Identity Theft Protection Now Offered by Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance; Company Offers Valuable New Coverage on Homeowner Policies at No Additional Charge.

DE PERE, Wis. -- Consumers with a homeowners' insurance policy at Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance, a division of Ameriprise Financial, are now automatically receiving insurance coverage of up to $5,000 for unexpected expenses due to identity theft.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Last year, over 10 million or 4.6% of the population were victims of some form of identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission also reports that 42% of all complaints received in 2004 were concerning identity theft.

Ken Ciak, president of Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance says, "We are offering our clients this valuable new insurance product to address a legitimate public concern. Our clients should know that they can turn to us for help if they fall victim to identity theft."

Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance Identity Theft Protection covers expenses of up to $5,000 for the following activities:

--Acquiring credit reports to obtain fraudulent account information

--Wages lost due to time spent away from work trying to re-establish credit

--Attorney and court fees for removing judgements, and other related legal actions

--Application costs for re-filing loans denied due to identity theft

--Fraudulent fund withdrawals from certain financial and credit accounts

--Misc. costs such as long-distance phone calls, postage, photocopies

In addition to reimbursing expenses, identity theft coverage also provides assistance with the process of re-establishing credit by providing clients with sample letters, and step-by-step guides for correcting the damage done by thieves.

"We hope clients will feel an added sense of security and peace of mind knowing that their home owner's policy with Ameriprise offers both practical help and financial reimbursement against the costs of identity theft," added Ciak. "It's part of our commitment to offering the highest quality personal protection products and services in the industry."

Identity theft protection coverage became effective for all new and existing Ameriprise homeowner policy-holders on June 1, 2005.

On August 1, Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance became the new name for the companies formerly known as the American Express Property Casualty companies located in De Pere, Wisconsin. The re-branding is the result of a decision by American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) to pursue a spin-off of American Express Financial Advisors, which was re-branded Ameriprise Financial on August 1, 2005. The spin-off is expected to take place on or about September 30, 2005, subject to certain conditions.

Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance, the affinity-based, direct response marketer, has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is quickly approaching 1,000 employees due to sales growth three times the industry average. The company has been in business since 1987 and insures more than 400,000 policies in 38 states and Washington D.C. For more information about Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance, go to www.ameriprise.com

Ameriprise Financial is one of the nation's leading financial planning, asset management and insurance companies. Through its nationwide network of more than 10,500 financial advisors, Ameriprise Financial delivers solutions to clients through a comprehensive and personalized financial planning approach built on a long term relationship with a knowledgeable advisor. The company specializes in meeting the retirement-related financial needs of the mass affluent.

Auto and home insurance is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company or IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company, De Pere, WI. Both companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., which expects to become independent of American Express on or after September 30, 2005.