Farmers Insurance advises residents of the Eastern Seaboard to prepare for coming storm; effects of Hurricane Earl could be severe

Richmond, VA (August 21, 2010) – As Hurricane Earl makes its way up the East Coast of the nation, Farmers Insurance wants to advise all residents that now is the time to begin preparations.

“We want to make sure everyone remains safe,” said Riko Mezroth, State Executive Director of Virginia for Farmers.  “While the hurricane is not expected to make landfall, the heavy rains, high winds and potential storm surge could still cause major damage.”

“You do not want to be caught unprepared when the effects of a hurricane strike,” notes Paul Quinn, Assistant Vice President of Claims Communications for Farmers Insurance.  “Farmers wants its customers and non-customers alike to prepare now for the coming storms.”

Measures that residents can implement now include:

• Create an Inventory of Personal Property – This includes items inside the home as well as outdoor items, like gazeboes or tool sheds.  The inventory can be prepared on paper or video.

• Be Prepared to Implement a Family Evacuation Plan – Be sure everyone in the family understands where to meet to evacuate safely.  Prepare your evacuation route now.

• Pre-Pack Now In Order to Evacuate Quickly – When the announcement to evacuate comes, residents will only have a very short time to leave.  Thus, while people should certainly pack enough clothes for several days, remember to also include any prescription medicines, any important papers and personal items like photographs and family mementos.  It’s also a good idea to have emergency supplies like flashlights, extra batteries, a radio, water and a first aid kit.

Farmers has already begun its emergency preparedness procedures, including mobilizing special claims personnel and equipment close to those communities expected to be hardest hit.

Once the storm hits, Farmers Insurance customers with damage should immediately contact their agent or call Farmers’ 24-hour-claims hotline:

HelpPoint (800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.

Spanish-language claims assistance is available to Farmers customers by calling 877-RECLAMO (877-732-5266).

Foremost Insurance customers can call: 800-527-3907.

Bristol West Insurance customers can call:  800-274-7865.

21st Century Insurance customers can call:  888-244-6163.

Farmers customers with a National Flood Policy serviced by Farmers who wish to file a claim can call 800-759-8656 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges, as the case may be.  Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Financial Services Group.  The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com or www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance