Allstate Recruiters Target Texans Tagged by Downsizing

Recruiting Campaign Aims to Open 150 New Texas Offices in '09

IRVING, Texas, March 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Downsizing decisions by companies across Texas are fueling Allstate Insurance Company's agency growth strategy in the state. Allstate has launched an aggressive recruitment campaign targeting professionals caught in the recent waves of lay offs and pay cuts. The company plans to sign-on at least 150 new agency owners across the Lone Star state by the end of 2009.

"We see a significant opportunity in the current economy to attract mid-career, mid-level managers to own and operate their own business and represent Allstate in Texas," said Phil Lawson, Allstate field vice president for Texas. "We're working with outplacement services and through our own recruiters to find professionals with financial or sales backgrounds."

Allstate says its recruiters are particularly interested in downsized professionals who received a severance package. Part of the reason--candidates need $50,000 in liquid capital to open a new Allstate agency. With some potential candidates hesitating because of the money needed to open an agency, recruiters are focusing on the stability of investing in the Allstate brand.

"These professionals have the resources and the expertise to hit the ground running - starting over as their own boss in control of their own destiny," said Lawson.

Allstate says its agency expansion plans in Texas are part of an overall growth strategy that calls for aggressively growing the provider's auto insurance presence statewide and staking a stronger claim in items like boats, recreational all-terrain-vehicles and motorcycles. Allstate is currently Texas' second largest auto insurer with almost 1.7 million covered cars and trucks in the state. The company is also beefing up the portfolio its agents have to offer with seven product launches in Texas in the last 18 months.

"More blue signs mean more touch points with more Texans," Lawson said.

Interested candidates can apply to become an Allstate agent by logging on to allstate.com or by calling 1-877-711-1006.

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(R)" 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(R). Encompass(R) 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.

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company