sellers to obtain from
a State Insurance Department with respect to the transaction of business at the
Offices and with respect to the Book of Business.  All of the Licenses are
currently in effect.  None of the Licenses has at any time been suspended,
revoked, terminated or limited or expired.  No notice of any violation has been
received at any time by the Seller with respect to any License, and there is no
proceeding or investigation, whether pending or threatened, or any basis
therefor, that could result in the suspension, revocation, termination or
limitation of any License.

3.20 EMPLOYEE LICENSES.  SCHEDULE 3.20 sets forth all licenses, permits or
authority (the "Employee Licenses") issued to any employee or independent
contractor of the Seller working from the Offices or with respect to the Book of
Business by a State Insurance Department.  All of the Employee Licenses are
currently in effect and constitute each license,

                                       16

<PAGE>

permit or authority that it is necessary or appropriate for the employees or
independent contractors of the Seller to obtain from a State Insurance
Department with respect to the performance of their respective job
responsibilities for the Seller and as contemplated by Purchaser.  All of the
Employee Licenses will remain in effect and will not be subject to
suspension, revocation, termination or limitation in any manner as a result
of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Except for the notices required by each State Insurance Department regarding
the commencement of authority of such employee to act for Purchaser and the
termination of authority of such employee to act for the Seller, none of
Purchaser, the Seller or any employee holding an Employee License will be
required to obtain any consent, approval or action of, or make any filing
with or give any notice to, any State Insurance Department with respect to
any Employee License as a result of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

3.21 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS; ABSENCE OF REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS.  The Seller has
complied with all applicable laws and regulations relating to the conduct of its
business.  The Seller has not received service or other notice of any
litigation, action, suit, proceeding or investigation by or on behalf of any
State Insurance Department that is presently pending or threatened against the
Seller or the Book of Business, nor does the Seller have any knowledge of any
basis therefor.  Since January 1, 1996, the Seller has not been a party to or
has been involved in any litigation, action, suit, proceeding or investigation
by or on behalf of any State Insurance Department.  The Seller has not entered
into or has been subject to any consent decrees, settlements, orders,
stipulations or other agreements or understandings with any State Insurance
Department with respect to the conduct of the Book of Business.

3.22 POLICYHOLDERS.  SCHEDULE 3.22 sets forth all of the policyholders (the
"Policyholders") included in the Book of Business that have policies of
insurance for which the Seller is currently receiving a commission or has
received a commission on or after January 1, 1998.  Except as disclosed to
Purchaser in writing, the Seller is currently the agent of record for each of
the Policyholders.  The Sellers maintain no list of its prospective
Policyholders which are included in the Book of Business.

After the Closing Date, Purchaser shall have an unconditional right with respect
to each Policyholder to engage in the solicitation, quotation and sale of Paula
Insurance Company's policies of workers' compensation insurance (and ancillary
services related thereto) and other carriers insurance business (and ancillary
services related thereto) without any restriction or limitation of any kind.

No person or entity has any right (whether pursuant to any agreement or
understanding or otherwise), pursuant to an agreement between the Seller and
such person or entity, to preclude or limit the solicitation, quotation or sale
of Paula Insurance Company's policies of workers' compensation or EPL insurance
(and ancillary services related thereto) or other carriers workers' compensation
or EPL insurance business (and ancillary services related thereto) by Purchaser
to any Policyholders after the Closing Date.

                                       17

<PAGE>

After the Closing Date, Purchaser will be entitled to the goodwill and renewal
rights with respect to each of the Policyholders held by the Sellers, without
any restriction or limitation of any kind.  Except as disclosed in writing to
Purchaser, none of the Sellers has any knowledge that any of the Policyholders
will not purchase insurance issued by Paula Insurance Company or any other
insurance carrier currently providing insurance to the Policyholders if sold by
the Purchaser.

3.23 APPOINTMENTS.  The insurance companies that have appointed the Sellers and
their respective employees as agents with respect to any portion of the Book of
Business are set forth on SCHEDULE 3.23.  All of the appointments (the
"Appointments") set forth on SCHEDULE 3.23 are currently in effect, and the
Seller has not received any notice that an Appointment has been terminated or
limited in any manner.  Such Appointments  are not being transferred under this
Agreement.

3.24 DUPLICATION OF APPOINTMENTS.  To the Seller's best knowledge, no insurance
carrier which had appointed the Seller or its employees will refuse to consider
a new appointment with the Purchaser, or its employees, as the case may be.  To
the Seller's best knowledge, there will be no status, preferential treatment or
advantage that currently benefits the Seller or any employee of the Seller with
regard to the Book of Business which will not apply to and benefit Purchaser as
of the Closing Date, other than contingent agreements.

The Purchaser and PAULA jointly and severally represent and warrant to the
Sellers that:

3.25 POWER; AUTHORITY; AND GOOD STANDING.  Each of the Purchaser and PAULA has
the full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to fulfill
their respective obligations hereunder.

3.26 AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and all other agreements and
instruments to be executed by each of the Purchaser and PAULA in connection
herewith have been (or upon execution will have been) duly executed and
delivered by the Purchaser and PAULA, as the case may be, and have been
effectively authorized by all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, and
constitute (or upon execution will constitute) valid and binding obligations of
the Purchaser and PAULA, respectively , enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by law pertaining to
bankruptcy, insolvency or the enforcement of creditors' rights and by general
equitable principles.

                                     ARTICLE IV


                      CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF EACH PARTY

The obligations of each party to effect the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be subject to the fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing Date, of the
following conditions:

                                       18

<PAGE>

4.1  NO ACTION OR PROCEEDING.  No claim, action, suit, investigation or other
proceeding shall be pending or threatened before any court or governmental
agency which presents a substantial risk of the restraint or prohibition of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the obtaining of material damages
or other relief in connection therewith.

4.2  COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.  There shall have been obtained all permits,
approvals, and consents of all governmental bodies or agencies which counsel for
Purchaser or the Seller may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate so that
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be in
compliance with applicable laws.

                                     ARTICLE V


                  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER AND PAULA

The obligations of Purchaser and PAULA to effect the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be, at the option of Purchaser and/or PAULA, subject to the
fulfillment, at or prior to the Closing Date, of the following additional
conditions:

5.1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE.  The representations and warranties of
the Sellers contained in this Agreement and the Schedules hereto shall be true
and correct on the date such representations and warranties were made and remain
true and correct on the Closing Date.  At the Closing, the Sellers shall have
delivered to Purchaser and PAULA certificates to such effect signed by each
party.

5.2  SELLERS' PERFORMANCE.  Each of the obligations of the Sellers to be
performed on or before the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
shall have been duly performed on or before the Closing Date, and at the
Closing, the Sellers shall have delivered to Purchaser a certificate to such
effect.

5.3  NAME CHANGE.  On or before the Closing Date, the SacValley shall have
prepared and executed documentation sufficient to amend its Articles of
Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of California to change
its corporate name to a name other than "Sacramento Valley Insurance Agency" or
deviations thereof and executed such other documents and certificates as
Purchaser shall reasonably require to permit Purchaser to file a fictitious
business name statement to do business under the name "Sacramento Valley
Insurance Agency" or deviations thereof, effective on the Closing Date.

5.4  NO ADVERSE CHANGE.  There shall not have occurred between the date hereof
and the Closing Date any material adverse changes in the results of operations,
condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities (whether absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise), business or prospects of the Offices or the
Book of Business.

                                       19

<PAGE>

5.5  DUE DILIGENCE EXAMINATION.  The Purchaser shall have completed to its
satisfaction an extensive examination of, and shall have obtained full and
complete disclosure regarding, the assets, properties, business and financial
condition of the Offices and the Book of Business and such examination shall not
have revealed any fact, or facts, which, individually or in the aggregate, could
be expected to have a material adverse effect on the results of operations,
condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities (whether absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise), business or prospects of the Offices or the
Book of Business; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, such examination, or any activities
undertaken by the Purchaser to assist the Seller to prepare the schedules to
this Agreement, shall not in any way relieve the Seller of any liability for any
breach of or misrepresentation in this Agreement.

5.6  RESERVED.

5.7  LEGAL OPINION OF SELLERS' COUNSEL. Seller shall have delivered to the
Purchaser and PAULA an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to each of
them as to the authority of the Sellers to consummate the sale of the Book of
Business, the full release of liens and security interests in and on the Book of
Business, CAPAX' right to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock under the
California general corporation law and the due authorization of the consummation
of the transactions by the Sellers and their respective shareholders.

5.8  ADDITIONAL CLOSING DOCUMENTS OF SELLERS. Purchaser and PAULA shall have
received at the Closing the following documents, dated the Closing Date:

          (a)  Copies, certified by the Secretary of the Seller, of resolutions
               of the Board of Directors and shareholders of each of the Sellers
               authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this
               Agreement and all other agreements, documents and instruments
               relating hereto and the consummation of the transactions
               contemplated hereby;

          (b)  Copies of the consent of each landlord to the assumption of the
               Office leases by the Purchaser;

          (c)  Executed CAPAX Note;

          (d)  Executed copies of the producer agreements and non-competition
               agreements contemplated hereby which shall have been obtained
               prior to Closing;

          (e)  Evidence of release of all liens and other interests on or in the
               Book of Business held by CAPAX' banks, shareholders, producers
               and any other persons, including without limitation, the liens of
               U.S. Bank Corp.; and

          (f)  Evidence of errors and omissions insurance coverage as
               contemplated herein.

                                       20

<PAGE>

5.10 ADDITIONAL CLOSING DOCUMENTS OF PURCHASER AND PAULA. The Sellers shall have
     received at the Closing the following documents, dated the Closing Date:

     (a)  CAPAX Series A Preferred Stock certificate held by PAULA endorsed for
          transfer to the Sellers' order;

     (b)  Copies, certified by the Secretary of the Purchaser and PAULA, of
          resolutions of the Board of Directors and shareholder of the Purchaser
          and the Board of Directors of PAULA authorizing the execution,
          delivery and performance of this Agreement and all other agreements,
          documents and instruments relating hereto and the consummation of the
          transactions contemplated hereby;

     (c)  Evidence of errors and omissions insurance coverage as contemplated
          herein;

     (d)  Evidence of wire transfer of the Down Payment and Working Capital
          Adjustment to the Sellers' order;

     (e)  Cancelled old GCH note to PAULA and related collateral;

     (f)  Resignation of Jeffrey A. Snider as director of CAPAX; and

     (g)  Executed releases from Messrs. Duckworth, Seawall and Van Noate to
          their agreements with CAPAX.

5.11 SCHEDULES.  On or prior to the Closing Date the Seller shall have delivered
     to the Purchaser all schedules to this Agreement theretofore undelivered
     and the information contained in such schedules shall be reasonably
     acceptable to the Purchaser.

5.12 PAULA BOARD APPROVAL.  The Board of Directors of PAULA shall have approved
     the transaction.

                                     ARTICLE VI


                                  INDEMNIFICATION

6.1  GENERAL.  The Sellers, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Purchaser and PAULA, in respect of any and all claims, losses,
damages, liabilities (absolute, contingent, matured, unmatured or otherwise) and
expenses, contingent or otherwise, matured or unmatured, of any nature
whatsoever (including, without limitation, settlement costs and any legal or
other expenses for investigating or defending any actions or threatened actions)
(collectively, a "Loss"), reasonably incurred by the indemnified party in
connection with or as a result of each and all of the following (a "Breach"):

                                       21

<PAGE>

          (a)  Any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty
in this Agreement made by the Sellers;

          (b)  The breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation contained in
this Agreement or any other instrument contemplated by this Agreement of the
Sellers;

          (c)  Any misrepresentation contained in any statement or certificate
furnished by the Sellers pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

          (d)  Any action, liability or Loss relating to any contract or
arrangement to which any Seller is a party other than the Assumed Liabilities or
relating to the conduct of Book of Business by the Sellers before, on or after
the Closing Date, including without limitation any and all liability related to
any errors and omissions claims against the Seller for actions taken, or
omissions made, during the period prior to the Closing Date.

Any such liability, deficiency or indemnity shall be paid by the indemnifying
party within thirty (30) days from the date the indemnified party notifies the
indemnifying party that it has incurred or has become subject to the referenced
liability or deficiency and provides the indemnifying party with documentation
demonstrating that the indemnified party has incurred such liability or
deficiency.

6.2  NOTICE OF CLAIM FOR INDEMNIFICATION.  Whenever any claim shall arise for
indemnification under this Article VI, the indemnified party shall promptly
notify the indemnifying party of the claim and, when known, the facts
constituting the basis for such claim.

6.3. THIRD PARTY CLAIMS.  If a claim by a third party is made against an
indemnified party, and if such indemnified party intends to seek indemnity with
respect thereto hereunder, the indemnified party shall promptly (and in any case
within thirty days of such claim being made and within the period provided in
Section 6.5, if applicable) notify the indemnifying party of such claim.  The
indemnifying party shall have thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice to
undertake, conduct and control, through counsel of its own choosing and at its
own expense, the settlement or defense thereof, and the indemnified party shall
cooperate with it in connection therewith; PROVIDED that (a) the indemnifying
party shall permit the indemnified party to participate in such settlement or
defense through counsel chosen by the indemnified party, provided the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the indemnified party and (b) the
indemnifying party shall promptly reimburse the indemnified party for the full
amount of any Loss resulting from such claim and all related expenses incurred
by the indemnified party within the limits of this Article VI (except for
expenses contemplated by clause (a) preceding).

                                       22

<PAGE>

So long as the indemnifying party is reasonably contesting any such claim in
good faith, the indemnified party shall not pay or settle any such claim.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the indemnified party shall have the right
to pay or settle any such claim, provided that in such event it shall waive any
right to indemnity therefor by the indemnifying party.  If the indemnifying
party does not notify the indemnified party within thirty (30) days after the
receipt of the indemnified party's notice of claim of indemnity hereunder that
it elects to undertake the defense thereof, the indemnified party shall have the
right to contest, settle or compromise the claim in the exercise of its
reasonable judgment (but with due regard for obtaining the most favorable
outcome reasonably likely under the circumstances, taking account of costs and
expenditures) at the expense of the indemnifying party.

6.4  MANNER OF INDEMNIFICATION.  All indemnification hereunder shall be effected
by payment of cash or delivery of a certified or cashier's check in the amount
of the indemnification liability.  The indemnified party shall have the right to
offset any matured, unmatured, absolute or contingent liability for which the
indemnified party shall seek indemnification from the indemnifying party
pursuant to this Article VI against any payments due to the indemnifying party;
PROVIDED that any offset with respect to an unmatured or contingent liability
must be reasonable under the circumstances both in terms of the amount of the
offset and when the offset is made.

6.5  PURCHASER INDEMNIFICATION.  The Purchaser shall indemnify and hold harmless
the Sellers in respect of all Losses reasonably incurred by the indemnified
party in connection with or as a result of each and all of the following (a
"Breach"):

          (a)  Any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty
in this Agreement made by the Purchaser or PAULA;

          (b)  The breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation contained in
this Agreement or any other instrument contemplated by this Agreement of the
Purchaser or PAULA;

          (c)  Any misrepresentation contained in any statement or certificate
furnished by the Purchaser or PAULA pursuant to this Agreement or in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

          (d)  Any action, liability or Loss relating to any Assumed Liability
or relating to the conduct of Book of Business by the Purchaser or PAULA after
the Closing Date, including without limitation any and all liability related to
any errors and omissions claims against the Purchaser for actions taken, or
omissions made, during the period after the Closing Date.


Any such liability, deficiency or indemnity shall be paid by the indemnifying
party within thirty (30) days from the date the indemnified party notifies the
indemnifying party that it has

                                       23

<PAGE>

incurred or has become subject to the referenced liability or deficiency and
provides the indemnifying party with documentation demonstrating that the
indemnified party has incurred such liability or deficiency.

The procedures relating to the foregoing indemnification shall be the same as
those set forth in Sections 6.2-6.4 above.

6.6  SURVIVAL.  The representations and warranties made in Article II hereof,
and the indemnification obligations set forth in this Article VI, shall survive
the Closing for a period of five years from the Closing Date.

                                    ARTICLE VII


                                    TERMINATION

7.1  TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated by written consent of the
     parties hereto.

                                    ARTICLE VIII


                                   MISCELLANEOUS

8.1  NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally or mailed
by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
addressed as follows:





           To Purchaser:          Pan American Underwriters, Inc.
                                  300 North Lake Avenue
                                  Suite 300
                                  Pasadena, California  91101
                                  Attention:  Bradley K. Serwin

           If to the Sellers:     C/o:  CAPAX Management & Insurance Services
                                  P.O. Box 3231
                                  Modesto, California  95353

           With copy to:          Robert W. Crabtree, Esq.
                                  P.O. Box 3307
                                  Modesto, California  95353


8.2  ASSIGNABILITY AND PARTIES IN INTEREST.  This Agreement shall not be
assignable by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the
other parties.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties hereto and their respective successors.

                                       24

<PAGE>

8.3  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and
enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California.

8.4  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.

8.5  BEST EFFORTS.  The Sellers, the Purchaser and PAULA each agree to use their
best efforts to bring about the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

8.6  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  The parties hereto agree that they will not make any
disclosures about the existence or contents of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated herein or cause to be publicized in any manner
whatsoever by way of interviews, responses to questions or inquiries, press
releases or otherwise any aspect or proposed aspect of this transaction without
prior written notice to and approval of the other parties, except as may be
otherwise necessary to comply with applicable law; provided, however, that the
parties hereto may, on a confidential basis, advise their respective agents,
accountants, attorneys and prospective lenders.

8.7  COMPLETE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, the exhibits hereto and the Schedules
hereto delivered pursuant to this Agreement and all other documents between the
parties dated the date of the Closing to be delivered at the Closing contain the
entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the transactions
contemplated herein and, except as provided herein, supersede all previous oral
and written and all contemporaneous oral negotiations, commitments, writings and
understandings.

8.8  MODIFICATIONS AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.  This Agreement may not be modified
or amended, and no provision or benefit hereof may be waived, except in a
written document executed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

8.9  SEVERABILITY.  Any provision of this Agreement which is invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, without
affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or
rendering that or any other provision of this Agreement invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.

8.10 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.  Each party shall bear its own expenses in connection
with the preparation of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein.

8.11 FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be
done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and
deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as
any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent
and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement.

                                       25

<PAGE>

8.12 ATTORNEYS' FEES.  In the event of any action or proceeding brought by
either party against the other arising out of this Agreement, the prevailing
party, if any, shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys fees
incurred in such action or proceeding, including any appeal, with the amount
of such fees, as well as a determination of prevailing party status, if any,
to be determined by a judge of the court sitting without a jury.

8.13 ARBITRATION.  As a condition precedent to any right of action under this
Agreement, any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement
between any parties hereto, whether arising before or after expiration or
cancellation of this Agreement, will be submitted to the decision of a board
of arbitration composed of two arbitrators and an umpire meeting at a site in
Pasadena, California.

Notice requesting arbitration or any other notice made in connection therewith
will be in writing and will be sent certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested.  The notice requesting arbitration will state in particulars all
issues to be resolved in the view of the claimant, will appoint the arbitrator
selected by the claimant and will set a date for the hearing, which date will be
no sooner than 90 days and no later than 150 days from the date that the notice
requesting arbitration is mailed.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the board, at
its discretion, may defer the date for hearing, but it is the express intention
of the parties that any dispute will be expeditiously and timely resolved but
with all due consideration to the rights of the respective parties and the board
will be mindful of this intent.  Within 30 days of receipt of the claimant's
notice, the respondent will notify the claimant of any additional issues to be
resolved in the arbitration and of the name of its appointed arbitrator.

The arbitrators will be active or retired owners or managers of insurance
brokerage businesses with at least 10 years of such experience.  The parties as
aforesaid will each appoint an arbitrator before instituting the hearing, and
the two arbitrators will choose and appoint an umpire who will be an active or
retired owner or manager of insurance brokerage businesses with at least 10
years of such experience.  If the respondent fails to appoint its arbitrator
within 30 days after having received the claimant's written request for
arbitration, the claimant is authorized to and will appoint the second
arbitrator.  If the two arbitrators fail to agree upon the appointment of an
umpire within 30 days after notification of the appointment of the second
arbitrator, within 10 days thereof, the two arbitrators will request the
American Arbitration Association to appoint an umpire for the arbitration with
the qualifications set forth above in this Article.  The umpire will promptly
notify in writing all parties to the arbitration of his selection.

The claimant and respondent will each submit initial briefs to the board of
arbitration outlining the issues in dispute and the basis and reasons for their
respective positions within 30 days of the date of notice of appointment of the
umpire.  The claimant and the respondent may submit reply briefs within 10 days
after filing of the initial brief(s).  Initial and reply briefs may be amended
by the submitting party at any time, but not later than 10 days prior to the
date of commencement of the arbitration.  Reasonable responses will be allowed
at the

                                       26

<PAGE>

arbitration to new material contained in any amendments filed to the
briefs but not previously responded to.

The board will make its award with regard to this Agreement and the custom and
the usage of the insurance and reinsurance business.  The award will be in
writing and will be based upon a hearing in which evidence will be allowed and
in which the formal rules of evidence will not apply, but in which cross
examination and rebuttal will be allowed.  At its own election or at the request
of the board, either party may submit a post-hearing brief for consideration of
the board in its decision within 20 days of the close of the hearing.  The board
will make its award within 30 days following the close of the hearing or the
submission of post-hearing briefs, whichever is later, unless the parties
consent to an extension.  A decision by the majority of the members of the board
will be final and binding upon all parties to the proceeding.  Either party may
apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for an order confirming the award;
a judgment of such court will thereupon be entered on the award.  If such an
order is issued, the attorneys' fees of the party so applying and court costs
will be paid by the party against whom confirmation is sought.

Each party will bear the expense of the one arbitrator to be selected by it and
will jointly and equally bear with the other party the expense of any
stenographer requested, and of the umpire.  The remaining cost of the
arbitration proceedings will be finally allocated by the board.

Subject to customary and recognized legal rules of privilege, each party
participating in the arbitration will have the obligation to produce as
witnesses to the arbitration such of its employees or those of its affiliates or
of its brokers or agents as any other participating party may request, provided
always that the same witnesses and documents be relevant to the issues before
the arbitration and provided further that the parties may mutually agree as to
further discovery prior to the arbitration.  The umpire will be the final judge
of rules of privilege and as to the relevancy of any witnesses and documents
upon the petition of any participating party, and may require such disclosure as
he or she sees fit.

To the extent not otherwise mutually agreed or provided for in this Article, the
procedures and rules applicable to arbitration under the laws of the State of
California will govern the procedures of the arbitration, with the appointed
umpire fulfilling the role and authority of the judge unless the parties
otherwise mutually agree.

In the event that the Purchaser negligently fails to maintain the Book of
Business after the Closing due to a change of control of the Purchaser and/or
PAULA and the Seller is damaged by such failure, the Seller shall be entitled to
recover its damages caused by such negligence upon presentation of proof of such
negligence and such damages under an arbitration proceeding of the type
described above. This right of recovery will not prejudice any other right to
recovery that the Seller may have.

                                       27

<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
signed as of the date first above written.


CAPAX MANAGEMENT &
INSURANCE SERVICES



By: /S/ JOEL W. GEDDES, JR.
     Joel W. Geddes, Jr.
     President

GIDDINGS, CORBY, HYNES, INC.



By: /s/ JOEL W. GEDDES, JR.
     Joel W. Geddes, Jr.
     President


SACRAMENTO VALLEY INSURANCE
     AGENTS/BROKERS, INC.



By: /s/ JOEL W. GEDDES, JR.
     Joel W. Geddes, Jr.
     President



<PAGE>

PAN AMERICAN UNDERWRITERS,
     INC.



By:/s/ BRADLEY K. SERWIN
     Bradley K. Serwin
     Sr. Vice President

PAULA FINANCIAL



By: /s/ BRADLEY K. SERWIN
     Bradley K. Serwin
     Sr. Vice President












<PAGE>

                                   Exhibit 11

                        PAULA FINANCIAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
               COMPUTATION OF BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
                      (In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                          MARCH 31
                                                                  1999               1998
                                                              -------------    --------------
<S>                                                           <C>               <C>
Net income                                                         $ 1,279            $1,023
                                                              -------------    --------------
                                                              -------------    --------------

Weighted average shares outstanding for calculating
  basic earnings per share                                           5,929             6,322

Options                                                                  8               478
                                                              -------------    --------------

Total shares for calculating diluted earnings
   per share                                                         5,937             6,800
                                                              -------------    --------------
                                                              -------------    --------------

Basic earnings per share                                             $0.22             $0.16
                                                              -------------    --------------
                                                              -------------    --------------

Diluted earnings per share                                           $0.22             $0.15
                                                              -------------    --------------
                                                              -------------    --------------

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1999
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                           155,070
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                       6,075
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                        0
<TOTAL-INVEST>                                 164,043
<CASH>                                           7,459
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   7
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                           2,747
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 260,504
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                137,803
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                             21,841
<POLICY-OTHER>                                       0
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                              486
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                  8,142
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            63
<OTHER-SE>                                      73,714
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   260,504
                                      16,687
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                              2,740
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                                 101
<OTHER-INCOME>                                   1,039
<BENEFITS>                                      11,238
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                      7,176
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                               151
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  1,918
<INCOME-TAX>                                       639
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,279
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,279
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.22
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                 111,179
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                             11,449
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                (210)
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                               3,553
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                17,134
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                101,731
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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