Allstate in Nebraska Ramps Up Recruiting for Third Straight Year

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a strong demonstration of its commitment to increase presence in the Nebraska marketplace, Allstate Insurance Company announced its intention to appoint 10 Nebraska agency owners by the end of 2011. Allstate's new and existing agencies in the state will also hire more than 15 licensed sales professionals through the year. This news comes after December's report issued by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics stating that Nebraska stood at an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, the largest for the month of December over the past decade.

Allstate is focusing on Nebraska professionals who may feel limited in their careers and are looking to start their own business in a recession resilient industry. Across the Cornhusker State," Allstate appointed 9 new exclusive agents in 2010. Nebraska's marketplace represents key consumer touch points in Allstate's broader strategy to aggressively expand the provider's auto insurance presence statewide, while staking a stronger claim in items like boats, recreational all-terrain-vehicles and motorcycles.

"We see a significant opportunity in the current economy to attract entrepreneurs and mid-career, mid-level managers who are looking to own and operate their own business and represent Allstate in Nebraska," said London B. Bradley, Allstate's West Central Regional Sales Leader. "We continue to work with our existing Allstate agents, business brokers and through our own recruiters to find professionals with financial or sales backgrounds who are dedicated to customer service, and now we are looking to consumers to help with referrals."

Allstate Insurance Company in Nebraska is offering a $5,000 referral award to anyone who refers a candidate who is qualified by our team of recruiters and appointed as an Allstate agent in 2011. Candidates need a minimum of $50,000 of liquid capital to invest in their agency. Even with the hints of an economic recovery under way, 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 Bradley. "Allstate agents can sell the economic interest in their agency. No other branded insurer has this option."

Interested candidates can apply to become an Allstate agent by logging on to allstate.com or by calling 1-877-711-1006.

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