Markel American Insurance Company Names the Winner of the Markel Motorcycle Dream Ride Photo Contest

WAUKESHA, Wis., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel American Insurance Company recently announced the winner of their "Markel Motorcycle Dream Ride Photo Contest." The nationally run contest asked participants to upload a photo of themselves with their bike that best represented their dream ride, along with a brief essay on why it was their dream ride.

Markel received hundreds of entries all featuring great photos and essays and has officially deemed one winner.  Rex Porter of Lake View, Arkansas (the official winner of "Markel's Motorcycle Dream Ride Photo Contest") receives a three day, two night trip motorcycle trip for two, anywhere in the continental United States.

Porter's entry won because it best exemplified the contest's judging criteria: the ability to demonstrate the emotion of riding, while also having originality, creativity, and a grammatically correct essay.

The winning entry can be viewed on www.markelinsuresfun.com/dreamride and the Markel Motorcycle Facebook Page.

"I've never won anything in my life!" Porter exclaimed when he heard the news. "My wife (otherwise known as my bike) Julie is sooooo happy! I went out in the garage just after the call and told her."

Ted Wentzel, Director of Marketing at Markel American Insurance Company best summed up the excitement of the contest, "Being a specialty insurance company, we know and understand the relationship individuals have their motorcycle. We also know that all motorcyclists have that one 'dream ride' that they can't wait to go on and we wanted to help make one rider's dream come true.  We hope Rex has the ride of his life."

About Markel American Insurance Company:
Markel American Insurance Company (part of Markel Corporation) specializes in powersports insurance such as motorcycle insurance, boat insurance and ATV insurance. For more information, visit www.markelinsuresfun.com.

About Markel Corporation:
Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets. In each of these markets, the Company seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.

For more information on the Markel Group of companies, please visit www.markelcorp.com.

SOURCE Markel American Insurance Company