Farmers Insurance Prepared For Hurricane Gustav's Arrival

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It is also a good idea to cover your sliding doors with plywood, and to replace old garage doors and tracks with a door that is approved for both wind pressure and impact protection.

Los Angeles, CA (Vocus) August 29, 2008

As Hurricane Gustav churns in the Gulf and heads for the Gulf Coast, Farmers Insurance Group of Companies has deployed two Mobile Catastrophe Claims buses and 10 Customer Care Claims Vehicles to the hurricane's targeted areas.

Paul Quinn, Assistant Vice President of Claims Communications for Farmers Insurance explains that the Mobile Catastrophe buses are 45' long and are equipped with state-of-the art satellite communications equipment; seven claims stations; water, supplies; laptop and telephone capability for use by our customers and public; and a built in grill to serve meals to Farmers' customers and others in need.

"Our Customer Care Claims Vehicles are smaller versions of our Mobile buses and are ready to assist with claims and supply needs of customers and others in need. Farmers will be available to help in anyway we can. We will issue notices exactly where the mobile units will be stationed soon after Gustav makes landfall," Quinn said.

Once a storm hits, Farmers Insurance customers with damage should immediately contact their agent or call Farmers' 24-hour-claims hotline, 800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.

Foremost Insurance customers should file their claim by calling: 800-527-3907.

Flood victims who have flood insurance should contact the National Flood Program at http://www.floodsmart.com

Farmers Insurance advises its customers in Gustav's projected path to pay close attention to the latest weather reports and begin making necessary preparations, including:

• Create a Home Inventory. "Have an up-to-date inventory of all of your personal property. Take pictures and then email them to relatives living out of state. A home inventory will help you replace your belongings faster."
• Prepare an Evacuation Plan. "Plan ahead and map out a safe and smooth evacuation route, and please follow any evacuation orders," Quinn added. "Things can be replaced, nothing is worth putting yourself or your family in harms way." Quinn also recommends having all prescriptions and important paper work at the ready in case you have to leave your home on short notice. "It is also a good idea to have emergency supplies such as flashlights, radio, batteries and water on hand if you live in a hurricane prone area."
• Hurricane-Proof Your Home. "We recommend installing storm shutters to protect your windows, or nailing plywood panels to your window frames when a storm approaches," said Quinn. "It is also a good idea to cover your sliding doors with plywood, and to replace old garage doors and tracks with a door that is approved for both wind pressure and impact protection." Quinn explained, "If wind comes into your home through a large opening, it increases your chances of major damage to the rest of your home, especially your roof."

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Farmers® is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property & Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the Farmers insurers provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at http://www.farmers.com.

Contacts:     
Jerry Davies
213-400-4459
jerry.davies @ farmersinsurance.com    

Michelle Levy
512-791-7445
michelle.levy @ farmersinsurance.com     

David Bishop
850- 228-8997
david.bishop @ farmersinsurance.com

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