Farmers Insurance^® celebrates grand opening of new Oklahoma City Helppoint and data center facility

Oklahoma City, OK. – (February 1, 2011)—Farmers Insurance Chief Executive Officer Robert Woudstra will welcome dignitaries, Farmers agents, executives, employees, business owners, and the public at the “Grand Opening” of the Farmers Insurance new HelpPoint Claims and Data Center facility on Wednesday, February 9, 2011.

When:  Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Where: 7340 West Memorial Road
             Oklahoma City, OK 73142
Time:   1:30 p.m. Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

Dignitaries Attending:

• Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin
• Field Representative Craig Smith from U.S. Senator Tom Coburn’s office
• Oklahoma Insurance Department Deputy Commissioner of Fraud and Consumer Affairs and Senior Advocate Randy Brogdon
• Oklahoma Insurance Department Deputy Commissioner of Legal Affairs Owen Laughlin
• Oklahoma Insurance Department Assistant General Counsel Ellen Edwards
• State Senator Cliff Aldridge
• State Representatives Danny Morgan, Elise Hall, Jeannie McDaniel, John Bennett, Mike Ritze, Purcy Walker, Todd Russ and Wes Hilliard
• Representatives from the State Chamber of Oklahoma
• Representatives from The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
• Representatives from The Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and
• Representatives from the Deer Creek Chamber of Commerce.

“Famers is one of the largest private employers in Oklahoma City with over 1500 employees,” noted Robert Woudstra, Farmers CEO.  “We are very proud that in 2010 Farmers was voted "Best Place to Work" for the fourth year in a row, in a poll conducted by The Oklahoman newspaper. This new facility is a continuing commitment to our employees and Oklahoma.”

“The new technically advanced facility is environmentally friendly and designed to LEED specifications.  It is home to the company’s HelpPoint Contact Center, Claims, Imaging, and Data Center Operations,” noted Vince Donofrio, Farmers Vice President of HelpPoint Claim Services.

"Our goal was a first class facility that our employees and the community would be proud of.  At the same time, we wanted a facility that was environmentally friendly.  We accomplished our goal," said Facilities Manager Nicolle Welsh. 

"We are extremely proud of this new facility.  It demonstrates Farmers continued commitment to our customers, to the people of Oklahoma and to our loyal and hard-working employees, district managers and agents," said John Lucido, State Executive Director - Oklahoma. 

Note to Media:  If you would like a tour of the facility, or personal interviews, contact Jerry Davies at 213-400-4459 or jerry.davies@farmersinsurance.com.

Farmers is currently hiring for Customer Service Associates and Office Claims Representatives at the Oklahoma City facilities.  Both positions are career opportunities with competitive starting salaries and a generous benefits package.  Interested candidates can apply at www.farmers.com.

About Farmers Insurance Group of Companies
Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is the country's 3rd largest insurer of both personal lines passenger automobile and homeowners insurance, and also provides a wide range of other insurance and financial services products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.

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 its Web site at www.farmers.com or at www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.