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      <title>Auto: Allstate Adds Six More States to Usage-based Insurance Program, Introduces Mobile App</title>
      <description>Allstate's Drivewise&#174; customers can now track driving behavior on a smartphone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 3 Videos, 10 Photos, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now available in 16 states, Allstate's &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/drivewise"&gt;usage-based insurance&lt;/a&gt; device, Drivewise&amp;reg;, continues to improve driving behavior and reward customers for safe driving. Today, Missouri, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, Utah, and Washington State join 10 others delivering constant feedback to drivers through a website designed to help identify and improve driving habits. Drivewise measures things such as mileage, braking, speed, and time of day when a customer is driving. Using that data, Allstate calculates a discount for each customer using its telematics technology.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Today, Allstate also introduces a usage-based insurance app for smartphone users. Available for free download through iTunes&amp;reg; or Google Play&lt;sup&gt;TM&lt;/sup&gt;, the new Drivewise app provides near real-time updates with each trip and provides easier access to customers on the go (Before using the new Drivewise app, customers must register the application by entering their user ID and password, which must initially be setup online).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"This provides our customers a method to quickly identify ways to improve their driving and, at the same time, be rewarded for safe driving habits," said Allstate's Senior Product Vice President Ed Biemer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Originally launched in Illinois in December 2010, Drivewise continues an aggressive rollout this year, with the majority of Allstate's marketplace expected to have the usage-based insurance tool by the end of 2013.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To date, more than 400 million miles have been driven by customers using the device and of those receiving a &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/drivewise"&gt;driving discount&lt;/a&gt;, the average savings is at 14 percent. The Drivewise program remains popular, too, as more than a third of all new customers enroll where it is available.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;{To download high resolution photos and/or video and sound &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;licensed for media use, please visit: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;} &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Upon signing up for and using the device, customers automatically receive a 10 percent enrollment discount and after the first six months of use, the enrollment discount is replaced with a performance discount based on the driving habits demonstrated.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We know Drivewise can create a safer, more self-aware driver and, it remains our goal to offer usage-based insurance to as many of our customers as possible so we can encourage safer driving and pass along a significant discount for it," said Biemer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Employing advanced &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/drivewise"&gt;telematics technology&lt;/a&gt;, Drivewise plugs into the on-board diagnostic port found under the dashboard/steering column on most cars (1996 model year and later) to track driving behavior. Participants can easily plug in the small, wireless telematics device, and then go online or use the new smartphone app to learn about their habits behind the wheel and identify what they can do to become safer drivers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The web portal and app also display the potential performance discount a customer may be eligible for based on their driving habits, so drivers can constantly connect the way they drive with how much they can save. Rates will not go up based on driving scores, but savings of up to 30 percent can be earned by drivers with the safest driving scores and lowest mileage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information, please visit: &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/drivewise"&gt;www.allstate.com/drivewise&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/financial"&gt;www.allstate.com/financial&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;, and are widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;." As part of &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx" href="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx"&gt;Allstate's commitment&lt;/a&gt; to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $29 million in 2012 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;#&amp;nbsp; #&amp;nbsp; #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Justin Herndon&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:justin.herndon@allstate.com"&gt;justin.herndon@allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; &lt;br /&gt; 727-512-8314&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 07:30:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/fed1dcc2-565d-4c07-9f2e-f6b3e6ab61cb</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/fed1dcc2-565d-4c07-9f2e-f6b3e6ab61cb</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Adds Six More States to Usage-based Insurance Program, Introduces Mobile App</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate's Drivewise&#174; customers can now track driving behavior on a smartphone.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 3 Videos, 10 Photos, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Now available in 16 states, Allstate's &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/drivewise"&gt;usage-based insurance&lt;/a&gt; device, Drivewise&amp;reg;, continues to improve driving behavior and reward customers for safe driving. Today, Missouri, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, Utah, and Washington State join 10 others delivering constant feedback to drivers through a website designed to help identify and improve driving habits. Drivewise measures things such as mileage, braking, speed, and time of day when a customer is driving. Using that data, Allstate calculates a discount for each customer using its telematics technology.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Today, Allstate also introduces a usage-based insurance app for smartphone users. Available for free download through iTunes&amp;reg; or Google Play&lt;sup&gt;TM&lt;/sup&gt;, the new Drivewise app provides near real-time updates with each trip and provides easier access to customers on the go (Before using the new Drivewise app, customers must register the application by entering their user ID and password, which must initially be setup online).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"This provides our customers a method to quickly identify ways to improve their driving and, at the same time, be rewarded for safe driving habits," said Allstate's Senior Product Vice President Ed Biemer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Originally launched in Illinois in December 2010, Drivewise continues an aggressive rollout this year, with the majority of Allstate's marketplace expected to have the usage-based insurance tool by the end of 2013.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To date, more than 400 million miles have been driven by customers using the device and of those receiving a &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/drivewise"&gt;driving discount&lt;/a&gt;, the average savings is at 14 percent. The Drivewise program remains popular, too, as more than a third of all new customers enroll where it is available.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;{To download high resolution photos and/or video and sound &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;licensed for media use, please visit: &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;} &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Upon signing up for and using the device, customers automatically receive a 10 percent enrollment discount and after the first six months of use, the enrollment discount is replaced with a performance discount based on the driving habits demonstrated.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We know Drivewise can create a safer, more self-aware driver and, it remains our goal to offer usage-based insurance to as many of our customers as possible so we can encourage safer driving and pass along a significant discount for it," said Biemer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Employing advanced &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/drivewise"&gt;telematics technology&lt;/a&gt;, Drivewise plugs into the on-board diagnostic port found under the dashboard/steering column on most cars (1996 model year and later) to track driving behavior. Participants can easily plug in the small, wireless telematics device, and then go online or use the new smartphone app to learn about their habits behind the wheel and identify what they can do to become safer drivers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The web portal and app also display the potential performance discount a customer may be eligible for based on their driving habits, so drivers can constantly connect the way they drive with how much they can save. Rates will not go up based on driving scores, but savings of up to 30 percent can be earned by drivers with the safest driving scores and lowest mileage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information, please visit: &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/drivewise"&gt;www.allstate.com/drivewise&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/financial"&gt;www.allstate.com/financial&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;, and are widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;." As part of &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx" href="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx"&gt;Allstate's commitment&lt;/a&gt; to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $29 million in 2012 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;#&amp;nbsp; #&amp;nbsp; #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Justin Herndon&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:justin.herndon@allstate.com"&gt;justin.herndon@allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; &lt;br /&gt; 727-512-8314&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="111042" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/fed1dcc2-565d-4c07-9f2e-f6b3e6ab61cb:en-US/download/f8240629-beb0-46cf-b150-32f5bafc86f1" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate and Sterling Autobody Give the Gift of Transportation  This Holiday Season</title>
      <description>Sterling donating recycled rides to families and charities in nine states across the country&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Photo, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Imagine walking through any kind of weather to get your child to daycare; or relying on the kindness of friends in order to get to a doctor's appointment. That's the reality for many families struggling to make ends meet and in need of reliable transportation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This holiday season, Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers are lending a helping hand to families and charities. In all, the companies are donating more than 20 newly refurbished automobiles through the National Auto Body Council's (NABC) Recycled Rides Program. The vehicles have been restored by technicians at Sterling shops in nine states (Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas and Utah) across the country. The cars are being gifted to non-profit organizations, individuals and families in need of a way to get around town.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Reliable transportation is something many of us take for granted", said Sterling Autobody Centers President Nick Notte. "We are proud to offer our time and resources to transform lives and touch families and organizations across the country.&amp;nbsp; While the gift of a vehicle provides a practical means of transportation, what it really provides is hope."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers have participated in the Recycled Rides initiative for the past five years and have refurbished and gifted more than 100 vehicles to date.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Sterling Autobody Centers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Sterling Autobody was founded in 1997 with a mission to redefine the collision repair experience. With a commitment to providing safe, high-quality repairs, while returning the car to the customer as quickly as possible, we developed a unique repair process and began building our own state-of-the art facilities. In 2001, Allstate Non-Insurance Holdings purchased Sterling Autobody Centers to offer consumers the option of a superior automotive claims experience with guaranteed high-quality repairs. Sterling Autobody Centers operates more than 60 vehicle repair facilities in 16 states, with a Store Support Center in Natick, Massachusetts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. As part of &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx"&gt;Allstate's commitment&lt;/a&gt; to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#&amp;nbsp; #&amp;nbsp; #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; April Eaton&lt;br /&gt; Allstate Insurance&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:33:00 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/870e244f-c9e3-4644-92c4-db2bac9b5888</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/870e244f-c9e3-4644-92c4-db2bac9b5888</link>
      <media:title>Allstate and Sterling Autobody Give the Gift of Transportation  This Holiday Season</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Sterling donating recycled rides to families and charities in nine states across the country&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Photo, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Imagine walking through any kind of weather to get your child to daycare; or relying on the kindness of friends in order to get to a doctor's appointment. That's the reality for many families struggling to make ends meet and in need of reliable transportation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This holiday season, Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers are lending a helping hand to families and charities. In all, the companies are donating more than 20 newly refurbished automobiles through the National Auto Body Council's (NABC) Recycled Rides Program. The vehicles have been restored by technicians at Sterling shops in nine states (Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas and Utah) across the country. The cars are being gifted to non-profit organizations, individuals and families in need of a way to get around town.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Reliable transportation is something many of us take for granted", said Sterling Autobody Centers President Nick Notte. "We are proud to offer our time and resources to transform lives and touch families and organizations across the country.&amp;nbsp; While the gift of a vehicle provides a practical means of transportation, what it really provides is hope."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Insurance Company and Sterling Autobody Centers have participated in the Recycled Rides initiative for the past five years and have refurbished and gifted more than 100 vehicles to date.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Sterling Autobody Centers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Sterling Autobody was founded in 1997 with a mission to redefine the collision repair experience. With a commitment to providing safe, high-quality repairs, while returning the car to the customer as quickly as possible, we developed a unique repair process and began building our own state-of-the art facilities. In 2001, Allstate Non-Insurance Holdings purchased Sterling Autobody Centers to offer consumers the option of a superior automotive claims experience with guaranteed high-quality repairs. Sterling Autobody Centers operates more than 60 vehicle repair facilities in 16 states, with a Store Support Center in Natick, Massachusetts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. As part of &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx"&gt;Allstate's commitment&lt;/a&gt; to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#&amp;nbsp; #&amp;nbsp; #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; April Eaton&lt;br /&gt; Allstate Insurance&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="57503" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/870e244f-c9e3-4644-92c4-db2bac9b5888:en-US/download/8e2da173-26ae-446e-bfda-849e1145d067" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate to Open Full-Service Agent Offices at Auto Dealerships Across the Country</title>
      <description>Customers enjoy 'one-stop-shop' option for comprehensive, affordable insurance &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;The next time a consumer buys a car from a dealer, they may be able to insure their new car, home and discuss their insurance protection needs with an Allstate agent before they drive off the lot. Allstate Insurance Company and Allstate Dealer Services announced today that auto dealers have the opportunity to open full-service Allstate agencies inside their dealerships&lt;strong&gt;. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate's dealer program seamlessly integrates the purchase and service of a vehicle with the opportunity to price your auto insurance with Allstate and work with a licensed insurance professional on all your coverage needs in a way that's never been done before," said Mark LaNeve, Allstate senior executive vice president and chief marketing officer.&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;"Our agency owners are at the heart of Allstate's business and this program allows us to attract new customers at a time and location that's convenient for the customer."&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Agency offices will be placed inside the dealership, typically on the showroom floor and operate during regular hours of the dealership. Licensed insurance professionals and a team of support staff employed by the agency owner will be onsite to help customers assess their insurance portfolio and help make sure they have the protection they want. The program combines the power of an Allstate Exclusive Agency, a Good Hands&amp;reg; Network Repair Facility and Allstate Dealer Service products with dealer F&amp;amp;I offerings and the ability to integrate Allstate Benefits into the dealer's employee benefits platform.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Many times there is a short waiting time between when a customer purchases a car and when they drive off the lot. During this time, the customer can talk with a licensed insurance professional about their insurance needs not only for their new vehicle, but also their home and other protection needs," said Doug Herberger, president of Allstate Dealer Services. "With a continued focus on our partners, we are bringing Allstate's suite of products and services to the consumer and giving auto dealers an opportunity to deepen their relationship with customers."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate and Allstate Dealer Services tested and modified this unique program during the past two years with Allstate agents in 11 dealerships around the country. The pilot revealed that the dealer program delivers the convenience of a one-stop-shop, the comprehensive and affordable coverage and the face-to-face interaction customers want.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We have been extremely impressed with the Allstate program," states Randall Reed, president and CEO of World Class Automotive Group. His Houston, Texas dealership Plant 45 Ford is a participating member of the pilot program. "The relationship allows us to leverage our product offerings with the strong suite of F&amp;amp;I products and repair network of Allstate which has helped us to increase profitability. The expansion of our relationship with Allstate to include an on-site, full service Allstate insurance agency differentiates us from our competition. And our customers love it."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Dealers interested in learning more about this industry-leading program can visit Allstate Dealer Services at booth #772 at the NADA Conference in Las Vegas, February 3-6, 2012. Dealers can also contact Allstate Dealer Services directly at 904-992-6185 with any program questions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. As part of &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx" href="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx"&gt;Allstate's commitment&lt;/a&gt; to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#&amp;nbsp; #&amp;nbsp; #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Meghann Dowd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;br /&gt; @AllstateNews on Twitter&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:05:00 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/31c4c111-8cbe-4b69-a0bc-9ea48c49baba</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/31c4c111-8cbe-4b69-a0bc-9ea48c49baba</link>
      <media:title>Allstate to Open Full-Service Agent Offices at Auto Dealerships Across the Country</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Customers enjoy 'one-stop-shop' option for comprehensive, affordable insurance &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;The next time a consumer buys a car from a dealer, they may be able to insure their new car, home and discuss their insurance protection needs with an Allstate agent before they drive off the lot. Allstate Insurance Company and Allstate Dealer Services announced today that auto dealers have the opportunity to open full-service Allstate agencies inside their dealerships&lt;strong&gt;. &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate's dealer program seamlessly integrates the purchase and service of a vehicle with the opportunity to price your auto insurance with Allstate and work with a licensed insurance professional on all your coverage needs in a way that's never been done before," said Mark LaNeve, Allstate senior executive vice president and chief marketing officer.&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;"Our agency owners are at the heart of Allstate's business and this program allows us to attract new customers at a time and location that's convenient for the customer."&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Agency offices will be placed inside the dealership, typically on the showroom floor and operate during regular hours of the dealership. Licensed insurance professionals and a team of support staff employed by the agency owner will be onsite to help customers assess their insurance portfolio and help make sure they have the protection they want. The program combines the power of an Allstate Exclusive Agency, a Good Hands&amp;reg; Network Repair Facility and Allstate Dealer Service products with dealer F&amp;amp;I offerings and the ability to integrate Allstate Benefits into the dealer's employee benefits platform.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Many times there is a short waiting time between when a customer purchases a car and when they drive off the lot. During this time, the customer can talk with a licensed insurance professional about their insurance needs not only for their new vehicle, but also their home and other protection needs," said Doug Herberger, president of Allstate Dealer Services. "With a continued focus on our partners, we are bringing Allstate's suite of products and services to the consumer and giving auto dealers an opportunity to deepen their relationship with customers."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate and Allstate Dealer Services tested and modified this unique program during the past two years with Allstate agents in 11 dealerships around the country. The pilot revealed that the dealer program delivers the convenience of a one-stop-shop, the comprehensive and affordable coverage and the face-to-face interaction customers want.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We have been extremely impressed with the Allstate program," states Randall Reed, president and CEO of World Class Automotive Group. His Houston, Texas dealership Plant 45 Ford is a participating member of the pilot program. "The relationship allows us to leverage our product offerings with the strong suite of F&amp;amp;I products and repair network of Allstate which has helped us to increase profitability. The expansion of our relationship with Allstate to include an on-site, full service Allstate insurance agency differentiates us from our competition. And our customers love it."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Dealers interested in learning more about this industry-leading program can visit Allstate Dealer Services at booth #772 at the NADA Conference in Las Vegas, February 3-6, 2012. Dealers can also contact Allstate Dealer Services directly at 904-992-6185 with any program questions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. As part of &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx" href="http://www.allstate.com/social-responsibility/main.aspx"&gt;Allstate's commitment&lt;/a&gt; to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#&amp;nbsp; #&amp;nbsp; #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Meghann Dowd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;br /&gt; @AllstateNews on Twitter&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="148112" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/31c4c111-8cbe-4b69-a0bc-9ea48c49baba:en-US/download/a119b9bf-39c4-41e3-a06d-af0892537470" medium="document"/>
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      <title>Auto: Allstate Asserts Confidence in People and Processes with Innovative Product</title>
      <description>New "Claim Satisfaction Guarantee" delivers on commitment to customers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Photo, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate (NYSE:ALL) continues to serve its policy holders better by becoming the first company, through its new Claim Satisfaction Guarantee, to promise its customers that they will be satisfied with their auto claim service or get a credit to their auto policy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Claim Satisfaction Guarantee reflects Allstate's ongoing commitment to its customers. Under the new feature, if an eligible customer is not happy, for any reason, with the service they receive on a paid auto claim, Allstate will provide a credit to the customer's auto policy.&amp;nbsp; Built in large part on the talents of Allstate's agency owners, adjusters and claims representatives, the program separates Allstate from other insurers, making a bold statement about the company's trust in its people and its claim operation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"The Claim Satisfaction Guarantee is more than a new feature for eligible standard auto customers," said Allstate Senior Executive Vice President, Agency Operations, and Chief Marketing Officer, Mark LaNeve. "It's also an assertion by this organization that we have complete confidence in our claims people, our agency owners, and our processes.&amp;nbsp; We are certain that the Allstate team will exceed customer expectations."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Claim Satisfaction Guarantee was tested last year in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia, where it was added, at no additional cost, to standard auto policies.&amp;nbsp; With today's announcement, the feature will now be available in 31 states, with additional states planned in 2012. Under the feature, eligible customers who are dissatisfied in any way with the service on a paid auto claim can receive a credit to their premium if they express their dissatisfaction in writing within 180 days of the incident that triggered the claim.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate customers are backed by one of the largest claims teams in the industry, available 24 hours a day every day of the year. Customers can talk to a representative any time of the day or night at 1-800-Allstate or file an online claim 24/7 at Allstate.com. Allstate guarantees repairs made at any Allstate Good Hands&amp;reg; Repair Network shop or Sterling Auto Body Center for as long as our customers own their cars. If it's not right, bring it back and it will be fixed. The new feature announced today takes this a step further for policy holders by guaranteeing their satisfaction with their auto claim experience, or they will receive a credit on their auto policy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"If the customer isn't happy, then we haven't done our job," LaNeve said.&amp;nbsp; "The Claim Satisfaction Guarantee backs up our commitment to deliver a complete, positive experience for the customer, and this feature, furthermore, will be one more way in which we distance ourselves from our competitors."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This feature is the latest chapter in Allstate's history of introducing innovative products and services to consumers. Allstate's Your Choice Auto product, which includes features like Accident Forgiveness, Deductible Rewards&amp;reg; and the Safe Driving Bonus&amp;reg; check, was introduced in 2004 and is now available to consumers in 46 states.&amp;nbsp; Most recently, Allstate introduced "&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-roadside-services.aspx"&gt;Good Hands Roadside&lt;/a&gt;" &amp;ndash; a pay-as-you-go auto service program without a sign-up fee.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; Kevin Smith&lt;br /&gt; 847-402-5600&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:kevin.smith4@allstate.com"&gt;kevin.smith4@allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/73879ce9-ed4b-4914-9458-8982c123c84b</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/73879ce9-ed4b-4914-9458-8982c123c84b</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Asserts Confidence in People and Processes with Innovative Product</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">New "Claim Satisfaction Guarantee" delivers on commitment to customers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Photo, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate (NYSE:ALL) continues to serve its policy holders better by becoming the first company, through its new Claim Satisfaction Guarantee, to promise its customers that they will be satisfied with their auto claim service or get a credit to their auto policy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Claim Satisfaction Guarantee reflects Allstate's ongoing commitment to its customers. Under the new feature, if an eligible customer is not happy, for any reason, with the service they receive on a paid auto claim, Allstate will provide a credit to the customer's auto policy.&amp;nbsp; Built in large part on the talents of Allstate's agency owners, adjusters and claims representatives, the program separates Allstate from other insurers, making a bold statement about the company's trust in its people and its claim operation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"The Claim Satisfaction Guarantee is more than a new feature for eligible standard auto customers," said Allstate Senior Executive Vice President, Agency Operations, and Chief Marketing Officer, Mark LaNeve. "It's also an assertion by this organization that we have complete confidence in our claims people, our agency owners, and our processes.&amp;nbsp; We are certain that the Allstate team will exceed customer expectations."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Claim Satisfaction Guarantee was tested last year in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia, where it was added, at no additional cost, to standard auto policies.&amp;nbsp; With today's announcement, the feature will now be available in 31 states, with additional states planned in 2012. Under the feature, eligible customers who are dissatisfied in any way with the service on a paid auto claim can receive a credit to their premium if they express their dissatisfaction in writing within 180 days of the incident that triggered the claim.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate customers are backed by one of the largest claims teams in the industry, available 24 hours a day every day of the year. Customers can talk to a representative any time of the day or night at 1-800-Allstate or file an online claim 24/7 at Allstate.com. Allstate guarantees repairs made at any Allstate Good Hands&amp;reg; Repair Network shop or Sterling Auto Body Center for as long as our customers own their cars. If it's not right, bring it back and it will be fixed. The new feature announced today takes this a step further for policy holders by guaranteeing their satisfaction with their auto claim experience, or they will receive a credit on their auto policy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"If the customer isn't happy, then we haven't done our job," LaNeve said.&amp;nbsp; "The Claim Satisfaction Guarantee backs up our commitment to deliver a complete, positive experience for the customer, and this feature, furthermore, will be one more way in which we distance ourselves from our competitors."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This feature is the latest chapter in Allstate's history of introducing innovative products and services to consumers. Allstate's Your Choice Auto product, which includes features like Accident Forgiveness, Deductible Rewards&amp;reg; and the Safe Driving Bonus&amp;reg; check, was introduced in 2004 and is now available to consumers in 46 states.&amp;nbsp; Most recently, Allstate introduced "&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-roadside-services.aspx"&gt;Good Hands Roadside&lt;/a&gt;" &amp;ndash; a pay-as-you-go auto service program without a sign-up fee.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; Kevin Smith&lt;br /&gt; 847-402-5600&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:kevin.smith4@allstate.com"&gt;kevin.smith4@allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="124012" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/73879ce9-ed4b-4914-9458-8982c123c84b:en-US/download/77902ce5-540f-4936-b456-355da3503fb2" medium="document"/>
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      <title>Auto: Modelers Prove Their Mastery in Allstate's Claim Prediction Challenge</title>
      <description>Competitors Size Up Data Analysis Skills in Crowd Sourcing Contest&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;After a three-month long crowd sourcing competition, three data scientists proved their data analysis abilities in &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate's&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) predictive modeling competition. The nation's largest publicly-held insurer launched the "&lt;a href="http://www.kaggle.com/c/ClaimPredictionChallenge"&gt;Claim Prediction Challenge&lt;/a&gt;" with Kaggle on July 13, offering $10,000 to number crunchers worldwide for the best models predicting bodily injury insurance claims based on vehicle characteristics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contestants continued to submit algorithms down to the competition's closing minutes October 12. From 1290 total submissions and 202 players, the three winners with models closest to predicting actual claims data are:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;1st place - $6,000 - Matthew Carle - Sydney, Australia&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;2nd place - $3,000 - Owen Zhang - Bolton, Conn., USA&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;3rd place - $1,000 - Jason Tigg - London, United Kingdom&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Aside from monetary motivation, all three winners said they entered to size up their skills against some of the best predictive modeling talents out there. The public leader board on the competition site fueled continual model improvements and additional entries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"As an actuary, I have worked on claims models in the past, and the Claim Prediction Challenge allowed me to see how my modeling skills compare with those of other modeling experts," said Carle. "It also provided a way to improve modeling skills and try new techniques."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Provided with Allstate data from 2005 to 2007, contestants analyzed correlations between vehicle characteristics and bodily injury claims payments to predict claims payment amounts in 2009. Based on the data, modelers considered how factors such as horsepower, length and number of cylinders affect an insured's likelihood of being held responsible for injuring someone in a car accident. The data provided to contestants contained no personal information about any individual consumers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"A competition of this type is definitely a new approach for the property and casualty insurance industry, and we're proud to reward the work of these talented winners," said Allstate Vice President Eric Huls, Quantitative Research and Analytics. "Allstate always looks for ways to embrace new ideas and appreciates the excitement and participation generated in this community of modelers."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate will examine the winning modelers' methods and may use gained insights to complement the insurer's existing best-in-class modeling techniques.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We're excited to see Allstate helping to advance actuarial science by engaging the best and brightest data scientists from around the world," said Anthony Goldbloom, founder and chief executive officer, Kaggle. "Kaggle's competitive dynamic inherently pushes entrants to produce better work than they would have if they were working in isolation, so they break the benchmark time and time again. This ultimately leads to greater efficiency for companies like Allstate."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more Allstate news, visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;http://www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt; or follow &lt;a href="http://www.twitter.com/allstatenews"&gt;@AllstateNews&lt;/a&gt; on Twitter.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Kaggle&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Kaggle offers a platform for predictive modeling competitions that helps companies, governments, and researchers identify solutions to some of the world's hardest problems. By using a competition format to introduce challenges to a community of nearly 17,000 data scientists, Kaggle helps organizations achieve the best possible predictive accuracy. Kaggle has helped solve problems for NASA, Deloitte, and Ford, and it is currently running the $3 million Heritage Health Prize, the largest medical prize ever, to help prevent unnecessary hospitalization. Kaggle was founded in 2010 and is based in San Francisco, Calif.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#  #  #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Stephanie Sheppard&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:Stephanie.Sheppard@allstate.com"&gt;Stephanie.Sheppard@allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.twitter.com/AllstateNews"&gt;@AllstateNews&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/f69c8154-37d7-47c2-a9e3-9bc9c6c4dc0f</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/f69c8154-37d7-47c2-a9e3-9bc9c6c4dc0f</link>
      <media:title>Modelers Prove Their Mastery in Allstate's Claim Prediction Challenge</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Competitors Size Up Data Analysis Skills in Crowd Sourcing Contest&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;After a three-month long crowd sourcing competition, three data scientists proved their data analysis abilities in &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate's&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) predictive modeling competition. The nation's largest publicly-held insurer launched the "&lt;a href="http://www.kaggle.com/c/ClaimPredictionChallenge"&gt;Claim Prediction Challenge&lt;/a&gt;" with Kaggle on July 13, offering $10,000 to number crunchers worldwide for the best models predicting bodily injury insurance claims based on vehicle characteristics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contestants continued to submit algorithms down to the competition's closing minutes October 12. From 1290 total submissions and 202 players, the three winners with models closest to predicting actual claims data are:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;1st place - $6,000 - Matthew Carle - Sydney, Australia&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;2nd place - $3,000 - Owen Zhang - Bolton, Conn., USA&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;3rd place - $1,000 - Jason Tigg - London, United Kingdom&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Aside from monetary motivation, all three winners said they entered to size up their skills against some of the best predictive modeling talents out there. The public leader board on the competition site fueled continual model improvements and additional entries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"As an actuary, I have worked on claims models in the past, and the Claim Prediction Challenge allowed me to see how my modeling skills compare with those of other modeling experts," said Carle. "It also provided a way to improve modeling skills and try new techniques."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Provided with Allstate data from 2005 to 2007, contestants analyzed correlations between vehicle characteristics and bodily injury claims payments to predict claims payment amounts in 2009. Based on the data, modelers considered how factors such as horsepower, length and number of cylinders affect an insured's likelihood of being held responsible for injuring someone in a car accident. The data provided to contestants contained no personal information about any individual consumers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"A competition of this type is definitely a new approach for the property and casualty insurance industry, and we're proud to reward the work of these talented winners," said Allstate Vice President Eric Huls, Quantitative Research and Analytics. "Allstate always looks for ways to embrace new ideas and appreciates the excitement and participation generated in this community of modelers."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate will examine the winning modelers' methods and may use gained insights to complement the insurer's existing best-in-class modeling techniques.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We're excited to see Allstate helping to advance actuarial science by engaging the best and brightest data scientists from around the world," said Anthony Goldbloom, founder and chief executive officer, Kaggle. "Kaggle's competitive dynamic inherently pushes entrants to produce better work than they would have if they were working in isolation, so they break the benchmark time and time again. This ultimately leads to greater efficiency for companies like Allstate."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more Allstate news, visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;http://www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt; or follow &lt;a href="http://www.twitter.com/allstatenews"&gt;@AllstateNews&lt;/a&gt; on Twitter.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Kaggle&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Kaggle offers a platform for predictive modeling competitions that helps companies, governments, and researchers identify solutions to some of the world's hardest problems. By using a competition format to introduce challenges to a community of nearly 17,000 data scientists, Kaggle helps organizations achieve the best possible predictive accuracy. Kaggle has helped solve problems for NASA, Deloitte, and Ford, and it is currently running the $3 million Heritage Health Prize, the largest medical prize ever, to help prevent unnecessary hospitalization. Kaggle was founded in 2010 and is based in San Francisco, Calif.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#  #  #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Stephanie Sheppard&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:Stephanie.Sheppard@allstate.com"&gt;Stephanie.Sheppard@allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.twitter.com/AllstateNews"&gt;@AllstateNews&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="109184" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/f69c8154-37d7-47c2-a9e3-9bc9c6c4dc0f:en-US/download/c1c9a622-f88f-4185-90e9-61a0cb6b05c8" medium="document"/>
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    <item>
      <title>Auto: Safety is driving force behind American parents' support of GDL laws</title>
      <description>American parents trust their own kids, but not other teens&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many would agree there is a long list of worries for parents of teen drivers. Yet, a new survey from Allstate reveals that these parents take some comfort when it comes to their teens hitting the road, in the form of strong graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws, professional driving instructors, and perhaps surprisingly, their own children.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keeping mom and dad up at night &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Parents of teen drivers are most worried about their teenager texting or being distracted by friends while driving (73 percent say this concerns them "a great deal"), being at risk from other drivers on the road (61 percent), their children's inexperience putting them at risk (59 percent), and the possibility of their children drinking and driving (50 percent).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mothers are more worried about texting and distracted driving (75 percent worry a "great deal") than fathers (69 percent). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Moms are also more worried about their children being at risk from other drivers (65 percent) than dads (54 percent). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Conversely, fathers are more concerned about drinking and driving (55 percent) than mothers (48 percent).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents in the Northeast are considerably more concerned about distracted driving (88 percent) than those in other regions (66 percent Midwest, 69 percent South, 76 percent West). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Trust in thy teen&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Parents overwhelmingly agree they trust their own children to drive, but they are worried about other teenagers on the road (79 percent agree with this statement, while 17 percent disagree).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents are less worried about their children being mature enough to handle the responsibility of driving (36 percent worry a "great deal"), the various costs associated with teenagers driving (28 percent), and the threat of their children causing significant damage to the car (26 percent).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;...and trust in their teacher&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; More than half of American parents (53 percent) say a professional driving instructor would do a better job teaching their children to drive than they would. This is a measurable difference from the actual experience of American parents, only 40 percent of whom were taught to drive by a professional instructor.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;When asked why they prefer a professional instructor, parents cite instructors' superior command of the rules, and the beliefs that driving instructors would have more patience, and that their children would be more likely to listen to the instructor.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents who think they would do a better job themselves say they know their child best and they trust their own experience and driving skill.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The law is my friend&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Eighty percent of parents support state laws that limit when and with whom teenagers can drive, with 54 percent saying they "strongly support" these laws.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Support is higher among mothers (58 percent strongly support) than fathers (48 percent). Support increases the closer a parent gets to having a licensed teenage driver, with 71 percent of parents of teenagers who currently hold a driver's license strongly supporting these laws, compared to just 60 percent of those with unlicensed teenagers in their home. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A wide majority of parents (81 percent) agree state laws that limit teenage drivers "make it easier for me as a parent to enforce driving rules for teenagers."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents in the Northeast are most likely to agree with this sentiment (92 percent agree, compared to 78 percent in the Midwest, 81 percent in the South, and 72 percent in the West).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Just over half of parents (51 percent) think an appropriate age for their children to receive a driver's license is at least 17 years old. Forty-six percent believe the appropriate age is 16.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents in the Northeast are much more likely to support driver licenses at age 17 or later. Seventy-four percent of these parents support licenses at 17+, compared to 39 percent in the Midwest, 53 percent in the West, and 41 percent in the South.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Laying down the law at home &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Three in five parents (60 percent) say they had restrictions from their parents or guardians when first driving, including 45 percent who had an evening curfew, 31 percent who had restrictions on where they could drive, 26 percent who had restrictions on who could be in the car, and 25 percent who had restrictions on how often they could drive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents who had restrictions on their own driving are just as likely to support restricted licenses for teenagers as those who had no such restrictions.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sixty-one percent of American parents say compared to other parents they know, they are stricter when it comes to attitudes about their child driving. Thirty-one percent say their attitudes are about the same as other parents, and just 5 percent say they are more permissive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mothers are more likely to say they are stricter (68 percent) than fathers (50 percent).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the Survey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The national survey of 600 American parents with children under age 18 was conducted September 6-8, 2011 via landline telephone, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.0 percent. The survey was conducted by FTI Consulting, Inc. (FTI) for Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#  #  #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:08:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/1891038c-1cf5-42b4-b423-8cef477e0354</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/1891038c-1cf5-42b4-b423-8cef477e0354</link>
      <media:title>Safety is driving force behind American parents' support of GDL laws</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">American parents trust their own kids, but not other teens&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many would agree there is a long list of worries for parents of teen drivers. Yet, a new survey from Allstate reveals that these parents take some comfort when it comes to their teens hitting the road, in the form of strong graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws, professional driving instructors, and perhaps surprisingly, their own children.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keeping mom and dad up at night &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Parents of teen drivers are most worried about their teenager texting or being distracted by friends while driving (73 percent say this concerns them "a great deal"), being at risk from other drivers on the road (61 percent), their children's inexperience putting them at risk (59 percent), and the possibility of their children drinking and driving (50 percent).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mothers are more worried about texting and distracted driving (75 percent worry a "great deal") than fathers (69 percent). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Moms are also more worried about their children being at risk from other drivers (65 percent) than dads (54 percent). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Conversely, fathers are more concerned about drinking and driving (55 percent) than mothers (48 percent).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents in the Northeast are considerably more concerned about distracted driving (88 percent) than those in other regions (66 percent Midwest, 69 percent South, 76 percent West). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Trust in thy teen&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Parents overwhelmingly agree they trust their own children to drive, but they are worried about other teenagers on the road (79 percent agree with this statement, while 17 percent disagree).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents are less worried about their children being mature enough to handle the responsibility of driving (36 percent worry a "great deal"), the various costs associated with teenagers driving (28 percent), and the threat of their children causing significant damage to the car (26 percent).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;...and trust in their teacher&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; More than half of American parents (53 percent) say a professional driving instructor would do a better job teaching their children to drive than they would. This is a measurable difference from the actual experience of American parents, only 40 percent of whom were taught to drive by a professional instructor.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;When asked why they prefer a professional instructor, parents cite instructors' superior command of the rules, and the beliefs that driving instructors would have more patience, and that their children would be more likely to listen to the instructor.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents who think they would do a better job themselves say they know their child best and they trust their own experience and driving skill.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The law is my friend&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Eighty percent of parents support state laws that limit when and with whom teenagers can drive, with 54 percent saying they "strongly support" these laws.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Support is higher among mothers (58 percent strongly support) than fathers (48 percent). Support increases the closer a parent gets to having a licensed teenage driver, with 71 percent of parents of teenagers who currently hold a driver's license strongly supporting these laws, compared to just 60 percent of those with unlicensed teenagers in their home. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A wide majority of parents (81 percent) agree state laws that limit teenage drivers "make it easier for me as a parent to enforce driving rules for teenagers."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents in the Northeast are most likely to agree with this sentiment (92 percent agree, compared to 78 percent in the Midwest, 81 percent in the South, and 72 percent in the West).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Just over half of parents (51 percent) think an appropriate age for their children to receive a driver's license is at least 17 years old. Forty-six percent believe the appropriate age is 16.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents in the Northeast are much more likely to support driver licenses at age 17 or later. Seventy-four percent of these parents support licenses at 17+, compared to 39 percent in the Midwest, 53 percent in the West, and 41 percent in the South.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Laying down the law at home &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Three in five parents (60 percent) say they had restrictions from their parents or guardians when first driving, including 45 percent who had an evening curfew, 31 percent who had restrictions on where they could drive, 26 percent who had restrictions on who could be in the car, and 25 percent who had restrictions on how often they could drive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents who had restrictions on their own driving are just as likely to support restricted licenses for teenagers as those who had no such restrictions.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sixty-one percent of American parents say compared to other parents they know, they are stricter when it comes to attitudes about their child driving. Thirty-one percent say their attitudes are about the same as other parents, and just 5 percent say they are more permissive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mothers are more likely to say they are stricter (68 percent) than fathers (50 percent).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the Survey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; The national survey of 600 American parents with children under age 18 was conducted September 6-8, 2011 via landline telephone, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.0 percent. The survey was conducted by FTI Consulting, Inc. (FTI) for Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#  #  #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="106008" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/1891038c-1cf5-42b4-b423-8cef477e0354:en-US/download/1fda8aa3-ee25-43c1-a7bd-85736bec024b" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Economy Puts the Brakes on Parents' Spending for Teen Cars, Driving Expenses</title>
      <description>Today's parents follow own upbringings when it comes to type of car to buy, but more likely to spend money than their parents&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sixty percent of American parents whose teenage children currently hold a license and nearly half of all parents (46 percent) say that the economic downturn has led them to cut back on saving for or spending on their child's driving, including the cost of a car and other related expenses, according to a new survey from Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Not surprisingly, income is a factor in spending and saving decisions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of parents in households earning less than $30,000 per year say they are saving or spending less on their children's driving, while just one-third (32 percent) of those in households earning more than $75,000 say the same.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Interestingly, among parents who already have a child with a driver's license, 73 percent say their child has their own car, while another eight percent say their child shares a car with a sibling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This rate of teenage car ownership is considerably higher than what parents experienced when they were first driving (just 48 percent had their own car or shared with siblings), and also much higher than what is expected among parents whose children do not yet have a license (just 48 percent expect their children to have their own car). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;No Free Ride&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While most parents prefer their children make a meaningful contribution to the costs of driving, the survey shows the actions of parents with teenage drivers demonstrates the contrary.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul type="disc"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;As parents get closer to having a teenager with a license to drive, they are more willing to pay for car expenses. While just 27 percent of all parents say they believe in fully paying for a car for their child, parents with a child licensed to drive are nearly twice as willing (46 percent). In contrast, only 10 percent of parents whose children are under the age of 14 or whose children don't have licenses say they plan on purchasing a car for their child. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents who say they paid for their own car when first driving are more likely to believe in higher financial contributions from their children.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Among all parents, when asked what they would spend on a car for their child, 57 percent say they would spend $5,000 or less, and 41 percent would spend more than $5,000. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Regarding other costs associated with their children driving, parents are most likely to say they'll pay all or most of inspections and registration fees (51 percent), insurance (45 percent), and general car maintenance (44 percent).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents are least likely to believe in paying for gasoline (17 percent would pay for all or most of it), and expenses associated with damage caused by their child (17 percent would pay for all or most). &lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safety Before Beauty&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When thinking about the type of car they'd like their children to drive, 76 percent of parents say safety is their top priority, followed by reliability (18 percent), affordability (five percent), and fuel efficiency (one percent).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Not a single parent says that appearance is their top priority for their children's car. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Of those parents whose children have cars, the overwhelming majority, 94 percent, say their child drives a used car with a mean age of 9.3 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This is almost the same mean age of the cars that the teens' parents remember driving as teenagers, which was 9.2 years.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;One-third of parents (33 percent) say they would not allow their children to drive the car that they drove when first driving.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Even one-quarter (24 percent) of parents who said they personally started out driving a good car would not let their children drive that car today.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;On the Road Again&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Parents believe getting to school (89 percent) and work (97 percent) are good reasons why teenagers should be allowed to drive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;They also support having their teens drive in order to lessen the need for parents to chauffer (81 percent cite as a good reason), and so teenagers can help run errands (88 percent). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents are less enthusiastic about allowing teenagers to drive so they can meet up with their friends (56 percent not a good reason), and because almost every other teenager is driving (85 percent not good). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents are split on allowing teenagers to drive because there's no other way to get around (55 percent cite as a good reason, 43 percent not good). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the Survey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The national survey of 600 American parents with children under age 18 was conducted September 6-8, 2011 via landline telephone, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.0 percent. The survey was conducted by FTI Consulting, Inc. (FTI) for Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its &amp;ldquo;You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;&amp;rdquo; slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:06:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/2e732ad2-e592-4984-9daa-ae805c74b700</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/2e732ad2-e592-4984-9daa-ae805c74b700</link>
      <media:title>Economy Puts the Brakes on Parents' Spending for Teen Cars, Driving Expenses</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Today's parents follow own upbringings when it comes to type of car to buy, but more likely to spend money than their parents&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sixty percent of American parents whose teenage children currently hold a license and nearly half of all parents (46 percent) say that the economic downturn has led them to cut back on saving for or spending on their child's driving, including the cost of a car and other related expenses, according to a new survey from Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Not surprisingly, income is a factor in spending and saving decisions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of parents in households earning less than $30,000 per year say they are saving or spending less on their children's driving, while just one-third (32 percent) of those in households earning more than $75,000 say the same.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Interestingly, among parents who already have a child with a driver's license, 73 percent say their child has their own car, while another eight percent say their child shares a car with a sibling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This rate of teenage car ownership is considerably higher than what parents experienced when they were first driving (just 48 percent had their own car or shared with siblings), and also much higher than what is expected among parents whose children do not yet have a license (just 48 percent expect their children to have their own car). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;No Free Ride&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While most parents prefer their children make a meaningful contribution to the costs of driving, the survey shows the actions of parents with teenage drivers demonstrates the contrary.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul type="disc"&gt;
&lt;li&gt;As parents get closer to having a teenager with a license to drive, they are more willing to pay for car expenses. While just 27 percent of all parents say they believe in fully paying for a car for their child, parents with a child licensed to drive are nearly twice as willing (46 percent). In contrast, only 10 percent of parents whose children are under the age of 14 or whose children don't have licenses say they plan on purchasing a car for their child. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents who say they paid for their own car when first driving are more likely to believe in higher financial contributions from their children.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Among all parents, when asked what they would spend on a car for their child, 57 percent say they would spend $5,000 or less, and 41 percent would spend more than $5,000. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Regarding other costs associated with their children driving, parents are most likely to say they'll pay all or most of inspections and registration fees (51 percent), insurance (45 percent), and general car maintenance (44 percent).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents are least likely to believe in paying for gasoline (17 percent would pay for all or most of it), and expenses associated with damage caused by their child (17 percent would pay for all or most). &lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safety Before Beauty&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When thinking about the type of car they'd like their children to drive, 76 percent of parents say safety is their top priority, followed by reliability (18 percent), affordability (five percent), and fuel efficiency (one percent).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Not a single parent says that appearance is their top priority for their children's car. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Of those parents whose children have cars, the overwhelming majority, 94 percent, say their child drives a used car with a mean age of 9.3 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;This is almost the same mean age of the cars that the teens' parents remember driving as teenagers, which was 9.2 years.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;One-third of parents (33 percent) say they would not allow their children to drive the car that they drove when first driving.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Even one-quarter (24 percent) of parents who said they personally started out driving a good car would not let their children drive that car today.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;On the Road Again&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Parents believe getting to school (89 percent) and work (97 percent) are good reasons why teenagers should be allowed to drive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;They also support having their teens drive in order to lessen the need for parents to chauffer (81 percent cite as a good reason), and so teenagers can help run errands (88 percent). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents are less enthusiastic about allowing teenagers to drive so they can meet up with their friends (56 percent not a good reason), and because almost every other teenager is driving (85 percent not good). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Parents are split on allowing teenagers to drive because there's no other way to get around (55 percent cite as a good reason, 43 percent not good). &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the Survey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The national survey of 600 American parents with children under age 18 was conducted September 6-8, 2011 via landline telephone, and has a margin of error of +/- 4.0 percent. The survey was conducted by FTI Consulting, Inc. (FTI) for Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its &amp;ldquo;You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;&amp;rdquo; slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="114352" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/2e732ad2-e592-4984-9daa-ae805c74b700:en-US/download/1cbd2fdc-47c8-4fe4-bdbf-ce5209c73248" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Seventh Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;" Reveals Safest Driving Cities</title>
      <description>Fort Collins, Colorado, wins top honor second year in a row&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 4 Videos, 5 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Additional Information:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e:en-US/download/e3fc06ab-a016-4248-89ef-72454729bd0a"&gt;Best Drivers Data: 2011&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e:en-US/download/53fa2b17-a504-46ec-9e76-8292e3133177"&gt;Best Drivers Data: 2005-2010&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate Insurance Company&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) today released its seventh annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The report ranks America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers, according to Allstate claim data.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This year's top honor of "America's Safest Driving City" is Fort Collins, Colo., the second year in the row for the city at the top spot. According to the report, the average driver in Fort Collins will experience an auto collision every 14 years, which is 28.6 percent less likely than the national average of 10 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate's Best Driver's Report was created to boost the country's discussion on safe driving. Each year we hope the report will increase awareness on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Mike Roche, executive vice president, Allstate's Claim Organization. "We want to recognize the city of Fort Collins for again being the safest driving city in America, and we salute all of America's safe drivers, who help make our communities better places to live, work and raise families."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Fort Collins city officials credit their residents with earning the safe driving recognition.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"For the second year in a row, we've earned the title of the safest driving city in America due to the responsible behavior and safe driving habits of our residents," said Fort Collins Mayor Karen Weitkunat. "Safety is a critical component to creating a world-class city; we have our residents to thank as they are undoubtedly the reason Fort Collins is one of the best places to live, work, and play. I'm honored to be a part of a community that is consistently recognized as one of the nation's best."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average more than 32,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Human behavior is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate American drivers about safe driving behaviors they can demonstrate on the road that will help make our roadways safer," said Roche.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate offers the following safe driving tips drivers should consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Minimize distractions &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;- Engaging in any other activity while driving - talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup - is a distraction. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Be aware of road conditions &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;- Ice, snow, fog, rain - all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; - Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Steer clear of road rage&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; - Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; - Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of your car. Ensure that your car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Report&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt; For the past seven years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2008 to December 2009) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate's auto policies represent about 10 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;[Complete report available at &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top Ten&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; For the second time in the report's seven-year history, Fort Collins was revealed as the safest driving city.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr valign="top"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Likelihood &lt;br /&gt; Compared to National &lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1.   Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;28.6% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;14.0&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2.   Boise, Idaho&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;25.5% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;13.4&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3.   Lincoln, Neb.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;22.7% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4.   Chandler, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;20.4% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.6&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5.   Huntsville, Ala.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;18.9% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.3&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6.   Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;18.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.   Springfield, Mo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;17.9% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8.   Reno, Nev.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;16.6% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.0&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9.   Eugene, Ore.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;16.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;11.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;16.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;11.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional "Road" Scholars&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. For the seventh year in a row, motorists in Phoenix topped the list in this category, making them the safest big city commuters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with More Than One Million Residents:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr valign="top"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Likelihood &lt;br /&gt; Compared to National &lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;55.    Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1.1% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10.1&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;117.  San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.7% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;142.  San Antonio, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;23.3% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8.1&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;155.  Houston, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;28.7% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.8&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;157.  Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;30.0% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.7&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;167.  Dallas, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;32.9% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;171.  New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;37.6% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.3&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;182.  Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;50.8% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6.6&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;188.  Philadelphia, Pa.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;60.2% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To view the complete Allstate America's Best Drivers Report, or to see previous year's results, log onto &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information on how your safe driving record can save you money on your insurance, including cash off your renewal bill and cash off your deductible, contact an Allstate agent or call 1-800-ALLSTATE.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#  #  #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Note: The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; Other cities not represented by any zip codes found in Allstate data: West Valley, Utah, Coral Springs, Fla., Lakewood, Colo., and Pembroke Pines, Fla. The Allstate Best Drivers Report is produced solely to boost the country's discussion about safe driving and to increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. The report is not used to determine auto insurance rates. A state specific adjustment was utilized for the Michigan cities to account for the unique coverage offered in that state.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e</link>
      <media:group>
        <media:title>Seventh Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;" Reveals Safest Driving Cities</media:title>
        <media:description type="html">Fort Collins, Colorado, wins top honor second year in a row&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 4 Videos, 5 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Additional Information:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e:en-US/download/e3fc06ab-a016-4248-89ef-72454729bd0a"&gt;Best Drivers Data: 2011&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e:en-US/download/53fa2b17-a504-46ec-9e76-8292e3133177"&gt;Best Drivers Data: 2005-2010&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate Insurance Company&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) today released its seventh annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The report ranks America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers, according to Allstate claim data.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This year's top honor of "America's Safest Driving City" is Fort Collins, Colo., the second year in the row for the city at the top spot. According to the report, the average driver in Fort Collins will experience an auto collision every 14 years, which is 28.6 percent less likely than the national average of 10 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate's Best Driver's Report was created to boost the country's discussion on safe driving. Each year we hope the report will increase awareness on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Mike Roche, executive vice president, Allstate's Claim Organization. "We want to recognize the city of Fort Collins for again being the safest driving city in America, and we salute all of America's safe drivers, who help make our communities better places to live, work and raise families."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Fort Collins city officials credit their residents with earning the safe driving recognition.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"For the second year in a row, we've earned the title of the safest driving city in America due to the responsible behavior and safe driving habits of our residents," said Fort Collins Mayor Karen Weitkunat. "Safety is a critical component to creating a world-class city; we have our residents to thank as they are undoubtedly the reason Fort Collins is one of the best places to live, work, and play. I'm honored to be a part of a community that is consistently recognized as one of the nation's best."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average more than 32,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Human behavior is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate American drivers about safe driving behaviors they can demonstrate on the road that will help make our roadways safer," said Roche.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate offers the following safe driving tips drivers should consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Minimize distractions &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;- Engaging in any other activity while driving - talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup - is a distraction. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Be aware of road conditions &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;- Ice, snow, fog, rain - all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; - Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Steer clear of road rage&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; - Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; - Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of your car. Ensure that your car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Report&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt; For the past seven years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2008 to December 2009) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate's auto policies represent about 10 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;[Complete report available at &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top Ten&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; For the second time in the report's seven-year history, Fort Collins was revealed as the safest driving city.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr valign="top"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Likelihood &lt;br /&gt; Compared to National &lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1.   Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;28.6% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;14.0&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2.   Boise, Idaho&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;25.5% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;13.4&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3.   Lincoln, Neb.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;22.7% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4.   Chandler, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;20.4% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.6&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5.   Huntsville, Ala.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;18.9% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.3&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6.   Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;18.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.   Springfield, Mo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;17.9% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8.   Reno, Nev.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;16.6% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.0&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9.   Eugene, Ore.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;16.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;11.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;16.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;11.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional "Road" Scholars&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. For the seventh year in a row, motorists in Phoenix topped the list in this category, making them the safest big city commuters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with More Than One Million Residents:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr valign="top"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Likelihood &lt;br /&gt; Compared to National &lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;55.    Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1.1% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10.1&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;117.  San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;12.7% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;142.  San Antonio, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;23.3% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8.1&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;155.  Houston, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;28.7% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.8&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;157.  Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;30.0% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.7&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;167.  Dallas, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;32.9% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;171.  New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;37.6% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7.3&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;182.  Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;50.8% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6.6&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;188.  Philadelphia, Pa.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;60.2% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To view the complete Allstate America's Best Drivers Report, or to see previous year's results, log onto &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information on how your safe driving record can save you money on your insurance, including cash off your renewal bill and cash off your deductible, contact an Allstate agent or call 1-800-ALLSTATE.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a title="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;The Allstate Corporation&lt;/a&gt; (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#  #  #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Note: The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;em&gt; Other cities not represented by any zip codes found in Allstate data: West Valley, Utah, Coral Springs, Fla., Lakewood, Colo., and Pembroke Pines, Fla. The Allstate Best Drivers Report is produced solely to boost the country's discussion about safe driving and to increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. The report is not used to determine auto insurance rates. A state specific adjustment was utilized for the Michigan cities to account for the unique coverage offered in that state.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="149442" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e:en-US/download/05fdd5ce-e5c8-475f-854b-e9ac7ed69a59" medium="document"/>
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        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="43187" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/00c90674-c797-4dd0-82c8-3813ccbe1e1e:en-US/download/e3fc06ab-a016-4248-89ef-72454729bd0a" medium="document"/>
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      <title>Auto: I- CAR&#174; Recognizes Allstate for "Best in Class" Collision Repair Training</title>
      <description>Allstate is the First Major Insurance Carrier to Receive Prestigious Designation &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate Insurance Company&lt;/a&gt; today announced receipt of the I- CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&lt;strong&gt;&amp;trade;&lt;/strong&gt; business designation, the highest recognition in the collision repair industry. As a company, Allstate is the largest P&amp;amp;C organization in the country to receive this designation. Allstate achieved this designation by having all their employees who are directly involved in the collision repair estimating process take 5 or more courses of I-CAR training. This same designation can be achieved at collision repair shops and departmentally within the context of a large organization.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;To achieve the I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&amp;trade; designation, Allstate had to consistently demonstrate an on-going commitment to &lt;/em&gt;provide customers with efficient, safe and high-quality repair services. The designation recognizes Allstate for equipping its employees with the most-up-to-date knowledge available in the industry to meet the changing needs of customers. Allstate is the first major insurer in the United States to achieve &lt;em&gt;the I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&amp;trade; designation.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We're pleased to be recognized as &lt;em&gt;an I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&amp;trade;. &lt;/em&gt;This is a symbol of Allstate's commitment to providing its employees with the training and resources needed to provide Allstate customers with a safe and superior customer experience," said Bill Daly, assistant vice president for auto claims.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I-CAR is an international, training organization solely committed to providing members of the collision industry with the necessary knowledge and skills relevant to their position to achieve a complete and safe repair.&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;As an I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&lt;strong&gt;&amp;trade;&lt;/strong&gt; business, Allstate provides its auto claims employees with access to timely, role-relevant collision repair training that is best-in-class.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Through Allstate's designation as an I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&lt;strong&gt;&amp;trade; &lt;/strong&gt;business, Allstate will be aligned to better serve its customers in the future. Ongoing training with I-CAR will allow Allstate to broaden its teams knowledge, allowing them to provide their customers with the best services possible," said John Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO &amp;amp; President.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair was founded in 1979, is an international training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers. &lt;a href="http://www.i-car.com/"&gt;www.i-car.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2011 06:07:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/719d546d-8708-43a1-a280-ed7dbce022f2</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/719d546d-8708-43a1-a280-ed7dbce022f2</link>
      <media:title>I- CAR&#174; Recognizes Allstate for "Best in Class" Collision Repair Training</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate is the First Major Insurance Carrier to Receive Prestigious Designation &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate Insurance Company&lt;/a&gt; today announced receipt of the I- CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&lt;strong&gt;&amp;trade;&lt;/strong&gt; business designation, the highest recognition in the collision repair industry. As a company, Allstate is the largest P&amp;amp;C organization in the country to receive this designation. Allstate achieved this designation by having all their employees who are directly involved in the collision repair estimating process take 5 or more courses of I-CAR training. This same designation can be achieved at collision repair shops and departmentally within the context of a large organization.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;To achieve the I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&amp;trade; designation, Allstate had to consistently demonstrate an on-going commitment to &lt;/em&gt;provide customers with efficient, safe and high-quality repair services. The designation recognizes Allstate for equipping its employees with the most-up-to-date knowledge available in the industry to meet the changing needs of customers. Allstate is the first major insurer in the United States to achieve &lt;em&gt;the I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&amp;trade; designation.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We're pleased to be recognized as &lt;em&gt;an I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&amp;trade;. &lt;/em&gt;This is a symbol of Allstate's commitment to providing its employees with the training and resources needed to provide Allstate customers with a safe and superior customer experience," said Bill Daly, assistant vice president for auto claims.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I-CAR is an international, training organization solely committed to providing members of the collision industry with the necessary knowledge and skills relevant to their position to achieve a complete and safe repair.&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;As an I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&lt;strong&gt;&amp;trade;&lt;/strong&gt; business, Allstate provides its auto claims employees with access to timely, role-relevant collision repair training that is best-in-class.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Through Allstate's designation as an I-CAR&amp;reg; Gold Class Professionals&lt;strong&gt;&amp;trade; &lt;/strong&gt;business, Allstate will be aligned to better serve its customers in the future. Ongoing training with I-CAR will allow Allstate to broaden its teams knowledge, allowing them to provide their customers with the best services possible," said John Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO &amp;amp; President.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair was founded in 1979, is an international training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers. &lt;a href="http://www.i-car.com/"&gt;www.i-car.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="99870" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/719d546d-8708-43a1-a280-ed7dbce022f2:en-US/download/bc3e682e-c572-4add-8a3b-3149614f7be8" medium="document"/>
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      <title>Auto: Safest Illinois Drivers Save With New Allstate Drive Wise&#8480;</title>
      <description>Performance-based auto insurance discount program seeks to create safer roads by rewarding long-term, safe driving habits&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate (NYSE:ALL) today announced the launch of Drive Wise, a voluntary program that rewards safe and low-mileage Illinois drivers with discounts of up to 30 percent. The company plans to expand Drive Wise to other states as early as Q2 2011. Consumers can learn more and sign up for the program by visiting &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/DriveWise"&gt;www.allstate.com/DriveWise&lt;/a&gt; or by contacting their local Allstate agent.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Seat belts, air bags, teen and distracted driving &amp;ndash; they're all examples of Allstate's leadership as a safe driving advocate. That legacy continues with the introduction of Drive Wise," said Alice Byrne, field vice president, Midwest region for Allstate. "By rewarding drivers on a variety of safety factors, the roads become safer for everyone and the safest drivers reap the most benefits."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Drive Wise rewards begin immediately when participating customers receive a 10 percent discount just for joining during the first policy term. Subsequent policy terms shift to a performance rating approach, where customers' driving behavior and total mileage driven over the course of the policy term determine the discount. Rates will not go up based on driving scores, but savings of up to 30 percent can be earned by drivers with the safest driving and low mileage scores.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Program enrollees receive a small, wireless telematics device that plugs into their vehicle's onboard computer via the diagnostic port - under the dash in most car models. No GPS data is collected. The device tracks only those factors used to calculate a performance rating, including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mileage&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Driving time of day&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Hard/extreme braking&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maximum speed (speeds over 80 mph affect ratings)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The design of Drive Wise is the result of extensive consumer research and hundreds of employee volunteers logging almost two million test miles. In one employee test measuring hard stops, aggressive starts and swerving, the percentage of participants scoring in the ideal "safe zone" tripled from 25 to 75 percent over the course of the test. Adopted broadly, Allstate believes Drive Wise has the potential to save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in injury losses and property damage each year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:26:00 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/38d7c66f-0974-4b85-84f6-1f8a5a9d73b2</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/38d7c66f-0974-4b85-84f6-1f8a5a9d73b2</link>
      <media:title>Safest Illinois Drivers Save With New Allstate Drive Wise&#8480;</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Performance-based auto insurance discount program seeks to create safer roads by rewarding long-term, safe driving habits&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate (NYSE:ALL) today announced the launch of Drive Wise, a voluntary program that rewards safe and low-mileage Illinois drivers with discounts of up to 30 percent. The company plans to expand Drive Wise to other states as early as Q2 2011. Consumers can learn more and sign up for the program by visiting &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/DriveWise"&gt;www.allstate.com/DriveWise&lt;/a&gt; or by contacting their local Allstate agent.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Seat belts, air bags, teen and distracted driving &amp;ndash; they're all examples of Allstate's leadership as a safe driving advocate. That legacy continues with the introduction of Drive Wise," said Alice Byrne, field vice president, Midwest region for Allstate. "By rewarding drivers on a variety of safety factors, the roads become safer for everyone and the safest drivers reap the most benefits."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Drive Wise rewards begin immediately when participating customers receive a 10 percent discount just for joining during the first policy term. Subsequent policy terms shift to a performance rating approach, where customers' driving behavior and total mileage driven over the course of the policy term determine the discount. Rates will not go up based on driving scores, but savings of up to 30 percent can be earned by drivers with the safest driving and low mileage scores.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Program enrollees receive a small, wireless telematics device that plugs into their vehicle's onboard computer via the diagnostic port - under the dash in most car models. No GPS data is collected. The device tracks only those factors used to calculate a performance rating, including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Mileage&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Driving time of day&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Hard/extreme braking&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Maximum speed (speeds over 80 mph affect ratings)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The design of Drive Wise is the result of extensive consumer research and hundreds of employee volunteers logging almost two million test miles. In one employee test measuring hard stops, aggressive starts and swerving, the percentage of participants scoring in the ideal "safe zone" tripled from 25 to 75 percent over the course of the test. Adopted broadly, Allstate believes Drive Wise has the potential to save thousands of lives and millions of dollars in injury losses and property damage each year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="102376" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/38d7c66f-0974-4b85-84f6-1f8a5a9d73b2:en-US/download/f2bd90da-012c-4384-9cc2-ca73cb356944" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate's X the TXT&#8480; Movement Reaches Major Milestone</title>
      <description>Online community of 100,000 pledge not to text and drive&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate's X the TXT social movement to curb distracted driving reached a milestone with the registration of its 100,000th Facebook fan, nearly double the average number of fans on most Fortune 500 company pages.&amp;nbsp;Allstate has built its &lt;a title="http://facebook.com/XtheTXT" href="http://Facebook.com/XtheTXT" target="_blank"&gt;facebook.com/XtheTXT&lt;/a&gt; fan page following&amp;nbsp;through a combination of celebrity support, online engagement and in-person events.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Facebook&amp;nbsp;provides the platform. Celebrities and pledge events drive the conversation. Fans are sharing stories, hearing from celebrities they respect and encouraging their friends and family to join the movement," said Sari Macrie, vice president of corporate relations, Allstate. "Our integrated social media and traditional grassroots campaign is making a difference. More than 100,000 X the TXT fans are building an activist community and saving lives."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate's X the TXT movement has grown with the help of star-studded support from celebrity spokespeople like The Jonas Brothers and Jordin Sparks. These pop culture icons are using their celebrity to raise awareness and engage their fans online and at pledge events for teens and families across the country. During these events, participants place their blue-inked thumbprints on an oversized banner &amp;ndash; a symbol of their commitment to take their thumbs off their phone and stay focused on the road. Photo booths on-site drive fans to the X the TXT Facebook page (&lt;a title="http://facebook.com/xthetxt" href="http://facebook.com/xthetxt" target="_blank"&gt;facebook.com/xthetxt&lt;/a&gt;) where they can tag photos, continue the conversation and share the pledge with their friends online.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To date, more than 125,000 people have taken the pledge not to text and drive online and at live events. As part of Allstate's new "X the TXT: DSGN8 Before You Drive" campaign, fans can also appoint a DSGN8D TXTR [designated texter] with the DSGN8D TXTR app.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate's New DSGN8D TXTR Program&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is hosting a 10-city &lt;a title="http://www.facebook.com/xthetxt" href="http://www.facebook.com/xthetxt" target="_blank"&gt;"X the TXT: DSGN8 Before You Drive"&lt;/a&gt; holiday campaign which focuses on incorporating a new step in a driver's habits by urging Americans to hand their phone to their DSGN8D TXTR before they get behind the wheel. Kevin Jonas kicked off the tour by designating best bud and security guard, Big Rob, as his in-car DSGN8D TXTR.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is making stops at sporting events, malls, holiday events and more with a goal to register more than 25,000 DSGN8D TXTRs at the events and online at &lt;a title="http://facebook.com/XtheTXT" href="http://facebook.com/XtheTXT" target="_blank"&gt;facebook.com/XtheTXT&lt;/a&gt;. Grammy Award&amp;reg;-nominee and Broadway star Jordin Sparks, actress Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, 10 Things I Hate About You), pop rock band Honor Society, R&amp;amp;B singer Mateo and Big Rob &amp;ndash; along with their DSGN8D TXTRs &amp;ndash; have joined Jonas in supporting the effort by registering online and will be making appearances in select cities during the national tour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx" href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a title="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx" href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a title="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx" href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:09:56 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/0cb72f23-646d-40fb-8569-63231dc569b0</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/0cb72f23-646d-40fb-8569-63231dc569b0</link>
      <media:title>Allstate's X the TXT&#8480; Movement Reaches Major Milestone</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Online community of 100,000 pledge not to text and drive&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate's X the TXT social movement to curb distracted driving reached a milestone with the registration of its 100,000th Facebook fan, nearly double the average number of fans on most Fortune 500 company pages.&amp;nbsp;Allstate has built its &lt;a title="http://facebook.com/XtheTXT" href="http://Facebook.com/XtheTXT" target="_blank"&gt;facebook.com/XtheTXT&lt;/a&gt; fan page following&amp;nbsp;through a combination of celebrity support, online engagement and in-person events.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Facebook&amp;nbsp;provides the platform. Celebrities and pledge events drive the conversation. Fans are sharing stories, hearing from celebrities they respect and encouraging their friends and family to join the movement," said Sari Macrie, vice president of corporate relations, Allstate. "Our integrated social media and traditional grassroots campaign is making a difference. More than 100,000 X the TXT fans are building an activist community and saving lives."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate's X the TXT movement has grown with the help of star-studded support from celebrity spokespeople like The Jonas Brothers and Jordin Sparks. These pop culture icons are using their celebrity to raise awareness and engage their fans online and at pledge events for teens and families across the country. During these events, participants place their blue-inked thumbprints on an oversized banner &amp;ndash; a symbol of their commitment to take their thumbs off their phone and stay focused on the road. Photo booths on-site drive fans to the X the TXT Facebook page (&lt;a title="http://facebook.com/xthetxt" href="http://facebook.com/xthetxt" target="_blank"&gt;facebook.com/xthetxt&lt;/a&gt;) where they can tag photos, continue the conversation and share the pledge with their friends online.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To date, more than 125,000 people have taken the pledge not to text and drive online and at live events. As part of Allstate's new "X the TXT: DSGN8 Before You Drive" campaign, fans can also appoint a DSGN8D TXTR [designated texter] with the DSGN8D TXTR app.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate's New DSGN8D TXTR Program&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is hosting a 10-city &lt;a title="http://www.facebook.com/xthetxt" href="http://www.facebook.com/xthetxt" target="_blank"&gt;"X the TXT: DSGN8 Before You Drive"&lt;/a&gt; holiday campaign which focuses on incorporating a new step in a driver's habits by urging Americans to hand their phone to their DSGN8D TXTR before they get behind the wheel. Kevin Jonas kicked off the tour by designating best bud and security guard, Big Rob, as his in-car DSGN8D TXTR.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is making stops at sporting events, malls, holiday events and more with a goal to register more than 25,000 DSGN8D TXTRs at the events and online at &lt;a title="http://facebook.com/XtheTXT" href="http://facebook.com/XtheTXT" target="_blank"&gt;facebook.com/XtheTXT&lt;/a&gt;. Grammy Award&amp;reg;-nominee and Broadway star Jordin Sparks, actress Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, 10 Things I Hate About You), pop rock band Honor Society, R&amp;amp;B singer Mateo and Big Rob &amp;ndash; along with their DSGN8D TXTRs &amp;ndash; have joined Jonas in supporting the effort by registering online and will be making appearances in select cities during the national tour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx" href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a title="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx" href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a title="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx" href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="109110" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/0cb72f23-646d-40fb-8569-63231dc569b0:en-US/download/df59d365-5010-4d20-acd3-a5b7d2eb3646" medium="document"/>
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      <title>Auto: Allstate and Celebrity Friends "DSGN8 TXTRS" for the Holidays</title>
      <description>Kevin Jonas and his DSGN8D TXTR Big Rob kick off 10-city tour to X the TXT&#8480; and curb distracted driving deaths&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate&lt;/a&gt; kicks off their 10-city &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/xthetxt" target="_blank"&gt;"X the TXT: DSGN8 Before You Drive"&lt;/a&gt; tour aimed at registering more than 25,000 DSGN8D TXTRs at live events and on Facebook (facebook.com/XtheTXT) this holiday season - one of the deadliest times of the year for teens on the road.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate's X the TXT movement launched one year ago to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving and save lives. To date, more than 125,000 people have pledged not to text and drive. Building on the success of that movement, X the TXT: DSGN8 Before You Drive, introduces a new step in drivers' habits by urging Americans to hand their phone to their DSGN8D TXTR before they get behind the wheel. Kevin Jonas will kick off the tour by designating best bud and security guard Big Rob as his in-car DSGN8D TXTR.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Everyone is busy during the holidays and we all depend on our phones to keep in touch while on the go," said Jonas. "Sending a text isn't worth risking your life or the lives of others. Having a DSGN8D TXTR to text on your behalf lets you focus on driving. In return, we can protect our friends and family by offering to take their phone when they drive."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Teens and their families and friends can join the campaign by attending a tour event where they can take the pledge not to text and drive, customize a free cell phone grip with their DSGN8D TXTR's name, and have their photo taken with their DSGN8D TXTR, to be included in a national photo mosaic and online.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Those who can't attend an event can join their favorite celebrities by registering their DSGN8D TXTR online and uploading photos at facebook.com/XtheTXT. Participants can check out other DSN8D TXTRS in their area and track the progress of registering 25,000 DSGN8D TXTRs across the country.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Especially during the holiday season, we want to stay in touch with those we love, and Allstate wants to make sure that all of us do so safely. Choosing a loved one to serve as your DSGN8D TXTR while you're driving is one way to do so," said Joan Walker, senior vice president of corporate relations at Allstate. "Allstate continues to advocate for responsible personal behaviors, such as not texting while driving, as well as for stronger distracted driving and graduated driver licensing laws, like the STANDUP Act, to help make our roads safer for everyone."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Grammy Award&amp;reg;-nominee and Broadway star Jordin Sparks, actress Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, 10 Things I Hate About You), pop rock band Honor Society, R&amp;amp;B singer Mateo and Big Rob - along with their DSGN8D TXTRs - have joined Jonas in supporting the effort by registering online. They will also make appearances in select markets during the national tour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The holiday campaign also includes a sweepstakes sponsored by Allstate, in which people can enter to win VIP tickets and an expense-paid trip to the Jordin Sparks Experience in 2011.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To appoint your DSGN8D TXTR, or for more information about the 10-city tour, visit &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/xthetxt" target="_blank"&gt;facebook.com/XtheTXT&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:57:55 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/11f23a32-2b2a-4a26-b21a-22e039e528de</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/11f23a32-2b2a-4a26-b21a-22e039e528de</link>
      <media:title>Allstate and Celebrity Friends "DSGN8 TXTRS" for the Holidays</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Kevin Jonas and his DSGN8D TXTR Big Rob kick off 10-city tour to X the TXT&#8480; and curb distracted driving deaths&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate&lt;/a&gt; kicks off their 10-city &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/xthetxt" target="_blank"&gt;"X the TXT: DSGN8 Before You Drive"&lt;/a&gt; tour aimed at registering more than 25,000 DSGN8D TXTRs at live events and on Facebook (facebook.com/XtheTXT) this holiday season - one of the deadliest times of the year for teens on the road.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate's X the TXT movement launched one year ago to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving and save lives. To date, more than 125,000 people have pledged not to text and drive. Building on the success of that movement, X the TXT: DSGN8 Before You Drive, introduces a new step in drivers' habits by urging Americans to hand their phone to their DSGN8D TXTR before they get behind the wheel. Kevin Jonas will kick off the tour by designating best bud and security guard Big Rob as his in-car DSGN8D TXTR.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Everyone is busy during the holidays and we all depend on our phones to keep in touch while on the go," said Jonas. "Sending a text isn't worth risking your life or the lives of others. Having a DSGN8D TXTR to text on your behalf lets you focus on driving. In return, we can protect our friends and family by offering to take their phone when they drive."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Teens and their families and friends can join the campaign by attending a tour event where they can take the pledge not to text and drive, customize a free cell phone grip with their DSGN8D TXTR's name, and have their photo taken with their DSGN8D TXTR, to be included in a national photo mosaic and online.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Those who can't attend an event can join their favorite celebrities by registering their DSGN8D TXTR online and uploading photos at facebook.com/XtheTXT. Participants can check out other DSN8D TXTRS in their area and track the progress of registering 25,000 DSGN8D TXTRs across the country.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Especially during the holiday season, we want to stay in touch with those we love, and Allstate wants to make sure that all of us do so safely. Choosing a loved one to serve as your DSGN8D TXTR while you're driving is one way to do so," said Joan Walker, senior vice president of corporate relations at Allstate. "Allstate continues to advocate for responsible personal behaviors, such as not texting while driving, as well as for stronger distracted driving and graduated driver licensing laws, like the STANDUP Act, to help make our roads safer for everyone."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Grammy Award&amp;reg;-nominee and Broadway star Jordin Sparks, actress Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, 10 Things I Hate About You), pop rock band Honor Society, R&amp;amp;B singer Mateo and Big Rob - along with their DSGN8D TXTRs - have joined Jonas in supporting the effort by registering online. They will also make appearances in select markets during the national tour.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The holiday campaign also includes a sweepstakes sponsored by Allstate, in which people can enter to win VIP tickets and an expense-paid trip to the Jordin Sparks Experience in 2011.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To appoint your DSGN8D TXTR, or for more information about the 10-city tour, visit &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/xthetxt" target="_blank"&gt;facebook.com/XtheTXT&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="112027" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/11f23a32-2b2a-4a26-b21a-22e039e528de:en-US/download/fd38170b-080b-43f8-a776-000e5bb04603" medium="document"/>
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      <title>Auto: With Tow Truck Scams on Rise, Allstate Offers Tips to Help Prevent Drivers from Being Taken for a Ride</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;When a car breaks down, drivers are anxious to have their vehicle towed quickly to a safe place. Increasingly, stranded drivers are finding themselves at the mercy of potential scam artist tow truck operators, Allstate Insurance Company cautions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, reported claims of inflated towing or storage bills increased 103 percent during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period last year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A tow truck scam may take many forms, including the practice of patrolling the nation's highways searching for broken down motorists and offer their services... at an astronomical price that consumers are unaware of. These scams often leave victims paying hundreds, if not thousands, in hidden charges for roadside assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate encourages drivers to take steps to help prevent becoming a victim of these "Bandit Tow" scams.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;When possible, use a towing      operator pre-screened by your motor club or roadside assistance program.      Allstate offers a new pay-as-you go program, Allstate Good Hands&amp;reg;      Roadside, which will allow drivers to opt-in to the program only when they      need it and gives them access to pre-screened, legitimate tow truck      operators countrywide. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Never give a tow truck operator      permission to take your car if they weren't called by you or by law      enforcement personnel. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Do not provide a tow truck      operator your insurance information. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Make sure all signage on the      truck and documentation provided is identical and consistent. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Whenever possible, have your      car towed either to your home or a repair shop of your choice to avoid any      storage fees or additional fees. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Make sure you receive a printed      price list that includes daily storage fees and miscellaneous charges as      well as printed documentation of where the vehicle will be towed. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Make sure you sign below the      dollar amount quoted, not necessarily the bottom of the document. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Always remove personal items      and valuables before having your car towed. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;# # #&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Christina Loznicka&lt;br /&gt; 847-402-5600&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.twitter.com/allstatenews"&gt;www.twitter.com/allstatenews&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:48:55 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/6f999c12-d7c0-4022-9759-f6546245eba3</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/6f999c12-d7c0-4022-9759-f6546245eba3</link>
      <media:title>With Tow Truck Scams on Rise, Allstate Offers Tips to Help Prevent Drivers from Being Taken for a Ride</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">&lt;p&gt;When a car breaks down, drivers are anxious to have their vehicle towed quickly to a safe place. Increasingly, stranded drivers are finding themselves at the mercy of potential scam artist tow truck operators, Allstate Insurance Company cautions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, reported claims of inflated towing or storage bills increased 103 percent during the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period last year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A tow truck scam may take many forms, including the practice of patrolling the nation's highways searching for broken down motorists and offer their services... at an astronomical price that consumers are unaware of. These scams often leave victims paying hundreds, if not thousands, in hidden charges for roadside assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate encourages drivers to take steps to help prevent becoming a victim of these "Bandit Tow" scams.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;When possible, use a towing      operator pre-screened by your motor club or roadside assistance program.      Allstate offers a new pay-as-you go program, Allstate Good Hands&amp;reg;      Roadside, which will allow drivers to opt-in to the program only when they      need it and gives them access to pre-screened, legitimate tow truck      operators countrywide. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Never give a tow truck operator      permission to take your car if they weren't called by you or by law      enforcement personnel. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Do not provide a tow truck      operator your insurance information. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Make sure all signage on the      truck and documentation provided is identical and consistent. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Whenever possible, have your      car towed either to your home or a repair shop of your choice to avoid any      storage fees or additional fees. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Make sure you receive a printed      price list that includes daily storage fees and miscellaneous charges as      well as printed documentation of where the vehicle will be towed. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Make sure you sign below the      dollar amount quoted, not necessarily the bottom of the document. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Always remove personal items      and valuables before having your car towed. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;# # #&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Christina Loznicka&lt;br /&gt; 847-402-5600&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.twitter.com/allstatenews"&gt;www.twitter.com/allstatenews&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate Introduces First Free-to-Join Roadside Service</title>
      <description>Just in time for the holidays, Good Hands&#8480; Roadside offers drivers protection against "Mayhem" on the roads&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;As the nation's highways swell with holiday drivers, a flat tire, dead battery or other car trouble is the kind of "Mayhem" motorists may experience. That's why Allstate (NYSE:ALL) today announced the launch of Good Hands&lt;span class="smark"&gt;&#8480;&lt;/span&gt; Roadside Assistance, the first free-to-join, pay-per-use, roadside assistance service that is available to all drivers, not just Allstate customers. Consumers can register by visiting &lt;a href="http://www.goodhandsroadside.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.goodhandsroadside.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate created Good Hands Roadside to offer protection to the 35 million American households that don't have roadside assistance services. The company also wants to provide an alternative for the 52 million households with roadside assistance that pay annual fees. Studies show the average driver uses their service only once every three years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"With the launch of Good Hands Roadside, Allstate continues to broaden the definition of protection with new products and services consumers want in the ways they want them," said Chuck Paul, group vice president, Emerging Businesses, for Allstate. "This is just another option individuals can use to protect what matters most."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A consumer in need of roadside assistance can call 1-800-ALLSTATE anytime and receive access to Allstate's 24/7, nationwide towing network. Consumers will pay a flat rate of $75 for a tow up to 10 miles and $50 for other roadside events such as service for a flat tire, a dead battery or keys locked inside a car. Allstate suggests taking two minutes to pre-register before road "Mayhem" strikes at &lt;a href="http://www.goodhandsroadside.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.goodhandsroadside.com&lt;/a&gt; to improve response time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With towing scams on the rise, a reliable towing network has never been more important. According to Allstate and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, reported claims of inflated towing or storage bills increased 103 percent during the first nine months of 2010, when compared to the same period last year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To help kick off Good Hands Roadside, Allstate has planned a number of activities, including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Rivalry Road Trip sponsored by Good Hands Roadside Assistance&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt; - nationally recognized college football blogger Spencer Hall from Every Day Should Be Saturday (&lt;a href="http://www.edsbs.com/" target="_blank"&gt;www.edsbs.com&lt;/a&gt; ) is hitting the road starting with College Football Rivalry Week and visiting some of the biggest games of the season, kicking off with Ohio State at Iowa on Nov. 20 and culminating with the Tostitos BCS National Championship in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 10, 2011. Hall will blog and tweet about his road trip adventures and organize game day meet-ups with fans where he will give away game tickets and help register them for Good Hands Roadside.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Good Hands Roadside Mobile App&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt; - the application allows smart phone users to select the type of roadside service needed, and the app does the rest - tapping the phone's GPS capabilities to expedite trusted roadside help straight to the user's location. The iPhone version of the mobile app is available immediately. Android and Blackberry versions will be available in December. To download the Good Hands Roadside app or any of the other protection oriented mobile apps Allstate offers, visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/mobile/main.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.allstate.com/mobile/main.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Roadside Kick It For Tickets Sweepstakes&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt; - going live on Friday, November 19th and hosted by the Allstate Facebook page (&lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/Allstate" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.facebook.com/Allstate&lt;/a&gt;), this virtual kicking game allows users to play for a chance to win a trip to the 2012 Allstate&amp;reg; BCS National Championship in New Orleans. All players are required to connect with Allstate on Facebook and register for GHR before they can play.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information, visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="http://www.twitter.com/allstatenews"&gt;www.twitter.com/allstatenews&lt;/a&gt; .&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:Raleigh.Floyd@allstate.com"&gt;Raleigh.Floyd@allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Nov 2010 03:19:55 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/6507f11e-eeac-413e-a441-7d24547dece5</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/6507f11e-eeac-413e-a441-7d24547dece5</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Introduces First Free-to-Join Roadside Service</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Just in time for the holidays, Good Hands&#8480; Roadside offers drivers protection against "Mayhem" on the roads&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;As the nation's highways swell with holiday drivers, a flat tire, dead battery or other car trouble is the kind of "Mayhem" motorists may experience. That's why Allstate (NYSE:ALL) today announced the launch of Good Hands&lt;span class="smark"&gt;&#8480;&lt;/span&gt; Roadside Assistance, the first free-to-join, pay-per-use, roadside assistance service that is available to all drivers, not just Allstate customers. Consumers can register by visiting &lt;a href="http://www.goodhandsroadside.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.goodhandsroadside.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate created Good Hands Roadside to offer protection to the 35 million American households that don't have roadside assistance services. The company also wants to provide an alternative for the 52 million households with roadside assistance that pay annual fees. Studies show the average driver uses their service only once every three years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"With the launch of Good Hands Roadside, Allstate continues to broaden the definition of protection with new products and services consumers want in the ways they want them," said Chuck Paul, group vice president, Emerging Businesses, for Allstate. "This is just another option individuals can use to protect what matters most."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A consumer in need of roadside assistance can call 1-800-ALLSTATE anytime and receive access to Allstate's 24/7, nationwide towing network. Consumers will pay a flat rate of $75 for a tow up to 10 miles and $50 for other roadside events such as service for a flat tire, a dead battery or keys locked inside a car. Allstate suggests taking two minutes to pre-register before road "Mayhem" strikes at &lt;a href="http://www.goodhandsroadside.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.goodhandsroadside.com&lt;/a&gt; to improve response time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With towing scams on the rise, a reliable towing network has never been more important. According to Allstate and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, reported claims of inflated towing or storage bills increased 103 percent during the first nine months of 2010, when compared to the same period last year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To help kick off Good Hands Roadside, Allstate has planned a number of activities, including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Rivalry Road Trip sponsored by Good Hands Roadside Assistance&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt; - nationally recognized college football blogger Spencer Hall from Every Day Should Be Saturday (&lt;a href="http://www.edsbs.com/" target="_blank"&gt;www.edsbs.com&lt;/a&gt; ) is hitting the road starting with College Football Rivalry Week and visiting some of the biggest games of the season, kicking off with Ohio State at Iowa on Nov. 20 and culminating with the Tostitos BCS National Championship in Glendale, Ariz. on Jan. 10, 2011. Hall will blog and tweet about his road trip adventures and organize game day meet-ups with fans where he will give away game tickets and help register them for Good Hands Roadside.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Good Hands Roadside Mobile App&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt; - the application allows smart phone users to select the type of roadside service needed, and the app does the rest - tapping the phone's GPS capabilities to expedite trusted roadside help straight to the user's location. The iPhone version of the mobile app is available immediately. Android and Blackberry versions will be available in December. To download the Good Hands Roadside app or any of the other protection oriented mobile apps Allstate offers, visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/mobile/main.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.allstate.com/mobile/main.aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Roadside Kick It For Tickets Sweepstakes&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/span&gt; - going live on Friday, November 19th and hosted by the Allstate Facebook page (&lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/Allstate" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.facebook.com/Allstate&lt;/a&gt;), this virtual kicking game allows users to play for a chance to win a trip to the 2012 Allstate&amp;reg; BCS National Championship in New Orleans. All players are required to connect with Allstate on Facebook and register for GHR before they can play.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information, visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href="http://www.twitter.com/allstatenews"&gt;www.twitter.com/allstatenews&lt;/a&gt; .&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="mailto:Raleigh.Floyd@allstate.com"&gt;Raleigh.Floyd@allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="109256" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/6507f11e-eeac-413e-a441-7d24547dece5:en-US/download/cc19f80d-2cec-4750-a55a-e2d0cb10c89a" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Enact, Enforce and Educate to Curb Distracted Driving</title>
      <description>&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate Insurance Company&lt;/a&gt; today issued the following statement in response to the release of the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) report which states that texting bans have not seen a decrease in reported car crashes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate joins &lt;a href="http://www.fastlane.dot.gov/" target="_blank"&gt;U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood&lt;/a&gt; in calling for continued efforts to enact, enforce and educate the public about texting bans that can save lives.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Legislation is only the first step. To have real impact, laws must be strongly enforced so that the consequence for texting while driving is a tough penalty and not the end of a life," said Joan Walker, vice president of corporate relations for Allstate Insurance Company. "Legislation must be combined with law enforcement and public education programs to create a real shift in changing safe driving norms.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate supports and encourages legislation banning texting behind the wheel, especially for teen drivers. Public education programs like Allstate's &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/Save11" target="_blank"&gt;Save 11&lt;/a&gt; campaign focus on enacting graduated driver's licensing laws to protect and prepare America's youngest drivers behind the wheel. Movements like Allstate's &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/XtheTXT" target="_blank"&gt;"X the TXT"&lt;/a&gt; help build awareness about the dangers of texting behind the wheel and curb distracted driving.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Every American has an obligation to stay focused on the road and protect one another. We have an opportunity to create a safer driving environment today and for future generations. We must act now by bringing together the most powerful resources we can to enact tough legislation, enforce laws with real consequences and change driving attitudes and behaviors."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact: &lt;br /&gt; Adam Shores &lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:19:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/f7c792e1-fb43-42b9-bca4-265a8ceee108</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/f7c792e1-fb43-42b9-bca4-265a8ceee108</link>
      <media:title>Enact, Enforce and Educate to Curb Distracted Driving</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/"&gt;Allstate Insurance Company&lt;/a&gt; today issued the following statement in response to the release of the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) report which states that texting bans have not seen a decrease in reported car crashes.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate joins &lt;a href="http://www.fastlane.dot.gov/" target="_blank"&gt;U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood&lt;/a&gt; in calling for continued efforts to enact, enforce and educate the public about texting bans that can save lives.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Legislation is only the first step. To have real impact, laws must be strongly enforced so that the consequence for texting while driving is a tough penalty and not the end of a life," said Joan Walker, vice president of corporate relations for Allstate Insurance Company. "Legislation must be combined with law enforcement and public education programs to create a real shift in changing safe driving norms.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate supports and encourages legislation banning texting behind the wheel, especially for teen drivers. Public education programs like Allstate's &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/Save11" target="_blank"&gt;Save 11&lt;/a&gt; campaign focus on enacting graduated driver's licensing laws to protect and prepare America's youngest drivers behind the wheel. Movements like Allstate's &lt;a href="http://www.facebook.com/XtheTXT" target="_blank"&gt;"X the TXT"&lt;/a&gt; help build awareness about the dangers of texting behind the wheel and curb distracted driving.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Every American has an obligation to stay focused on the road and protect one another. We have an opportunity to create a safer driving environment today and for future generations. We must act now by bringing together the most powerful resources we can to enact tough legislation, enforce laws with real consequences and change driving attitudes and behaviors."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact: &lt;br /&gt; Adam Shores &lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="88010" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/f7c792e1-fb43-42b9-bca4-265a8ceee108:en-US/download/e250cc8b-bef1-44d7-9813-c2df1a388d99" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Sixth Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;" Reveals New Safest Driving City</title>
      <description>Rocky Mountain, Appalachian Cities among Nation's Safest&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Video, 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Additional Information:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c:en-US/download/9919c4ef-08c6-4225-8b2b-e73d904158fd"&gt;Best Drivers Data: 2010&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c:en-US/download/3a5ca88c-cb97-49e3-a168-b79d21a1206f"&gt;Best Drivers Data: 2005-2009&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today released its sixth annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The report ranks America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers, according to Allstate claim data. &lt;br /&gt;This year's top honor of "America's Safest Driving City" is Fort Collins, Colorado. According to the report, the average driver in Fort Collins will experience an auto collision every 14.5 years, which is about 31 percent less likely than the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"For the sixth year, Allstate is releasing the Allstate America's Best Driver's Report to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on safe driving," said Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate's Claim Organization. "We also want to recognize the city of Fort Collins for being the safest driving city in America, and we salute all of America's safe drivers, who help make our communities better places to live, work and raise families."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Fort Collins city officials credit their residents with earning the safe driving recognition.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Once again, the people of Fort Collins have made me proud to live in this community," said Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson. "Becoming America's Safest Driving City takes quality roads and infrastructure. But more than anything else, it's the result of individuals taking responsibility for keeping our streets safe."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 35,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Human error is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Roche.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate offers the following &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/categories/6/releases/4529" target="_blank"&gt;safe driving tips&lt;/a&gt; drivers should consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Minimize distractions &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;ndash; Engaging in any other activity while driving &amp;ndash; talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup &amp;ndash; is a distraction. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Be aware of road conditions &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;ndash; Ice, snow, fog, rain &amp;ndash; all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;ndash; Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Steer clear of road rage&lt;/em&gt; &amp;ndash; Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/em&gt; &amp;ndash; Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of one's car. Ensure that car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;The Report&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;For the past six years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2007 to December 2008) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate's auto policies represent about 11 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top Ten&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For the first time in the report's six-year history, Fort Collins was revealed as the safest driving city.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table style="height: 264px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="458"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="165" align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Collision &lt;strong&gt;Likelihood &lt;br /&gt;Compared to National Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-31.2% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;14.5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;2. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-22.7% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;3. Boise, Idaho&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-22.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;4. Colorado Springs, Colo.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-20.0% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;5. Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-19.5% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.4&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;6. Eugene, Ore.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-18.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;7. Reno, Nev.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-18.2% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;8. Huntsville, Ala.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-18.1% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;9. Lincoln, Neb.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-17.9% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;10. Cedar Rapids, Iowa&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-16.5% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.0&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional "Road" Scholars&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. Motorists in Phoenix topped the list in this category making them the safest big city commuters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with More Than One Million Residents:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table style="height: 258px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="457"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="165" align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Collision &lt;strong&gt;Likelihood &lt;br /&gt;Compared to National Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;74. Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;1.9% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;9.8&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;103. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;8.3% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;9.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;159. New York, N.Y.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;28.6% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.8&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;161. Houston, Texas&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;29.5% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.7&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;163 San Antonio, Texas&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;30.2% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.7&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;167. Chicago, Ill.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;32.3% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.6&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;173. Dallas, Texas&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;35.2% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.4&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;183. Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;44.7% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;6.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;187. Philadelphia, Pa.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;53.5% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;6.5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information on how your safe driving record can save you money on your insurance, including cash off your renewal bill and cash off your deductible, contact an Allstate agent or call 1-800-ALLSTATE.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c:en-US/download/9919c4ef-08c6-4225-8b2b-e73d904158fd"&gt;To view the complete "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report,"&lt;/a&gt; or to see &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a6d1cc0f-ddbe-4657-a2b2-e5e7302012ef:en-US/download/ed3b3728-ee18-4537-87d2-5bccd103f66c"&gt;previous year's results&lt;/a&gt;, log onto &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft &lt;br /&gt;(847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:00:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c</link>
      <media:group>
        <media:title>Sixth Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;" Reveals New Safest Driving City</media:title>
        <media:description type="html">Rocky Mountain, Appalachian Cities among Nation's Safest&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Video, 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Additional Information:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c:en-US/download/9919c4ef-08c6-4225-8b2b-e73d904158fd"&gt;Best Drivers Data: 2010&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c:en-US/download/3a5ca88c-cb97-49e3-a168-b79d21a1206f"&gt;Best Drivers Data: 2005-2009&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today released its sixth annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The report ranks America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers, according to Allstate claim data. &lt;br /&gt;This year's top honor of "America's Safest Driving City" is Fort Collins, Colorado. According to the report, the average driver in Fort Collins will experience an auto collision every 14.5 years, which is about 31 percent less likely than the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"For the sixth year, Allstate is releasing the Allstate America's Best Driver's Report to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on safe driving," said Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate's Claim Organization. "We also want to recognize the city of Fort Collins for being the safest driving city in America, and we salute all of America's safe drivers, who help make our communities better places to live, work and raise families."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Fort Collins city officials credit their residents with earning the safe driving recognition.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Once again, the people of Fort Collins have made me proud to live in this community," said Fort Collins Mayor Doug Hutchinson. "Becoming America's Safest Driving City takes quality roads and infrastructure. But more than anything else, it's the result of individuals taking responsibility for keeping our streets safe."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 35,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Human error is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Roche.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate offers the following &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/categories/6/releases/4529" target="_blank"&gt;safe driving tips&lt;/a&gt; drivers should consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Minimize distractions &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;ndash; Engaging in any other activity while driving &amp;ndash; talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup &amp;ndash; is a distraction. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Be aware of road conditions &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;ndash; Ice, snow, fog, rain &amp;ndash; all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;ndash; Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Steer clear of road rage&lt;/em&gt; &amp;ndash; Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;em&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/em&gt; &amp;ndash; Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of one's car. Ensure that car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;The Report&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;For the past six years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2007 to December 2008) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate's auto policies represent about 11 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top Ten&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For the first time in the report's six-year history, Fort Collins was revealed as the safest driving city.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table style="height: 264px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="458"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="165" align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Collision &lt;strong&gt;Likelihood &lt;br /&gt;Compared to National Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-31.2% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;14.5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;2. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-22.7% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;3. Boise, Idaho&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-22.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;4. Colorado Springs, Colo.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-20.0% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;5. Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-19.5% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.4&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;6. Eugene, Ore.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-18.3% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;7. Reno, Nev.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-18.2% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;8. Huntsville, Ala.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-18.1% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;9. Lincoln, Neb.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-17.9% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;10. Cedar Rapids, Iowa&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;-16.5% less likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;12.0&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional "Road" Scholars&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. Motorists in Phoenix topped the list in this category making them the safest big city commuters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with More Than One Million Residents:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table style="height: 258px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="457"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="165" align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Collision &lt;strong&gt;Likelihood &lt;br /&gt;Compared to National Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#000000"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;74. Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;1.9% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;9.8&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;103. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;8.3% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;9.2&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;159. New York, N.Y.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;28.6% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.8&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;161. Houston, Texas&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;29.5% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.7&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;163 San Antonio, Texas&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;30.2% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.7&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;167. Chicago, Ill.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;32.3% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.6&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;173. Dallas, Texas&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;35.2% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;7.4&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;183. Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;44.7% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;6.9&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td valign="top"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;187. Philadelphia, Pa.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;53.5% more likely&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center" valign="top"&gt;6.5&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information on how your safe driving record can save you money on your insurance, including cash off your renewal bill and cash off your deductible, contact an Allstate agent or call 1-800-ALLSTATE.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c:en-US/download/9919c4ef-08c6-4225-8b2b-e73d904158fd"&gt;To view the complete "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report,"&lt;/a&gt; or to see &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a6d1cc0f-ddbe-4657-a2b2-e5e7302012ef:en-US/download/ed3b3728-ee18-4537-87d2-5bccd103f66c"&gt;previous year's results&lt;/a&gt;, log onto &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft &lt;br /&gt;(847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
        <media:content type="application/vnd.ms-excel" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c:en-US/download/3a5ca88c-cb97-49e3-a168-b79d21a1206f" medium="document"/>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a4ba5e64-7ef0-4533-9f04-6ca378258f3c:en-US/download/9919c4ef-08c6-4225-8b2b-e73d904158fd" medium="document"/>
      </media:group>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Stripped in Seconds: Going From Car to Shell in Under Ten</title>
      <description>Live "chop shops" show how fast cars can vanish - Helps Prevent Auto Theft&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;In less than ten minutes, Allstate Insurance Company's   three-man Stripped in Seconds team can turn a car or truck into an empty shell and a pile of parts.   The real bad guys can do it even faster. In a series of chop shop demonstrations taking place   across the country, Allstate is illustrating how quickly a thief can turn a vehicle into sellable parts   that often are worth more than the vehicle as whole.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It can take an expert auto thief as little as seven seconds and one screwdriver to break into a   vehicle, and less than one minute to drive away. According to Allstate, many of the most commonly   stolen cars are snatched for their parts - not the joyrides seen on TV or in the movies. The insurer   says the top targets for thieves are often reliable vehicles that ride the roads longer. The car or   truck's dependability means they don't end up in salvage yards and spare parts can be more   difficult to find - creating a black market for thieves looking to profit from potentially pricey spare parts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"A car is stolen every thirty-three seconds in the United States and common sense could keep   many of these thefts from happening," said Mike Roche, Allstate Senior Vice President for Claims. "Thieves look for easy targets. Your vehicle is one of the biggest investments you will make and you should be sure to take the steps necessary to protect your vehicle."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Numbers Down&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate says it saw a decline in the number of unrecovered auto thefts in 2009. The insurer now   says its time for consumers to help close the door on car thieves.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seven Simple Steps&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The company says the following seven suggestions may seem like common sense but they're   proven to help prevent theft.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lock your car and take your keys&lt;/strong&gt; - One out of every five vehicles stolen had the keys in it, and   almost half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Consider VIN etching&lt;/strong&gt; - Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can easily be etched on windows,   doors, fenders and other car parts. This makes it difficult for a thief to market your stolen car parts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don't hide a second set of keys in your car&lt;/strong&gt; - Extra keys can easily be found if a thief takes time to look.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Park in high foot traffic, well-lighted areas&lt;/strong&gt; - This is a deterrent to would-be thieves, and thieves   do not like witnesses and often prefer unattended, unlit parking lots.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Roll up your windows&lt;/strong&gt; - Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is parked in front   of your home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don't leave your car running unattended&lt;/strong&gt; - Vehicles are commonly stolen at convenience   stores, gas stations, ATM's, etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on cold mornings when the owner   leaves the vehicle running to warm up.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hide your valuables&lt;/strong&gt; - Don't make your car a more desirable target for thieves by leaving   valuables in plain sight.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate also adds that drivers should make sure they have the proper insurance coverages in the   event they find themselves a victim of auto theft. Auto theft is covered under the comprehensive   section of an auto insurance policy. If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fourteen Cities in Seven Weeks&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Stripped in Seconds show is a seven-week, cross-country campaign Allstate hopes will make   people think about theft prevention. The team is tearing apart fourteen cars in fourteen cities   between May 4 and June 17. In each city, Allstate says the message is the same - take time to   protect your car from criminals. The Stripped in Seconds teardowns are taking place in the   following cities:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Houston, TX&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Chicago, Ill&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Atlanta, GA&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Memphis, TN&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Denver, CO&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Boise, ID&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Los Angeles, CA&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Las Vegas, NV&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Baltimore, MD&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Long Island, NY&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Philadelphia, PA&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Miami, FL&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;South Bend, IN&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation&amp;rsquo;s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the &amp;ldquo;You&amp;rsquo;re In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;&amp;rdquo; slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;# # #&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 May 2010 11:36:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/50fdcd23-2ceb-4f50-a88b-d17b8078502b</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/50fdcd23-2ceb-4f50-a88b-d17b8078502b</link>
      <media:title>Stripped in Seconds: Going From Car to Shell in Under Ten</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Live "chop shops" show how fast cars can vanish - Helps Prevent Auto Theft&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;In less than ten minutes, Allstate Insurance Company's   three-man Stripped in Seconds team can turn a car or truck into an empty shell and a pile of parts.   The real bad guys can do it even faster. In a series of chop shop demonstrations taking place   across the country, Allstate is illustrating how quickly a thief can turn a vehicle into sellable parts   that often are worth more than the vehicle as whole.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It can take an expert auto thief as little as seven seconds and one screwdriver to break into a   vehicle, and less than one minute to drive away. According to Allstate, many of the most commonly   stolen cars are snatched for their parts - not the joyrides seen on TV or in the movies. The insurer   says the top targets for thieves are often reliable vehicles that ride the roads longer. The car or   truck's dependability means they don't end up in salvage yards and spare parts can be more   difficult to find - creating a black market for thieves looking to profit from potentially pricey spare parts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"A car is stolen every thirty-three seconds in the United States and common sense could keep   many of these thefts from happening," said Mike Roche, Allstate Senior Vice President for Claims. "Thieves look for easy targets. Your vehicle is one of the biggest investments you will make and you should be sure to take the steps necessary to protect your vehicle."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Numbers Down&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate says it saw a decline in the number of unrecovered auto thefts in 2009. The insurer now   says its time for consumers to help close the door on car thieves.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Seven Simple Steps&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The company says the following seven suggestions may seem like common sense but they're   proven to help prevent theft.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lock your car and take your keys&lt;/strong&gt; - One out of every five vehicles stolen had the keys in it, and   almost half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Consider VIN etching&lt;/strong&gt; - Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can easily be etched on windows,   doors, fenders and other car parts. This makes it difficult for a thief to market your stolen car parts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don't hide a second set of keys in your car&lt;/strong&gt; - Extra keys can easily be found if a thief takes time to look.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Park in high foot traffic, well-lighted areas&lt;/strong&gt; - This is a deterrent to would-be thieves, and thieves   do not like witnesses and often prefer unattended, unlit parking lots.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Roll up your windows&lt;/strong&gt; - Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is parked in front   of your home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Don't leave your car running unattended&lt;/strong&gt; - Vehicles are commonly stolen at convenience   stores, gas stations, ATM's, etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on cold mornings when the owner   leaves the vehicle running to warm up.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Hide your valuables&lt;/strong&gt; - Don't make your car a more desirable target for thieves by leaving   valuables in plain sight.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate also adds that drivers should make sure they have the proper insurance coverages in the   event they find themselves a victim of auto theft. Auto theft is covered under the comprehensive   section of an auto insurance policy. If your vehicle is stolen, report it to the police immediately.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fourteen Cities in Seven Weeks&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Stripped in Seconds show is a seven-week, cross-country campaign Allstate hopes will make   people think about theft prevention. The team is tearing apart fourteen cars in fourteen cities   between May 4 and June 17. In each city, Allstate says the message is the same - take time to   protect your car from criminals. The Stripped in Seconds teardowns are taking place in the   following cities:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Houston, TX&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Chicago, Ill&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Atlanta, GA&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Memphis, TN&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Denver, CO&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Boise, ID&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Los Angeles, CA&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Las Vegas, NV&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Baltimore, MD&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Long Island, NY&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Philadelphia, PA&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Miami, FL&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;South Bend, IN&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation&amp;rsquo;s largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the &amp;ldquo;You&amp;rsquo;re In Good Hands With Allstate&amp;reg;&amp;rdquo; slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products (&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx"&gt;auto&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/home-insurance.aspx"&gt;home&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/life-insurance.aspx"&gt;life&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/retirement.aspx"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt;) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a title="http://www.allstate.com/" href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;# # #&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/50fdcd23-2ceb-4f50-a88b-d17b8078502b:en-US/download/c8a8a5c0-7b3a-4fb0-84d6-f5a4f64be4f0" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Honor Code On The Roads?</title>
      <description>&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;The likelihood of drivers stopping or leaving a 'sorry' 	  note on your windshield if they hit your car is not very good according to new Allstate claims 	  data released today. 69% of the country's hit-and-run collisions involved a parked vehicle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While most states require a driver responsible for an accident with an unattended vehicle to 	  notify the owner, such as leaving a note, some do not. However, Allstate recommends drivers 	  always leave a note, including an explanation of what happened no matter how visible the 	  damage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Leaving the scene of an accident without stopping is a very serious matter," said Bill Daly, 	  Allstate assistant vice president of auto claims. "If you caused damage to a vehicle you may be 	  liable and can be held responsible. Collision coverage will protect you if someone hits your 	  parked car and can help pay for repairs."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A trip to the mall or quick stop at the grocery store can quickly turn dreadful if you return to your 	  vehicle to find you've been a victim of a hit-and-run. Allstate also warns drivers of the dangers of 	  driving distracted, especially when cruising in areas where 'hit while parked' incidents are high.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Turning on the radio or checking for missed calls are distractions and can make it more difficult 	  to maneuver your vehicle. Distractions also increase your chances of becoming involved in a 	  crash.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here is a look at the 'hit while parked' ratios in America's five largest cities&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City, State&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;% Hit While Parked&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;70%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;60%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;67%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Houston, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;57%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;67%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate offers the following tips on what to do if someone has hit your parked vehicle:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get the facts at the scene&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; - Ask people nearby the scene if they witnessed the accident. Take 	  down their reports and contact information. Also, take pictures of the area and all damage to 	  your vehicle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Check for surveillance cameras&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; - If the accident occurred in a parking lot, check to see if a 	  surveillance camera caught the incident on tape.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact your insurance company&lt;/strong&gt; - Report even a minor accident to your insurance company 	  immediately.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information about the hit-and-run report, log onto &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing 	  protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today 	  and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services 	  through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial 	  representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;*Note: National figure reflects data for America's largest 200 cities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Krissy Posey&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:00:56 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/9ce8221a-a845-452d-9d48-e6d33ff461f9</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/9ce8221a-a845-452d-9d48-e6d33ff461f9</link>
      <media:group>
        <media:title>Honor Code On The Roads?</media:title>
        <media:description type="html">&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;The likelihood of drivers stopping or leaving a 'sorry' 	  note on your windshield if they hit your car is not very good according to new Allstate claims 	  data released today. 69% of the country's hit-and-run collisions involved a parked vehicle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;While most states require a driver responsible for an accident with an unattended vehicle to 	  notify the owner, such as leaving a note, some do not. However, Allstate recommends drivers 	  always leave a note, including an explanation of what happened no matter how visible the 	  damage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Leaving the scene of an accident without stopping is a very serious matter," said Bill Daly, 	  Allstate assistant vice president of auto claims. "If you caused damage to a vehicle you may be 	  liable and can be held responsible. Collision coverage will protect you if someone hits your 	  parked car and can help pay for repairs."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A trip to the mall or quick stop at the grocery store can quickly turn dreadful if you return to your 	  vehicle to find you've been a victim of a hit-and-run. Allstate also warns drivers of the dangers of 	  driving distracted, especially when cruising in areas where 'hit while parked' incidents are high.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Turning on the radio or checking for missed calls are distractions and can make it more difficult 	  to maneuver your vehicle. Distractions also increase your chances of becoming involved in a 	  crash.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Here is a look at the 'hit while parked' ratios in America's five largest cities&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City, State&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;% Hit While Parked&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;70%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;60%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;67%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Houston, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;57%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td align="center"&gt;67%&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate offers the following tips on what to do if someone has hit your parked vehicle:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get the facts at the scene&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; - Ask people nearby the scene if they witnessed the accident. Take 	  down their reports and contact information. Also, take pictures of the area and all damage to 	  your vehicle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Check for surveillance cameras&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; - If the accident occurred in a parking lot, check to see if a 	  surveillance camera caught the incident on tape.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact your insurance company&lt;/strong&gt; - Report even a minor accident to your insurance company 	  immediately.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information about the hit-and-run report, log onto &lt;a href="http://www.allstatenewsroom.com"&gt;www.allstatenewsroom.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing 	  protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today 	  and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services 	  through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial 	  representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;*Note: National figure reflects data for America's largest 200 cities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Krissy Posey&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/9ce8221a-a845-452d-9d48-e6d33ff461f9:en-US/download/094111bd-ee84-4ad2-9631-9559e4e5fa16" medium="document"/>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/9ce8221a-a845-452d-9d48-e6d33ff461f9:en-US/download/faa2a855-26cd-4074-86c5-407583c8c843" medium="document"/>
      </media:group>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Auction of Recovered 1965 VW Bus Results in $29,573 for Lydia Place</title>
      <description>Allstate Donates 100% of Proceeds&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate (NYSE: ALL) announced today that the public auction of a recovered 1965 VW Bus totaled $29,573.50. Last week Allstate announced it would sell the recovered 1965 Volkswagen Bus at auction and donate 100% of the proceeds to Lydia Place, a nonprofit organization in Washington State serving homeless women and children impacted by domestic violence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"The women of Lydia Place need economic stability, secure housing, and life skills training to empower them to be successful and overcome the devastating effects of domestic violence," said Teresa Josephson, Executive Director, Lydia Place. "Allstate and Lydia Place both share the belief that domestic violence survivors must achieve economic stability in order to live free of abuse. We are grateful to receive the proceeds from the VW Bus auction, as these funds lend additional resources to achieving our vision, that future generations will experience life free from violence and homelessness."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The 1965 VW Bus was reported stolen nearly four decades ago by an Allstate customer and resident of Washington State. Allstate paid the customer's claim and, as part of the claims process, the vehicle title was transferred to Allstate. The vehicle was missing for 35 years until October of this year, when it was discovered during a U.S. Customs Service inspection of a shipping container departing for the Netherlands. U.S. Customs, the California Highway Patrol, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau conducted an investigation of the vehicle's history, which includes several possessors in multiple states across the country during the last 35 years, and concluded that Allstate is the lawful titleholder. Working with national auction vendor, Copart, Allstate made the 1965 VW Bus available for public auction on Friday, December 18, 2009.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate has a long history of supporting domestic violence survivors through The Allstate Foundation and our financial literacy programs," said Michelle Lee, field vice president of Allstate's northwest region. "This unique situation presented us with a truly unique opportunity to help women and children in Washington State at this critical time of year."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Lydia Place is a six-month transitional housing program that serves women and their children by offering shelter, life-skills training, and support needed to enable them to move from poverty to self-support and independence. Ninety-five percent of the families that come to Lydia Place have experienced domestic violence and the fear and abuse these women have endured in their relationships have resulted in poor self-esteem, inability to trust, and difficulty focusing on daily tasks. Since 1991, 245 families have found safe and supportive shelter at Lydia Place.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt; to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;# # #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Megan Brunet&lt;br /&gt; (847) 226-4098&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:45:56 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/6bcd09e4-4f1b-4ac5-8216-4c9765458c4f</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/6bcd09e4-4f1b-4ac5-8216-4c9765458c4f</link>
      <media:title>Auction of Recovered 1965 VW Bus Results in $29,573 for Lydia Place</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate Donates 100% of Proceeds&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate (NYSE: ALL) announced today that the public auction of a recovered 1965 VW Bus totaled $29,573.50. Last week Allstate announced it would sell the recovered 1965 Volkswagen Bus at auction and donate 100% of the proceeds to Lydia Place, a nonprofit organization in Washington State serving homeless women and children impacted by domestic violence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"The women of Lydia Place need economic stability, secure housing, and life skills training to empower them to be successful and overcome the devastating effects of domestic violence," said Teresa Josephson, Executive Director, Lydia Place. "Allstate and Lydia Place both share the belief that domestic violence survivors must achieve economic stability in order to live free of abuse. We are grateful to receive the proceeds from the VW Bus auction, as these funds lend additional resources to achieving our vision, that future generations will experience life free from violence and homelessness."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The 1965 VW Bus was reported stolen nearly four decades ago by an Allstate customer and resident of Washington State. Allstate paid the customer's claim and, as part of the claims process, the vehicle title was transferred to Allstate. The vehicle was missing for 35 years until October of this year, when it was discovered during a U.S. Customs Service inspection of a shipping container departing for the Netherlands. U.S. Customs, the California Highway Patrol, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau conducted an investigation of the vehicle's history, which includes several possessors in multiple states across the country during the last 35 years, and concluded that Allstate is the lawful titleholder. Working with national auction vendor, Copart, Allstate made the 1965 VW Bus available for public auction on Friday, December 18, 2009.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate has a long history of supporting domestic violence survivors through The Allstate Foundation and our financial literacy programs," said Michelle Lee, field vice president of Allstate's northwest region. "This unique situation presented us with a truly unique opportunity to help women and children in Washington State at this critical time of year."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Lydia Place is a six-month transitional housing program that serves women and their children by offering shelter, life-skills training, and support needed to enable them to move from poverty to self-support and independence. Ninety-five percent of the families that come to Lydia Place have experienced domestic violence and the fear and abuse these women have endured in their relationships have resulted in poor self-esteem, inability to trust, and difficulty focusing on daily tasks. Since 1991, 245 families have found safe and supportive shelter at Lydia Place.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt; to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;# # #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Megan Brunet&lt;br /&gt; (847) 226-4098&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/6bcd09e4-4f1b-4ac5-8216-4c9765458c4f:en-US/download/5d345599-7430-4766-bf7b-d23e5f4e7730" medium="document"/>
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    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate to Auction Recovered 1965 Volkswagen Bus, Donate Proceeds to Charity</title>
      <description>Unique Auction Will Be Open to the Public&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate (NYSE: ALL) announced today that it will   sell a recovered 1965 Volkswagen bus at auction and donate the proceeds to Lydia Place, a   nonprofit organization in Washington state serving homeless women and children impacted by domestic violence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate has a long and proud history of supporting domestic violence survivors," said Michelle   Lee, field vice president of Allstate's northwest region. "It's our hope that the tremendous public   interest in this unique vehicle and its unique history will translate into a significant contribution to Lydia Place."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In 1974, the VW bus was reported stolen by an Allstate customer, a resident of Washington   state. Allstate paid the customer's claim and, as part of the claims process, the vehicle title was   transferred to Allstate. The vehicle was missing for 35 years until October of this year, when it   was discovered during a U.S. Customs Service inspection of a shipping container departing for   the Netherlands. U.S. Customs, the California Highway Patrol, and the National Insurance   Crime Bureau conducted an investigation of the vehicle's history, which includes several   possessors in multiple states across the country during the last 35 years, and concluded that Allstate is the lawful titleholder.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Typically, if we do recover a stolen vehicle, it's in worse shape than before it was stolen and it's   worth less - sometimes far less - than the amount we paid to our customer to settle their claim,"   noted Paul Huber, Allstate's director of claims in the company's northwest region. "The situation   with this Bus is so unique that we thought it required a unique approach."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Working with national auction vendor, Copart, Allstate will make the 1965 VW bus available for   public auction on Friday, December 18, 2009. Members of the public interested in participating   in the auction via the Internet or in person are encouraged to visit &lt;a href="http://www.copart.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.copart.com&lt;/a&gt;. Copart is   currently taking preliminary bids for the van up until the live, virtual auction that begins at noon   PST on Friday, December 18. Buyers can enter a maximum bid during preliminary bidding and   have Copart bid up to that amount for them in the live auction, or they can place their bids   themselves during the live auction. Anyone can bid on the van by becoming a member of   Copart. For detailed information about participating in the auction, visit the Copart website at &lt;a href="http://www.copart.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.copart.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing   protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today   and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services   through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial   representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;# # #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Megan Brunet&lt;br /&gt; (425) 489-5238&lt;br /&gt; (847) 226-4098 cell&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:17:56 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/179598ac-72b7-405a-8c9d-87c08351cfa1</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/179598ac-72b7-405a-8c9d-87c08351cfa1</link>
      <media:title>Allstate to Auction Recovered 1965 Volkswagen Bus, Donate Proceeds to Charity</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Unique Auction Will Be Open to the Public&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate (NYSE: ALL) announced today that it will   sell a recovered 1965 Volkswagen bus at auction and donate the proceeds to Lydia Place, a   nonprofit organization in Washington state serving homeless women and children impacted by domestic violence.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate has a long and proud history of supporting domestic violence survivors," said Michelle   Lee, field vice president of Allstate's northwest region. "It's our hope that the tremendous public   interest in this unique vehicle and its unique history will translate into a significant contribution to Lydia Place."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In 1974, the VW bus was reported stolen by an Allstate customer, a resident of Washington   state. Allstate paid the customer's claim and, as part of the claims process, the vehicle title was   transferred to Allstate. The vehicle was missing for 35 years until October of this year, when it   was discovered during a U.S. Customs Service inspection of a shipping container departing for   the Netherlands. U.S. Customs, the California Highway Patrol, and the National Insurance   Crime Bureau conducted an investigation of the vehicle's history, which includes several   possessors in multiple states across the country during the last 35 years, and concluded that Allstate is the lawful titleholder.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Typically, if we do recover a stolen vehicle, it's in worse shape than before it was stolen and it's   worth less - sometimes far less - than the amount we paid to our customer to settle their claim,"   noted Paul Huber, Allstate's director of claims in the company's northwest region. "The situation   with this Bus is so unique that we thought it required a unique approach."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Working with national auction vendor, Copart, Allstate will make the 1965 VW bus available for   public auction on Friday, December 18, 2009. Members of the public interested in participating   in the auction via the Internet or in person are encouraged to visit &lt;a href="http://www.copart.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.copart.com&lt;/a&gt;. Copart is   currently taking preliminary bids for the van up until the live, virtual auction that begins at noon   PST on Friday, December 18. Buyers can enter a maximum bid during preliminary bidding and   have Copart bid up to that amount for them in the live auction, or they can place their bids   themselves during the live auction. Anyone can bid on the van by becoming a member of   Copart. For detailed information about participating in the auction, visit the Copart website at &lt;a href="http://www.copart.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.copart.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing   protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today   and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services   through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial   representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;# # #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Megan Brunet&lt;br /&gt; (425) 489-5238&lt;br /&gt; (847) 226-4098 cell&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/179598ac-72b7-405a-8c9d-87c08351cfa1:en-US/download/ae5ec77a-52c5-4cf9-be76-dd51fea91691" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate Motor Club Launches Roadside Assistance Mobile App for iPhone and BlackBerry Users</title>
      <description>Many exclusive Motor Club services now also available to non-members&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club today announced the launch of a new mobile application that brings its full suite of roadside services directly to drivers with iPhones and selected BlackBerry models. Through this app, which is free to download, Allstate Motor Club is now making many of its services available to non-members for the first time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We believe that all motorists will appreciate the added peace of mind that Allstate Motor Club members enjoy today," said Patrick M. O'Brien, president of Allstate Roadside Services. "Roadside assistance is a service that drivers really appreciate when they need it, because it helps get them back on the road to their destinations no matter where they're going."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The new app uses global positioning system (GPS) technology, automatically determining a caller's location to help identify and connect to the nearest available service provider. Drivers can diagnose their roadside need and initiate service in less than a minute.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club members can download the app and pre-register their contact information and membership ID. Drivers without Allstate Motor Club memberships can use the app on a pay-per-use basis. When requesting roadside assistance, the app automatically transmits the driver's location and service details to a nearby service provider. Once service is confirmed, the app provides the service provider's name and an estimated time of arrival.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Making roadside assistance available via smartphones is another example of how Allstate is leveraging technology to provide outstanding service for its consumers," added O'Brien. "The app even includes a convenient survey for customers to provide immediate feedback on their experience, to help us ensure our high levels of customer satisfaction."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The free download is available here: &lt;a href="http://www.allstatemotorclub.com/mobile" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.allstatemotorclub.com/mobile&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A demonstration of the application is available here:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuNnJd2bjFM" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuNnJd2bjFM&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With more than 2.5 million members, Allstate Motor Club was established in 1961 as the first national motor club to offer superior roadside benefits. From its beginning, membership included reimbursement for towing and roadside service, trip planning, arrest bond certificate, theft reward, accidental death insurance and payment for legal services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact: Kate Hollcraft / Krissy Posey&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:10:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/b3a9376b-607b-42c2-8b41-26b3904c89e7</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/b3a9376b-607b-42c2-8b41-26b3904c89e7</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Motor Club Launches Roadside Assistance Mobile App for iPhone and BlackBerry Users</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Many exclusive Motor Club services now also available to non-members&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club today announced the launch of a new mobile application that brings its full suite of roadside services directly to drivers with iPhones and selected BlackBerry models. Through this app, which is free to download, Allstate Motor Club is now making many of its services available to non-members for the first time.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We believe that all motorists will appreciate the added peace of mind that Allstate Motor Club members enjoy today," said Patrick M. O'Brien, president of Allstate Roadside Services. "Roadside assistance is a service that drivers really appreciate when they need it, because it helps get them back on the road to their destinations no matter where they're going."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The new app uses global positioning system (GPS) technology, automatically determining a caller's location to help identify and connect to the nearest available service provider. Drivers can diagnose their roadside need and initiate service in less than a minute.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club members can download the app and pre-register their contact information and membership ID. Drivers without Allstate Motor Club memberships can use the app on a pay-per-use basis. When requesting roadside assistance, the app automatically transmits the driver's location and service details to a nearby service provider. Once service is confirmed, the app provides the service provider's name and an estimated time of arrival.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Making roadside assistance available via smartphones is another example of how Allstate is leveraging technology to provide outstanding service for its consumers," added O'Brien. "The app even includes a convenient survey for customers to provide immediate feedback on their experience, to help us ensure our high levels of customer satisfaction."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The free download is available here: &lt;a href="http://www.allstatemotorclub.com/mobile" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.allstatemotorclub.com/mobile&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A demonstration of the application is available here:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuNnJd2bjFM" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuNnJd2bjFM&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With more than 2.5 million members, Allstate Motor Club was established in 1961 as the first national motor club to offer superior roadside benefits. From its beginning, membership included reimbursement for towing and roadside service, trip planning, arrest bond certificate, theft reward, accidental death insurance and payment for legal services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact: Kate Hollcraft / Krissy Posey&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/b3a9376b-607b-42c2-8b41-26b3904c89e7:en-US/download/96555ea9-fbea-4fad-a3cf-f75898fe81af" medium="document"/>
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    <item>
      <title>Auto: Message to Motorists: Don't Hope So, Know So</title>
      <description>Allstate Survey: Many Drivers Are Unsure About What Their Auto Insurance Covers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Does your auto policy cover you if your laptop is stolen out of your car? How about if you leave your car running while you run into a store and it gets stolen? Or you hit a pothole and it causes the frame of your car to bend?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Of drivers surveyed, 64 percent believed their auto policy covers them if personal items are stolen from their car, when it fact that is covered under a homeowners or renters policy. Nearly one third of respondents thought they were covered if they left their car running and it was stolen. And, while 60 percent of drivers knew they would be covered if a pothole caused the frame of their car to bend, 40 percent thought it would be covered under comprehensive, when in fact, it would be a collision claim.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A new survey commissioned by Allstate Insurance Company entitled, "Don't Hope So, Know So," asked drivers a series of questions about which coverages they currently have, and if those coverages would protect them in various accident scenarios. The survey found that many were confused about the coverage they had, the type of insurance they carried, and how high their deductibles were. In fact, 92 percent of drivers who initially felt confident in their auto coverage had their confidence drop by 20 points after taking the survey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"These survey results underscore the need for consumers to be better educated about their policies and what they mean," says Steve Sorenson, senior vice president of product operations for Allstate. "We hope these results will get people thinking about just how protected they are if the unforeseen occurs."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Of the drivers polled, 34 percent reported they had read through their auto policy, yet only 23 percent were very confident they knew their deductible limits. In the meantime, 65 percent of the respondents said they had filed a claim in the past.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To help gain a better understanding of what an auto insurance policy covers, Allstate offers the following tips for consumers:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read through your policy.&lt;/strong&gt; For starters, ready your policy and highlight what you don't understand. Contact your agent or insurance company to review those items, ensure your understanding of your policy coverages, and to help you determine if you are adequately covered should you have an accident. Visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/bumper-to-bumper.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/bumper-to-bumper.aspx&lt;/a&gt; to review Allstate's Bumper-to-Bumper Basics to learn about various types of coverages and how they can work to protect you.&lt;br&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Comprehensive vs. Collision.&lt;/strong&gt; You may have both coverages on your policy, but do you know what they mean? Comprehensive helps protect your car in situations that don't necessarily involve a collision. Collision helps protect you if you're involved in a collision with another object, such as another car, tree or building. They also vary in that each may carry a different deductible. It's important to understand how each coverage applies in a given situation and what you may be responsible for deductible-wise if something happens.&lt;br&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Determine appropriate deductibles for each coverage.&lt;/strong&gt; Your deductible is the amount of money you agree to pay out-of-pocket when you make a claim covered by your policy. Knowing what you agreed to in your policy helps eliminate any surprises if or when you need to file a claim.&lt;br&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Review your policy every year.&lt;/strong&gt; Life changes such as buying a home, moving apartments, getting married, or having a child can affect your insurance needs. Reviewing your policy annually ensures you and your family are properly protected.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information on an Allstate auto policy, please visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the Survey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
  The national survey is comprised of 1009 insured drivers. Interviews were collected between August 20-27, 2009 using internet samples. All participants were insured drivers who reported to have collision and/or comprehensive coverage included on their insurance policy. All surveys were conducted by Squier Knapp Dunn and Beck Research for Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/" target="_blank"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt; to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
  David Steck &lt;br&gt;
  (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:58:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/fbda8478-4f15-4138-977a-ee2ae554b3ee</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/fbda8478-4f15-4138-977a-ee2ae554b3ee</link>
      <media:title>Message to Motorists: Don't Hope So, Know So</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate Survey: Many Drivers Are Unsure About What Their Auto Insurance Covers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Does your auto policy cover you if your laptop is stolen out of your car? How about if you leave your car running while you run into a store and it gets stolen? Or you hit a pothole and it causes the frame of your car to bend?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Of drivers surveyed, 64 percent believed their auto policy covers them if personal items are stolen from their car, when it fact that is covered under a homeowners or renters policy. Nearly one third of respondents thought they were covered if they left their car running and it was stolen. And, while 60 percent of drivers knew they would be covered if a pothole caused the frame of their car to bend, 40 percent thought it would be covered under comprehensive, when in fact, it would be a collision claim.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A new survey commissioned by Allstate Insurance Company entitled, "Don't Hope So, Know So," asked drivers a series of questions about which coverages they currently have, and if those coverages would protect them in various accident scenarios. The survey found that many were confused about the coverage they had, the type of insurance they carried, and how high their deductibles were. In fact, 92 percent of drivers who initially felt confident in their auto coverage had their confidence drop by 20 points after taking the survey.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"These survey results underscore the need for consumers to be better educated about their policies and what they mean," says Steve Sorenson, senior vice president of product operations for Allstate. "We hope these results will get people thinking about just how protected they are if the unforeseen occurs."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Of the drivers polled, 34 percent reported they had read through their auto policy, yet only 23 percent were very confident they knew their deductible limits. In the meantime, 65 percent of the respondents said they had filed a claim in the past.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To help gain a better understanding of what an auto insurance policy covers, Allstate offers the following tips for consumers:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read through your policy.&lt;/strong&gt; For starters, ready your policy and highlight what you don't understand. Contact your agent or insurance company to review those items, ensure your understanding of your policy coverages, and to help you determine if you are adequately covered should you have an accident. Visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/bumper-to-bumper.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/bumper-to-bumper.aspx&lt;/a&gt; to review Allstate's Bumper-to-Bumper Basics to learn about various types of coverages and how they can work to protect you.&lt;br&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Comprehensive vs. Collision.&lt;/strong&gt; You may have both coverages on your policy, but do you know what they mean? Comprehensive helps protect your car in situations that don't necessarily involve a collision. Collision helps protect you if you're involved in a collision with another object, such as another car, tree or building. They also vary in that each may carry a different deductible. It's important to understand how each coverage applies in a given situation and what you may be responsible for deductible-wise if something happens.&lt;br&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Determine appropriate deductibles for each coverage.&lt;/strong&gt; Your deductible is the amount of money you agree to pay out-of-pocket when you make a claim covered by your policy. Knowing what you agreed to in your policy helps eliminate any surprises if or when you need to file a claim.&lt;br&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Review your policy every year.&lt;/strong&gt; Life changes such as buying a home, moving apartments, getting married, or having a child can affect your insurance needs. Reviewing your policy annually ensures you and your family are properly protected.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information on an Allstate auto policy, please visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About the Survey&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
  The national survey is comprised of 1009 insured drivers. Interviews were collected between August 20-27, 2009 using internet samples. All participants were insured drivers who reported to have collision and/or comprehensive coverage included on their insurance policy. All surveys were conducted by Squier Knapp Dunn and Beck Research for Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and &lt;a href="http://www.myallstatefinancial.com/" target="_blank"&gt;retirement&lt;/a&gt; to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt; and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;
  David Steck &lt;br&gt;
  (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/fbda8478-4f15-4138-977a-ee2ae554b3ee:en-US/download/269ead96-dabb-45f5-bee0-3d01bced1361" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Fifth Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;" Reveals Which Cities Have the Safest Drivers </title>
      <description>Allstate Rewards "America's Most Improved Driving City" with Free Gas&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 4 Photos, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Additional Information:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a6d1cc0f-ddbe-4657-a2b2-e5e7302012ef:en-US/download/ed3b3728-ee18-4537-87d2-5bccd103f66c"&gt;2009 Data&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/channels/news-releases-auto/releases/fifth-annual-allstate-americas-best-drivers-report-reveals-which-cities-have-the-safest-drivers/photos"&gt;View Related Images&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today released its fifth annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The report ranks America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers according to Allstate data. This year's report highlights America's most improved motorists.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This year's top honor of "America's Most Improved Driving City" is Alexandria, VA. According to the report, the average driver in Alexandria will experience an auto collision every 7.2 years, an improvement of 1.8 years since 2005. Allstate will congratulate motorists in Alexandria for their safe driving improvements with a free gas giveaway today, delivering some unexpected relief from high gas prices.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We are thrilled to see cities making progress toward keeping America's roadways safer," said Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate's Claim Organization. "Allstate has a strong history in promoting safe driving, and The Allstate America's Best Driver's Report was created to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on safe driving that saves lives. We salute America's best drivers and recognize their improved driving skills, which make all of our communities better places to live, work and raise families."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Alexandria city officials were proud to be recognized for their progress in driving safety, but realize there is still room for more improvements and continue working with residents to help make roads even safer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We are very pleased that Alexandria has been recognized as America's Most Improved Driving City. This important recognition demonstrates that our residents are committed to safe, attentive driving practices on our roads. We will continue to encourage Alexandria drivers to be safe and smart behind the wheel, hopefully ensuring that accidents rates will remain low," says Alexandria, VA Mayor William D. Euille.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 40,000 every year despite technological advances according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Human error is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Roche.&lt;br /&gt; Allstate offers the following safe driving tips drivers should consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Minimize distractions&lt;/strong&gt; - Engaging in any other activity while driving - talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup - is a distraction. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Be aware of road conditions&lt;/strong&gt; - Ice, snow, fog, rain - all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you&lt;/strong&gt; - Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Steer clear of road rage&lt;/strong&gt; - Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/strong&gt; - Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of one's car. Ensure that car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery, and hoses are in good working order.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Report&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the past five years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2006 to December 2007) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate's auto policies represent about 11.3 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;[Complete report available at www.allstatenewsroom.com]&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;America's Most-Improved Motorists&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Alexandria, VA topped the most improved chart improving its years between accidents by 1.8 years and climbed from the 194 spot in 2005 to 174 in 2009. Virginia drivers in general appear to observe the safety call. Five out of the top 10 most improved driving cities were in Virginia (Alexandria, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Richmond).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;2005 &amp;ndash; 2009 Increase in Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Accidents&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;174. Alexandria, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Lexington-Fayette, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;177. Arlington, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;40. Hampton, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;101. Virginia Beach, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;65. Aurora, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;57. Chesapeake, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;11. Reno, Nev.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;31. Richmond, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;100. Shreveport, La.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top Ten&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Drivers from Sioux Falls, S.D. maintained their status as the safest driving city in this year's report for the fourth consecutive year. However, two new cities championed their way into the top ten, Eugene, Ore. and Boise, Idaho.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years             &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Sioux Falls, S.D.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-26.1% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-24.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-21.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-20.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-19.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Wayne, Ind.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-18.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Lexington-Fayette, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-17.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Eugene, Ore.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-16.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Boise, Idaho&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-15.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Colorado Springs, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-15.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional "Road" Scholars&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. Motorists in Phoenix topped the list in this category making them the safest big city commuters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with More Than One Million Residents&amp;hellip;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;95. Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;108. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.0% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;145. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;161. Houston, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;32.0% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;168. San Antonio, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;36.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;170. Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;37.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;173. Dallas, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;39.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;184. Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;46.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;188. Philadelphia, Pa.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;57.1% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information on how your safe driving record can save you money on your insurance, including cash off your renewal bill and cash off your deductible, contact an Allstate agent or call 1-800-ALLSTATE.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To discuss the Best Drivers report and share your thoughts on a city's ranking, log onto www.goodhandscommunity.org&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To view the complete "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report," or to see previous year's results, log onto www.allstatenewsroom.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; 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. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at myallstatefinancial.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Note: The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts. Other cities not represented by any zip codes found in Allstate data: West Valley, Utah, Coral Springs, Fla., Lakewood, Colo., and Pembroke Pines, Fla. The Allstate Best Drivers Report is produced solely to boost the country's discussion about safe driving and to increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. The report is not used to determine auto insurance rates. A state specific adjustment was utilized for the Michigan cities to account for the unique coverage offered in that state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Krissy Posey / Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:00:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a6d1cc0f-ddbe-4657-a2b2-e5e7302012ef</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a6d1cc0f-ddbe-4657-a2b2-e5e7302012ef</link>
      <media:title>Fifth Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;" Reveals Which Cities Have the Safest Drivers </media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate Rewards "America's Most Improved Driving City" with Free Gas&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 4 Photos, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Additional Information:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a6d1cc0f-ddbe-4657-a2b2-e5e7302012ef:en-US/download/ed3b3728-ee18-4537-87d2-5bccd103f66c"&gt;2009 Data&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/channels/news-releases-auto/releases/fifth-annual-allstate-americas-best-drivers-report-reveals-which-cities-have-the-safest-drivers/photos"&gt;View Related Images&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today released its fifth annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The report ranks America's 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers according to Allstate data. This year's report highlights America's most improved motorists.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This year's top honor of "America's Most Improved Driving City" is Alexandria, VA. According to the report, the average driver in Alexandria will experience an auto collision every 7.2 years, an improvement of 1.8 years since 2005. Allstate will congratulate motorists in Alexandria for their safe driving improvements with a free gas giveaway today, delivering some unexpected relief from high gas prices.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We are thrilled to see cities making progress toward keeping America's roadways safer," said Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate's Claim Organization. "Allstate has a strong history in promoting safe driving, and The Allstate America's Best Driver's Report was created to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on safe driving that saves lives. We salute America's best drivers and recognize their improved driving skills, which make all of our communities better places to live, work and raise families."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Alexandria city officials were proud to be recognized for their progress in driving safety, but realize there is still room for more improvements and continue working with residents to help make roads even safer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We are very pleased that Alexandria has been recognized as America's Most Improved Driving City. This important recognition demonstrates that our residents are committed to safe, attentive driving practices on our roads. We will continue to encourage Alexandria drivers to be safe and smart behind the wheel, hopefully ensuring that accidents rates will remain low," says Alexandria, VA Mayor William D. Euille.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 40,000 every year despite technological advances according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Human error is the biggest cause of accidents. It is vital for us to educate drivers across the country on the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel," said Roche.&lt;br /&gt; Allstate offers the following safe driving tips drivers should consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Minimize distractions&lt;/strong&gt; - Engaging in any other activity while driving - talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup - is a distraction. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Be aware of road conditions&lt;/strong&gt; - Ice, snow, fog, rain - all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you&lt;/strong&gt; - Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Steer clear of road rage&lt;/strong&gt; - Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/strong&gt; - Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of one's car. Ensure that car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery, and hoses are in good working order.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Report&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the past five years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Internal property damage reported claims were analyzed over a two-year period (from January 2006 to December 2007) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim. Allstate's auto policies represent about 11.3 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;[Complete report available at www.allstatenewsroom.com]&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;America's Most-Improved Motorists&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Alexandria, VA topped the most improved chart improving its years between accidents by 1.8 years and climbed from the 194 spot in 2005 to 174 in 2009. Virginia drivers in general appear to observe the safety call. Five out of the top 10 most improved driving cities were in Virginia (Alexandria, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Richmond).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;2005 &amp;ndash; 2009 Increase in Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Accidents&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;174. Alexandria, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Lexington-Fayette, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;177. Arlington, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;40. Hampton, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;101. Virginia Beach, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;65. Aurora, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;57. Chesapeake, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;11. Reno, Nev.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;31. Richmond, Va.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;100. Shreveport, La.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top Ten&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Drivers from Sioux Falls, S.D. maintained their status as the safest driving city in this year's report for the fourth consecutive year. However, two new cities championed their way into the top ten, Eugene, Ore. and Boise, Idaho.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years             &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Sioux Falls, S.D.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-26.1% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-24.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-21.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Cedar Rapids, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-20.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-19.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Wayne, Ind.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-18.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Lexington-Fayette, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-17.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Eugene, Ore.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-16.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Boise, Idaho&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-15.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Colorado Springs, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;-15.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional "Road" Scholars&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. Motorists in Phoenix topped the list in this category making them the safest big city commuters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with More Than One Million Residents&amp;hellip;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City &amp;amp; Overall Ranking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;95. Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;108. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.0% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;145. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;161. Houston, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;32.0% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;168. San Antonio, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;36.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;170. Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;37.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;173. Dallas, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;39.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;184. Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;46.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;188. Philadelphia, Pa.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;57.1% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information on how your safe driving record can save you money on your insurance, including cash off your renewal bill and cash off your deductible, contact an Allstate agent or call 1-800-ALLSTATE.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To discuss the Best Drivers report and share your thoughts on a city's ranking, log onto www.goodhandscommunity.org&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To view the complete "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report," or to see previous year's results, log onto www.allstatenewsroom.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; 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. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at myallstatefinancial.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Note: The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts. Other cities not represented by any zip codes found in Allstate data: West Valley, Utah, Coral Springs, Fla., Lakewood, Colo., and Pembroke Pines, Fla. The Allstate Best Drivers Report is produced solely to boost the country's discussion about safe driving and to increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. The report is not used to determine auto insurance rates. A state specific adjustment was utilized for the Michigan cities to account for the unique coverage offered in that state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Krissy Posey / Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a6d1cc0f-ddbe-4657-a2b2-e5e7302012ef:en-US/download/ed3b3728-ee18-4537-87d2-5bccd103f66c" medium="document"/>
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      <title>Auto: Allstate to Re-enter Massachusetts Auto Insurance Market </title>
      <description>Allstate&#174; Your Choice Auto&#174; Offers Innovative Solutions to Bay State Drivers &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today filed rates and policy forms with    the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to re-enter the Massachusetts auto insurance    market. The move marks Allstate's return to the Bay State after a long hiatus.    Allstate has targeted November 2, 2009 as its "open-for-business" date. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Massachusetts auto insurance customers will have the opportunity to select from    Allstate's innovative Your Choice Auto&amp;reg; suite of auto insurance products.    Your Choice Auto&amp;reg; offers consumers a wide spectrum of coverages and prices    to fit their needs. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Massachusetts policymakers have recently adopted positive changes that make    the insurance market more competitive. The recent changes set a new direction,    giving insurers greater flexibility in how they serve customers and compete    for business in the market. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; "People are looking for value and choice," said George Ruebenson, President    of Allstate Protection. "As a company with a solid reputation and a national    presence, Allstate will provide Massachusetts consumers with additional automobile    insurance choices from an established insurance provider." &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Massachusetts consumers will have the option of contacting one of Allstate's    participating exclusive agencies in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island,    calling 1-800-ALLSTATE or visiting Allstate.com to purchase Allstate auto insurance.    Additional information about Allstate's auto insurance products can be found    at www.allstate.com. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; 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&amp;reg;"    slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals    in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better    prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such    as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive    Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in    select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; 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.    Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products    and services at myallstatefinancial.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft &lt;br /&gt; Email: kate.hollcraft@allstate.com&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Brett Ludwig &lt;br /&gt; Email: bludw@allstate.com &lt;br /&gt; (610) 251-3480&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2009 13:02:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/0bb7e0a6-f699-4b74-89b1-f84e96480777</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/0bb7e0a6-f699-4b74-89b1-f84e96480777</link>
      <media:title>Allstate to Re-enter Massachusetts Auto Insurance Market </media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate&#174; Your Choice Auto&#174; Offers Innovative Solutions to Bay State Drivers &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate Insurance Company (NYSE: ALL) today filed rates and policy forms with    the Massachusetts Division of Insurance to re-enter the Massachusetts auto insurance    market. The move marks Allstate's return to the Bay State after a long hiatus.    Allstate has targeted November 2, 2009 as its "open-for-business" date. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Massachusetts auto insurance customers will have the opportunity to select from    Allstate's innovative Your Choice Auto&amp;reg; suite of auto insurance products.    Your Choice Auto&amp;reg; offers consumers a wide spectrum of coverages and prices    to fit their needs. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Massachusetts policymakers have recently adopted positive changes that make    the insurance market more competitive. The recent changes set a new direction,    giving insurers greater flexibility in how they serve customers and compete    for business in the market. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; "People are looking for value and choice," said George Ruebenson, President    of Allstate Protection. "As a company with a solid reputation and a national    presence, Allstate will provide Massachusetts consumers with additional automobile    insurance choices from an established insurance provider." &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Massachusetts consumers will have the option of contacting one of Allstate's    participating exclusive agencies in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island,    calling 1-800-ALLSTATE or visiting Allstate.com to purchase Allstate auto insurance.    Additional information about Allstate's auto insurance products can be found    at www.allstate.com. &lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; 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&amp;reg;"    slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals    in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better    prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such    as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive    Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in    select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; 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.    Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products    and services at myallstatefinancial.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft &lt;br /&gt; Email: kate.hollcraft@allstate.com&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Brett Ludwig &lt;br /&gt; Email: bludw@allstate.com &lt;br /&gt; (610) 251-3480&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/0bb7e0a6-f699-4b74-89b1-f84e96480777:en-US/download/c4fd9598-f909-4625-9ef0-dd32c6bb7522" medium="document"/>
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      <title>Auto: Allstate Motor Club Reveals Thousands "Towed" During Spring Break </title>
      <description>Allstate offers quick and easy tips to help ensure you arrive safely to your destination &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;No matter the destination, when college   students hit the road for spring break trips, they're looking for relaxation and a break   from the books. But Allstate Motor Club (AMC) has found that for some spring breakers,   their trip might include a stop along the way that they weren't counting on making.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club provides 24-hour roadside assistance to its members through a   national network of service providers. According to AMC, the top five calls from motorists   in March looking for roadside assistance are:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1. Need towing service (51 percent) &lt;br /&gt; 2. Locked out of their car (11.3 percent) &lt;br /&gt; 3. Have a flat tire (10.7 percent) &lt;br /&gt; 4. Dead battery (7.9 percent) &lt;br /&gt; 5. Car won't start (6 percent)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As more and more students head to the beach, Allstate is reminding consumers that   adequate insurance, roadside protection and proper vehicle maintenance are ways to   help make sure you make the most of your spring break.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As one of the largest national providers of roadside assistance, Allstate Motor Club   members are protected anytime, anywhere, said Patrick O'Brien, president of Allstate   Roadside Services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Whether college students are driving to the beach or headed to the slopes, Allstate   Motor Club wants to remind motorists hitting the highways that troubles encountered on   the road shouldn't ruin their spring break plans," O'Brien said. "We want to make sure   our customers are protecting themselves with roadside assistance so they can arrive   safely at their spring break destinations."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club offers the following tips to help consumers hitting the roads:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Don't start the party early.&lt;/strong&gt; Never drink and drive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Don't get distracted.&lt;/strong&gt; Talking on the phone, texting your friends, eating or drinking,     listening to music -  even distractions from fellow passengers -  can all take your eyes off     the road.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Don't speed.&lt;/strong&gt; Leave distance between the vehicles in front of you and avoid tailgating;     watch your speed and pay attention to what other drivers are doing on the road. Leave     plenty of time to get to your destination.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Tune up your car.&lt;/strong&gt; For a smooth ride, make sure your car is in good working order.     Before you head out, have your tires, battery, belts, fluids and air conditioner checked by     a qualified mechanic. If you're driving in a hot climate or towing a boat or trailer, you may     need a motor oil with a higher viscosity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. Wear your seatbelt.&lt;/strong&gt; All passengers should use seatbelts. Pets should also be     restrained, either in a crate or a car harness specifically designed for animals. Lastly,     secure your luggage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, please contact a local Allstate   agent, call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-998-8697 or visit   www.allstatemotorclub.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan,   Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have   today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,700 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg;   and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;# # #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:03:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/d3f75ef6-2dc6-42f6-b66a-826af0d2bcec</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/d3f75ef6-2dc6-42f6-b66a-826af0d2bcec</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Motor Club Reveals Thousands "Towed" During Spring Break </media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate offers quick and easy tips to help ensure you arrive safely to your destination &lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;No matter the destination, when college   students hit the road for spring break trips, they're looking for relaxation and a break   from the books. But Allstate Motor Club (AMC) has found that for some spring breakers,   their trip might include a stop along the way that they weren't counting on making.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club provides 24-hour roadside assistance to its members through a   national network of service providers. According to AMC, the top five calls from motorists   in March looking for roadside assistance are:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1. Need towing service (51 percent) &lt;br /&gt; 2. Locked out of their car (11.3 percent) &lt;br /&gt; 3. Have a flat tire (10.7 percent) &lt;br /&gt; 4. Dead battery (7.9 percent) &lt;br /&gt; 5. Car won't start (6 percent)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As more and more students head to the beach, Allstate is reminding consumers that   adequate insurance, roadside protection and proper vehicle maintenance are ways to   help make sure you make the most of your spring break.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As one of the largest national providers of roadside assistance, Allstate Motor Club   members are protected anytime, anywhere, said Patrick O'Brien, president of Allstate   Roadside Services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Whether college students are driving to the beach or headed to the slopes, Allstate   Motor Club wants to remind motorists hitting the highways that troubles encountered on   the road shouldn't ruin their spring break plans," O'Brien said. "We want to make sure   our customers are protecting themselves with roadside assistance so they can arrive   safely at their spring break destinations."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club offers the following tips to help consumers hitting the roads:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;1. Don't start the party early.&lt;/strong&gt; Never drink and drive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2. Don't get distracted.&lt;/strong&gt; Talking on the phone, texting your friends, eating or drinking,     listening to music -  even distractions from fellow passengers -  can all take your eyes off     the road.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;3. Don't speed.&lt;/strong&gt; Leave distance between the vehicles in front of you and avoid tailgating;     watch your speed and pay attention to what other drivers are doing on the road. Leave     plenty of time to get to your destination.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;4. Tune up your car.&lt;/strong&gt; For a smooth ride, make sure your car is in good working order.     Before you head out, have your tires, battery, belts, fluids and air conditioner checked by     a qualified mechanic. If you're driving in a hot climate or towing a boat or trailer, you may     need a motor oil with a higher viscosity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;5. Wear your seatbelt.&lt;/strong&gt; All passengers should use seatbelts. Pets should also be     restrained, either in a crate or a car harness specifically designed for animals. Lastly,     secure your luggage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, please contact a local Allstate   agent, call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-998-8697 or visit   www.allstatemotorclub.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan,   Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have   today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,700 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg;   and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;# # #&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/d3f75ef6-2dc6-42f6-b66a-826af0d2bcec:en-US/download/3967a4b6-88b7-4985-9260-11563ded4375" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Smart Ways to Save on Auto Insurance</title>
      <description>Good ideas and things to think twice about&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Across the country, people continue to look for ways to stretch their budgets and cut costs. But when trying to cut costs on auto insurance, consumers should be wary of making penny wise, pound foolish decisions that could put them at risk financially. Allstate is providing some helpful tips on auto insurance savings. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In a rush to save money, consumers should be careful not to cut corners in areas that help protect them and their families. Although it is important to save money in the shortterm, consumers could find themselves unable to pay for auto repairs or for liabilities to others in the case of an accident.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Since insurance is designed to help protect consumers against the unknown, it can be difficult to know how much protection is needed. Allstate is providing some pointers for how to help keep protected while still saving money.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td colspan="2"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Smart Ways to Save on Auto Insurance&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Good ideas:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Things to think twice about:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Slow down.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Your deductible.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Buy the right car.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Your liability limits.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Pay your bill through automatic withdrawal.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Uninsured motorist coverage.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Insure your car and property with the same company.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Personal injury or medical payments coverage.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Study hard.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Comprehensive coverage.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Five good ideas:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
  &lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Slow down.&lt;/strong&gt; Drivers who have had accidents or serious traffic violations usually pay more than those with clean driving records, so consider safe driving a financial investment. With Allstate's safe driving discount, safe drivers can save up to 20 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Buy the right car&lt;/strong&gt;. A car's value, age, safety record and repair costs, as well as the likelihood that it could get stolen, all help determine insurance premiums. Also, certain car features may generate insurance savings. For example:
    &lt;ul&gt;
      &lt;li&gt;In most states, a car equipped with factory-installed anti-lock brakes can save you up to 10%, and airbags or motorized seatbelts could reduce your premium with Allstate by up to 30 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
      &lt;li&gt;A brand-new, never-been-titled car could reduce your Allstate premium by 5-20 percent, depending on the state and model-year of a vehicle.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;/ul&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pay your bill through automatic withdrawal.&lt;/strong&gt; Many insurance companies offer payment choices through automatic withdrawal. In addition to the convenience, the Allstate&amp;reg; Easy Pay Plan offers automatic withdrawal from a person's account and may provide a discount of up to 5% on premium, depending on the state.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Insure your property and car with the same insurer.&lt;/strong&gt; Drivers who have Allstate property insurance may qualify for lower auto insurance premiums by as much as 10%, and could also save on their property insurance, as well.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Study hard.&lt;/strong&gt; In most states, full-time students who meet GPA requirements could save on auto insurance premiums with a discount of 10-20 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Five things to think twice about:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your deductible.&lt;/strong&gt; The higher the deductible, the lower the premium; however, you should make sure you can afford to pay your deductible if you have an accident. Raising a deductible higher than you can afford could prevent you from being able to fully repair your car after an accident.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Your liability limits.&lt;/strong&gt; If you're at fault in an accident, you could be held legally responsible for the medical and repair costs of others. Liability coverage can help protect policyholders from these potentially devastating expenses.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Uninsured motorist coverage.&lt;/strong&gt; Uninsured motorist coverage can protect you if you are injured in an auto accident caused by someone with no insurance. A recent report by the Insurance Research Council predicts that the percentage of uninsured motorists will increase nationally from 13.8 in 2007 to 16.1 percent in 2010. Consumers should review their auto insurance policies to ensure they have the coverage amounts they need.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Personal injury or medical payments coverage.&lt;/strong&gt; Accidents are never planned, but planning ahead with the right insurance coverage can make a huge difference following an accident with injury. Medical Payments coverage helps pay for medical treatment for accident-related injuries. Personal Injury Protection helps reimburse people for lost income, child care expenses, medical expenses, and other costs that may result from accident injuries. Check with your local agent to find out which of these coverages are offered in your state.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Comprehensive coverage.&lt;/strong&gt; Comprehensive coverage helps protect cars in situations that don't necessarily involve other drivers or vehicles, such as damages from a storm or natural disaster, vandalism, or even a falling tree. Since policies typically cap coverage at the actual cash value of the car, the older your car is, the more you might consider dropping this coverage. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Putting these cost-savings tips into action doesn't have to be complicated. Currently, Allstate is offering all consumers - Allstate customers or not - a free review of their current insurance limits and deductibles through the "Good Hands Coverage Check-up." An Allstate agent can point out where they may need more or less coverage. Information on local Allstate agents can be found at www.allstate.com or by calling 1-800 Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Discounts are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Discount amounts shown are lower in some states. Property insurance is subject to availability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at myallstatefinancial.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;br&gt; Kate Hollcraft&lt;br&gt;
(847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:13:00 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/4325c7eb-dd02-45d7-926d-77454cfa5d74</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/4325c7eb-dd02-45d7-926d-77454cfa5d74</link>
      <media:title>Smart Ways to Save on Auto Insurance</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Good ideas and things to think twice about&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Across the country, people continue to look for ways to stretch their budgets and cut costs. But when trying to cut costs on auto insurance, consumers should be wary of making penny wise, pound foolish decisions that could put them at risk financially. Allstate is providing some helpful tips on auto insurance savings. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In a rush to save money, consumers should be careful not to cut corners in areas that help protect them and their families. Although it is important to save money in the shortterm, consumers could find themselves unable to pay for auto repairs or for liabilities to others in the case of an accident.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Since insurance is designed to help protect consumers against the unknown, it can be difficult to know how much protection is needed. Allstate is providing some pointers for how to help keep protected while still saving money.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td colspan="2"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Smart Ways to Save on Auto Insurance&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Good ideas:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Things to think twice about:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Slow down.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Your deductible.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Buy the right car.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Your liability limits.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Pay your bill through automatic withdrawal.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Uninsured motorist coverage.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Insure your car and property with the same company.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Personal injury or medical payments coverage.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
  &lt;tr&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Study hard.&lt;/td&gt;
    &lt;td&gt;Comprehensive coverage.&lt;/td&gt;
  &lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Five good ideas:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
  &lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Slow down.&lt;/strong&gt; Drivers who have had accidents or serious traffic violations usually pay more than those with clean driving records, so consider safe driving a financial investment. With Allstate's safe driving discount, safe drivers can save up to 20 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Buy the right car&lt;/strong&gt;. A car's value, age, safety record and repair costs, as well as the likelihood that it could get stolen, all help determine insurance premiums. Also, certain car features may generate insurance savings. For example:
    &lt;ul&gt;
      &lt;li&gt;In most states, a car equipped with factory-installed anti-lock brakes can save you up to 10%, and airbags or motorized seatbelts could reduce your premium with Allstate by up to 30 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
      &lt;li&gt;A brand-new, never-been-titled car could reduce your Allstate premium by 5-20 percent, depending on the state and model-year of a vehicle.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;/ul&gt;
  &lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pay your bill through automatic withdrawal.&lt;/strong&gt; Many insurance companies offer payment choices through automatic withdrawal. In addition to the convenience, the Allstate&amp;reg; Easy Pay Plan offers automatic withdrawal from a person's account and may provide a discount of up to 5% on premium, depending on the state.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Insure your property and car with the same insurer.&lt;/strong&gt; Drivers who have Allstate property insurance may qualify for lower auto insurance premiums by as much as 10%, and could also save on their property insurance, as well.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Study hard.&lt;/strong&gt; In most states, full-time students who meet GPA requirements could save on auto insurance premiums with a discount of 10-20 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Five things to think twice about:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your deductible.&lt;/strong&gt; The higher the deductible, the lower the premium; however, you should make sure you can afford to pay your deductible if you have an accident. Raising a deductible higher than you can afford could prevent you from being able to fully repair your car after an accident.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Your liability limits.&lt;/strong&gt; If you're at fault in an accident, you could be held legally responsible for the medical and repair costs of others. Liability coverage can help protect policyholders from these potentially devastating expenses.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Uninsured motorist coverage.&lt;/strong&gt; Uninsured motorist coverage can protect you if you are injured in an auto accident caused by someone with no insurance. A recent report by the Insurance Research Council predicts that the percentage of uninsured motorists will increase nationally from 13.8 in 2007 to 16.1 percent in 2010. Consumers should review their auto insurance policies to ensure they have the coverage amounts they need.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Personal injury or medical payments coverage.&lt;/strong&gt; Accidents are never planned, but planning ahead with the right insurance coverage can make a huge difference following an accident with injury. Medical Payments coverage helps pay for medical treatment for accident-related injuries. Personal Injury Protection helps reimburse people for lost income, child care expenses, medical expenses, and other costs that may result from accident injuries. Check with your local agent to find out which of these coverages are offered in your state.&lt;/li&gt;
  &lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Comprehensive coverage.&lt;/strong&gt; Comprehensive coverage helps protect cars in situations that don't necessarily involve other drivers or vehicles, such as damages from a storm or natural disaster, vandalism, or even a falling tree. Since policies typically cap coverage at the actual cash value of the car, the older your car is, the more you might consider dropping this coverage. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Putting these cost-savings tips into action doesn't have to be complicated. Currently, Allstate is offering all consumers - Allstate customers or not - a free review of their current insurance limits and deductibles through the "Good Hands Coverage Check-up." An Allstate agent can point out where they may need more or less coverage. Information on local Allstate agents can be found at www.allstate.com or by calling 1-800 Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Discounts are subject to terms, conditions and availability. Discount amounts shown are lower in some states. Property insurance is subject to availability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at myallstatefinancial.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact:&lt;br&gt; Kate Hollcraft&lt;br&gt;
(847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/4325c7eb-dd02-45d7-926d-77454cfa5d74:en-US/download/5a208ac0-9904-4a50-8a7a-90787be59e80" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate Examines Brain Fitness Program to Improve Driver Safety</title>
      <description>Allstate Announces New Relationship with Posit Science&#174; a Leader in Clinically Validated Brain Fitness Programs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Demonstrating its commitment to increase driver safety and improve its customer's    overall quality of life, Allstate (NYSE:ALL) today announced it is launching    a groundbreaking brain fitness software program, InSight&amp;trade;. Examining the    latest advance in driving safety, Allstate believes this innovative program    has the potential to improve what could be the most important piece of auto  safety equipment - the mind of the driver.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Unlike most brain fitness software, InSight is designed to reverse age related    cognitive decline and greatly improve a driver's visual alertness. If    using the software is successful in reducing accident rates among customers    50 years and older, Allstate hopes to begin offering discounts to drivers who    use the computer-based exercises to help improve their mental sharpness. Allstate    has entered into a relationship with Posit Science&amp;reg;, the leader in clinically    validated brain fitness programs and developer of InSight&amp;trade;, to offer this    software program.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate's commitment to reinventing protection for the consumer    - at every stage in life - goes beyond protecting possessions. With this    revolutionary program, we're offering people an innovative solution in    hopes of improving their personal safety and quality of life," said Tom    Warden, assistant vice president, Allstate Research and Planning Center. "Allstate    has a strong history of providing differentiated products and services that    add value for our customers, and we are continually seeking solutions to build    upon this commitment. Together with Posit Science, we are embarking into an    uncharted territory helping to meet the needs of a growing population."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there    were 30 million licensed drivers age 65 and older in 2006, an 18 percent increase    from 1996. The number of mature drivers will only continue to rise as those    from the baby boomer generation become seniors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Posit Science software has been shown in more than a dozen National Institutes    of Health funded studies to improve visual processing skills known to be important    for safe driving. The technology has been shown to reduce dangerous driving    maneuvers by up to 40% and improve stopping distance by an average of 22 feet    when traveling at 55 miles per hour. In fact, scientific studies have demonstrated    that training can reduce crash risk by up to 50%. Allstate's roll out    is intended to evaluate interest in and effectiveness of this approach to improving    driving performance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate leads the way in driver safety once again by focusing on the    number one driver safety device, the brain," said Jeff Zimman, CEO of    Posit Science. "Allstate should be applauded for protecting more than    your car and your wallet; they are also protecting you and saving lives by implementing    a program shown to improve driving abilities and reduce crash risk."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate and Posit Science will launch the test of the InSight&amp;trade; software    program in Pennsylvania. Allstate will invite selected Pennsylvania drivers,    50 years and older to help validate the impact cognitive training has on driving    safety.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For a demonstration of the InSight&amp;trade; software and for additional information    on clinically proven results, log onto &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Posit Science &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Posit Science is the leading provider of clinically validated brain fitness    products and services. The company works with more than 50 scientists from prestigious    universities to design and test its computer-based programs. More than 30 published    studies show that the company's patented technologies significantly increase    the brain's processing speed, improve memory, and enhance the quality of everyday    life. Posit Science has received numerous grants, awards and accolades from    organizations including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American    Society for Aging (ASA), and CNBC. For more information visit &lt;a href="http://www.positscience.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.positscience.com&lt;/a&gt; or call 1-866-599-6463.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 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&amp;reg;"    slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals    in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better    prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such    as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive    Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in    select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg;    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.    Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products    and services at &lt;a href="http://myallstatefinancial.com" target="_blank"&gt;myallstatefinancial.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Krissy Posey &lt;br /&gt; Allstate &lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600 &lt;br /&gt; kpose@allstate.com&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Peggy Jara&lt;br /&gt; Posit Science&lt;br /&gt; (415) 394-3100 &lt;br /&gt; peggy.jara@positscience.com&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:28:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/4668fe87-dcba-476d-8f0c-3452fa53e5b8</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/4668fe87-dcba-476d-8f0c-3452fa53e5b8</link>
      <media:group>
        <media:title>Allstate Examines Brain Fitness Program to Improve Driver Safety</media:title>
        <media:description type="html">Allstate Announces New Relationship with Posit Science&#174; a Leader in Clinically Validated Brain Fitness Programs&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Demonstrating its commitment to increase driver safety and improve its customer's    overall quality of life, Allstate (NYSE:ALL) today announced it is launching    a groundbreaking brain fitness software program, InSight&amp;trade;. Examining the    latest advance in driving safety, Allstate believes this innovative program    has the potential to improve what could be the most important piece of auto  safety equipment - the mind of the driver.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Unlike most brain fitness software, InSight is designed to reverse age related    cognitive decline and greatly improve a driver's visual alertness. If    using the software is successful in reducing accident rates among customers    50 years and older, Allstate hopes to begin offering discounts to drivers who    use the computer-based exercises to help improve their mental sharpness. Allstate    has entered into a relationship with Posit Science&amp;reg;, the leader in clinically    validated brain fitness programs and developer of InSight&amp;trade;, to offer this    software program.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate's commitment to reinventing protection for the consumer    - at every stage in life - goes beyond protecting possessions. With this    revolutionary program, we're offering people an innovative solution in    hopes of improving their personal safety and quality of life," said Tom    Warden, assistant vice president, Allstate Research and Planning Center. "Allstate    has a strong history of providing differentiated products and services that    add value for our customers, and we are continually seeking solutions to build    upon this commitment. Together with Posit Science, we are embarking into an    uncharted territory helping to meet the needs of a growing population."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there    were 30 million licensed drivers age 65 and older in 2006, an 18 percent increase    from 1996. The number of mature drivers will only continue to rise as those    from the baby boomer generation become seniors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Posit Science software has been shown in more than a dozen National Institutes    of Health funded studies to improve visual processing skills known to be important    for safe driving. The technology has been shown to reduce dangerous driving    maneuvers by up to 40% and improve stopping distance by an average of 22 feet    when traveling at 55 miles per hour. In fact, scientific studies have demonstrated    that training can reduce crash risk by up to 50%. Allstate's roll out    is intended to evaluate interest in and effectiveness of this approach to improving    driving performance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate leads the way in driver safety once again by focusing on the    number one driver safety device, the brain," said Jeff Zimman, CEO of    Posit Science. "Allstate should be applauded for protecting more than    your car and your wallet; they are also protecting you and saving lives by implementing    a program shown to improve driving abilities and reduce crash risk."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate and Posit Science will launch the test of the InSight&amp;trade; software    program in Pennsylvania. Allstate will invite selected Pennsylvania drivers,    50 years and older to help validate the impact cognitive training has on driving    safety.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For a demonstration of the InSight&amp;trade; software and for additional information    on clinically proven results, log onto &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Posit Science &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Posit Science is the leading provider of clinically validated brain fitness    products and services. The company works with more than 50 scientists from prestigious    universities to design and test its computer-based programs. More than 30 published    studies show that the company's patented technologies significantly increase    the brain's processing speed, improve memory, and enhance the quality of everyday    life. Posit Science has received numerous grants, awards and accolades from    organizations including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American    Society for Aging (ASA), and CNBC. For more information visit &lt;a href="http://www.positscience.com" target="_blank"&gt;www.positscience.com&lt;/a&gt; or call 1-866-599-6463.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; 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&amp;reg;"    slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals    in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better    prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such    as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive    Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in    select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg;    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.    Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products    and services at &lt;a href="http://myallstatefinancial.com" target="_blank"&gt;myallstatefinancial.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Krissy Posey &lt;br /&gt; Allstate &lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600 &lt;br /&gt; kpose@allstate.com&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Peggy Jara&lt;br /&gt; Posit Science&lt;br /&gt; (415) 394-3100 &lt;br /&gt; peggy.jara@positscience.com&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/4668fe87-dcba-476d-8f0c-3452fa53e5b8:en-US/download/5e459876-5585-449a-9ef5-c706779b7e24" medium="document"/>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/4668fe87-dcba-476d-8f0c-3452fa53e5b8:en-US/download/abea3132-3e08-4e40-b62d-908cb9b167dd" medium="document"/>
      </media:group>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate Names New Leader for Roadside Assistance Group</title>
      <description>Patrick M. O'Brien to lead Allstate Motor Club and the Partnership Marketing Group&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Photo, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) today   announced that Patrick M. O'Brien will lead the combined entities of Allstate Motor Club (AMC)   and Partnership Marketing Group (PMG) as president. He will also serve as assistant vice   president in the Emerging Businesses group at Allstate. Allstate acquired Partnership Marketing   Group, a business unit of GE Money, in June 2008. In his new role, O'Brien will expand   Allstate's footprint in the retail and wholesale roadside assistance, legal services, and affinity   products marketplace.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club, which was established in 1961, provides 24-hour roadside   assistance to 1.2 million members through a national network of service providers. An   additional 1.4 million customers are served through an enhanced towing or roadside   assistance benefit available to Allstate auto insurance policyholders.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;PMG is the second-largest provider of roadside assistance in the country. In addition,   PMG provides legal services benefits plans and membership-based consumer affinity   offerings in the shopping, wellness, travel, and entertainment areas. PMG markets its   products directly to consumers and through private label and affinity distribution   relationships with some of the most well-known brands in the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;O'Brien, who joined Allstate with the acquisition, served as president of PMG for the past   two years and oversaw an annual growth rate of more than 20 percent to reach $150   million in annual revenue. In addition, O'Brien has been instrumental in growing the   wholesale channel of the roadside business, doubling the size of this critical growth   channel with the acquisition of key partners.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Our acquisition of Partnership Marketing Group demonstrated that Allstate is interested   in expanding and growing our services beyond the traditional auto and property   footprint," said Chuck Paul, group vice president, Allstate Protection -  Emerging Businesses. "Patrick's successful experience as a leader in both the insurance and roadside service industries will enable us to take this business unit to a new level of performance."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is   reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households   protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate   products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately   14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in   select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; Insurance brand   property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:59:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/9501fcaf-c4a3-40ae-87db-38fb67b84267</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/9501fcaf-c4a3-40ae-87db-38fb67b84267</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Names New Leader for Roadside Assistance Group</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Patrick M. O'Brien to lead Allstate Motor Club and the Partnership Marketing Group&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Photo, 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) today   announced that Patrick M. O'Brien will lead the combined entities of Allstate Motor Club (AMC)   and Partnership Marketing Group (PMG) as president. He will also serve as assistant vice   president in the Emerging Businesses group at Allstate. Allstate acquired Partnership Marketing   Group, a business unit of GE Money, in June 2008. In his new role, O'Brien will expand   Allstate's footprint in the retail and wholesale roadside assistance, legal services, and affinity   products marketplace.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club, which was established in 1961, provides 24-hour roadside   assistance to 1.2 million members through a national network of service providers. An   additional 1.4 million customers are served through an enhanced towing or roadside   assistance benefit available to Allstate auto insurance policyholders.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;PMG is the second-largest provider of roadside assistance in the country. In addition,   PMG provides legal services benefits plans and membership-based consumer affinity   offerings in the shopping, wellness, travel, and entertainment areas. PMG markets its   products directly to consumers and through private label and affinity distribution   relationships with some of the most well-known brands in the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;O'Brien, who joined Allstate with the acquisition, served as president of PMG for the past   two years and oversaw an annual growth rate of more than 20 percent to reach $150   million in annual revenue. In addition, O'Brien has been instrumental in growing the   wholesale channel of the roadside business, doubling the size of this critical growth   channel with the acquisition of key partners.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Our acquisition of Partnership Marketing Group demonstrated that Allstate is interested   in expanding and growing our services beyond the traditional auto and property   footprint," said Chuck Paul, group vice president, Allstate Protection -  Emerging Businesses. "Patrick's successful experience as a leader in both the insurance and roadside service industries will enable us to take this business unit to a new level of performance."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate is   reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households   protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate   products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately   14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, or in   select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; Insurance brand   property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/9501fcaf-c4a3-40ae-87db-38fb67b84267:en-US/download/2585f643-6df4-4b72-8449-a14711aaf5ea" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: 4th Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;"</title>
      <description>Signals Where the Safest Drivers Cruise&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Additional Information:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/851ed282-13f6-448d-a3e0-6967ef4f1161:en-US/download/909d08a1-11ed-46cf-b061-8804af984e5c"&gt;2008 Data&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/851ed282-13f6-448d-a3e0-6967ef4f1161:en-US/download/8a532f15-e0af-4dc6-9e59-91f7c214ee3b"&gt;Allstate Safety Leadership Award&amp;reg;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;!--
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/categories/6/releases/4425/photos" mce_href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/categories/6/releases/4425/photos"&gt;View Related Images&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
--&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Residents in Sioux Falls, S.D., continued to top the   chart as the safest drivers in the U.S., according to the fourth annual "Allstate America's   Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The average driver in Sioux Falls experiences an auto collision   every 14.6 years. Compared to the national likelihood of a collision every 10 years -    Sioux Falls motorists are 31.6 percent less likely to have an accident than the national   average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"I am happy to know that our residents are continuing to drive safely, particularly with the   July 4th holiday approaching," said Dave Munson, mayor of Sioux Falls. "The quality of   our community driver education programs, combined with the careful consideration of   our traffic engineering department, goes a long way to make our roadways safe for   everyone."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Holding fast to the number two spot for the third consecutive year is Fort Collins, Colo.   On average, motorists in Fort Collins experience a car collision every 13.4 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the past four years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of   company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities   will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Allstate's auto   policies represent about 12 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic   snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways. This year's report also includes   data on male vs. female drivers, and compares drivers in different generations: pre-baby   boomer, baby boomers, generation X and generation Y.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate's America's Best Driver's Report was created to boost the country's discussion   on safe driving. Each year, we hope that the report will increase awareness on the   importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. This is also a critical   message we must communicate with teen drivers," said Mike Roche, senior vice   president, Allstate's Claim Organization.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;America's Safest Cities based on Gender And Generation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To add to the country's interest of comparing male vs. female, pre-baby boomer vs.   boomer, generation X vs. generation Y, Allstate's Best Drivers report delivers a new   category and recognizes the safest cities based on gender and generation. Allstate   compared the top 20 cities where Allstate writes auto insurance policies to determine the   safest cities based on gender and generation. Tucson, Ariz. received top honors as the   safest city for males, females, pre-baby boomers, baby boomers and Gen X. El Paso,   TX, landed the number one spot as the safest city for Gen Y drivers, according to Allstate's data.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Males&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Females&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Charlotte, N.C.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Charlotte, N.C.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pre Baby Boomers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Baby Boomers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years             &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Charlotte, N.C.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Charlotte, N.C.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Orlando, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Orlando, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generation X&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generation Y &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years           &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years           &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;5.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Orlando, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;5.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; "Arizona is one of the fastest growing states in the country, and over the years, vehicle   miles traveled have naturally increased. In 2004, Governor Napolitano created the   Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Council (GTSAC) to bring together safety   organizations to develop, promote, and implement cost-effective traffic safety strategies   to save lives on all public roads in Arizona. The increased educational programs from   state agencies and community safety partners, along with law enforcement details and   activities to remove dangerous drivers, have helped create safer motorist behaviors,"   said Richard Fimbres, director of Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Arizona.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top 10&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Drivers from Sioux Falls maintained their status as the safest city in this year's report, in addition to increasing their average years between collisions, from 13.7 to 14.6. Midwestern and southern drivers appear to recognize the importance of driving safely. Eight of the 10 top cities are in America's heartland and southern states, according to the report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rank/City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Sioux Falls, S.D.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;31.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;14.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.5% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.1% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;23.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Cedar Rapids, IA&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;22.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Lexington, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;22.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Colorado Springs, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Huntsville, Ala&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.9% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Springfield, Mo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.8% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Fort Wayne, Ind.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;strong&gt;2007 Competent Commuters by Population&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with More Than One Million Residents...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the fourth consecutive year, drivers in Phoenix, Ariz., are the safest big city commuters, according to Allstate. Phoenix motorists can expect to bump into another vehicle on the roadway every 9.8 years -  slightly more frequently than the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rank/City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;84. Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;112. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.9% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;126. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;153. Houston, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;23.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;161. San Antonio, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.7% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;167. Dallas, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;27.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;176. Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;32.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;182. Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;41.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;187. Philadelphia, Pa.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;50.4% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cities with 500,000 to One Million Residents...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Milwaukee drivers once again topped the list of safest drivers in mid-sized cities with populations between 500,000 to 1,000,000 residents. This is the third year the Wisconsin city has claimed this honor. Drivers in nine of the top 10 cities in this list for mid-sized cities are less likely than the national average to experience a collision.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rank/City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;21. Milwaukee, Wis.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;15.0 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;26. Louisville, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.2 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;29. Nashville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.0 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;35. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.3 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;40. Memphis, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.6 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;44. Denver, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.6 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;50. Oklahoma City, Okla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;4.9 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;56. Indianapolis, Ind.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.6 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;63. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;2.2 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;78. Columbus, OH&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.4 more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;strong&gt;All Pumped Up For Free Gas!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate pumped out free gas today to reward Sioux Falls residents for three consecutive   years of safe driving habits according to "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report." Eager   drivers lined up before dawn for the chance to get free gas, compliments of Allstate   Insurance Company. The mayor of Sioux Falls and other city officials joined local   Allstate agents to pump petrol for happy commuters -  delivering some unexpected relief   from record high gas prices.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Allstate Safety Leadership Award&amp;reg;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate will honor motorists in Sioux Falls, SD., today by presenting Sioux Falls Mayor   Dave Munson with the Allstate Safety Leadership Award&amp;reg; as recognition for the safe   driving habits of the city's residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The City of Sioux Falls will accept the Allstate Safety Leadership Award in recognition of   the contributions made by the city to create and foster a safe driving environment for its   residents. The award is Allstate's highest public honor, recognizing and promoting public   awareness for successful public safety programs. Allstate presents the "Allstate   America's Best Driver's Report" and the Allstate Safety Leadership Award to inspire   others to take a leadership role in the safety arena.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Crashes Happen&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more fatal   crashes occur on Saturdays than any other day of the week. Sunday ranked second and   Friday came in third. Additionally, most collisions happen between 6 and 9 p.m. From 3   to 6 p.m. ranked second, and 9 p.m. to midnight finished third. The fewest crashes occur   between 3 and 6 a.m.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safe-Driving Tips&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still   average around an alarming 40,000 every year (source: NHTSA), despite technological   advances. A much higher number of crashes result in permanent disability. With the   main accident causes being human errors, following are some basic but life-saving   reminders drivers should consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Avoid disastrous distractions&lt;/strong&gt; -  Safe driving takes concentration. If a driver is     talking on a cell phone or changing the radio station, that driver isn't paying enough     attention to the road. Distracted driving is a factor in 25 to 30 percent of all traffic     crashes (source: Network of Employers for Traffic Safety).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Take extra care in wild weather &lt;/strong&gt;-  Sometimes, bad weather conditions will     contribute to an accident by interfering with visibility, diminishing traction on the     surface of the road, or otherwise making it difficult to keep the car under control. A driver always should take the effects of the weather, such as strong cross winds or     slippery roads, into consideration when driving.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;If you snooze, you lose&lt;/strong&gt; -  Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes each     year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths on average (source: Network of     Employers for Traffic Safety). On summer road trips, set realistic goals for the     number of miles traveled each day. Stop at regular intervals when driving long     distances. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Steer clear of road rage&lt;/strong&gt; -  If one tailgates, flashes high beams, changes lanes     without signaling or drives on the shoulder, then he or she is practicing aggressive     driving or road rage. Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel,     planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid     congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far     away from them as possible. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/strong&gt; -  Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of     one's car. Ensure that car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses     are in good working order. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safety Can Save Money &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is recognizing drivers within Sioux Falls with a celebratory free gas giveaway   today. It is also rewarding safe drivers across the country by offering its Allstate&amp;reg; Your   Choice Auto&amp;reg; insurance product (not available in California, North Carolina, North   Dakota or South Dakota). Allstate&amp;reg; Your Choice Auto&amp;reg; Insurance rewards safe driving   through optional features such as a Safe Driver Bonus(SM) where policyholders can get   cash off their renewal bill, and Deductible Rewards(SM) where accident-free drivers get   $100 off their deductible just for signing up. And for those not able to stay out of harms   way, Your Choice Auto&amp;reg; provides enhanced protection through accident forgiveness,   where rates don't go up just because of an accident, and new car replacement, where   policyholders can get a new car if they total their car in the first three model years.   (These features are subject to terms and conditions.)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Math Behind the Rankings&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To create the report, Allstate researchers analyzed internal property damage reported   claims over a two-year period (from January 2005 to December 2006) to ensure the   findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road   construction. A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual   percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property   damage claim.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To view the "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report" in its entirety or to see previous   year's results, log onto www.allstate.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan,   Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have   today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg;   and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Note: &lt;/strong&gt;The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts, where Allstate Insurance Company does not offer insurance products. Other cities not represented by any zip codes found in Allstate data: West Valley, UT, Coral Springs, Fla, Lakewood, Colo., and Pembroke Pines, Fla. Michigan cities exclude Limited Property Protection and Supplemental Damage to Property Coverages (BT and BV respectively).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nov. 4, 2008 --&lt;/strong&gt;The Allstate Best Drivers Report is produced solely to boost the country&amp;rsquo;s discussion about safe driving and to increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. The report is not used to determine auto insurance rates. A state specific adjustment was utilized for the Michigan cities to account for the unique coverage offered in that state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Krissy Posey&lt;br /&gt; Allstate Insurance Company&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:50:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/851ed282-13f6-448d-a3e0-6967ef4f1161</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/851ed282-13f6-448d-a3e0-6967ef4f1161</link>
      <media:group>
        <media:title>4th Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;"</media:title>
        <media:description type="html">Signals Where the Safest Drivers Cruise&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Additional Information:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/851ed282-13f6-448d-a3e0-6967ef4f1161:en-US/download/909d08a1-11ed-46cf-b061-8804af984e5c"&gt;2008 Data&lt;/a&gt; | &lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/851ed282-13f6-448d-a3e0-6967ef4f1161:en-US/download/8a532f15-e0af-4dc6-9e59-91f7c214ee3b"&gt;Allstate Safety Leadership Award&amp;reg;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;!--
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/categories/6/releases/4425/photos" mce_href="http://allstatenewsroom.com/categories/6/releases/4425/photos"&gt;View Related Images&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
--&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Residents in Sioux Falls, S.D., continued to top the   chart as the safest drivers in the U.S., according to the fourth annual "Allstate America's   Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The average driver in Sioux Falls experiences an auto collision   every 14.6 years. Compared to the national likelihood of a collision every 10 years -    Sioux Falls motorists are 31.6 percent less likely to have an accident than the national   average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"I am happy to know that our residents are continuing to drive safely, particularly with the   July 4th holiday approaching," said Dave Munson, mayor of Sioux Falls. "The quality of   our community driver education programs, combined with the careful consideration of   our traffic engineering department, goes a long way to make our roadways safe for   everyone."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Holding fast to the number two spot for the third consecutive year is Fort Collins, Colo.   On average, motorists in Fort Collins experience a car collision every 13.4 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the past four years, Allstate actuaries have conducted an in-depth analysis of   company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities   will experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average. Allstate's auto   policies represent about 12 percent of all U.S. auto policies, making this report a realistic   snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways. This year's report also includes   data on male vs. female drivers, and compares drivers in different generations: pre-baby   boomer, baby boomers, generation X and generation Y.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate's America's Best Driver's Report was created to boost the country's discussion   on safe driving. Each year, we hope that the report will increase awareness on the   importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. This is also a critical   message we must communicate with teen drivers," said Mike Roche, senior vice   president, Allstate's Claim Organization.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;America's Safest Cities based on Gender And Generation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To add to the country's interest of comparing male vs. female, pre-baby boomer vs.   boomer, generation X vs. generation Y, Allstate's Best Drivers report delivers a new   category and recognizes the safest cities based on gender and generation. Allstate   compared the top 20 cities where Allstate writes auto insurance policies to determine the   safest cities based on gender and generation. Tucson, Ariz. received top honors as the   safest city for males, females, pre-baby boomers, baby boomers and Gen X. El Paso,   TX, landed the number one spot as the safest city for Gen Y drivers, according to Allstate's data.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Males&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Females&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Charlotte, N.C.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Charlotte, N.C.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Pre Baby Boomers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Baby Boomers&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years             &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Charlotte, N.C.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Charlotte, N.C.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Orlando, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Orlando, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generation X&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td colspan="2"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Generation Y &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years           &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;City&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;Average Years           &lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Salt Lake City, UT&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Fort Worth, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. San Jose, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;5.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Orlando, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;5.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; "Arizona is one of the fastest growing states in the country, and over the years, vehicle   miles traveled have naturally increased. In 2004, Governor Napolitano created the   Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Council (GTSAC) to bring together safety   organizations to develop, promote, and implement cost-effective traffic safety strategies   to save lives on all public roads in Arizona. The increased educational programs from   state agencies and community safety partners, along with law enforcement details and   activities to remove dangerous drivers, have helped create safer motorist behaviors,"   said Richard Fimbres, director of Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Arizona.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top 10&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Drivers from Sioux Falls maintained their status as the safest city in this year's report, in addition to increasing their average years between collisions, from 13.7 to 14.6. Midwestern and southern drivers appear to recognize the importance of driving safely. Eight of the 10 top cities are in America's heartland and southern states, according to the report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rank/City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Sioux Falls, S.D.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;31.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;14.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.5% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.1% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;23.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Cedar Rapids, IA&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;22.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Lexington, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;22.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Colorado Springs, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Huntsville, Ala&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.9% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Springfield, Mo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.8% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Fort Wayne, Ind.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;strong&gt;2007 Competent Commuters by Population&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with More Than One Million Residents...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the fourth consecutive year, drivers in Phoenix, Ariz., are the safest big city commuters, according to Allstate. Phoenix motorists can expect to bump into another vehicle on the roadway every 9.8 years -  slightly more frequently than the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rank/City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;84. Phoenix, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;112. San Diego, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.9% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;126. New York, N.Y.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;153. Houston, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;23.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;161. San Antonio, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.7% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;167. Dallas, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;27.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;176. Chicago, Ill.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;32.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;182. Los Angeles, Calif.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;41.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;187. Philadelphia, Pa.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;50.4% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Cities with 500,000 to One Million Residents...&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Milwaukee drivers once again topped the list of safest drivers in mid-sized cities with populations between 500,000 to 1,000,000 residents. This is the third year the Wisconsin city has claimed this honor. Drivers in nine of the top 10 cities in this list for mid-sized cities are less likely than the national average to experience a collision.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr bgcolor="#000000"&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rank/City&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Collision Likelihood&lt;br /&gt; Compared to National&lt;br /&gt; Average&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="color: #ffffff;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;21. Milwaukee, Wis.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;15.0 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;26. Louisville, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.2 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;29. Nashville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.0 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;35. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.3 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;40. Memphis, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.6 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;44. Denver, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.6 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;50. Oklahoma City, Okla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;4.9 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;56. Indianapolis, Ind.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.6 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;63. El Paso, TX&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;2.2 less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;78. Columbus, OH&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.4 more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;br /&gt; &lt;strong&gt;All Pumped Up For Free Gas!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate pumped out free gas today to reward Sioux Falls residents for three consecutive   years of safe driving habits according to "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report." Eager   drivers lined up before dawn for the chance to get free gas, compliments of Allstate   Insurance Company. The mayor of Sioux Falls and other city officials joined local   Allstate agents to pump petrol for happy commuters -  delivering some unexpected relief   from record high gas prices.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Allstate Safety Leadership Award&amp;reg;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate will honor motorists in Sioux Falls, SD., today by presenting Sioux Falls Mayor   Dave Munson with the Allstate Safety Leadership Award&amp;reg; as recognition for the safe   driving habits of the city's residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The City of Sioux Falls will accept the Allstate Safety Leadership Award in recognition of   the contributions made by the city to create and foster a safe driving environment for its   residents. The award is Allstate's highest public honor, recognizing and promoting public   awareness for successful public safety programs. Allstate presents the "Allstate   America's Best Driver's Report" and the Allstate Safety Leadership Award to inspire   others to take a leadership role in the safety arena.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Crashes Happen&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more fatal   crashes occur on Saturdays than any other day of the week. Sunday ranked second and   Friday came in third. Additionally, most collisions happen between 6 and 9 p.m. From 3   to 6 p.m. ranked second, and 9 p.m. to midnight finished third. The fewest crashes occur   between 3 and 6 a.m.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safe-Driving Tips&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still   average around an alarming 40,000 every year (source: NHTSA), despite technological   advances. A much higher number of crashes result in permanent disability. With the   main accident causes being human errors, following are some basic but life-saving   reminders drivers should consider:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Avoid disastrous distractions&lt;/strong&gt; -  Safe driving takes concentration. If a driver is     talking on a cell phone or changing the radio station, that driver isn't paying enough     attention to the road. Distracted driving is a factor in 25 to 30 percent of all traffic     crashes (source: Network of Employers for Traffic Safety).&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Take extra care in wild weather &lt;/strong&gt;-  Sometimes, bad weather conditions will     contribute to an accident by interfering with visibility, diminishing traction on the     surface of the road, or otherwise making it difficult to keep the car under control. A driver always should take the effects of the weather, such as strong cross winds or     slippery roads, into consideration when driving.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;If you snooze, you lose&lt;/strong&gt; -  Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes each     year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550 deaths on average (source: Network of     Employers for Traffic Safety). On summer road trips, set realistic goals for the     number of miles traveled each day. Stop at regular intervals when driving long     distances. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; &lt;strong&gt;Steer clear of road rage&lt;/strong&gt; -  If one tailgates, flashes high beams, changes lanes     without signaling or drives on the shoulder, then he or she is practicing aggressive     driving or road rage. Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel,     planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid     congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far     away from them as possible. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/strong&gt; -  Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of     one's car. Ensure that car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses     are in good working order. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safety Can Save Money &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is recognizing drivers within Sioux Falls with a celebratory free gas giveaway   today. It is also rewarding safe drivers across the country by offering its Allstate&amp;reg; Your   Choice Auto&amp;reg; insurance product (not available in California, North Carolina, North   Dakota or South Dakota). Allstate&amp;reg; Your Choice Auto&amp;reg; Insurance rewards safe driving   through optional features such as a Safe Driver Bonus(SM) where policyholders can get   cash off their renewal bill, and Deductible Rewards(SM) where accident-free drivers get   $100 off their deductible just for signing up. And for those not able to stay out of harms   way, Your Choice Auto&amp;reg; provides enhanced protection through accident forgiveness,   where rates don't go up just because of an accident, and new car replacement, where   policyholders can get a new car if they total their car in the first three model years.   (These features are subject to terms and conditions.)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Math Behind the Rankings&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To create the report, Allstate researchers analyzed internal property damage reported   claims over a two-year period (from January 2005 to December 2006) to ensure the   findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road   construction. A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual   percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property   damage claim.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To view the "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report" in its entirety or to see previous   year's results, log onto www.allstate.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;About Allstate&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan,   Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have   today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg;   and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Note: &lt;/strong&gt;The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts, where Allstate Insurance Company does not offer insurance products. Other cities not represented by any zip codes found in Allstate data: West Valley, UT, Coral Springs, Fla, Lakewood, Colo., and Pembroke Pines, Fla. Michigan cities exclude Limited Property Protection and Supplemental Damage to Property Coverages (BT and BV respectively).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nov. 4, 2008 --&lt;/strong&gt;The Allstate Best Drivers Report is produced solely to boost the country&amp;rsquo;s discussion about safe driving and to increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. The report is not used to determine auto insurance rates. A state specific adjustment was utilized for the Michigan cities to account for the unique coverage offered in that state.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Krissy Posey&lt;br /&gt; Allstate Insurance Company&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/851ed282-13f6-448d-a3e0-6967ef4f1161:en-US/download/8a532f15-e0af-4dc6-9e59-91f7c214ee3b" medium="document"/>
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    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Rising Gas Prices Fueling Stranded Motorist Trend</title>
      <description>Consumers putting less fuel in their tanks, coming up empty on the road&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;According to Allstate Motor Club, calls from motorists looking for roadside assistance because they've run out of gas are up by 52 percent nationwide for the first five months of 2008 over the same time period in 2007.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate Motor Club has seen a significant rise in the number of customers who find themselves stranded without gas," said Allstate Motor Club President Jim Ejupi. "Our customers are protecting themselves from the costs of having to pay more for auto services by having roadside assistance, but these customers are also trying to protect their pocketbooks from the rising fuel costs. One way they are doing that is by keeping their gas tanks lower on fuel."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;And by driving those extra miles without filling up, motorists are stretching their budgets and increasing their risks of becoming stranded.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As more Americans try to accommodate for the rising cost of driving on the road, Allstate reminds consumers that adequate insurance, roadside protection and proper vehicle maintenance are ways to keep overall driving costs down.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Even worse than using up gas is the dreaded feeling you get if you're stuck miles from any gas station on an unfamiliar road," Ejupi said. "Allstate Motor Club not only helps protect customers from the costs of unexpected interruptions like running out of gas, but we also help give motorists and their families peace of mind on the road."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As gas prices are expected to continue to rise in the coming months, Allstate Motor Club and the U.S. Department of Energy offer the following tips to help consumers improve fuel efficiency, and cut costs:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Slow down. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; For every 5 mph that a person drives over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Keep your car maintained and running smoothly with regular tune-ups and upkeep.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Checking and replacing air filters can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, and will help protect your engine. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; You can also improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Use your engine wisely.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Using cruise control on the highway will help you maintain a constant speed. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Using overdrive gearing helps keep your car's engine speed down, saving gas and reducing engine wear. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Be smart about driving.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Run errands together, rather than taking separate trips. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Take advantage of carpools, mass transit and telecommuting options. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; If you can, stagger your work commute to avoid peak rush hours. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Keep your car light. Too often cars become long-term storage facilities. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon by up to 2 percent. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Make smart vehicle choices.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Also, consider purchasing a more fuel efficient vehicle. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, please contact a local Allstate agent, call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-998-8697 or visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatemotorclub.com"&gt;www.allstatemotorclub.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:34:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a87d054d-c311-44ed-ae04-b9410e335dbb</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a87d054d-c311-44ed-ae04-b9410e335dbb</link>
      <media:title>Rising Gas Prices Fueling Stranded Motorist Trend</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Consumers putting less fuel in their tanks, coming up empty on the road&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;According to Allstate Motor Club, calls from motorists looking for roadside assistance because they've run out of gas are up by 52 percent nationwide for the first five months of 2008 over the same time period in 2007.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Allstate Motor Club has seen a significant rise in the number of customers who find themselves stranded without gas," said Allstate Motor Club President Jim Ejupi. "Our customers are protecting themselves from the costs of having to pay more for auto services by having roadside assistance, but these customers are also trying to protect their pocketbooks from the rising fuel costs. One way they are doing that is by keeping their gas tanks lower on fuel."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;And by driving those extra miles without filling up, motorists are stretching their budgets and increasing their risks of becoming stranded.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As more Americans try to accommodate for the rising cost of driving on the road, Allstate reminds consumers that adequate insurance, roadside protection and proper vehicle maintenance are ways to keep overall driving costs down.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Even worse than using up gas is the dreaded feeling you get if you're stuck miles from any gas station on an unfamiliar road," Ejupi said. "Allstate Motor Club not only helps protect customers from the costs of unexpected interruptions like running out of gas, but we also help give motorists and their families peace of mind on the road."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As gas prices are expected to continue to rise in the coming months, Allstate Motor Club and the U.S. Department of Energy offer the following tips to help consumers improve fuel efficiency, and cut costs:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Slow down. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; For every 5 mph that a person drives over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Keep your car maintained and running smoothly with regular tune-ups and upkeep.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Checking and replacing air filters can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, and will help protect your engine. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; You can also improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Use your engine wisely.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Using cruise control on the highway will help you maintain a constant speed. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Using overdrive gearing helps keep your car's engine speed down, saving gas and reducing engine wear. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Be smart about driving.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Run errands together, rather than taking separate trips. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Take advantage of carpools, mass transit and telecommuting options. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; If you can, stagger your work commute to avoid peak rush hours. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Keep your car light. Too often cars become long-term storage facilities. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles per gallon by up to 2 percent. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Make smart vehicle choices.      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Also, consider purchasing a more fuel efficient vehicle. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, please contact a local Allstate agent, call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-998-8697 or visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatemotorclub.com"&gt;www.allstatemotorclub.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Kate Hollcraft&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/a87d054d-c311-44ed-ae04-b9410e335dbb:en-US/download/d1ec2eab-8beb-49f5-9cb9-52a0020a6d94" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate Announces Agreement to Acquire Partnership Marketing Group</title>
      <description>Broadens product and service offering; Doubles Allstate Motor Club retail membership&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Partnership Marketing Group (PMG), a business unit of GE Money. PMG will be combined with Allstate's Motor Club division, one of the largest nationwide providers of emergency roadside assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club, located in South Barrington, Ill., provides 24-hour roadside assistance to 1.2 million members through a national network of service providers. An additional 1.4 million customers are served through an enhanced towing or roadside assistance benefit available to Allstate auto insurance policyholders.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;PMG, based in Schaumburg, Ill., is the second-largest provider of roadside assistance in the country. Together, the combined Allstate Motor Club and PMG operations will provide service to more than four million drivers. In addition, PMG provides legal services benefits plans and membership-based consumer affinity offerings in the shopping, wellness, travel and entertainment areas. PMG markets its products directly to consumers and through private label and affinity distribution relationships with some of the most well-known brands in the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We're taking a thoughtful, strategic approach to reinventing protection for the consumer," said Allstate Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Wilson. "We want to provide consumers with the products they want, when and where they want to purchase them. We're always looking for avenues to help us achieve that goal. PMG offers us the opportunity to do what we do well - create value in businesses where we excel, tap into fast-growing markets and expand our playing fields. This builds on our successful track record of integrating acquisitions in our core business."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"PMG's innovative products, high-quality service and excellent reputation in the area of program customization and customer service make it a good fit with our consumer-focused strategy and accelerate our competitive position in the roadside assistance market. The acquisition will double our retail membership and put us at the forefront of the fastest growing segment of the market, wholesale partnerships," added George Ruebenson, president, Allstate Protection. "In addition, PMG's affinity and legal services offerings are attractive enhancements to Allstate's portfolio."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2008, subject to applicable regulatory filings and approvals.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatemotorclub.com"&gt;http://www.allstatemotorclub.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Partnership Marketing Group, visit &lt;a href="http://www.gepmg.com"&gt;http://www.gepmg.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Rich Halberg&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:08:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/36056c82-4477-4c4c-b5be-00831485d916</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/36056c82-4477-4c4c-b5be-00831485d916</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Announces Agreement to Acquire Partnership Marketing Group</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Broadens product and service offering; Doubles Allstate Motor Club retail membership&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Partnership Marketing Group (PMG), a business unit of GE Money. PMG will be combined with Allstate's Motor Club division, one of the largest nationwide providers of emergency roadside assistance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate Motor Club, located in South Barrington, Ill., provides 24-hour roadside assistance to 1.2 million members through a national network of service providers. An additional 1.4 million customers are served through an enhanced towing or roadside assistance benefit available to Allstate auto insurance policyholders.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;PMG, based in Schaumburg, Ill., is the second-largest provider of roadside assistance in the country. Together, the combined Allstate Motor Club and PMG operations will provide service to more than four million drivers. In addition, PMG provides legal services benefits plans and membership-based consumer affinity offerings in the shopping, wellness, travel and entertainment areas. PMG markets its products directly to consumers and through private label and affinity distribution relationships with some of the most well-known brands in the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"We're taking a thoughtful, strategic approach to reinventing protection for the consumer," said Allstate Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas J. Wilson. "We want to provide consumers with the products they want, when and where they want to purchase them. We're always looking for avenues to help us achieve that goal. PMG offers us the opportunity to do what we do well - create value in businesses where we excel, tap into fast-growing markets and expand our playing fields. This builds on our successful track record of integrating acquisitions in our core business."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"PMG's innovative products, high-quality service and excellent reputation in the area of program customization and customer service make it a good fit with our consumer-focused strategy and accelerate our competitive position in the roadside assistance market. The acquisition will double our retail membership and put us at the forefront of the fastest growing segment of the market, wholesale partnerships," added George Ruebenson, president, Allstate Protection. "In addition, PMG's affinity and legal services offerings are attractive enhancements to Allstate's portfolio."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2008, subject to applicable regulatory filings and approvals.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatemotorclub.com"&gt;http://www.allstatemotorclub.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Partnership Marketing Group, visit &lt;a href="http://www.gepmg.com"&gt;http://www.gepmg.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Rich Halberg&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/36056c82-4477-4c4c-b5be-00831485d916:en-US/download/a70fd7c6-2c63-4518-9037-f94b94e18cdd" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate Motor Club Enhances Its RV Roadhelp Plan</title>
      <description>New benefits save members time and money&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;RV owners now can get help finding everything from   doctors to restaurants, and maybe even save a little money once they get there, thanks to new features of Allstate Motor Club's RV Roadhelp Plan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Effective immediately, members of the club's RV Roadhelp Plan now are able to take advantage of three unique benefits:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; A new online discount program offers savings up to 50 percent on travel, rental     cars, shopping, dining, entertainment, auto repair and many other everyday     purchases. More than 220,000 local and 350 national retailers are participating.     A ZIP code search feature helps members easily find participating businesses     everywhere.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; A 24/7 Personal Assist service allows members to call a toll-free telephone     number to find everything from concert tickets and doctors to golf courses and     restaurants. Other services include weather updates and foreign language     translation help.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The current KOA Value Kard has been changed to a KOA Value Rewards Kard     that will allow members who stay at KOA campgrounds to receive discounts on     registration fees. They also will accumulate loyalty points that can be redeemed     for additional discounts on future stays at KOA campgrounds. The card, with a     retail value of $24, is included with RV Roadhelp Plan memberships.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Our extensive market research told us our customers wanted these kinds of benefits,   and we're excited to be able to offer them at no additional cost," said Garry Ballek,   Allstate Motor Club Vice President. "It's all part of our continued effort to bring more value to our product for every customer, every day."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The RV Roadhelp Plan covers not just a customer's RV, but also all non-commercial vehicles the member drives, whether owned, leased, borrowed or rented.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Other benefits of the plan include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;24-hour emergency road service&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Unlimited labor and towing&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Unlimited lock-out benefit&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Network of 38,000 emergency service providers&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Unlimited roadside service&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Speedy service guarantee (direct to consumer business only)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;$2,000 arrest bond certificate (in accordance with applicable state laws)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;$1,500 trip interruption reimbursement&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;$1,500 in attorney fees for certain moving violations&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Customized trip planning&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, call the Customer Service Center at   1-800-998-8697 or visit www.allstatemotorclub.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan,   Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have   today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg;   and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt; Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; 847/402-7891&lt;br /&gt; raleigh.floyd@allstate.com&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:28:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/1c464617-8433-4a5f-9015-ae142ccac552</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/1c464617-8433-4a5f-9015-ae142ccac552</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Motor Club Enhances Its RV Roadhelp Plan</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">New benefits save members time and money&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;RV owners now can get help finding everything from   doctors to restaurants, and maybe even save a little money once they get there, thanks to new features of Allstate Motor Club's RV Roadhelp Plan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Effective immediately, members of the club's RV Roadhelp Plan now are able to take advantage of three unique benefits:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; A new online discount program offers savings up to 50 percent on travel, rental     cars, shopping, dining, entertainment, auto repair and many other everyday     purchases. More than 220,000 local and 350 national retailers are participating.     A ZIP code search feature helps members easily find participating businesses     everywhere.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; A 24/7 Personal Assist service allows members to call a toll-free telephone     number to find everything from concert tickets and doctors to golf courses and     restaurants. Other services include weather updates and foreign language     translation help.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;The current KOA Value Kard has been changed to a KOA Value Rewards Kard     that will allow members who stay at KOA campgrounds to receive discounts on     registration fees. They also will accumulate loyalty points that can be redeemed     for additional discounts on future stays at KOA campgrounds. The card, with a     retail value of $24, is included with RV Roadhelp Plan memberships.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Our extensive market research told us our customers wanted these kinds of benefits,   and we're excited to be able to offer them at no additional cost," said Garry Ballek,   Allstate Motor Club Vice President. "It's all part of our continued effort to bring more value to our product for every customer, every day."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The RV Roadhelp Plan covers not just a customer's RV, but also all non-commercial vehicles the member drives, whether owned, leased, borrowed or rented.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Other benefits of the plan include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;24-hour emergency road service&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Unlimited labor and towing&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Unlimited lock-out benefit&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Network of 38,000 emergency service providers&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Unlimited roadside service&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Speedy service guarantee (direct to consumer business only)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;$2,000 arrest bond certificate (in accordance with applicable state laws)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;$1,500 trip interruption reimbursement&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;$1,500 in attorney fees for certain moving violations&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Customized trip planning&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, call the Customer Service Center at   1-800-998-8697 or visit www.allstatemotorclub.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan,   Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have   today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg;   and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt; Raleigh Floyd&lt;br /&gt; 847/402-7891&lt;br /&gt; raleigh.floyd@allstate.com&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/1c464617-8433-4a5f-9015-ae142ccac552:en-US/download/c680265a-5d7b-4532-9945-a0e706072dd0" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Customers Have Options When Settling their Claim</title>
      <description>Allstate's claim practices focus on customer choice&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each year, Allstate settles approximately six million automobile, property and bodily injury claims totaling approximately $15 billion in payments to customers and claimants. Despite these large numbers, each claim is handled by a team of dedicated claim professionals committed to evaluating each claim individually, so that the repair process can begin as quickly as possible.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Customer satisfaction during the claims settlement process is Allstate's goal. The way to achieve this goal is by making the process easy for customers. Throughout the claim process, customers have choices to make from how they want to file their claim to who will make the repairs to their home or vehicle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is available to its customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a customer needs to file a claim, several options are available: contacting their Allstate agent, calling 1-800-Allstate or filing the claim online at www.allstate.com. The claim settlement process begins at the time of that first call with many simple claims often settled at that time through one of our Express Claims Facilities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Auto Claims&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When a customer's vehicle is damaged, they have options on where to have their vehicle repaired, including using one of Allstate's 4,500 direct repair program shops or the repair facility of their choice. If customers choose one of the company's recommended direct repair program facilities, Allstate will guarantee the repair for as long as they own their vehicle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Customers also have options on the type of parts that will be used to repair their vehicle. Customers have the choice of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or after-market parts. When after-market parts are used, Allstate only allows its direct repair program shops to use Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) certified after-market sheet metal parts. These parts are guaranteed as long as the individual owns their vehicle compared to only 12 months on OEM parts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Homeowner Claims&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When a customer's home is damaged, they have the option on who will repair their property. For certain covered property claims, Allstate may be able to refer a vendor to them. If customers have repairs completed through a contractor participating in Allstate's vendor referral program, the workmanship of the contractor will normally be guaranteed by the vendor for up to three years from the date the repairs are completed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Mike Siemienas&lt;br /&gt; 847-402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:52:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/d8ea7f60-5cc8-435b-9b85-c3a3b9b665c2</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/d8ea7f60-5cc8-435b-9b85-c3a3b9b665c2</link>
      <media:title>Customers Have Options When Settling their Claim</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate's claim practices focus on customer choice&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Each year, Allstate settles approximately six million automobile, property and bodily injury claims totaling approximately $15 billion in payments to customers and claimants. Despite these large numbers, each claim is handled by a team of dedicated claim professionals committed to evaluating each claim individually, so that the repair process can begin as quickly as possible.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Customer satisfaction during the claims settlement process is Allstate's goal. The way to achieve this goal is by making the process easy for customers. Throughout the claim process, customers have choices to make from how they want to file their claim to who will make the repairs to their home or vehicle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is available to its customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a customer needs to file a claim, several options are available: contacting their Allstate agent, calling 1-800-Allstate or filing the claim online at www.allstate.com. The claim settlement process begins at the time of that first call with many simple claims often settled at that time through one of our Express Claims Facilities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Auto Claims&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When a customer's vehicle is damaged, they have options on where to have their vehicle repaired, including using one of Allstate's 4,500 direct repair program shops or the repair facility of their choice. If customers choose one of the company's recommended direct repair program facilities, Allstate will guarantee the repair for as long as they own their vehicle.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Customers also have options on the type of parts that will be used to repair their vehicle. Customers have the choice of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or after-market parts. When after-market parts are used, Allstate only allows its direct repair program shops to use Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) certified after-market sheet metal parts. These parts are guaranteed as long as the individual owns their vehicle compared to only 12 months on OEM parts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Homeowner Claims&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When a customer's home is damaged, they have the option on who will repair their property. For certain covered property claims, Allstate may be able to refer a vendor to them. If customers have repairs completed through a contractor participating in Allstate's vendor referral program, the workmanship of the contractor will normally be guaranteed by the vendor for up to three years from the date the repairs are completed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,900 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Mike Siemienas&lt;br /&gt; 847-402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/d8ea7f60-5cc8-435b-9b85-c3a3b9b665c2:en-US/download/d2d5672c-37f9-42a1-b523-54adb8ed5d33" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate Makes Finding the Right Auto Policy Easy</title>
      <description>Two new user-friendly online tools cater to auto insurance shoppers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate recently unveiled two new online interactive auto insurance-related tools on Allstate.com that answer common questions in plain English and help consumers better understand their insurance needs. &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bumper-to-Bumper Basics&lt;sup&gt;SM&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; is an interactive, video-enhanced guide that quickly helps consumers assess their state-specific auto insurance needs, and &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ballpark Estimator&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; allows users to remain anonymous while obtaining an estimated auto insurance quote from Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
  "It is easy to save money on auto insurance, but is the coverage you bought enough? To help consumers answer this important question, Allstate created an online tool that identifies on a state-specific, individual basis, potential policy coverages and limits," said Peggy Dyer, vice president, Marketing Growth and Development, Allstate. "Consumers who put together a coverage checklist before shopping ensure they are getting 'apples-to-apples' quotes and covering their bases," noted Dyer. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
Upon entering &lt;em&gt;Bumper-to-Bumper Basics&lt;/em&gt;, visitors are greeted by an interactive tour guide who helps users navigate through the site. After entering a residential zip code, the tool will help visitors identify their personal risk profile by asking a series of questions, such as: the age and purchase price of the car, whether or not they have health insurance, and if they own or rent their home. Upon completing the questions, a list of policy coverages are generated to give a clear picture of each visitor's potential personal protection needs. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Bumper-to-Bumper Basics&lt;/em&gt; also defines insurance terms and provides examples, helping consumers understand: the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage, how to be financially protected from a covered accident caused by an uninsured motorist, and what bodily injury liability is vs. personal injury protection and other insurance topics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
Consumers also can utilize &lt;em&gt;Ballpark Estimator&lt;/em&gt; on Allstate.com to quickly receive a price estimate for the auto insurance coverages highlighted in &lt;em&gt;Bumper-to-Bumper Basics&lt;/em&gt;-without providing any personal information. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
To learn more about auto insurance utilizing &lt;em&gt;Bumper to Bumper Basics&lt;/em&gt;, receive a quote with the &lt;em&gt;Ballpark Estimator&lt;/em&gt; or find a local Allstate agent to talk to directly, please visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com"&gt;http://www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,600 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
Jennifer McLaughlin&lt;br&gt;
(847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:04:00 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/3cb23bea-4a43-408b-b307-7f2a9c6078e2</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/3cb23bea-4a43-408b-b307-7f2a9c6078e2</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Makes Finding the Right Auto Policy Easy</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Two new user-friendly online tools cater to auto insurance shoppers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Allstate recently unveiled two new online interactive auto insurance-related tools on Allstate.com that answer common questions in plain English and help consumers better understand their insurance needs. &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bumper-to-Bumper Basics&lt;sup&gt;SM&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; is an interactive, video-enhanced guide that quickly helps consumers assess their state-specific auto insurance needs, and &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ballpark Estimator&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt; allows users to remain anonymous while obtaining an estimated auto insurance quote from Allstate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
  "It is easy to save money on auto insurance, but is the coverage you bought enough? To help consumers answer this important question, Allstate created an online tool that identifies on a state-specific, individual basis, potential policy coverages and limits," said Peggy Dyer, vice president, Marketing Growth and Development, Allstate. "Consumers who put together a coverage checklist before shopping ensure they are getting 'apples-to-apples' quotes and covering their bases," noted Dyer. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
Upon entering &lt;em&gt;Bumper-to-Bumper Basics&lt;/em&gt;, visitors are greeted by an interactive tour guide who helps users navigate through the site. After entering a residential zip code, the tool will help visitors identify their personal risk profile by asking a series of questions, such as: the age and purchase price of the car, whether or not they have health insurance, and if they own or rent their home. Upon completing the questions, a list of policy coverages are generated to give a clear picture of each visitor's potential personal protection needs. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Bumper-to-Bumper Basics&lt;/em&gt; also defines insurance terms and provides examples, helping consumers understand: the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage, how to be financially protected from a covered accident caused by an uninsured motorist, and what bodily injury liability is vs. personal injury protection and other insurance topics.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
Consumers also can utilize &lt;em&gt;Ballpark Estimator&lt;/em&gt; on Allstate.com to quickly receive a price estimate for the auto insurance coverages highlighted in &lt;em&gt;Bumper-to-Bumper Basics&lt;/em&gt;-without providing any personal information. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
To learn more about auto insurance utilizing &lt;em&gt;Bumper to Bumper Basics&lt;/em&gt;, receive a quote with the &lt;em&gt;Ballpark Estimator&lt;/em&gt; or find a local Allstate agent to talk to directly, please visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com"&gt;http://www.allstate.com&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
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&amp;reg;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,600 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
Contact:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;
Jennifer McLaughlin&lt;br&gt;
(847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/3cb23bea-4a43-408b-b307-7f2a9c6078e2:en-US/download/855b8073-8519-41e3-bbd9-026064c467d6" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Don't Let Car Trouble Stall Your Fantastic Fourth</title>
      <description>Allstate Motor Club Shares Most Common Motorist Emergencies Handled Last Summer&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;According to Allstate Motor Club, almost half of the calls received early last summer came from motorists in need of a tow (47 percent). Of the callers who didn't need a tow but still required roadside assistance, jump starts and tire replacements ranked as the most common fixes to get drivers on the road again.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Many roadside hassles are preventable with some proactive upkeep. Allstate Motor Club offers the following tips to help you and your family avoid unnecessary delays when road tripping this summer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Before you go...&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread remaining.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Check your car's fluids, including:      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Oil,&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Washer fluid,&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Engine coolant,&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Power steering fluid, and &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Brake and transmission fluid.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Bring along a current map of the route you will be taking. If you're using an online service, still bring detailed maps since online services don't always have the most recent road construction information. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Bring a cell phone and car charger if you have one.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;While on the road...&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;If you take a pit stop, make sure to turn off your vehicle's interior and exterior lights. Motorists accidentally leave their lights on in all types of weather, but heat can be additionally damaging to a car's battery.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Store in your trunk a car emergency kit that includes reflectors, jumper cables, a flashlight and a tire gauge. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Keep a stocked first aid kit in the car's glove box for easy access.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Carry a roll of paper towels, a jug of water and some hand wipes - they come in handy and may prevent unplanned pit stops.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;And of course, don't forget emergency phone numbers, including those that provide emergency road side assistance, such as Allstate Motor Club.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you're still deciding upon your summer vacation destination, check out &lt;a href="http://www.amcpassport.com"&gt;www.amcpassport.com&lt;/a&gt;, where Allstate Motor Club members can plan fun worry-free, cost-effective trips, ranging from quick weekend getaways to an island resort.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Motor Club customer call findings analyzed 2,918 requests for assistance from June 15, 2006 through July 15, 2006.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, please call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-998-8697 or visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatemotorclub.com"&gt;www.allstatemotorclub.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Jennifer McLaughlin&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:00:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/2136c800-c26d-4a80-b88f-2214f28a32a4</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/2136c800-c26d-4a80-b88f-2214f28a32a4</link>
      <media:title>Don't Let Car Trouble Stall Your Fantastic Fourth</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Allstate Motor Club Shares Most Common Motorist Emergencies Handled Last Summer&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;According to Allstate Motor Club, almost half of the calls received early last summer came from motorists in need of a tow (47 percent). Of the callers who didn't need a tow but still required roadside assistance, jump starts and tire replacements ranked as the most common fixes to get drivers on the road again.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Many roadside hassles are preventable with some proactive upkeep. Allstate Motor Club offers the following tips to help you and your family avoid unnecessary delays when road tripping this summer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Before you go...&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread remaining.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Check your car's fluids, including:      
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Oil,&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Washer fluid,&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Engine coolant,&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Power steering fluid, and &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Brake and transmission fluid.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Bring along a current map of the route you will be taking. If you're using an online service, still bring detailed maps since online services don't always have the most recent road construction information. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Bring a cell phone and car charger if you have one.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;While on the road...&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;If you take a pit stop, make sure to turn off your vehicle's interior and exterior lights. Motorists accidentally leave their lights on in all types of weather, but heat can be additionally damaging to a car's battery.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Store in your trunk a car emergency kit that includes reflectors, jumper cables, a flashlight and a tire gauge. &lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Keep a stocked first aid kit in the car's glove box for easy access.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt; Carry a roll of paper towels, a jug of water and some hand wipes - they come in handy and may prevent unplanned pit stops.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;And of course, don't forget emergency phone numbers, including those that provide emergency road side assistance, such as Allstate Motor Club.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you're still deciding upon your summer vacation destination, check out &lt;a href="http://www.amcpassport.com"&gt;www.amcpassport.com&lt;/a&gt;, where Allstate Motor Club members can plan fun worry-free, cost-effective trips, ranging from quick weekend getaways to an island resort.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Allstate Motor Club customer call findings analyzed 2,918 requests for assistance from June 15, 2006 through July 15, 2006.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For additional information about Allstate Motor Club, please call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-998-8697 or visit &lt;a href="http://www.allstatemotorclub.com"&gt;www.allstatemotorclub.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&amp;reg;" 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&amp;reg;. Encompass&amp;reg; and Deerbrook&amp;reg; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Contact: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Jennifer McLaughlin&lt;br /&gt; (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
      <media:content type="application/msword" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/2136c800-c26d-4a80-b88f-2214f28a32a4:en-US/download/f751088b-0a0e-4901-824d-705dbde876f7" medium="document"/>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: 3rd Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;"</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;NORTHBROOK, Ill., June 14, 2007&lt;/strong&gt; -- It's no fluke, residents of Sioux Falls, S.D., maintained their status as the safest drivers in the U.S., according to the third annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The average driver in Sioux Falls will experience an auto collision every 13.7 years. Compared to the national likelihood of a driver experiencing a crash every 10 years -- Sioux Falls motorists are 27 percent less likely to get into a car accident.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"The fact that Sioux Falls drivers retained the standing as America's safest drivers for two years in a row is an accomplishment for which all Sioux Falls residents should be proud," says Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson. "The quality of our community driver education programs combined with the careful consideration of our traffic engineering department goes a long way to make our roadways safe for everyone."&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Jun 2007 02:01:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/207c2c56-306b-44be-91a8-ad179466473e</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/207c2c56-306b-44be-91a8-ad179466473e</link>
      <media:title>3rd Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&#8482;"</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;NORTHBROOK, Ill., June 14, 2007&lt;/strong&gt; -- It's no fluke, residents of Sioux Falls, S.D., maintained their status as the safest drivers in the U.S., according to the third annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report&amp;trade;." The average driver in Sioux Falls will experience an auto collision every 13.7 years. Compared to the national likelihood of a driver experiencing a crash every 10 years -- Sioux Falls motorists are 27 percent less likely to get into a car accident.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"The fact that Sioux Falls drivers retained the standing as America's safest drivers for two years in a row is an accomplishment for which all Sioux Falls residents should be proud," says Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson. "The quality of our community driver education programs combined with the careful consideration of our traffic engineering department goes a long way to make our roadways safe for everyone."&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Who Ranks Best Behind the Wheel?</title>
      <description>2nd Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report" Reveals Cities with Safest Drivers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Residents of Sioux Falls, S.D., are the safest drivers in the United States, according to the second-annual &amp;ldquo;Allstate America's Best Drivers Report."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The largest city in South Dakota moves up from the number two spot on last year's report from Allstate Insurance Company - replacing Cedar Rapids, Iowa, whose drivers are parked in the number three position on this year's list.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This ranking of the best drivers in the 200 largest cities in America revealed that the average driver in Sioux Falls will experience an auto collision every 14.3 years, compared to the national likelihood of a crash every 10 years - making them 30 percent less likely to have an accident than the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate researchers analyzed company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities would experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;The Allstate America's Best Driver's Report elevates the country's discussion on safe driving. Our hope is that each year the Allstate report helps facilitate an ongoing dialogue that saves lives," said George Ruebenson, Allstate senior vice president for claims service.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;We reward safe drivers everyday with Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; Your Choice Auto Insurance features such as Safe Driver Bonuses and Deductible Rewards. The Allstate America's Best Driver's report is yet another way Allstate is recognizing safe drivers and the communities where they live."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;City officials in Sioux Falls are excited, but not surprised they are the home of Allstate's America's Best Drivers for 2006. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"With so many crashes occurring near one's home, it's reassuring that our residents are the safest on the road," said Dave Munson, mayor of Sioux Falls. "The quality of our community driver education programs combined with the consideration of our traffic engineering department goes a long way to make our roadways safe for everyone. We were excited to be number two on last year's list, but are thrilled to be the best in the country this year."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top 10&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sioux Falls drivers jumped to the number one spot in this year's report. However, Iowa, Tennessee and Colorado stand out as also being home to some of the country's safest drivers. Two cities from each state drive into the top 10 on Allstate's list -- similar to the inaugural report findings in 2005. Midwestern drivers also appear to heed the safety call. Five out of the 10 top cities are in America's heartland, according to the report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Sioux Falls, S.D.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;30.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;14.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;24% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Cedar Rapids, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;24% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Huntsville, Ala.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;21.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;21.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Des Moines, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Milwaukee&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Colorado Springs, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Warren, Mich.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.9% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;What makes this report from Allstate valuable is that it is based on real world collision data from actual drivers," said Allan Williams, the recently retired chief scientist and researcher at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. &amp;ldquo;Also, Allstate's auto policies represent about 12 percent of the U.S. population, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2006 &amp;ldquo;Road Scholars" By Population&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Cities with More Than 1 Million Residents&amp;hellip;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the second consecutive year, drivers in Phoenix are the safest big city commuters according to Allstate. Drivers in Phoenix can expect to bump into another vehicle on the roadway every 9.7 years - slightly more frequent than the national average. A big apple a day apparently keeps the insurance adjuster away in New York. NYC moves to number three on Allstate's breakout list of cities with populations greater than 1 million people.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;75. Phoenix&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;113. San Diego&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.9% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;139. New York City&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;160. San Antonio&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;24.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;163. Houston&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;178. Chicago&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;33.0% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;183. Dallas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;37.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;184. Los Angeles&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;42.9% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;186. Philadelphia&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;51.0% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with 500,000 to 1 Million Residents&amp;hellip;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Milwaukee drivers topped the list of safest drivers in mid-sized cities with populations between 500,000 to 1,000,000 residents. While this is the second year that the Wisconsin city has claimed this honor, Milwaukee drivers showed definite driving improvement by moving into this year's overall top 10 ranking as well. Drivers in nine of the top 10 cities in this break-out list for mid-sized cities are less likely than the national average to experience a collision.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Milwaukee&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;31. Memphis, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;35. Nashville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;37. Louisville, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.9% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;39. Denver&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.5% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;47. El Paso, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;4.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;48. Detroit&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.5% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;50. Indianapolis&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;58. Oklahoma City&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;63. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;0.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safe Driving Secrets&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Many factors contribute to how cities rank in the report," says Williams. &amp;ldquo;Some factors - demographic makeup, commuting patterns and city design - cannot be changed; others, like smart traffic engineering and strong law enforcement initiatives, can help to prevent crashes in metropolitan areas."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Sioux Falls' number one ranking does not come as a surprise to me. We are fortunate to live in a community where courtesy and patience are second nature; this shows through with our drivers," said Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate recommends some additional safe driving secrets&amp;hellip;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Green means go, with caution&lt;/strong&gt;- When a light turns green, make sure the intersection is clear before you go.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Avoid disastrous distractions&lt;/strong&gt;- Safe driving takes concentration. If you're talking on a cell phone or changing the radio station, you're probably not paying enough attention to the road in front of you.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Know your limits&lt;/strong&gt;- Exceeding the speed limit is one of the most common causes of accidents because it gives you less time to stop or react.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signals for safety&lt;/strong&gt;- Using your turn signal alerts the cars behind you to what you're doing and gives them time to react.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/strong&gt; - Ultimately, your safety also depends on the maintenance of your car. Make sure your car's brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Crashes Happen&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Traffic Facts, more crashes occur on Saturdays than any other day of the week. Sunday ranked second and Friday came in third. Additionally, most collisions happen between 3 and 6 p.m. From 6 to 9 p.m. ranked second and 9 p.m. to midnight finished third. The fewest crashes occur between midnight and 3 a.m.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Free Gas Frenzy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Drivers were lined up before dawn in Sioux Falls for the chance to get free gas compliments of Allstate Insurance Company. The mayor of Sioux Falls and other city officials joined local Allstate agents to pump petrol for happy morning commuters - delivering some unexpected relief from near-record high gas prices. The event congratulates drivers in South Dakota's largest city for being the best in the country according to the 2006 Allstate America's Best Drivers Report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Downlink Details - Satellite Feed Coordinates:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Allstate is providing visuals and interviews from the Sioux Falls free-gas give away at the following coordinates&amp;hellip;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wednesday, May 24, 2006:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1:15 PM ET to 1:45 PM ET -&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;AMC 2 (Ku-Band), Transponder 16; Audio at 6.2 &amp;amp; 6.8&lt;br /&gt;Downlink Freq: 11720 (H) Satellite &lt;br /&gt;Control Room: 312.925.5838&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7:45 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET -&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Intelsat A 6 (C-Band), Transponder 15; Audio at 6.2 &amp;amp; 6.8&lt;br /&gt;Downlink Freq: 4000 (V) Satellite &lt;br /&gt;Control Room: 312.828.0862&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thursday, May 25, 2006:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4:15 AM ET to 4:30 AM ET -&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Intelsat A 6 (C-Band), Transponder 15; Audio at 6.2 &amp;amp; 6.8&lt;br /&gt;Downlink Freq: 4000 (V) Satellite &lt;br /&gt;Control Room: 312.828.0862&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Allstate Safety Leadership Award&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The City of Sioux Falls will also be presented with the Allstate Safety LeadershipAward.&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;Later this summer, Allstate will honor motorists in the city by presenting Sioux Falls mayor Dave Munson with the Allstate Safety Leadership Award&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; as recognition for the safe driving habits of the city's residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The city of Sioux Falls receives the Allstate Safety Leadership Award&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; in recognition of the contributions made by the city to create and foster a safe driving environment for its residents. The award is Allstate's highest public honor - recognizing and promoting public awareness for successful public safety programs. Allstate says the Allstate America's Best Driver's Report and the Allstate Safety Leadership Award&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; are presented to inspire others to take a leadership role in the safety arena.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Math Behind the Rankings&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To create the report, Allstate researchers analyzed internal Property Damage reported claims over a two-year period (from January, 2003 to December, 2004) to ensure the findings would not be affected by external influences such as weather or road construction. A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safety Can Save Money&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is recognizing Sioux Falls with a celebratory free gas giveaway today. It is also rewarding safe drivers across the country with Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; Your Choice Auto Insurance.Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; Your Choice Auto Insurance rewardssafe driving through optional features such as Safe Driver Bonuses where you can get cash off your renewal bill and Deductible Rewards where you earn $100 off your deductible up to $500 for each year of safe driving. And for those not able to stay out of harm's way, Your Choice Auto provides enhanced protection through Accident Forgiveness where your rates don't go up just because of an accident and New Car Replacement where you can get a new car if you total your car in the first three years. Your Choice Auto is not available in every state, but is currently available in 41 states representing 82 percent of the U.S. population*.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;View the complete Allstate America's Best Drivers Report:&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/media/newsheadlines/pr_2006/2006_05_24_best_drivers_report.pdf" target="_blank"&gt;2006&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/media/newsheadlines/pr_2005/2005_06_07_best_drivers_report.pdf" target="_blank"&gt; 2005&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of Allstate Insurance Company, The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the &amp;ldquo;You're In Good Hands With Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,100 exclusive agencies and financial professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;auto insurance&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://home-insurance.allstate.com/" target="_blank"&gt;homeowners insurance&lt;/a&gt; through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;. Encompass&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;SM&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; and Deerbrook&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Note:&lt;/strong&gt; The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts, where Allstate Insurance Company does not offer insurance products.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; * &lt;/strong&gt; Features are optional and subject to terms and conditions. Not available in every state. Deductible Rewards apply to collision coverage. In PA &amp;amp; NY deductible amount won't go below $100. Safe Driving Bonus won't apply after an accident&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FOR MORE INFORMATION:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Mike Siemienas, Allstate Insurance Company, (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 May 2006 02:00:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/af5ed9ac-4438-40bf-b1fc-a7eeebf28b8f</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/af5ed9ac-4438-40bf-b1fc-a7eeebf28b8f</link>
      <media:group>
        <media:title>Who Ranks Best Behind the Wheel?</media:title>
        <media:description type="html">2nd Annual "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report" Reveals Cities with Safest Drivers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 2 Related Documents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Residents of Sioux Falls, S.D., are the safest drivers in the United States, according to the second-annual &amp;ldquo;Allstate America's Best Drivers Report."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The largest city in South Dakota moves up from the number two spot on last year's report from Allstate Insurance Company - replacing Cedar Rapids, Iowa, whose drivers are parked in the number three position on this year's list.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This ranking of the best drivers in the 200 largest cities in America revealed that the average driver in Sioux Falls will experience an auto collision every 14.3 years, compared to the national likelihood of a crash every 10 years - making them 30 percent less likely to have an accident than the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate researchers analyzed company claim data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's 200 largest cities would experience a vehicle collision compared to the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;The Allstate America's Best Driver's Report elevates the country's discussion on safe driving. Our hope is that each year the Allstate report helps facilitate an ongoing dialogue that saves lives," said George Ruebenson, Allstate senior vice president for claims service.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;We reward safe drivers everyday with Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; Your Choice Auto Insurance features such as Safe Driver Bonuses and Deductible Rewards. The Allstate America's Best Driver's report is yet another way Allstate is recognizing safe drivers and the communities where they live."&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;City officials in Sioux Falls are excited, but not surprised they are the home of Allstate's America's Best Drivers for 2006. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;"With so many crashes occurring near one's home, it's reassuring that our residents are the safest on the road," said Dave Munson, mayor of Sioux Falls. "The quality of our community driver education programs combined with the consideration of our traffic engineering department goes a long way to make our roadways safe for everyone. We were excited to be number two on last year's list, but are thrilled to be the best in the country this year."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top 10&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Sioux Falls drivers jumped to the number one spot in this year's report. However, Iowa, Tennessee and Colorado stand out as also being home to some of the country's safest drivers. Two cities from each state drive into the top 10 on Allstate's list -- similar to the inaugural report findings in 2005. Midwestern drivers also appear to heed the safety call. Five out of the 10 top cities are in America's heartland, according to the report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Sioux Falls, S.D.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;30.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;14.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;24% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Cedar Rapids, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;24% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Huntsville, Ala.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;21.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;21.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Knoxville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Des Moines, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Milwaukee&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Colorado Springs, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Warren, Mich.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.9% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;What makes this report from Allstate valuable is that it is based on real world collision data from actual drivers," said Allan Williams, the recently retired chief scientist and researcher at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. &amp;ldquo;Also, Allstate's auto policies represent about 12 percent of the U.S. population, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;2006 &amp;ldquo;Road Scholars" By Population&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Cities with More Than 1 Million Residents&amp;hellip;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the second consecutive year, drivers in Phoenix are the safest big city commuters according to Allstate. Drivers in Phoenix can expect to bump into another vehicle on the roadway every 9.7 years - slightly more frequent than the national average. A big apple a day apparently keeps the insurance adjuster away in New York. NYC moves to number three on Allstate's breakout list of cities with populations greater than 1 million people.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;75. Phoenix&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;113. San Diego&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.9% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;139. New York City&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;18.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;160. San Antonio&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;24.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;163. Houston&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;25.5% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;178. Chicago&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;33.0% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;183. Dallas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;37.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;184. Los Angeles&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;42.9% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.0&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;186. Philadelphia&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;51.0% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cities with 500,000 to 1 Million Residents&amp;hellip;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Milwaukee drivers topped the list of safest drivers in mid-sized cities with populations between 500,000 to 1,000,000 residents. While this is the second year that the Wisconsin city has claimed this honor, Milwaukee drivers showed definite driving improvement by moving into this year's overall top 10 ranking as well. Drivers in nine of the top 10 cities in this break-out list for mid-sized cities are less likely than the national average to experience a collision.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Milwaukee&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;31. Memphis, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.9&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;35. Nashville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;37. Louisville, Ky.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.9% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;39. Denver&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.5% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;47. El Paso, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;4.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;48. Detroit&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.5% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;50. Indianapolis&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.0% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;58. Oklahoma City&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;63. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;0.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safe Driving Secrets&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Many factors contribute to how cities rank in the report," says Williams. &amp;ldquo;Some factors - demographic makeup, commuting patterns and city design - cannot be changed; others, like smart traffic engineering and strong law enforcement initiatives, can help to prevent crashes in metropolitan areas."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;ldquo;Sioux Falls' number one ranking does not come as a surprise to me. We are fortunate to live in a community where courtesy and patience are second nature; this shows through with our drivers," said Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate recommends some additional safe driving secrets&amp;hellip;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Green means go, with caution&lt;/strong&gt;- When a light turns green, make sure the intersection is clear before you go.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Avoid disastrous distractions&lt;/strong&gt;- Safe driving takes concentration. If you're talking on a cell phone or changing the radio station, you're probably not paying enough attention to the road in front of you.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Know your limits&lt;/strong&gt;- Exceeding the speed limit is one of the most common causes of accidents because it gives you less time to stop or react.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signals for safety&lt;/strong&gt;- Using your turn signal alerts the cars behind you to what you're doing and gives them time to react.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Maintenance matters&lt;/strong&gt; - Ultimately, your safety also depends on the maintenance of your car. Make sure your car's brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Crashes Happen&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Traffic Facts, more crashes occur on Saturdays than any other day of the week. Sunday ranked second and Friday came in third. Additionally, most collisions happen between 3 and 6 p.m. From 6 to 9 p.m. ranked second and 9 p.m. to midnight finished third. The fewest crashes occur between midnight and 3 a.m.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Free Gas Frenzy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Drivers were lined up before dawn in Sioux Falls for the chance to get free gas compliments of Allstate Insurance Company. The mayor of Sioux Falls and other city officials joined local Allstate agents to pump petrol for happy morning commuters - delivering some unexpected relief from near-record high gas prices. The event congratulates drivers in South Dakota's largest city for being the best in the country according to the 2006 Allstate America's Best Drivers Report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Downlink Details - Satellite Feed Coordinates:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Allstate is providing visuals and interviews from the Sioux Falls free-gas give away at the following coordinates&amp;hellip;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wednesday, May 24, 2006:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1:15 PM ET to 1:45 PM ET -&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;AMC 2 (Ku-Band), Transponder 16; Audio at 6.2 &amp;amp; 6.8&lt;br /&gt;Downlink Freq: 11720 (H) Satellite &lt;br /&gt;Control Room: 312.925.5838&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7:45 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET -&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Intelsat A 6 (C-Band), Transponder 15; Audio at 6.2 &amp;amp; 6.8&lt;br /&gt;Downlink Freq: 4000 (V) Satellite &lt;br /&gt;Control Room: 312.828.0862&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thursday, May 25, 2006:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4:15 AM ET to 4:30 AM ET -&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;Intelsat A 6 (C-Band), Transponder 15; Audio at 6.2 &amp;amp; 6.8&lt;br /&gt;Downlink Freq: 4000 (V) Satellite &lt;br /&gt;Control Room: 312.828.0862&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Allstate Safety Leadership Award&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The City of Sioux Falls will also be presented with the Allstate Safety LeadershipAward.&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;Later this summer, Allstate will honor motorists in the city by presenting Sioux Falls mayor Dave Munson with the Allstate Safety Leadership Award&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; as recognition for the safe driving habits of the city's residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The city of Sioux Falls receives the Allstate Safety Leadership Award&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; in recognition of the contributions made by the city to create and foster a safe driving environment for its residents. The award is Allstate's highest public honor - recognizing and promoting public awareness for successful public safety programs. Allstate says the Allstate America's Best Driver's Report and the Allstate Safety Leadership Award&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; are presented to inspire others to take a leadership role in the safety arena.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Math Behind the Rankings&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To create the report, Allstate researchers analyzed internal Property Damage reported claims over a two-year period (from January, 2003 to December, 2004) to ensure the findings would not be affected by external influences such as weather or road construction. A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in a property damage claim.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Safety Can Save Money&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate is recognizing Sioux Falls with a celebratory free gas giveaway today. It is also rewarding safe drivers across the country with Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; Your Choice Auto Insurance.Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; Your Choice Auto Insurance rewardssafe driving through optional features such as Safe Driver Bonuses where you can get cash off your renewal bill and Deductible Rewards where you earn $100 off your deductible up to $500 for each year of safe driving. And for those not able to stay out of harm's way, Your Choice Auto provides enhanced protection through Accident Forgiveness where your rates don't go up just because of an accident and New Car Replacement where you can get a new car if you total your car in the first three years. Your Choice Auto is not available in every state, but is currently available in 41 states representing 82 percent of the U.S. population*.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;View the complete Allstate America's Best Drivers Report:&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/media/newsheadlines/pr_2006/2006_05_24_best_drivers_report.pdf" target="_blank"&gt;2006&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/media/newsheadlines/pr_2005/2005_06_07_best_drivers_report.pdf" target="_blank"&gt; 2005&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of Allstate Insurance Company, The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the &amp;ldquo;You're In Good Hands With Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through approximately 14,100 exclusive agencies and financial professionals in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as&lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;auto insurance&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://home-insurance.allstate.com/" target="_blank"&gt;homeowners insurance&lt;/a&gt; through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt;. Encompass&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;SM&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; and Deerbrook&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&lt;sup&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;/span&gt; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Note:&lt;/strong&gt; The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts, where Allstate Insurance Company does not offer insurance products.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; * &lt;/strong&gt; Features are optional and subject to terms and conditions. Not available in every state. Deductible Rewards apply to collision coverage. In PA &amp;amp; NY deductible amount won't go below $100. Safe Driving Bonus won't apply after an accident&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FOR MORE INFORMATION:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Mike Siemienas, Allstate Insurance Company, (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/af5ed9ac-4438-40bf-b1fc-a7eeebf28b8f:en-US/download/0810d252-2233-4374-91a6-5df76b709238" medium="document"/>
        <media:content type="application/pdf" fileSize="" lang="en-US" url="http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/af5ed9ac-4438-40bf-b1fc-a7eeebf28b8f:en-US/download/c41f78c1-d60a-40a8-8ca2-d7c7856718c0" medium="document"/>
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    <item>
      <title>Auto: Allstate Revolutionizing Car Insurance In America</title>
      <description>New Features in More States Offer Drivers Greater Flexibility and More Choices than Ever Before&lt;br /&gt;&lt;P&gt;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. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&amp;quot;For too long there has been a &#8216;one size fits all' approach to auto insurance,&amp;quot; 
  said Tom Wilson, president and chief operating officer for Allstate. &amp;quot;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.&amp;quot;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;New rewards for safe driving:&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;UL&gt;
  &lt;LI&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Deductible Rewards&lt;BR&gt;
    &lt;/STRONG&gt;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.&lt;/LI&gt;
  &lt;LI&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Safe Driving Bonus&lt;BR&gt;
    &lt;/STRONG&gt;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.&lt;/LI&gt;
&lt;/UL&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Enhanced protection in case of an accident:&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;UL&gt;
  &lt;LI&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Accident Forgiveness&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;BR&gt;
    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.&lt;/LI&gt;
  &lt;LI&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;New Car Replacement&lt;BR&gt;
    &lt;/STRONG&gt;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.&lt;/LI&gt;
&lt;/UL&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;On The Road With Your Choice Auto&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;BR&gt;
  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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&amp;quot;Americans have a love affair with their cars. However, they are less 
  enamored with their car insurance, especially after there is an accident,&amp;quot; 
  said Wilson. &amp;quot;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.&amp;quot;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The Allstate Bumper Car Derby will also make a stop at the 2006 Chicago Auto 
  Show in February, with additional dates to follow.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Your Choice Auto Availability&lt;BR&gt;
  &lt;/STRONG&gt;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 &lt;A href="http://www.Allstate.com"&gt;www.Allstate.com&lt;/A&gt;.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;About Allstate&lt;/STRONG&gt; &lt;BR&gt;
  The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal 
  lines insurer. Widely known through the &amp;quot;You're In Good Hands With Allstate&lt;SUP&gt;&lt;FONT size=-1&gt;&#174;&lt;/SUP&gt;&amp;quot; 
  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&lt;SUP&gt;&lt;FONT size=-1&gt;&#174;&lt;/SUP&gt;. 
  Encompass&lt;SUP&gt;&lt;FONT size=-1&gt;SM&lt;/SUP&gt; and Deerbrook&lt;SUP&gt;&lt;FONT size=-1&gt;&#174;&lt;/SUP&gt; 
  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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;p&gt; FOR MORE INFORMATION: &lt;br&gt;

George Nolan, 847 402-5600, &lt;A href="mailto:GNOL4@allstate.com" &gt;GNOL4@allstate.com&lt;/A&gt;&lt;BR&gt;
Rachel McMahon, 312 988-2462, &lt;A href="mailto:rmcmahon@webershandwick.com" &gt;rmcmahon@webershandwick.com&lt;/A&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2006 01:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/95666dc8-c5e2-40a6-ab01-8f934a5ddc63</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/95666dc8-c5e2-40a6-ab01-8f934a5ddc63</link>
      <media:title>Allstate Revolutionizing Car Insurance In America</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">New Features in More States Offer Drivers Greater Flexibility and More Choices than Ever Before&lt;br /&gt;&lt;P&gt;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. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&amp;quot;For too long there has been a &#8216;one size fits all' approach to auto insurance,&amp;quot; 
  said Tom Wilson, president and chief operating officer for Allstate. &amp;quot;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.&amp;quot;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;New rewards for safe driving:&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;UL&gt;
  &lt;LI&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Deductible Rewards&lt;BR&gt;
    &lt;/STRONG&gt;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.&lt;/LI&gt;
  &lt;LI&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Safe Driving Bonus&lt;BR&gt;
    &lt;/STRONG&gt;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.&lt;/LI&gt;
&lt;/UL&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Enhanced protection in case of an accident:&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;UL&gt;
  &lt;LI&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Accident Forgiveness&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;BR&gt;
    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.&lt;/LI&gt;
  &lt;LI&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;New Car Replacement&lt;BR&gt;
    &lt;/STRONG&gt;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.&lt;/LI&gt;
&lt;/UL&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;On The Road With Your Choice Auto&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;BR&gt;
  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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&amp;quot;Americans have a love affair with their cars. However, they are less 
  enamored with their car insurance, especially after there is an accident,&amp;quot; 
  said Wilson. &amp;quot;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.&amp;quot;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The Allstate Bumper Car Derby will also make a stop at the 2006 Chicago Auto 
  Show in February, with additional dates to follow.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Your Choice Auto Availability&lt;BR&gt;
  &lt;/STRONG&gt;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 &lt;A href="http://www.Allstate.com"&gt;www.Allstate.com&lt;/A&gt;.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;About Allstate&lt;/STRONG&gt; &lt;BR&gt;
  The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal 
  lines insurer. Widely known through the &amp;quot;You're In Good Hands With Allstate&lt;SUP&gt;&lt;FONT size=-1&gt;&#174;&lt;/SUP&gt;&amp;quot; 
  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&lt;SUP&gt;&lt;FONT size=-1&gt;&#174;&lt;/SUP&gt;. 
  Encompass&lt;SUP&gt;&lt;FONT size=-1&gt;SM&lt;/SUP&gt; and Deerbrook&lt;SUP&gt;&lt;FONT size=-1&gt;&#174;&lt;/SUP&gt; 
  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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;p&gt; FOR MORE INFORMATION: &lt;br&gt;

George Nolan, 847 402-5600, &lt;A href="mailto:GNOL4@allstate.com" &gt;GNOL4@allstate.com&lt;/A&gt;&lt;BR&gt;
Rachel McMahon, 312 988-2462, &lt;A href="mailto:rmcmahon@webershandwick.com" &gt;rmcmahon@webershandwick.com&lt;/A&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Company Requires Adjusters to Obtain I-CAR Platinum Designation</title>
      <description>&lt;P&gt;When your car is involved in a crash, you expect industry-leading experts inspecting 
  the damage and estimating the repair costs so that it gets fixed right. Allstate 
  is taking an extraordinary step to ensure that the expertise of its auto adjusters 
  who write and re-inspect estimates continue to be the best in the business with 
  a new required training program that gives them enhanced technical knowledge 
  of evolving repair technologies and processes.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"We're requiring our employees who write auto estimates and re-inspect auto losses to have the I-CAR Platinum designation," said Bill Cox, Allstate strategy director for claims. Allstate is the first major insurer to require this designation, which it hopes will help drive strong relationships with customers and help ensure their satisfaction with the company.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Allstate reviewed its previous training regimen and concluded it was on par with competitors. However, through research and tests, Allstate recognized that a requirement of this type helps our adjusters better serve customers via a faster, more efficient and hassle-free claim process. "Allstate really cares about people," said Cox. "Our customers need to receive safe, high-quality repairs, and I-CAR Platinum training will help ensure that they do." &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;"In addition," says Pat McCarthy, Allstate training director for claims, "auto manufacturers continue making quantum leaps in technologies, material applications and engineering concepts. I-CAR Platinum training helps ensure that Allstate employees are fluent in and knowledgeable about these rapid changes as they work with the collision repairers."&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;The I-CAR Platinum designation requires employees complete a rigorous curriculum that focuses on current and changing repair technologies and processes, enhancing the accuracy of repair estimates for damaged vehicles and helping ensure the greatest possible estimate accuracy.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;"We're always seeking improvements that make us smarter and more efficient about doing business," said McCarthy, "because that makes Allstate easier to do business with - not only for customers, but all parties involved in a claim."&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;During testing, from March through May 2005, Allstate employees completed 350 I-CAR programs and achieved a 99.4 percent average pass rate - approximately 15 percent higher than the industry's average pass rate. The company's goal is to have all if its 2,500 auto adjusters who regularly write auto estimates and re-inspect auto losses to complete the I-CAR Platinum designation curriculum within the next 24 to 36 months. Twenty-five percent of Allstate's adjusters currently hold the designation. All new auto adjusters will be required to attain the I-CAR Platinum designation within 24 months of hire.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;About I-CAR&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference On Auto Collision Repair, founded in 1979, is an international, not-for-profit, training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;About Allstate&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;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&lt;SUP&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/SUP&gt;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and 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 &lt;A href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target=_blank&gt;auto insurance&lt;/A&gt; and &lt;A href="http://home-insurance.allstate.com/" target=_blank&gt;homeowners insurance&lt;/A&gt; through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&lt;SUP&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/SUP&gt;. Encompass&lt;SUP&gt;SM&lt;/SUP&gt; and Deerbrook&lt;SUP&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/SUP&gt; Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group provides life and 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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;p&gt;FOR MORE INFORMATION:&lt;br&gt;Northbrook, Ill., June 13, 2005</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Jun 2005 02:01:00 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/b6c97b05-81fa-4559-9d97-252023edf0b8</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/b6c97b05-81fa-4559-9d97-252023edf0b8</link>
      <media:title>Company Requires Adjusters to Obtain I-CAR Platinum Designation</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">&lt;P&gt;When your car is involved in a crash, you expect industry-leading experts inspecting 
  the damage and estimating the repair costs so that it gets fixed right. Allstate 
  is taking an extraordinary step to ensure that the expertise of its auto adjusters 
  who write and re-inspect estimates continue to be the best in the business with 
  a new required training program that gives them enhanced technical knowledge 
  of evolving repair technologies and processes.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;"We're requiring our employees who write auto estimates and re-inspect auto losses to have the I-CAR Platinum designation," said Bill Cox, Allstate strategy director for claims. Allstate is the first major insurer to require this designation, which it hopes will help drive strong relationships with customers and help ensure their satisfaction with the company.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;Allstate reviewed its previous training regimen and concluded it was on par with competitors. However, through research and tests, Allstate recognized that a requirement of this type helps our adjusters better serve customers via a faster, more efficient and hassle-free claim process. "Allstate really cares about people," said Cox. "Our customers need to receive safe, high-quality repairs, and I-CAR Platinum training will help ensure that they do." &lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;"In addition," says Pat McCarthy, Allstate training director for claims, "auto manufacturers continue making quantum leaps in technologies, material applications and engineering concepts. I-CAR Platinum training helps ensure that Allstate employees are fluent in and knowledgeable about these rapid changes as they work with the collision repairers."&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;The I-CAR Platinum designation requires employees complete a rigorous curriculum that focuses on current and changing repair technologies and processes, enhancing the accuracy of repair estimates for damaged vehicles and helping ensure the greatest possible estimate accuracy.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;"We're always seeking improvements that make us smarter and more efficient about doing business," said McCarthy, "because that makes Allstate easier to do business with - not only for customers, but all parties involved in a claim."&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;During testing, from March through May 2005, Allstate employees completed 350 I-CAR programs and achieved a 99.4 percent average pass rate - approximately 15 percent higher than the industry's average pass rate. The company's goal is to have all if its 2,500 auto adjusters who regularly write auto estimates and re-inspect auto losses to complete the I-CAR Platinum designation curriculum within the next 24 to 36 months. Twenty-five percent of Allstate's adjusters currently hold the designation. All new auto adjusters will be required to attain the I-CAR Platinum designation within 24 months of hire.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;About I-CAR&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference On Auto Collision Repair, founded in 1979, is an international, not-for-profit, training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.&lt;/P&gt;&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;About Allstate&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;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&lt;SUP&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/SUP&gt;" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and 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 &lt;A href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target=_blank&gt;auto insurance&lt;/A&gt; and &lt;A href="http://home-insurance.allstate.com/" target=_blank&gt;homeowners insurance&lt;/A&gt; through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&lt;SUP&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/SUP&gt;. Encompass&lt;SUP&gt;SM&lt;/SUP&gt; and Deerbrook&lt;SUP&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/SUP&gt; Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group provides life and 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.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;p&gt;FOR MORE INFORMATION:&lt;br&gt;Northbrook, Ill., June 13, 2005</media:description>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Auto: Who Ranks Best Behind The Wheel?</title>
      <description>Inaugural "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report" Reveals Cities with Safest Drivers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Residents of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, rank as the safest drivers in the U.S. according to the Allstate Insurance Company's (NYSE: ALL) inaugural "America's Best Drivers Report."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The first-of-its kind ranking of U.S. cities with populations 100,000-plus, revealed that the average driver in the central Iowa city will experience an auto collision every 15 years, compared to the national likelihood of a crash every 10 years - making them 33.28 percent less likely to have an accident than the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate researchers analyzed internal data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's largest 196 cities would experience an auto collision compared to the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"As one of the country's largest insurers, Allstate is uniquely positioned to present this significant report," said Daryll Fletcher, Vice President in charge of data and research at Allstate. "This wealth of data enables Allstate to salute America's best drivers and recognize their safe driving skills, which make all of our communities safer places to live, work and raise families."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cedar Rapids city officials were not shocked that the city ranked high on the list.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"With the majority of crashes occurring within five miles of the home, it's reassuring that our residents are the safest," said Paul Pate, Cedar Rapids' mayor. "The quality of our community's driver education programs combined with the consideration of our Traffic Engineering department goes a long way to make our roadways safe for everyone. We thought we'd make the list, but we never realized we'd be No. 1 in the country."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top 10&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Drivers across Iowa, Tennessee and Colorado shine as the nation's safest, as two cities from each state rank among the top 10 with the safest drivers, according to the report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Cedar Rapids, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;33.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;15&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Sioux Falls, S.D.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;27.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;27.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Huntsville, Ala.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;23.8% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Knoxville, Tenn&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;23.8% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Des Moines, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;21.5% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Topeka, Kan.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Lakewood. Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Burmingham, Ala.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"What makes this report from Allstate valuable is that it is based on real world collision data from actual drivers," said Allan Williams, the recently retired chief scientist and researcher at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Also, Allstate's auto policies represent about 12 percent of the U.S. population, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional "Road" Scholars&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. Phoenix, the top-ranked city in this category, mirrors the national collision average of one accident every 10 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;64. Phoenix&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;0.4% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;111. San Diego&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;121. Houston&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;28.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;167. San Antonio&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;28.9% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;169. New York City&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;30.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;173. Chicago&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;52.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;177. Los Angeles&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;38.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;180. Dallas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;39.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;182. Philadelphia&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;46.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the report, Milwaukee drivers will experience a collision approximately every 11.5 years and rank as the safest of the metros with populations between 500,000 and one million residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;17. Milwaukee&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;18. Memphis, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;23. Nashville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.1% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;47. El Paso, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;5.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;52. Oklahoma City&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;53. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;2.8% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;60. Indianapolis&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;72. Denver&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;2.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;86. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;4.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;97. Portland, Ore.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Secrets to Safety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Many factors contribute to how cities rank in the report," said Williams. "Some factors - demographic makeup, commuting patterns and city design - cannot be changed; others, like smart traffic engineering and strong law enforcement initiatives, can help to prevent crashes in metropolitan areas."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cedar Rapids is taking a serious and proactive approach to roadway improvements and law enforcement, city safety commissioner and police officer Dave Zahn said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Our traffic engineers work hand-in-hand with the community members to minimize traffic congestion and collision frequency," Zahn said. "For example, we recently expanded a 15 block strip of Mt. Vernon Road, one of our busier streets, from four lanes to five. Since its completion, collisions are down 66 percent on that stretch of road."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Zahn also pointed to Cedar Rapid's courteous driving style as a reason for the city's top ranking. He outlined lessons that all drivers could learn from Cedar Rapids residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signs mean something&lt;/strong&gt;- Traffic signs are here to help us. "Yield, stop and school zone speed limits are meant to be followed, not ignored," Zahn said.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Respect sirens&lt;/strong&gt;- "Pull over to the side of the road when you see emergency vehicles," Zahn said. "I always tell people &amp;lsquo;You never know. You may be the one in the back of that ambulance some day.'"&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yellow really does mean caution&lt;/strong&gt;- Slow down - don't speed up - when approaching a yellow light, Zahn stressed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Speeding gets you nowhere fast&lt;/strong&gt;- "Exceeding the speed limit won't get you to your destination any faster," Zahn said. "The few minutes you save you'll lose sitting at the next red light anyway.".&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Courteousness matters on the road, too&lt;/strong&gt; - "Treat those you share the road with the same as you would your friends, family and co-workers," commented Zahn.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Math Behind the Rankings&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;To create the report, Allstate researchers analyzed internal property damage claims over a two-year period (from January, 2002 to December, 2003) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction. A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in property damage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Crashes Happen&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;According to insurance.com, more crashes occur on Saturdays than any other day of the week. Friday ranked second and Thursday came in third. Collisions are least likely to occur on Sundays. Collisions are most likely to happen between 3 and 6 p.m. From 6 and 9 p.m. ranked second and 9 p.m. - midnight finished third. The fewest crashes occur between midnight and 3 a.m.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the complete listing of all U.S. cities with 100,000-plus residents ranked in the Allstate report, download the PDF.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;" 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 &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;auto insurance&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://home-insurance.allstate.com/" target="_blank"&gt;homeowners insurance&lt;/a&gt; through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;. Encompass&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: xx-small;"&gt;SM&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; and Deerbrook&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group provides life and 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Note: The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts, where Allstate Insurance Company does not offer insurance products.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FOR MORE INFORMATION:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Bill Mellander, Allstate Media Relations, (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <category>Auto</category>
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jun 2005 02:00:56 -0500</pubDate>
      <guid>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/2c6ece50-2cae-48af-9509-f8f20b1400bc</guid>
      <link>http://allstatenewsroom.com/releases/2c6ece50-2cae-48af-9509-f8f20b1400bc</link>
      <media:title>Who Ranks Best Behind The Wheel?</media:title>
      <media:description type="html">Inaugural "Allstate America's Best Drivers Report" Reveals Cities with Safest Drivers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This release contains: 1 Related Document&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;p&gt;Residents of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, rank as the safest drivers in the U.S. according to the Allstate Insurance Company's (NYSE: ALL) inaugural "America's Best Drivers Report."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The first-of-its kind ranking of U.S. cities with populations 100,000-plus, revealed that the average driver in the central Iowa city will experience an auto collision every 15 years, compared to the national likelihood of a crash every 10 years - making them 33.28 percent less likely to have an accident than the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Allstate researchers analyzed internal data to determine the likelihood drivers in America's largest 196 cities would experience an auto collision compared to the national average.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"As one of the country's largest insurers, Allstate is uniquely positioned to present this significant report," said Daryll Fletcher, Vice President in charge of data and research at Allstate. "This wealth of data enables Allstate to salute America's best drivers and recognize their safe driving skills, which make all of our communities safer places to live, work and raise families."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cedar Rapids city officials were not shocked that the city ranked high on the list.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"With the majority of crashes occurring within five miles of the home, it's reassuring that our residents are the safest," said Paul Pate, Cedar Rapids' mayor. "The quality of our community's driver education programs combined with the consideration of our Traffic Engineering department goes a long way to make our roadways safe for everyone. We thought we'd make the list, but we never realized we'd be No. 1 in the country."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Top 10&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;Drivers across Iowa, Tennessee and Colorado shine as the nation's safest, as two cities from each state rank among the top 10 with the safest drivers, according to the report.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;1. Cedar Rapids, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;33.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;15&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;2. Sioux Falls, S.D.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;27.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;3. Chattanooga, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;27.2% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;4. Huntsville, Ala.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;23.8% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;5. Knoxville, Tenn&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;23.8% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;6. Des Moines, Iowa&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;21.5% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;7. Topeka, Kan.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;20.6% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;8. Lakewood. Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;9. Fort Collins, Colo.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;10. Burmingham, Ala.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;19.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"What makes this report from Allstate valuable is that it is based on real world collision data from actual drivers," said Allan Williams, the recently retired chief scientist and researcher at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Also, Allstate's auto policies represent about 12 percent of the U.S. population, making this report a realistic snapshot of what's happening on America's roadways."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional "Road" Scholars&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;br /&gt;Drivers in U.S. cities with populations of one million-plus are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. Phoenix, the top-ranked city in this category, mirrors the national collision average of one accident every 10 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;64. Phoenix&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;0.4% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;111. San Diego&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;121. Houston&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;28.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;167. San Antonio&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;28.9% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;169. New York City&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;30.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.7&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;173. Chicago&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;52.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;177. Los Angeles&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;38.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;180. Dallas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;39.3% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;7.2&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;182. Philadelphia&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;46.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;6.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to the report, Milwaukee drivers will experience a collision approximately every 11.5 years and rank as the safest of the metros with populations between 500,000 and one million residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rank/City&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="36%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Collision Likelihood Compared&lt;br /&gt; to National Average&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td width="32%"&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Average Years&lt;br /&gt; Between Collisions&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;17. Milwaukee&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;13% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;18. Memphis, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.7% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.5&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;23. Nashville, Tenn.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;12.1% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;11.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;47. El Paso, Texas&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;5.3% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;52. Oklahoma City&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;3.4% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.4&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;53. Tucson, Ariz.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;2.8% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;60. Indianapolis&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;1% less likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;10.1&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;72. Denver&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;2.2% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.8&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;86. Jacksonville, Fla.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;4.6% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.6&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td&gt;97. Portland, Ore.&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;8% more likely&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td&gt;
&lt;div&gt;9.3&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Secrets to Safety&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Many factors contribute to how cities rank in the report," said Williams. "Some factors - demographic makeup, commuting patterns and city design - cannot be changed; others, like smart traffic engineering and strong law enforcement initiatives, can help to prevent crashes in metropolitan areas."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cedar Rapids is taking a serious and proactive approach to roadway improvements and law enforcement, city safety commissioner and police officer Dave Zahn said.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;"Our traffic engineers work hand-in-hand with the community members to minimize traffic congestion and collision frequency," Zahn said. "For example, we recently expanded a 15 block strip of Mt. Vernon Road, one of our busier streets, from four lanes to five. Since its completion, collisions are down 66 percent on that stretch of road."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Zahn also pointed to Cedar Rapid's courteous driving style as a reason for the city's top ranking. He outlined lessons that all drivers could learn from Cedar Rapids residents.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signs mean something&lt;/strong&gt;- Traffic signs are here to help us. "Yield, stop and school zone speed limits are meant to be followed, not ignored," Zahn said.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Respect sirens&lt;/strong&gt;- "Pull over to the side of the road when you see emergency vehicles," Zahn said. "I always tell people &amp;lsquo;You never know. You may be the one in the back of that ambulance some day.'"&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Yellow really does mean caution&lt;/strong&gt;- Slow down - don't speed up - when approaching a yellow light, Zahn stressed.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Speeding gets you nowhere fast&lt;/strong&gt;- "Exceeding the speed limit won't get you to your destination any faster," Zahn said. "The few minutes you save you'll lose sitting at the next red light anyway.".&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Courteousness matters on the road, too&lt;/strong&gt; - "Treat those you share the road with the same as you would your friends, family and co-workers," commented Zahn.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Math Behind the Rankings&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;To create the report, Allstate researchers analyzed internal property damage claims over a two-year period (from January, 2002 to December, 2003) to ensure the findings would not be impacted by external influences such as weather or road construction. A weighted average of the two-year numbers determined the annual percentages. The report defines an auto crash as any collision resulting in property damage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Crashes Happen&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;According to insurance.com, more crashes occur on Saturdays than any other day of the week. Friday ranked second and Thursday came in third. Collisions are least likely to occur on Sundays. Collisions are most likely to happen between 3 and 6 p.m. From 6 and 9 p.m. ranked second and 9 p.m. - midnight finished third. The fewest crashes occur between midnight and 3 a.m.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For the complete listing of all U.S. cities with 100,000-plus residents ranked in the Allstate report, download the PDF.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;" 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 &lt;a href="http://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance.aspx" target="_blank"&gt;auto insurance&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="http://home-insurance.allstate.com/" target="_blank"&gt;homeowners insurance&lt;/a&gt; through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt;. Encompass&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: xx-small;"&gt;SM&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; and Deerbrook&lt;sup&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: x-small;"&gt;&amp;reg;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/sup&gt; Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group provides life and 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;Note: The Allstate data excludes cities in the state of Massachusetts, where Allstate Insurance Company does not offer insurance products.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;FOR MORE INFORMATION:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Bill Mellander, Allstate Media Relations, (847) 402-5600&lt;/p&gt;</media:description>
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