Farmers Insurance Dedicates Heritage Center: 80 Years of History in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
What better way to celebrate 80 years of history since the
founding of Farmers Group, Inc. in Los Angeles, than to place on
display thousands of pictures, memorabilia, mementos, signs, film,
publications, buttons and more, into a beautifully designed and built
location called the Farmers Heritage Center.

The Farmers Heritage Center, located at the University of Farmers,
a 150,000-square-foot training facility in Agoura Hills, California,
just northwest of downtown Los Angeles, was dedicated by the Farmers
Boards of Governors on June 4th.

"Craig Parkinson, who has designed event centers world-wide,
designed the Farmers Heritage Center," noted Farmers CEO Paul N.
Hopkins. "Dozens of Farmers people then spent thousands of hours
researching, building and assembling the exhibits for future
generations of Farmers employees to enjoy. It is truly a masterpiece,
and tells our history in a way that makes it very easy to understand
how Farmers grew over the years and today is the number one insurance
company in California and the third largest property and casualty
insurance company in America. We are continuing that growth and future
generations of Farmers people will add to our rich heritage."

"The Heritage Center tells the story of our founding by John C.
Tyler and Thomas E. Leavey, two men who set out to make a difference
by doing the right things, for the right reasons and inspiring those
around them to do the same, explained Doug Onyon, vice president of
Farmers Corporate Communications. "I have, over the years, saved piles
and piles of boxes in the Home Office basement, and now, thanks to Mr.
Hopkins, the inspiration and driving force behind the Heritage Center,
the contents of all of the boxes of Farmers history, have a permanent
home for all to share."

At the special dedication of the Heritage Center, seven long-time
members of the Farmers Insurance Companies were honored. The seven
Legend Honorees included:

-- Thomas Leavey, co-founder of Farmers, President and Chairman.
Mr. Leavey was a graduate of Santa Clara University and
received his law degree at Georgetown University, Washington
D.C.

-- John C. Tyler, co-founder and Co-Chairman of the company.
Following WWI, Mr. Tyler left his roots in South Dakota and
came to California where he helped create Farmers.

-- Charles Brisco, first Farmers insured. A businessman who
became the first Farmers customer just two days after the
company opened its doors. His 1925 Cadillac Phaeton inspired
the Farmers Heritage Center's acquisition of the like model
for display.

-- George Stone, Farmers first State Agent who revolutionized
Farmers' business model for its agents.

-- Duane Gengler, a successful Farmers district manager who
served from 1966 to 2002. In that time he earned every
district production, size and profitability record in the
organization.

-- Judy Wallinder, became Farmers first Agent of the Year in
1988, providing inspiration to a generation of agents who have
worked to build their businesses and follow in her footsteps.

-- William H. "Bim" Braddock, an inspirational member of the
Farmers Family for more than 50 years. He has served in a
variety of leadership roles including Vice President of Sales,
Marketing and Executive Vice President. He currently serves on
the Farmers Board of Governors and the Fire Exchange Board of
Governors.

Farmers Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich
Financial Services, an insurance-based financial services provider
with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and
Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets.
Farmers(R) is the nation's third-largest Personal Lines Property &
Casualty insurance group. Property and casualty products are
underwritten and issued by the Farmers Exchanges and their
subsidiaries, which Farmers Group, Inc. manages but does not own.
Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the
Farmers insurers provide Homeowners, Auto, Business, Life insurance
and financial services to more than 10 million households. For more
information about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.

Farmers Insurance Group
Jerry Davies, 323-932-3662
jerry.davies@farmersinsurance.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008