Allstate Offers Additional Relief to Customers via Deferred Payment.

Company to defer required payments for wildfire victims in affected Southern California counties

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Allstate Insurance Company announced today that effective October 26, 2007, they have implemented up to a 30-day deferred payment period for customers located in counties directly affected by the wildfires in southern California.

Deferred payment means that customers who qualify for deferred payment and are unable to make their premium payments will not be penalized with a loss of coverage during the deferment period. If a qualifying customer continues to make payments, even if it's not the minimum due, their payments will be credited toward the outstanding premium amount. If a qualifying customer has a renewal policy offer pending during this timeframe, but is unable to make a payment, their policy will continue to be in effect. Additionally, installment fees will be waived during this timeframe.

"We have been focused on meeting the needs of our customers affected by these devastating wildfires," said Robert "Hank" Barge III, field vice president for Allstate Insurance in California. "This is just one more way we're working with our customers to help them get on the road to recovery as soon as possible."

Customers who qualify for deferred payment and are currently enrolled in the Easy Pay Plan, Mortgagee Pay or Payroll Deduction programs will not automatically be placed on a deferred payment schedule. If, however, funds are scheduled for removal from a customer's account in the impacted areas and no funds are available, the qualifying customer will be removed from the program(s) and rolled over to the deferred payment schedule.

If a customer would like to make a payment and cannot mail it in, credit/debit card and check payments can be made by calling 1-800-ALLSTATE or by visiting the Customer Care Center online at www.allstate.com. Customers with questions about the deferred payment policy may also call the customer service phone number listed on their policy or statements.

Counties currently impacted by this decision include Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and San Diego.

During the initial 30-day period and beyond, Allstate will continue to work with officials in California to monitor the situation and adjust the deferred payment program as warranted.

Companies within the Allstate family include: Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate Motor Club, Allstate Life Insurance Company, Allstate Workplace Division, Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Surety Life Insurance Company, Encompass Insurance Company and Deerbrook Insurance Company.

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 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([R]). Encompass([R]) and Deerbrook([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.