Vie to Step Down as Unitrin’s Chairman at Year-End; Southwell Named Successor

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Unitrin, Inc. (NYSE: UTR) announced today that Richard C. Vie will be stepping down as its Chairman of the Board at the end of 2009 and that Donald G. Southwell, Unitrin’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will assume the position of Chairman, effective January 1, 2010. Mr. Vie will also be retiring as an employee at year-end, but will continue to be a member of Unitrin’s board of directors. Mr. Vie has served Unitrin in a number of capacities since its spinoff from Teledyne, Inc. in 1990, including as its Chief Executive Officer from March 1992 until August 2006.

Unitrin is a financial services company focused on creating shareholder value by providing through its subsidiaries a diverse array of insurance products and services for individuals, families and small businesses.

Among the brands in Unitrin’s Property and Casualty Insurance businesses are Kemper^®1 and Unitrin Specialty, which sell personal and commercial insurance through networks of independent agents, and Unitrin Direct, which sells automobile and homeowners insurance directly to consumers or through employer-sponsored voluntary benefit programs. Unitrin’s Life and Health Insurance businesses bring a high-level of personalized service to their customers. Additional information about Unitrin is available by visiting its website (www.unitrin.com).

¹ Unitrin uses the registered trademark “Kemper” under license, for personal lines insurance only, from Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company, which is not affiliated with Unitrin.