Esurance Launches Campaign to Support Crisis Intervention for LGBT Youth

SAN FRANCISCO, June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal car insurance company, recently launched a charitable giving campaign on Facebook in support of The Trevor Project.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090826/ESURANCELOGO)

Esurance has pledged $50,000 dollars to the organization, which is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Visitors to the Esurance Facebook page that "Like" Esurance can help the company reach its $50,000 donation goal.

For each new "Like", Esurance will donate $10 to the organization (up to a maximum of $50,000) to help support the Trevor Lifeline, a 24/7 crisis intervention phone service offering free and confidential suicide prevention counseling to youth nationwide. Esurance's contributions will also go towards digital community, advocacy and educational programs to help create a safe, supportive and positive environment for LGBT youth.

"We are excited to partner with a Bay Area company like Esurance to support our lifesaving services, which have recently expanded to opening the Trevor Lifeline's Harvey Milk Call Center at the historic site of Castro Camera in San Francisco," said Interim Executive Director and CEO David McFarland. "This partnership represents a significant investment in saving the lives of LGBT youth in crisis in the Bay Area and across the U.S."

In addition to supporting this youth safety initiative, visitors to Esurance's Facebook page can also enter the Trevor Live Sweepstakes for a chance to win $2,000 in cash and two tickets to Trevor Live in Los Angeles, an evening of comedy and music that helps raise money and awareness for The Trevor Project.* Last year's event honored Kathy Griffin and included performances by Katy Perry, Queen Latifah, and many more. This year's event happens at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunday, December 4, 2011.

"Esurance was one of the first companies to offer discounts on car insurance to domestic partners who list on the same policy, and our support of The Trevor Project's Trevor Lifeline fits with the company philosophy on promoting diversity and equality in everything that we do," said Esurance Vice President of Marketing, Darren Howard. "We recognize the challenges faced by LGBT youth, and it's our hope that our Facebook campaign will help raise more awareness for the Trevor Project and ensure that these young people have a safe place to turn in times of crisis."

Esurance will promote the Trevor Project charitable giving campaign throughout National LGBT Pride Month at several Pride events across the country including: San Francisco Pride, Seattle Pride, Los Angeles Pride, Philadelphia Pride, and GayDays Orlando.

To support The Trevor Project and enter the Trevor Live Sweepstakes, just visit the Esurance Facebook page. For more information on Esurance's diversity and inclusion initiatives and community involvement, visit its Community page.

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. 2011 Weekend in Hollywood Sweepstakes Begins at 12:01 a.m. PT on 6/1/11. Ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on 8/1/11. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C. who are 18+ and age of majority in state of residence at time of entry. Internet access required. Void where prohibited. Subject to OFFICIAL RULES located at http://www.esurance.com/trevor. ARV of Prize: $3000. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received.  Sponsor: Esurance Insurance Services, Inc., 650 Davis St. San Francisco, CA 94111-1922.

About The Trevor Project:

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention to LGBTQ youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves young lives through its free and confidential lifeline, in-school workshops, educational materials, online resources and advocacy. For more information, visit www.TheTrevorProject.org.

About Esurance®

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM), provides personal car insurance direct to consumers online and through select agents, including sister company, Answer Financial. Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their car insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices.

Through Esurance's website, www.esurance.com, customers can get instant car insurance quotes, view comparison quotes, buy an Esurance policy, and print their insurance cards— all in minutes. Esurance also offers policyholders the ability to make policy changes and file claims instantly online, demonstrating its commitment to improving the entire insurance process from quote to claim.

Answer Financial, also a subsidiary of White Mountains, is one of the largest independent personal lines insurance agencies in the country. Answer Financial offers comparison quotes and provides car and property insurance from more than a dozen top-rated insurance companies through its website, www.answerfinancial.com, and over the phone.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  The words "will," "believe," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to White Mountains':

*changes in adjusted book value per share or return on equity;
*business strategy;
*financial and operating targets or plans;
*incurred losses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance;
*projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts;
*expansion and growth of our business and operations; and
*future capital expenditures.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by White Mountains in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances.  However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including:

*the risks associated with Item 1A of White Mountains' 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K;
*claims arising from catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or terrorist attacks;
*the continued availability of capital and financing;
*general economic, market or business conditions;
*business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued;
*competitive forces, including the conduct of other property and casualty insurers and reinsurers;
*changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to White Mountains, its competitors or its clients;
*an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting its financial position;
*recorded loss reserves subsequently proving to have been inadequate;
*action taken by rating agencies from time to time, such as financial strength or credit ratings downgrades or placing ratings on negative watch;
*other factors, most of which are beyond White Mountains' control.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by White Mountains will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, White Mountains or its business or operations. White Mountains assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Esurance