November 20, 2008 02:16 PM Eastern Time 

Farmers Insurance Expands Role as Official Insurance Sponsor and Supporter of Rose Bowl Parade Bands

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® has been named the Official Insurance Sponsor and Official Supporter of the Rose Parade bands by the Tournament of Roses.

“This 2009 parade marks the 50^th year Farmers Insurance has participated in the Rose Parade,” stated Bob Woudstra, Farmers Group, Inc. CEO. “We are excited to expand the Farmers’ role and look forward to working with the Tournament of Roses. On behalf of our 21,000 employees, 26,156 agency force, and 262 offices nationwide, we would like to congratulate the Tournament and the bands for their hard work to make each Rose Parade bigger and better.”

“Farmers is in the business of helping people restore their lives to order. In many ways, Farmers' community involvement mirrors its business philosophy,” Woudstra continued. Since its founding in 1928, Farmers has been committed to improving the communities where its customers, agents and employees live and work. Improving safety, expanding educational opportunities, enhancing health and human services, encouraging civic participation and supporting the arts and culture help drive Farmers’ commitment.”

“We welcome Farmers Insurance to their expanded role in the Rose Parade,” said Wendy Matthes, Director of Marketing. “When the Rose Parade team sat down with Farmers’ executives and discussed what role would fit, we concluded Official Insurance Sponsor and Official Supporter of the Rose Parade Bands, was perfect for Farmers.”

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® 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, 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.