Allstate Launches Identity Theft Coverage in California

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 9 million Americans annually are victims of identity theft, spending millions of hours resolving problems associated with having their identity stolen. Allstate Insurance Company announces the launch in California of identity theft expenses coverage that can help reduce the time and costs that victims spend trying to recover their identities.

"Victims of the worst identity theft cases spend 100 hours or more trying to correct problems caused by this crime," said Phil Telgenhoff, Assistant Field Vice President at Allstate in California. "Through Allstate, California auto policyholders now can have the burden of these arduous tasks handled by professionals who make a truly difficult situation become bearable."

Allstate's identity theft expenses coverage now is available to new and renewing Allstate auto policyholders in California for as low as $30 a year and provides customers access to professional identity restoration assistance. The Allstate policy provides up to $25,000 in reimbursement coverage for reasonable expenses incurred to restore identity, including attorney fees, loan reapplication fees, credit and police report fees, and lost wages.

Not an easy task...

According to Federal Trade Commission many victims of identity theft don't know where or how to start the recovery process. Here is some of what identity restoration professionals can do for victims of ID theft.

• Help victims understand their rights.
• File paperwork, including police reports.
• Issue fraud alerts to credit reporting agencies, Social Security Administration, Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Post Office, credit card companies, and banks.
• Work with credit agencies to correct and restore your credit.
• Review credit histories for irregularities.
• Trace Social Security numbers, notifying and working with the Department of Motor Vehicles, collection agencies, creditors and law enforcement personnel.

Be proactive...

The Federal Trade Commission and Allstate recommend following these steps to make you less vulnerable to identity theft.

• Protect your Social Security number
• Treat your trash and mail carefully
• Be on guard when using the Internet
• Select intricate passwords
• Verify sources before sharing information
• Safeguard your purse and wallet
• Store information in secure locations

About Allstate

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 nearly 16 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

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