Farmers(R) Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Foremost and Bristol West Prepare for Tropical Storm Ida Heading for Georgia, Offer Tips to Customers to be Prepared

Farmers(R) Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries Foremost and Bristol West Prepare for
Tropical Storm Ida Heading for Georgia, Offer Tips to Customers to be Prepared

ATLANTA, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Tropical Storm Ida, bearing down on the
Florida panhandle and heading into Georgia, will bring heavy rain and high
winds from the coast inland. "The message we have for all of our customers is
to be prepared and follow instructions if you are asked to evacuate," explains
Foremost Catastrophe Manager, Michael Steele. "We have deployed claims
adjusters to the area and they are prepared to help our customers immediately
after Ida arrives."

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Farmers Insurance customers and Bristol West Insurance customers with damage
should immediately contact their agent or call Farmers' 24-hour-claims
hotline, 800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.

Flood victims who have flood insurance should contact the National Flood
Program at www.fema.gov.

Foremost Insurance customers should file their claim by calling: 800-527-3907.

"We ask our customers who are following Ida's projected path to pay close
attention to the latest weather reports," Steele adds, "and begin making
necessary preparations."

-- Create a Home Inventory. Have an up-to-date inventory of all of your
personal property. Take pictures and then email them to relatives
living
out of state. A home inventory will help you replace your belongings
faster.
-- Prepare an Evacuation Plan. Plan ahead and map out a safe and smooth
evacuation route, and please follow any evacuation orders. Things can
be
replaced; nothing is worth putting yourself or your family in harm's
way. Steele also recommends having all prescriptions and important
paper
work at the ready in case you have to leave your home on short notice.
It is also a good idea to have emergency supplies such as flashlights,
radio, batteries and water on hand if you live in a hurricane prone
area.

-- Hurricane-Proof Your Home. "We recommend installing storm shutters to
protect your windows, or nailing plywood panels to your window frames
when a storm approaches," said Steele. "It is also a good idea to
cover
your sliding doors with plywood, and to replace old garage doors and
tracks with a door that is approved for both wind pressure and impact
protection. If wind comes into your home through a large opening, it
increases your chances of major damage to the rest of your home,
especially your roof."

Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers
Exchanges, as the case may be. Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding
company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Financial
Services Group. The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers
Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange),
including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and
managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information
about Farmers, visit our Web site at www.farmers.com.

Contact: Jerry Davies
213-400-4459
Jerry.davies@farmersinsurance.com

SOURCE Farmers Group, Inc.

Jerry Davies of Farmers Group, Inc., +1-213-400-4459,
Jerry.davies@farmersinsurance.com