Allstate - You're in good hands

07/09/2007 NORTHBROOK, Ill. -

Allstate Insurance Company today announced it is awarding $50,000 to youth organizations for outstanding teen safe driving programs implemented during National Youth Traffic Safety Month.

Automobile crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the U.S. Nearly 6,000 teens are killed every year and approximately 300,000 injured. To raise awareness of this issue, the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) designated May as the first-ever National Youth Traffic Safety Month, and teamed up with Allstate to award $1,000 to 50 youth organizations nationwide.

The projects entered in this competition varied, ranging from the creation of online communities with more than 16,000 teens sharing stories and advice, to a group that staged mock car crashes so fellow teens could witness the devastating results of a serious crash firsthand. Winners were judged by a NOYS-member panel of youth and adults. Judges considered a variety of factors, such as peer to peer approach, collaboration and youth empowerment. Award winners will use the $1,000 in a number of ways, such as funding future community outreach or program expansion. For a complete list of winners, visit www.noys.org.

"We were pleased by the response and impressed by the amount of work the applicants put into their projects," said George Ruebenson, president of Allstate Protection, Allstate Insurance Company. "Allstate is committed to promoting safe driving, and our hope is that programs such as National Youth Traffic Safety Month will engage teens in discussion and underscore the importance of safe and responsible driving."

The goal of National Youth Traffic Safety Month is to raise awareness about the issues behind teen driving among teenagers and parents alike. The Allstate/NOYS local awards program is one aspect of a national campaign designed to create a dialogue about safe driving and ultimately help reduce the number of automobile crashes involving teens. As a result of the campaign's success in 2007, NOYS will extend the campaign into a five year program.

"National Organizations for Youth Safety is honored to work with Allstate and we appreciate the leadership Allstate has shown in encouraging and rewarding youth leaders who created National Youth Traffic Safety Month projects in their communities," said Sandy Spavone, executive director, National Organizations for Youth Safety.

Parent Involvement
Parents can visit their local Allstate Agent or www.Allstate.com/teen for resources and tips on how to talk to their teens about safe driving and engage their community to create a culture of safe driving. Allstate, in conjunction with Discovery Education, created an educational DVD for teens called "Drive It Right." Allstate also developed a Parent-Teen Driving Contract that features key areas for discussion and agreement.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,800 exclusive agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. Encompass® and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

About National Organizations for Youth Safety
National Organizations for Youth Safety™ (NOYS) is a coalition of national organizations and federal agencies who serve youth and focus on youth safety and health. Through this coalition, NOYS influences more than 80 million young people and their adult advisors. The mission of NOYS is to promote youth empowerment and leadership, and build partnerships that save lives, prevent injuries, and enhance safe and healthy lifestyles among all youth.

Contacts:

Theresa Renaldi
312-988-2303
trenaldi@webershandwick.com

Sandy Spavone
703-981-0264
sspavone@noys.org

Raleigh Floyd
847-402-7891
rflad@allstate.com