TORONTO – November 29, 2011 — Allstate Insurance Company of Canada’s latest Ontario Safe Driving Study shows Ontario drivers have improved over the past two years. Overall, Ontario’s collision frequency rate had a seven percent decrease between 2007–2009 and 2009–2011. According to the data, Brockville had the lowest collision rate, while five GTA communities had the highest collision rates in the province. The Ontario Safe Driving Study looks at collision frequencies in 45 communities in the province and ranks them based on Allstate Canada claims data for 2009–2011 and also compares them to data from 2007–2009.

“We are pleased to see the overall decrease in Ontario’s collision rate and hope to see this trend continue,” says Tony Irwin, spokesperson for Allstate Canada. “To help, we are reminding drivers to be attentive and patient behind the wheel. We have developed a series of safe driving tips at goodhandsadvice.ca that we encourage drivers to read and keep in mind whenever they are on the road,” says Irwin.

There will also be an event in Brockville today with the city’s mayor, David Henderson, and Chief John Gardiner of the Brockville Police Service to congratulate the city’s drivers for having Ontario’s lowest collision rate.

“At Allstate Canada we believe the more we bring attention to road safety — whether by examining trends in collision data or demonstrating the implications of driving and using cell phones at a distracted driving course — the closer we can get to achieving our goal of making communities safer for everyone. The Ontario Safe Driving Study is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on what’s happening on our roads and to kick-start a discussion between drivers, governments, police and other organizations about what makes a safe driver,” says Irwin.

Allstate Canada calculates the Ontario Safe Driving collision frequency rates by dividing the number of claims made with Allstate Canada within a community by the number of cars insured by Allstate Canada in that community. Only communities where Allstate Canada insures a minimum of 900 cars between 2009 and 2011 are ranked. Collisions are linked to the address of the insured, not where the collision took place. Rankings are based solely on Allstate Canada’s car collision frequency data and are in no way tied to insurance rates.

Data highlights from the 2011 Ontario Safe Driving Study:

• The top five cities with the lowest collision frequency rates for 2009–2011 are Brockville (2.48 per cent), Welland (2.95 per cent), Chatham (3.26 per cent), Amherstburg (3.50 per cent), and St. Thomas (3.55 per cent).
• GTA communities ranked 41 through 45 out of 45 communities for 2009–2011: Bolton (5.96 per cent), Markham (6.13 per cent), Toronto (6.16 per cent), Thornhill (6.24 per cent) and Brampton (6.78 per cent).
• Only five cities had a higher collision frequency rate in 2009–2011 than in 2007–2009: Belleville (moving from the top ranked community last year to number 13), North Bay (previously number 14 and now number 32), Markham (number 28 to 42), Brampton (number 38 to 45) and Toronto (number 35 to 43).
• Northern Ontario continues to be the region where drivers have the lowest crash frequency rate, with three Northern Ontario cities ranked in the top ten: Thunder Bay (6), Sault Ste. Marie (9) and Greater Sudbury (10).

Allstate Canada’s recent Get to Know Your Insurance survey also shows that many drivers do not know what to do after they have been in a car collision. The survey found 21 per cent of Canadians would accidentally break the law and not report a collision to their insurance provider, even though it’s mandatory to report one within 24 hours. “Regardless of who caused the collision, drivers should remember to collect and exchange information with the other driver about the car and driver and any witnesses to the crash,” says Irwin.

Allstate Canada offers these tips to help start the conversation about safe driving:

• Keep your eyes on the road — Distracted driving is the cause of eight out of every 10 collisions. Distractions can include changing your music, tending to a child in the back seat or using your cell phone to talk or text. In Ontario it’s against the law to use a hand-held cell phone or other hand-held communications and entertainment devices in the car, but even using a hands-free phone can distract you from driving. If you need to make a call, find a place to park the car and then pick up the phone.
• Be aware of road conditions — Drive slowly and with caution when battling the elements of snow, ice or rain as visibility declines and the ability to control your vehicle becomes more difficult. Remember to clear snow from your car before you head off.
• Leave a safe distance between vehicles — Maintain at least ‘three steamboats’ (seconds) between your vehicle and the one in front of you in good driving conditions. In wet conditions, leave ‘six steamboats,’ and in poor/slippery conditions, leave nine to 12 ‘steamboats.’
• Avoid reacting to and creating “road rage” — Angry drivers tend to hastily make decisions that affect drivers around them. Always try to remain calm when driving.
• Drive the speed limit — Drivers can reduce the need to speed by leaving early and allowing extra time to arrive at their destination. It’s better to be late than to rush and cause a collision.
• Break bad habits — A safe driver will always obey the rules of the road. Use your turn signal to indicate a turn or lane change, come to a complete stop at a stop sign, only enter an intersection if you can cross it before the light turns red and don’t jump the queue by sneaking into a lane at the last minute.
• Maintain Your Car — Make sure your brakes, exhaust, tires, lights, battery and hoses are all in good working order. Keep windshield wipers in good working order, too.
• Don’t Drive While Impaired — According to MADD Canada, every day, on average, four Canadians are killed and 190 are injured in impaired driving crashes. Plan ahead, designate a sober driver, take a taxi, walk with a friend, make arrangements to stay over or take local transit.

Take the proper steps after a car collision

Unfortunately most drivers will at some point be in a collision. Collisions are often traumatic, as they happen quickly and can catch us off guard. It’s difficult to think clearly and remember what to do immediately after one has happened. If you are in a collision, regardless of who caused it, collect and exchange the following information with the other driver:

• license plate number;
• full name and contact information;
• insurance company;
• type, colour and model of the vehicle;
• number of occupants in each vehicle
• location of the accident;
• the full name and phone number of any present witnesses.

To see where Ontario cities ranked, view the complete 2011 Ontario Safe Driving Study visit http://bit.ly/AllstateSafeDriving.

Study Methodology

Allstate Canada conducted an in-depth analysis of company collision data to determine the safest communities in Ontario based on the frequency of collisions. The study spans a 24-month period beginning July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2011 and also offers a comparison to the data from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2009.

To ensure the data provides a realistic outlook of what is happening on Ontario roadways only communities with at least 900 cars insured by Allstate Canada during the 24-month period were included in the study. Claims data is limited to collisions for which there was a payout, claims for incidents such as break-ins or vandalism are not included in this analysis. Two-year periods were chosen to provide a larger sample for more meaningful analysis. Survey data ranks frequency of collisions, not severity of accident. Collision data can be traced back to the registered car address.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 93 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Learn more about this program at www.allstate.all-canadians.com. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca or www.allstate.ca.

-30-

For more information or to book an interview with Tony Irwin, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, or to speak to a regional Allstate spokesperson please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
Office: 416.515.7517 x 350
Mobile : 416-473-9565
Email: fox@thornleyfallis.ca

TORONTO, October 25, 2011 — Canadians spent an estimated $140 million on motorcycles, scooters and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in 2010, according to the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council. With winter soon approaching, these vehicles — along with convertibles and other seasonal cars — will need to be stored. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada offers owners advice on storing a vehicle properly during the winter in order to protect their investment and to ensure it will run smoothly come spring.

Karen Benner, spokesperson for Allstate Canada, says that while insurance policies for motorcycles are typically pro-rated to cover the months when owners cannot ride, this is not the case for most automobiles that are only driven in warm weather. Benner recommends owners speak with their insurance agent to learn what adjustments might be made to save on insurance while the vehicle is off the road. As well, if an owner is keeping it in a storage facility, they should ask about the facility’s insurance coverage before signing any contracts. “It is important for owners to know before they store their vehicle who will pay for repairs if it is damaged over the winter. This way there will be no hassles over reimbursement when you pick the car or bike up and discover it’s been dinged or scratched,” says Benner.

To help Canadians better protect what they have today, Allstate Canada offers the following winter storage advice for cars, motorcycles and ATVs from goodhandsadvice.ca:

1)      A good thorough cleaning, inside and out, will ensure the vehicle is free of any debris and unpleasant surprises in the spring. Plus, a breathable cover is a good option to keep the vehicle clean during storage.

2)      Fill the gas tank and add stabilizer to it, then run the engine for five minutes. Doing this will prevent moisture from collecting and creating rust from the inside out.

3)      Change the vehicle’s oil before storage as old oil can become acidic and cause damage over the winter.

4)      Put the vehicle up on a jack or on blocks to prevent flat spots on the tires. If the vehicle will not be on a jack or blocks, then inflate the tires to the maximum pressure as this will also help prevent flat spots.

5)      Either remove the battery or invest in a battery tender to maintain its charge throughout the winter months. A battery tender is an easy way to keep the battery fresh while the vehicle is not in use.

Save money on insurance while the vehicle sits idle

Allstate Canada recommends owners speak with their insurer to discuss money-saving options during the time the vehicle is stored. “If no one is driving the car during the winter, you may be able to save money by modifying your coverage while the vehicle is not in use,” says Benner. “For example, you could suspend all but the comprehensive coverage on the insurance policy if the vehicle will not be driven. This means the vehicle will be insured if it is damaged while in storage, but you will not be paying for coverage that you would normally need when actually driving the car. Once the warm weather arrives, don’t forget to call your agency to resume coverage before you take your car out for a spin.”

For additional tips and useful advice on winterizing vehicles, visit goodhandsadvice.ca, or contact your local Allstate Agency.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 93 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Learn more about this program at www.allstate.all-canadians.com. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.goodhandsadvice.ca or www.allstate.ca.

For more information about car storage or to speak with Karen Benner, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

TORONTO, August 30, 2011 — As students prepare to hit the books this fall and pack up laptops, cellphones, iPods and other valuables, an important question for them to consider is how much would it cost to replace everything they owned if it was stolen or damaged? Allstate Insurance Company of Canada wants post-secondary students to be prepared as they start another school year and consider including tenant insurance on their packing checklist.

“Students might be surprised at the value of all the items they have when they move away for school, such as clothing, laptops, or jewelry. Many even bring musical instruments or sports equipment, so it’s really important their belongings are protected in the event that they are damaged or stolen,” says Karen Benner of Allstate Canada.

Benner also points out that renters can be held accountable for damage done to an apartment and the safety of their visitors as well. “Tuition and supplies are expensive enough, so students who rent should ask themselves if they can afford to replace damaged or stolen items out of their own pocket or be held financially responsible if a guest is injured in their apartment,” says Benner.

 Thousands of students rent accommodations each year while pursuing their education. Yet Statistics Canada reports that fewer than 50 per cent of all Canadian renters have tenant insurance. For parents who have kids going away to school, their personal home insurance policy will likely cover children while they are full-time students. However, young Canadians who are not full-time students or who have made a permanent move from their parents’ house may need their own insurance coverage. In either case, parents should check with their insurance provider.

Allstate Canada’s recent Get to Know Your Insurance study revealed that only seven per cent of 18–34 year olds said they were very familiar with the specifics of their tenant insurance and 29 per cent didn’t know if their home or tenant insurance covered them for loss or damage from a fire. Fire damage coverage is included in all home and tenant insurance policies, and Allstate Canada claims data shows that fire damage, along with theft and water damage, account for the majority of claims made by renters. Tenant insurance will also protect students for these situations:

• Vandalism and lock replacement;
• Leaving water running and flooding the apartment or a neighbour’s apartment;
• Living expenses if the apartment or house is so damaged the student must stay elsewhere while repairs are made;
• Medical expenses if someone is hurt on the property.

To help students protect what they have today and help them better prepare for tomorrow, Allstate Canada advises that students and parents speak with the family’s insurance agency to determine what coverage they have and learn what they may consider adjusting. Parents must also be aware that extending their home insurance to cover their children away at school may change their policy. Other considerations for student renters:

1)      All roommates require their own insurance: Roommates sharing a property should have their own insurance coverage and everyone should be named on the lease. If only one person is listed, they will likely be held accountable if someone is injured or if damages occur to the rental unit.

2)      Campus Accommodation: Students living on-campus will notice that most rental agreements state that the school is not responsible for the loss or theft of personal property. Students living in a campus residence should also have their own insurance to cover theft or damage.

3)      Expensive Items: Students should be aware that there are limits for coverage on some items. If a student is covered under their parents’ home insurance, or if they purchase tenant insurance, they should consider adding extra protection for expensive items with a personal articles floater, which provides special coverage for items such as jewelry and sporting equipment.

Consider student Danielle’s story: she returned to her apartment after spending the holiday break back home, only to discover that a crack in her radiator released steam into her room for a week, causing mould to grow everywhere and ruining all of her belongings. But because she was covered, her insurance policy paid to replace her belongings and provide accommodations while her apartment was restored. Visit goodhandsadvice.ca/learnmore to watch Danielle’s story and to read Allstate Canada’s Starting Out on Your Own guide to insurance for more information.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 93 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Learn more at www.allstate.all-canadians.com.

For more information about tenant insurance or to speak with Karen Benner, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
T: 416.515.7517 x 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

To embed this video on websites and blogs, click through to grab YouTube embed code, or click HERE.

Note for TV, Online and Radio Editors

To download HD broadcast quality version with raw interview clips and extended broll, click HERE.

This footage  illustrates the many consequences of impaired driving for young people. It includes interviews, a simulated arrest, jail scene and drug and alcohol testing.

Home for the Holidays program emphasizes impaired driving consequences

TORONTO – December 6, 2010 — At a time when the incidence of impaired driving due to prescription and illegal drug use is on the rise, many young and newly licensed drivers will be spending their first holiday season on the road, vulnerable to the temptations of over-indulgence. Allstate Insurance Company of Canada has created the Home for the Holidays program to educate these young drivers in particular about the breadth of consequences that will ensue should they decide to drive while impaired.

“Your parents would rather get a late night call from a party than from the hospital or the police station,” said Saskia Matheson, official spokesperson for Allstate Canada. “We are asking young drivers to be responsible and call a taxi or stay at a friend’s house if you are not in a condition to drive.” There are several consequences that could arise as a result of impaired driving. They range from licence suspension and the stigma of criminal charges to killing someone or being killed.

In 2006, drug use while driving was estimated to be a factor in over 13 per cent of traffic fatalities in Canada. In fact, a study of fatal car crashes in Canada from 2000–2007 showed that more drivers who were 18 or under had drugs in their system as opposed to alcohol (30.4 per cent vs. 29.6 per cent).

“Incidents involving young drivers are especially troubling as the level of driving experience is low. Anything that impairs their ability to react to a dangerous situation only increases the risk of serious injury or death,” said Chief Armand La Barge of the York Regional Police, a police force north of Toronto.

More than 60 per cent of those who use illegal drugs are between 15–24 years old, according to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse in Ottawa. “Although the misuse of drugs has long been considered a major social problem, the acute and devastating consequences of driving while under the influence of drugs has only recently come to the forefront as a public health and safety issue,” said Douglas J. Beirness, researcher at the CCSA.

The Non-Fatal Consequences

If a young driver tests positive for alcohol or drugs at a roadside stop, then they will automatically have their licence suspended for 90 days. They will then be charged under section 253a of the Criminal Code of Canada, and if convicted will be fined a minimum of $600 and have their licence suspended for a minimum of one year.

Many young drivers do not realize that an impaired driving conviction also has a serious impact on their ability to purchase car insurance. An impaired driving conviction makes someone ineligible to buy car insurance from a standard insurer. Only a very expensive high-risk insurer will take a driver who has had an impaired driving conviction in the last three years.

An impaired driving arrest or conviction can also severely damage a young driver’s reputation. With the communication options of today, a post on Facebook, a photo on Flickr and 140 damning characters in the Twitter stream means that a young person’s online reputation can be affected permanently. An impaired driving conviction could follow a young driver for the rest of his or her life, potentially damaging their chances at future employment. And they’ll have to explain their reckless behavior to their friends and family.

As part of its commitment to keep Canada’s roads and communities safe, Allstate Canada is a proud sponsor of MADD Canada’s Project Red Ribbon campaign. Allstate Canada encourages members of every community to visit their local Allstate Agency to pick up a MADD Canada Red Ribbon in support of sober driving this holiday season. Drivers who display the red ribbon on their car, are making a personal commitment to drive sober this December and throughout the year. For more information about impaired driving, visit goodhandsadvice.ca.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 93 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement. In 2010, Allstate Canada, in partnership with the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), created the Allstate All-Canadians program, a mentorship program designed to guide the next generation of Canada’s hockey youth. Learn more at www.allstate.all-canadians.com.

- 30 –

For more information or to book an interview with Saskia Matheson, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, or to speak to a regional Allstate Canada spokesperson please contact:

Media Contacts:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca

Deborah Knight
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 328
knight@thornleyfallis.ca

TORONTO – November 22, 2010 — Allstate Insurance Company of Canada released today its second annual Ontario Safe Driving Study, which ranks Ontario communities based on Allstate Canada data over a three year period (2007–2010). According to the study, Belleville had the lowest frequency of car collisions in all of Ontario, while Brampton had the highest among the 50 communities surveyed. In addition to Brampton (No. 50), the communities with the highest frequency of collisions were all within a 45 minute drive of Toronto: Ajax (No. 49), Maple (No. 48) and Thornhill (No. 47). Toronto (No. 46) itself ranked better than these nearby suburban communities. Overall, Ontario drivers had a 2.2 per cent decrease in the frequency of collisions between the 2009 Ontario Safe Driving Study and the study released in 2010.

“Allstate Canada’s Ontario Safe Driving Study revealed a slight improvement in Ontario’s drivers,” said Tony Irwin, official spokesperson for Allstate Canada. “Governments should be asking themselves and the public what can be done in their communities to continue to improve the safety of our roads.”

In last year’s inaugural Ontario Safe Driving Study, which looked at Allstate Canada data from 2006–2009, St. Thomas placed as the safest driving community. In the 2010 Ontario Safe Driving Study, St. Thomas fell to number four on the list and also had a 33.8 per cent increase in the frequency of collisions—the largest increase of all ranked communities.

The Ontario Safe Driving Study ranks communities, as well as regions, in terms of car collision frequency to identify which communities have the safest drivers according to Allstate Canada data. The study spans a three-year period from 2007–2010 and also offers a comparison to the data from the 2009 study, which looked at results from 2006–2009.

Other highlights from Allstate Canada’s 2010 Ontario Safe Driving Study:

• The two most improved communities in Ontario were Guelph and Georgetown. Guelph had a 19.4 per cent decrease in the rate of collisions and Georgetown saw a 12.4 per cent decrease. Innisfil and Thornhill, which both had a 10.8 per cent decrease in the rate of collisions, tied in third place for most improved.
• With the exception of Belleville, which had a 2.8 per cent frequency of collisions, the five communities with the lowest collision frequency in the 2010 Ontario Safe Driving Study were all in southwestern Ontario. The communities were Welland (3.1 per cent), Woodstock (3.2 per cent), St. Thomas (3.4 per cent) and Amherstburg (3.4 per cent).
• The three cities with the largest increases in the frequency of collisions between the studies conducted in 2009 and 2010 were St. Thomas (33.8 per cent), Bradford (25.6 per cent) and North Bay (10.4 per cent).

To see the complete 2010 Ontario Safe Driving Study visit http://goodhandsadvice.ca/media/2010-ontario-safe-driving-study-results.pdf

To see graph highlights from the 2010 Ontario Safe Driving Study visit
 http://goodhandsadvice.ca/media/safe-driving-charts.pdf

 “We are pleased to see a decrease in the frequency of collisions throughout the province,” said Irwin. “Even a small change can show that the importance of safe driving is resonating with drivers.”

To encourage all drivers to use safe driving practices to keep our communities and roads safer, Allstate Canada offers some practical advice on how to get started. Click here for safe driving tips.

The Study

Allstate Canada conducted an in-depth analysis of company claim data to determine the average number of collisions per 100 cars in communities across Ontario. The study spans a three-year period from 2007–2010 and also offers a comparison to the data from the 2009 study, which looked at results from 2006–2009. To ensure the data provides a realistic outlook of what is happening on Ontario roadways, only communities with at least 300 cars insured by Allstate Canada per year for the duration of the three-year period were included in the study. Three-year periods were chosen to provide a larger sample for more meaningful analysis. The collision data used in this study tracks back to the registered car address.

Allstate Canada’s Ontario Safe Driving Study is produced solely to boost discussion about safe driving and to increase awareness of the importance of being tolerant and attentive behind the wheel. The study is not used to determine auto insurance rates.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of Canada’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products. “The Good Hands Network®” enables consumers to contact Allstate Canada through one of 93 community-based Agencies, directly online at www.allstate.ca and through the Customer Contact Centre at 1-800-Allstate. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), Crime Stoppers, United Way and Junior Achievement.

For more information or to book an interview with Tony Irwin, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, or to speak to a regional Allstate spokesperson please contact:

Media Contact:

Jennifer Fox
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 350
fox@thornleyfallis.ca