Farmers Insurance and Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association Form Partnership

Richmond, VA (Vocus) March 5, 2009

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies®, an active member of the National Restaurant Association, has teamed up with The Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association to strengthen its member's benefits.

"The new Farmers Business Insurance Program offers all Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association Members reduced rates on their insurance, regardless of the company size," explains Maryann Vitkievicz, Farmers Commercial Association Manager.

Types of businesses eligible for this program are: Hotel/Motels, Restaurants, Fine Dining, Fast Food Restaurants, Doughnut Shops, Deli's, Coffee Shops, & Bakeries. "This relationship allows Industry specific services and/or benefits to all restaurants and privately owned hotels/motels that belong to the Association," said Riko Metzroth, Farmers Vice President & VA State Executive Director. "These costs savings and benefits can have an immediate effect on the 'bottom line' of running a restaurant or hotel," Metzroth added.

"We are excited to be among the first in the country to offer an innovative program to our members," said Barry Hawkins, Executive Director of the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association. "This is a mutually beneficial package that will enhance the business opportunities and bottom line for any member who participates."

The new program offers:

• Smaller restaurants the ability to have the same benefits as larger restaurants and franchises
• Potential dividend to the Association and its Members
• Loss Prevention and Safety Programs
• Local specialized agents
• Restaurant claims specialists
• Hotel / Motel
• Specialized Coverage's including:
• Employment Practices
• Property & Casualty
• Workers compensation
• Commercial Auto
• Business Interruption
• Group Life and Long Term Care
• Financial Solutions                

Information on this program is available by contacting:

• Tripp Godsey (Administrative Agent for program)Tripp Godsey Agency

Phone (540) 777-1566    

• Barry Hawkins (Executive Director) VHTA - Phone (804)-228-3065

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, 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.

The virginia hospitality and travel association is the unified voice for the restaurant, lodging, travel, and hospitality suppliers associations. The association creates value for members by promoting the legislative interests of the industry, providing cooperative marketing, educational opportunities, and protecting free enterprise. For more information on the vhta, visit http://www.vhta.org

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