ALL Allstate Corporation

New Customer Information Center Marks $11 Million Investment in Texas SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Allstate Insurance Company is launching a massive recruiting effort in Texas following the announcement it will open an $11.6 million customer information center in San Antonio. The nation's second largest home and auto insurer says it will hire 600 people to help consumers around the country who call Allstate though the company's 1-800-Allstate sales and service line. "San Antonio is a terrific community that offers an enthusiastic and energetic population from which Allstate can select the best and brightest to help deliver on our commitment to a superior customer experience," said Allstate Vice President of Direct Sales and Service Mark Pitchford. "This center, along with our two existing facilities in Woodridge, Illinois and Charlotte, North Carolina, work in partnership with Allstate's local agencies to take care of consumers how and when they want to be served." The 75,000 square foot facility on San Antonio's northwest side is scheduled to be open in May. Allstate says its existing customer information centers have reached capacity - taking more than 9.4 million calls in 2009. Pitchford says these calls range from providing after hours customer service for the Allstate's local agencies to outbound customer calling. The new Texas center, he says, will improve customer service by easing call volumes and expanding Allstate's bilingual capabilities. All or most of those working in the facility will be fluent in both English and Spanish. "Business leaders continue to look to Texas as the place they want to be, thanks to our combination of low taxes, fair legal system, predictable regulatory environment and quality workforce," Gov. Perry said. "This Texas Enterprise Fund investment will help Allstate tap into a growing market of bilingual Americans, while providing quality employment and steady income for hundreds of Texas families." Allstate considered several locations across the United States before choosing San Antonio. The company says it decided on the city with help from economic development officials in Governor Rick Perry's office, Bexar County and the City of San Antonio. "The relationships forged here will ensure that Allstate and the community will mutually benefit from this exciting announcement, even as we continue to work with the City and the County to finalize the details of their involvement," Pitchford said. "Creating jobs is our top priority in 2010, and Allstate is creating great opportunity with this expansion in our community," said San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro. "Hundreds of San Antonians will have the possibility of working with and learning from a leader in the insurance industry." "We welcome Allstate's decision to expand in San Antonio," said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. "Their move reaffirms Bexar County and San Antonio's continued ability to remain economically competitive." The San Antonio center expands on an already sizeable presence for Allstate in the Lone Star State. Allstate employs 1,300 people at a national processing center in Irving and has 2,700 agency owners, financial specialists and claim representatives across Texas. Hiring for Allstate's San Antonio customer information center will begin immediately. Job postings are already available at http://www.allstate.jobs/, and in the coming weeks, the company says it will announce dates for a series of recruiting events in San Antonio. Pitchford says the jobs offer competitive salaries, benefits and, for some, the opportunity for incentive based bonuses. "Allstate is a national leader in the insurance industry and already has a significant presence in our community," said Kenny Wilson, Chair of the Board of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation and Central and South Texas president for Bank of America. "This company expansion is a distinguished addition to our business community, adding depth and breadth to our economy and providing jobs and opportunity for hundreds of people during a difficult recession." 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®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via http://www.allstate.com/ and 1-800 Allstate®. DATASOURCE: Allstate Insurance Company CONTACT: Kristen Beaman of Allstate Insurance Company, +1-972-871-6656, cell, +1-972-897-9692, Web Site: http://www.allstate.jobs/

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