Physical Fitness in 2013 Means Being Protected From Hit-and-Run Collisions While Exercising Outdoors

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Adults who resolve to be physically fit this year—such as runners preparing for the Allstate Life Insurance Los Angeles 13.1 Marathon and 5K on January 13—should be sure to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on their car. Why?  Because if a pedestrian or cyclist carries uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) on their personal auto, the cost of recovery from injuries or losses as a result of being hit by this type of driver, even while exercising outdoors, can be covered, subject to policy terms and definitions.

As recently as 2010 there were more than 2,000 pedestrians in California injured by hit-and-run drivers.* In Los Angeles County, nearly one out of four vehicles does not carry insurance**.

"Everyone's safety along our streets must remain a priority," says Phil Telgenhoff, Allstate Field Vice President in California, "People who exercise outdoors or train for events like the Allstate Half-Marathon in Los Angeles should strongly consider purchasing this coverage." 

"It's important for drivers and athletes alike to know that uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is a small fraction of their total auto insurance premium—generally less than 10 percent," he says. "Its benefits extend far beyond what may happen only while they're at the wheel."

Allstate recommends all drivers—and especially those who are regularly using or crossing streets to maintain their physical fitness—to contact their insurance agent or company and ensure that their auto policy includes UM/UIM coverage.

Allstate also offers these tips for active people to stay streetwise:

• Be visible; wear bright, reflective clothing that increases your visibility to drivers.
• Signal your intentions to change course clearly and well in advance.
• Be considerate—at the right time. When a vehicle yields the right of way, signal thanks only after you've passed. If you signal before passing, it may be confused as a signal for the driver to proceed instead.
• Even if a car recently passed you, know that its driver may not recall that you're nearby when s/he begins to turn. Expect the unexpected, keep your composure, and always avoid road rage.

Details and registration for Sunday's Allstate Life Insurance Los Angeles 13.1 Marathon and 5K races are available online at http://www.131marathon.com/losangeles/

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names. Widely known by its slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate^®," Allstate offers insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate^®. As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

* CA Highway Patrol data (2010) (see: http://www.chp.ca.gov/switrs/ Section 7, Table D)

** CA Dept. of Insurance estimate (2004)

(see: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0200-studies-reports/1200-uninsured-motorist/index.cfm )

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company California