Allstate - You're in good hands

09/02/2005 NORTHBROOK, Ill. -

Companies within the Allstate family announced today that, effective August 26, 2005, they have implemented up to a 90-day deferred payment period for customers located in counties and parishes directly affected by Hurricane Katrina in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Deferred payment means that customers who are unable to make their premium payments will not be penalized with a loss of coverage during the deferment period. If a customer continues to make payments, even if it's not the minimum amount due, their payments will be credited toward the outstanding premium amount. If a customer has a renewal policy offer pending during this timeframe, but is unable to make a payment, their policy will continue to be in effect. Additionally, installment fees will be waived during this timeframe.

Customers who are currently enrolled in the Easy Pay Plan, Mortgagee Pay or Payroll Deduction programs will not automatically be placed on a deferred payment schedule. If, however, funds are scheduled for removal from a customer's account in the impacted areas and no funds are available, the customer will be removed from the program(s) and rolled over to the deferred payment schedule.

If a customer would like to make a payment and cannot mail it in, credit/debit card and check payments can be made by calling 1-800-Allstate or visiting the Customer Care Center online at www.allstate.com. Customers with questions about the deferred payment policy may also call the customer service phone number listed on their policy or statements.

Counties and parishes currently impacted by this decision include areas of Baldwin and Mobile counties in Alabama; areas of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Charles, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington Parishes in Louisiana; areas of Clarke, Copiah, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Leake, Lee, Leflore, Lincoln, Marion, Newton, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Walthall, Warren, Washington and Wayne counties in Mississippi.

During the initial 90-day period and beyond, Allstate will continue to work with officials in each state to monitor the situation and adjust the impacted areas as warranted.

Companies within the Allstate family include: Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate Motor Club, Allstate Life Insurance Company, Allstate Workplace Division (AWD), Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Surety Life Insurance Company, Encompass Insurance Company and Deerbrook Insurance Company.

Allstate Workplace Division is the marketing name for American Heritage Life Insurance Company (a wholly owned subsidiary of The Allstate Corporation). Products are underwritten by American Heritage Life Insurance Company. © 2005 American Heritage Life Insurance Company, Jacksonville FL.

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 13,600 exclusive agencies and financial professionals 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^SM and Deerbrook^® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. 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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Rebecca Hirsch, Media Relations, (847) 271-1589