Allstate Ratchets Up Washington Recruiting for Third Straight Year

BOTHELL, Wash., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2009, Allstate Insurance Company appointed 21 new exclusive agents in Washington for the second consecutive year. Now, the company is ramping up its recruiting again – looking for 40 more Washington state agency owners in 2010.

In 2009, 21 new agents opened Allstate agencies across the Evergreen State. This year, Allstate hopes to surpass that goal by focusing on Washington professionals that may feel limited in their careers and are looking to start their own business in a recession resilient industry.

"We see a significant opportunity in the current economy to attract mid-career, mid-level managers to own and operate their own business and represent Allstate in Washington," said Shawn Rogerson Allstate's Washington recruiting director. "We're working with business brokers and through our own recruiters to find professionals with financial or sales backgrounds, who are dedicated to customer service."

Even with the hints of an economic recovery underway, some potential applicants are unsure if now is the right time to invest money needed to open a small business.  That's why recruiters are focusing on the stability of investing in the Allstate brand.

"Allstate is unique among all other insurers because its agents own the economic interest in their business," said Rogerson.  "Allstate agents can sell the economic interest in their agency. No other branded insurer has this option."

Allstate's Washington recruiting goals for 2010 are segmented by area across the state: Puget Sound, Eastern Washington, Olympia and Vancouver.

These target cities and areas represent key consumer touch points in Allstate's broader strategy to aggressively expand the provider's auto insurance presence statewide, while staking a stronger claim in items like boats, recreational all-terrain-vehicles and motorcycles. Allstate is currently the third largest auto insurer in Washington.  

Interested candidates can apply to become an Allstate agent by logging on to allstate.com or by calling 1-877-711-1006.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company