ALL Allstate Corporation

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., May 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Allstate Insurance Company appointed new exclusive agents across Minnesota last year. Now, the company is ramping up its recruiting again -- looking for 20 more Minnesota agency owners this year.

In 2009, 10 new agents opened Allstate agencies across Minnesota. This year, Allstate hopes to surpass that goal by focusing on Minnesota professionals that may feel limited in their careers and are looking to start their own business in a recession resilient industry.

"We see a significant opportunity in the current economy to attract mid-career, mid-level managers to own and operate their own business and represent Allstate in Minnesota," said Mike O'Shea, Allstate's Minnesota recruiting director. "We're working with business brokers and through our own recruiters to find professionals with financial or sales backgrounds, who are dedicated to customer service."

Candidates need a minimum of $50,000 of liquid capital to invest in their agency. Even with the hints of an economic recovery underway, some potential applicants are unsure if now is the right time to invest money needed to open a small business. That's why recruiters are focusing on the stability of investing in the Allstate brand.

"Allstate is unique among all other insurers because its agents own the economic interest in their business," said O'Shea. "Allstate agents can sell the economic interest in their agency. No other branded insurer has this option."

Allstate's Minnesota recruiting goals for 2010 are focused on the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area, which represents key consumer touch points in Allstate's broader strategy to aggressively expand the provider's auto insurance presence, while staking a stronger claim in items like boats, recreational all-terrain-vehicles and motorcycles.

Interested candidates can apply to become an Allstate agent by logging on to www.allstateagent.com or by calling 1-877-711-1006 to get more information about attending an upcoming information session.

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 (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company