Esurance Rolls Out Rube Goldberg-Type Device and Green Giveaways at 2010 US Open

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company, recently revealed plans for its on-site presence at the 2010 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York. As the official car insurance sponsor of the event, Esurance will unveil a Rube Goldberg-type device, give away thousands of MetroCards, and promote public transportation to and from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

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To highlight its best-of-both-worlds approach to car insurance -- people when you want them, technology when you don't™ -- the customized interactive machine will introduce fans to some of the car insurance company's key benefits. The star of the machine -- a Wilson tennis ball -- will work its way through a complex maze of hurdles and challenges, some of which will initiate the screening of two Esurance commercials.

The first commercial triggered by the device focuses on one of Esurance's most popular technological innovations, online vehicle repair monitoring, which allows customers with a car in the shop to view daily photos of repairs throughout the process. The second ad spotlights the company's human touch by showing an Esurance coverage counselor helping a customer find the right coverage. For more information on how the device works, visit the Esurance Blog.

"We're committed to offering our customers the best of both worlds when it comes to car insurance, by providing innovative technology and around-the-clock customer service," said Darren Howard, Esurance VP of Marketing. "The US Open provides a great opportunity for us to connect with potential customers and familiarize over 700,000 tennis enthusiasts with many of the great products and services we offer and to do so in a fun, unique way."

US Open attendees can also sign up for the "Best of Both Worlds" Tennis Sweepstakes onsite at the Esurance booth, located just outside of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Fans can complete an entry form and hand it to an Esurance representative or they can scan a QR code® at the booth and be taken to the sweepstakes website where they can follow directions online to enter the sweepstakes in minutes.

Additionally, in line with their national green initiatives, Esurance will promote the use of public transit by giving away 2,000 MetroCards throughout the tournament in conjunction with the USTA. Each day, representatives will hand out cards on the walkway between the subway and the National Tennis Center. Plus, on the night of September 3, an entire promenade section will receive the cards courtesy of Esurance.

Learn more about the Rube Goldberg-type device.

There is no purchase necessary to enter the “Best of Both Worlds” Tennis Sweepstakes.  Void where prohibited. For the official rules and more information on the sweepstakes, visit http://www.esurance.com/tennis.

“Rube Goldberg” is a trademark of Rube Goldberg, Inc.  “QR Code” is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

About Esurance®

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM), provides personal auto 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 auto 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 auto and property insurance from more than a dozen top-rated insurance companies through its website, www.answerfinancial.com, and over the phone.

SOURCE Esurance