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 — May 17, 2011 — Wedding season is upon us, and with all the planning and preparation that goes into the big day, it might be easy to overlook simple modifications you can make to your insurance policy that can help save money. Knowing what insurance options are available to you and your partner will assist you in making wise choices to ensure you are properly protected.

“Getting married is an exciting, yet stressful time, so you don’t want to have to worry about insurance on top of everything else,” says Karen Benner, official spokesperson for Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “By making simple adjustments to your home and car insurance policies you can better protect your belongings and property, giving you one less thing to worry about as you start your new life together.”

To guarantee newlyweds protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow, Allstate Canada offers these tips:

• Home insurance — Whether moving in together for the first time or moving to a new home, you should create a new insurance policy with both partners names on it. If you plan to renovate your current home after the wedding, then it is important to review your current policy before the renovations begin and again once they are completed to protect your investment. Renovations can affect the amount of coverage you will need on the policy.
• Auto insurance — Work with your insurance agent to find the best policy for you and your partner. If you are now sharing a car, your spouse’s driving history may affect your rate. If you both have cars, but are insured by different companies, think about consolidating the policies with one insurance provider. A multi-vehicle discount will help save you money.
• Jewellery and gifts — Engagement and wedding rings, expensive watches and jewellery or valuable wedding gifts should be added to your home insurance policy. Most home or tenant policies will insure these items, but often with limitations. If your valuables exceed this amount, you will need an additional policy to add to your home insurance for the item(s). In addition, engagement and wedding rings must have a current appraisal document (less than two years) to be insured.
• Wedding day and honeymoon — While your wedding celebration should be wonderful all around, it is prudent to consider that unfortunately wedding crashers may attempt to walk away with gifts in hand. It is a good idea to ask a trusted friend to look after the gift table.  Before heading on the honeymoon, install a home alarm system, or pay a subscription fee to an alarm company, to monitor your house while you’re away and protect your valuables and wedding gifts from theft. Newlyweds should be cautious about what is shared on social media networks such as Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter, as thieves can use information from these sites to see when people will be out of town.

For more information about saving money when you tie the knot, 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 94 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 Karen Benner, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

Media Contact:

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

TORONTO, May 10, 2011 — Regardless of where you live, major disasters can strike at any time, so it’s important to be prepared. Many Canadians don’t realize that Canada ranks second in the world in terms of frequency of tornadoes, with an average of 80 each year. As tornado season begins, Canadians should make preparation a priority.

In Canada, tornado season runs from May to September with the highest number of tornadoes in June and early July. These violent storms can reach speeds that exceed 600 km/hour and can result in significant property damage, injuries and even fatalities.

Allstate Insurance Company of Canada wants you to be prepared for these unpredictable storms. “Knowing what to do and how to prepare will help protect you, your family and your home,” says Karen Benner of Allstate Canada. “Invest the time in preparations now so if the worst happens, you’ll know how to keep your family safe. You will also be able to more easily deal with and recover from the damage.”  

Ontarians can reduce the damage to their property by following a number of safety tips and recommendations, like these ones, found at goodhandsadvice.ca:

Before a Storm, Protect Your Home:

• Find and Fix Vulnerable Areas: Consider installing impact-resistant windows or storm shutters; installing permanent wood or metal stiffeners to strengthen your garage doors; having your roof professionally inspected and keeping your yard clear of objects that may become airborne during a windstorm.
• Plan Ahead: It is important to create an emergency plan for your family. Tips for making a plan and building an emergency kit can be found at goodhandsadvice.ca/en/build-an-emergency-kit.
• Insure Your Home: Talk to your insurance representative and make sure you have the proper coverage if your home is damaged by a tornado or a windstorm.

During a Storm, Protect Your Family:

• Stay Low: The safest place during a tornado is the basement, storm cellar, or lowest level of your home. If you don’t have access to a basement move to a small interior room like a closet or bathroom or take refuge under a flight of stairs.
• Stay Inside: The inside of a building is the safest place during a tornado. If you can’t find shelter inside, lie down in a ditch or ravine and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• Stay Alert: The typical tornado first appears as a rotation in a thunder cloud, behind a shroud of heavy rain or hail. The sky can turn green, yellow or black and the storm can begin to sound like the rumble of a freight train or a jet.
• Stay Safe: Tornadoes can change directions suddenly. Never try to out-run a tornado, either on foot or in your car.  

For additional tips and useful advice, visit goodhandsadvice.ca, contact your local Allstate agency or call 1-800-Allstate.

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 94 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 how you can protect your family and home during a tornado or windstorm 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

 CALGARY,  May 10, 2011 — Wildfires are a natural hazard in any forested and grassland region in Canada. Typically, the wildfire season in Canada runs from April through to October. The months of June, July and August see the most fires and the fires that burn the largest amount of land. As we enter another wildfire season, and since wildfires can leave us with little warning before they spread, it is important to take the proper precautions and remind ourselves of what to do if a fire is headed our way.

“In Canada, 55 per cent of all forest fires are caused by people, while lightning causes the remaining 45 per cent,” says Eric Michalko of Allstate Insurance Company of Canada. “Understanding how fires begin is crucial to preventing them; however, we also need to know what do to when faced with one.”

Each year there are approximately 8,000 wildfires in Canada, destroying approximately 25,000 square kilometres of land. Fires can threaten public health and safety, destroy property and cause economic hardship. British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario have the most wildfires due to the terrain and elevation. The Maritimes are particularly vulnerable to wildfires due to the windy weather this region experiences. Winds supply fire with additional oxygen, further dries potential fuel and pushes fire across the land at a faster rate.

To help protect what Canadians have today and to better prepare for tomorrow, Allstate Canada offers these preparation and safety tips for keeping your home and surrounding area fire free:

To Prepare for a Fire:

• If you live near a wooded area, a debris-free lawn around your home can be your best protection during a wildfire, as it acts as a natural firebreak between the house and the surrounding woodland. Keep the perimeter of your home free of fire hazards such as dead leaves, brush or other debris. Store firewood and other sources of fuel at least 10 metres away from the walls of your home.
• Keep a fire extinguisher and install smoke detectors on every floor of your home. Be sure that your fire extinguisher is labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC). Test the smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries on the same dates twice a year, such as daylight savings time. 
• Homes that are located in or near a forested area are at the greatest risk of wildfire. When building or upgrading your home, consider using fire resistant material such as metal, asphalt and ULC-treated shakes for roofs and stucco, metal, brick and concrete for the foundation. The most fire resistant glass is tempered glass.
• Create an emergency preparedness plan and kit in case you have to evacuate your home or town. This kit should have a three-day supply of food, water and other essential items. For a full list of what to include visit goodhandsadvice.ca/en/build-an-emergency-kit.
• Practice your emergency preparedness plan with your family to ensure that they know what to do in the event of a fire. Rehearse the Stop, Drop and Roll drill in the event their clothes catch on fire.

In the Event of a Fire:

• Smoke is the cause of the majority of fire-related deaths.  In addition to deadly carbon monoxide, smoke carries poisons such as hydrogen cyanide and irritants such as formaldehyde and acetic acid. Be sure to stay low and cover your mouth and nose and if available, breathe through a damp cloth to avoid smoke inhalation.
• Protect exposed skin with clothing or non-flammable material. If you are spending time outdoors, like camping, consider wearing natural fibres such as wool or cotton. Synthetic fabics, even if worn as underwear, will melt.
  • If you are indoors, keep doors and windows closed and all lights on to aid visibility.
  • Be ready to evacuate at any time. When you need to leave, gather all family members and pets and head to the neighbourhood meeting place listed in your emergency preparedness plan.

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 94 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 regarding for wildfire safety tips or to arrange an interview with Eric Michalko, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, or a regional spokesperson please contact:

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

Data from Allstate Insurance Company of Canada shows that claims due to water damage or sewer backup from flooding accounted for almost 31 per cent of catastrophic claims in the past six years in Quebec. Sewer backup enters a home through its lower levels via plumbing fixtures, including floor drains, sewer clean outs and basement toilets, sinks and showers.

 “Heavy rains can cause major damage to a home if you’re not prepared,” says Eric Michalko of Allstate Canada. “Insurance claims for basement water damage are estimated at $140 million each year in Canada, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. So it’s important to prepare your home and family to reduce your risk.”

To help protect what Quebec residents have today and to better prepare for tomorrow, Allstate Canada offers these preparation and safety tips in the event that your home is in danger of possible water damage:

 If You Live In an Area Prone to Severe Rainfall

• Keep water away. Investigate lot grading, back filling and swales, which capture water run-off, to help keep water away from your home and foundation. Also consider installing weeping tiles, sump-pumps or sump-pits to keep your basement dry.
• Prepare your home. Install window wells and window well covers to improve drainage around basement windows and help prevent water from entering your basement. Seal cracks in foundation walls and basement floors to reduce the chance of infiltration flooding. Disconnect downspouts from the municipal sewer system and extend them away from your home, but make sure you don’t direct water toward neighbouring properties.
• Leave some space. If possible, store items on shelves rather than directly on the basement floor. To keep important documents safe, store them in a water-tight plastic container.
• Plan ahead. Create an emergency preparedness plan and kit in case you have to evacuate. This kit should have a three-day supply of food, water and other essential items. Find the complete list at goodhandsadvice.ca/en/build-an-emergency-kit.
• Know you are covered. Review your insurance policy and talk to your insurance agent to make sure you and your home are properly covered.

 When Heavy Rains Hits

• Before water enters your home. Shut off the electricity and outside gas valve. If possible, block sewers in the basement to avoid backflow. Go quickly to the upper floors of your home and turn on a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for the latest emergency information.
• Listen. If told to leave, grab your emergency preparedness kit and go to your designated shelter. Be sure to follow the recommended evacuation routes. Never take shortcuts.
• Keep out of any standing water. Hazards from floating debris, sewer contamination, live electrical wires and slippery footing can make wading in flood waters extremely dangerous.
• If you are outdoors. Climb to high ground in a highly visible and safe area. Never cross floodwaters as water as shallow as 15 centimetres could sweep you off your feet.
• If you are in your vehicle. If you come to a flooded area, turn around, head for elevated ground and park there. Avoid remaining in your vehicle since as little as 60 centimetres of water can carry away a car.

 After the Damage

• Safe return. Return to your home only when emergency authorities have advised you it is safe to do so.
• Keep the power off. Do not turn on the power in your home after significant water damage. Ask your hydro company for assistance.
• Record the damage. If possible, record details of any damage before you clean up. Take photos or video to help with your insurance company’s assessment.

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 94 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 about how you can protect your family and home during a heavy rainfall or to speak with Eric Michalko, Allstate Canada’s official spokesperson, please contact:

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