Allstate - You're in good hands

01/10/2006 NORTHBROOK, Ill. -

By the time you finish reading this sentence, someone in America will have gotten in a car crash. In a year, that totals up to about six million accidents. Within three years, 30 percent of drivers will experience a collision. Allstate thinks that's too many. So, this year the company plans to bring a new kind of car insurance to a nationwide audience that encourages safe driving. With Your Choice Auto, Allstate is offering new rewards to consumers who drive safely and enhanced protection for those not able to stay out of harms way. Beginning this year, Allstate Your Choice Auto is being supported with a national advertising effort including national radio and television advertising featuring actor Dennis Haysbert and online and print advertisements.

A first for the auto insurance industry, Allstate Your Choice Auto Insurance is a new insurance product that is reinventing the way people view and buy car insurance. Allstate Your Choice Auto Insurance allows consumers, in states where the product is available, to customize their policies based on a variety of benefit and costs options, including safe driving deductibles and bonuses, accident waiver enhancement features and expanded new car protection plans.

"For too long there has been a ‘one size fits all' approach to auto insurance," said Tom Wilson, president and chief operating officer for Allstate. "We know that Americans want more choice and benefits from their auto insurance. Your Choice Auto breaks the mold of products traditionally offered by many insurers by presenting consumers with even more choices, innovative features and enhanced rewards for safe drivers."

Allstate designed the new product features in response to research that revealed consumers have long desired the type of benefits that Your Choice Auto provides. Allstate research indicates nearly 9 out of 10 people shopping for auto insurance would be highly compelled to purchase policies, which immediately reward safe driving through reductions or credits to their deductibles. Additionally, 8 out of 10 shoppers would be motivated to choose policies, which protect against premium increases because of accidents, regardless of fault.

New rewards for safe driving:

• Deductible Rewards
  Gives $100 off collision coverage deductible the day you sign up and an additional $100 off for each year of safe driving - up to $500.
• Safe Driving Bonus
  Gives customers the opportunity to earn up to a five percent credit that can be applied toward their next renewal premium. That's in addition to any savings the customer may qualify for through Allstate's safe driving discounts.

Enhanced protection in case of an accident:

• Accident Forgiveness
  Helps keep premiums from going up just because of an accident. Some policies make customers earn this type of feature over time, but with Your Choice Auto gold and platinum protection, accident forgiveness is available on day one.
• New Car Replacement
  Allstate will help pay to repair a customer's car without a deduction for depreciation. With the new car replacement feature if a customer's new car is totaled in a covered loss, Allstate will pay to replace it with a brand new car.

On The Road With Your Choice Auto
At the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Allstate will share the floor with the world's leading auto manufacturers and unveil the Allstate Bumper Car Derby, an interactive driving experience where accidents are forgiven and safe drivers rewarded.

"Americans have a love affair with their cars. However, they are less enamored with their car insurance, especially after there is an accident," said Wilson. "We've created the Allstate Bumper Car Derby to bring the Allstate Your Choice Auto Insurance features to life and help consumers feel as good about their car insurance as they do about their cars."

All the bumping taking place at the Allstate Bumper Car Derby will be for a good cause. For every participant in the Bumper Car Derby, Allstate will make a donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

The Allstate Bumper Car Derby will also make a stop at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show in February, with additional dates to follow.

Your Choice Auto Availability
Allstate Your Choice Auto Insurance is now available in nearly 60 percent of the U.S., and will be available in nearly every state by the end of 2006, except in California and Massachusetts. To contact a local Allstate agent or for more information about Allstate Your Choice Auto Insurance, call 1-800-Allstate or visit www.Allstate.com.

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 more than 16 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through more than 13,600 exclusive agencies and financial specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services 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, annuity, retirement, banking and investment products through distribution channels that include Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
George Nolan, 847 402-5600, GNOL4@allstate.com
Rachel McMahon, 312 988-2462, rmcmahon@webershandwick.com

e-mail this page