Allstate Ready to Handle Multiple Catastrophes

Allstate (NYSE: ALL) today reiterated that the company is well-positioned operationally and financially to serve its policyholders impacted by a continuing string of catastrophes nationwide, including recent hurricanes and storms from the Atlantic basin and Gulf Coast.

Allstate has the capability and capacity to continue to handle claims of policyholders affected by Gustav and Hanna, while preparing to respond to the potential landfall of Hurricane Ike. The company maintains a 650-person National Catastrophe Team and has pre-established relationships with contracted resources to be able to respond to multiple, simultaneous catastrophes of any size. Allstate has 29 Mobile Response Units (specially equipped vehicles that allow Allstate to process claims directly from affected areas) ready to respond, including 10 already deployed in the gulf coast.

With sound financial strength and one of the largest catastrophe reinsurance purchase programs in the industry, Allstate is well-positioned to handle the financial impact of an active hurricane season.

As the new storms approach, Allstate urges its policyholders to remember that preparations taken now can help make recovery easier:

-- Always listen to authorities, and tell your neighbors where you will be going (exchange contact information).

-- Collect all your important papers and documents. This includes insurance policies, banking and financial information, as well as your bills and checkbook.

-- Think carefully about what items are easily replaceable by insurance and what items are not, like family heirlooms, keepsakes, and pictures.

-- If you don’t have an up-to-date home inventory, walk through your home with a video or still camera. At the same time, make a list of what items you want to take, and have room to take, during an evacuation. An inventory can help facilitate the claim process after the disaster passes.

Additional disaster-related information can by obtained by contacting your local Allstate agent, visiting our catastrophe information center at www.allstate.com/catastrophe/hurricane.aspx or visiting our YouTube™ site at www.youtube.com/allstate. The sites contain useful information and tips on what to do before, during and after a catastrophe.