Press Releases

NASCAR(R) Driver Kyle Petty Comes Through for Fans Around the Country with Offer of Free Coke Zero Jul 6, 2008 12:11AM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

For several members of the Coca-Cola Racing Family, a victory in the inaugural Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola was so close they could taste it. Although the drivers were unsuccessful in their bid to take the checkered flag, millions of fans in the U.S. still have an opportunity to get a "Taste of Victory" of their own.

Through the Coke Zero "Taste of Victory" program, if one of the 13 drivers sponsored by Coca-Cola won the Coke Zero 400, fans would be able to enjoy the Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories of Coke Zero for free. Even without a victory, Kyle Petty - a founding member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family and analyst in the TNT broadcast booth for the race - announced that in celebration of the inaugural Coke Zero 400 at iconic Daytona International Speedway, fans would still be able to receive free Coke Zero.

Any U.S. resident 13 years of age or older can simply visit www.CokeZero.com through July 13 and follow the instructions to receive a coupon for a free 20-ounce bottle of Coke Zero (1). In addition to quenching their thirst, fans can help support a charity close to the hearts of Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers. Coke Zero will donate $1 to the Victory Junction Gang Camp on behalf of the first 10,000 people who visit CokeZero.com to request a free coupon.

Founded by Petty and his wife Pattie in honor of their late son Adam, the Victory Junction Gang Camp enriches the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically sound environment.

"It's pretty sweet to share the real Coke taste and Zero calories of Coke Zero with fans around the country," said Kyle Petty. "I hope to see millions of people visit CokeZero.com to claim their free 20-ounce bottle and join me in celebrating an exciting Coke Zero 400."

Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers participating in the "Taste of Victory" program included Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin, Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Elliott Sadler, Jamie McMurray, Bobby Labonte, Michael Waltrip, Clint Bowyer and David Ragan. Terry Labonte also was eligible as the driver of the #45 Petty Enterprises Dodge.

"We were really rooting for one of our drivers to get to Victory Lane and deliver a taste of victory to people across the U.S.," said Bill Kelly, senior vice president, Coca-Cola Brands, Coca-Cola North America. "In the end, it was a great race and that's reason enough to follow through with our offer to give away free Coke Zero and to continue our support of Kyle Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp."

The "Taste of Victory" program is one of many ways Coke Zero has taken a prominent role in NASCAR(R) this year. Title sponsorship of the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola serves as the centerpiece for the brand's expanded presence in the sport. In addition, marketing efforts have included the launch of Coke Zero's first-ever NASCAR(R)-themed advertising campaign, driver appearances, high-visibility track signage, at-track sampling and much more - all promoting the brand's core message - Coke Zero has "Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories."

With a current share of 1.5%, Coke Zero is the only sparkling beverage brand of 350 launched since 2001 to surpass and maintain a 1% market share. By using irreverent, humorous communication and delivering Real Coke Taste and Zero Calories, Coke Zero has established a strong connection with young adult males and achieved the highest trial of any recently launched Coca-Cola North America brand.

The debut of the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola is part of a 10-year sponsorship agreement between Coca-Cola North America (CCNA) and International Speedway Corporation (ISC). Through a variety of track partnerships, brands from CCNA will be refreshing fans at 13 race tracks in 2008 before expanding to 17 race tracks by 2012. Coca-Cola is the official sparkling beverage of NASCAR(R) and has been involved with stock car racing for more than 40 years. A signature part of Coca-Cola's innovative NASCAR(R) program is the Coca-Cola Racing Family - a collection of veteran drivers and rising stars.

(1) Coupons for free 20-ounce bottles of Coke Zero will be redeemable until September 1, 2008 at participating retailers across the country where Coca-Cola products are sold. Limit is one coupon per person. All U.S. residents 13 years of age or older are eligible.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERade, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Source: The Coca-Cola Company

Lottery's Millionaire Raffle Drawing Creates Four New Millionaires Jul 5, 2008 08:03PM

MIDDLETOWN, Pa., July 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Lottery's Millionaire Raffle game has created four new millionaires.

The selection of four $1 million raffle ticket numbers and four $100,000 raffle ticket numbers was televised live on the Lottery's drawing show earlier this evening.

The four $1 million top-prize raffle ticket numbers selected were: 00351737, 00338908, 00234572, and 00110230. The four $100,000 second-prize raffle ticket numbers were: 00479671, 00260077, 00234155, and 00057161.

The remaining 5,992 winning raffle ticket numbers for third- and fourth- tier prizes also were selected, but were not televised due to time constraints.

A complete list of all 6,000 winning raffle ticket numbers will be available tomorrow at Lottery retail locations and at www.palottery.com.

Winning raffle ticket numbers will be listed on the Lottery Web site by prize category in ascending order. The Web site will also feature a "search" function that allows players to enter their eight-digit raffle ticket numbers to determine if they hold winning tickets.

To be considered a winning ticket, the eight-digit number printed on Millionaire Raffle tickets must match the eight-digit combination selected in the drawing, in the exact sequence in which it was selected.

The $1 million top prizes must be claimed by presenting a winning ticket at Pennsylvania Lottery headquarters, 1200 Fulling Mill Road, Middletown, or at any of the Lottery's seven area offices throughout the commonwealth. A list of area offices is available at www.palottery.com.

The $100,000 prizes can be claimed at any of the Lottery's seven area offices or at any licensed Pennsylvania Lottery retailer. Claims may be filed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lottery headquarters and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at area offices.

Holders of Millionaire Raffle tickets worth $1,000 and $100 can claim their winnings at local Lottery retailers.

About the Pennsylvania Lottery: The Pennsylvania Lottery remains the only state lottery that designates all its proceeds to programs that benefit older residents. Since its inception 36 years ago, the Pennsylvania Lottery has contributed more than $17.4 billion to programs that include property tax and rent rebates; free and reduced-fare transit; the low-cost prescription drug programs PACE and PACENET; long-term care services; and the 52 Area Agencies on Aging, including more than 600 full- and part-time senior centers throughout the state. The Pennsylvania Lottery reminds its players to play responsibly. Players must be 18 or older.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Lottery, visit www.palottery.com.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Lottery

Big Spin(R) Contestant Plans Shoe Shopping Spree Jul 5, 2008 07:30PM

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

What would you do after a big win on the California Lottery Big Spin show? If you were Sekou Jones of Van Nuys you would take your daughter on a shoe shopping spree. Jones won $75,000 and plans to save some of the money for her future financial security, but lucky for her daughter, the two of them will go shopping first. The Big Spin show aired Saturday, July 5. The grand total won this week was $287,500!

Two other winners who played the Fantasy 5 Dream Machine were Teresita Austria of Union City and Erika Bernhardt of Glendale. Both won $60,000. Austria plans to spend part of the money she won helping her family in the Philippines, including helping her children buy a home. This was Bernhardt's second appearance on the Big Spin show. In March, she won $25,000. She is considering buying a new car.

The last big winner of the day was Franklin Booker of Highland. Booker says, "He just got lucky" when he purchased a Big Spin Scratchers(R) ticket that invited him to the Big Spin show. Booker played nine other contestants in Aces High. He walked away with $50,000 and plans to take his family on a cruise to the Caribbean.

                         Winners Summary

NAME                         CITY                          AMOUNT
----------------------       --------------             ---------
Sekou Jones                  Van Nuys                     $75,000
Teresita Austria             Union City                   $60,000
Erika Bernhardt              Glendale                     $60,000
Franklin Booker              Highland                     $50,000
Evonne Serl                  Riverside                    $20,000
Patricio Mendoza             Riverside                     $5,000
Leilani Riedel               Bangor                        $4,000
Serafin Verdugo              Suisun                        $2,500
Brandon Balassi              Citrus Heights                $2,000
Chad Rogers                  Riverside                     $2,000
Martel Reid                  Los Angeles                   $1,750
Francisco Luna Ventura       Placentia                     $1,750
Connie Willey                Woodland                      $1,750
                             TOTAL                       $287,500

For high resolution photos of Sekou Jones, Teresita Austria, Erika Bernhardt or Franklin Booker please contact (916) 324-9639 or e-mail newsroom@calottery.com.

More than 95 cents of every Lottery dollar is returned to the community in the form of contributions to education, prizes and retail commissions. The California Lottery contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed more than $20 billion to California schools out of total sales of nearly $55 billion. Retailers benefit too, earning $3.5 billion in compensation since 1985.

www.calottery.com

Source: California Lottery

Press Gaggle by Dana Perino, Dan Price, Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, and Dennis Wilder, NSC Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jul 5, 2008 06:42PM

CHITOSE, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Aboard Air Force One, En Route Chitose, Japan

MS. PERINO: Okay, we are on our way to Japan for the G8. I'm going to let Dan Price just say a few words, because you've heard from him a lot this week, but he'll just remind you of the main issues that we have going in. Dennis can talk a little bit about the day we're going to have in Japan when we get there, with the bilateral, and then I'll follow up with other questions on topics outside of that.

MR. PRICE: Yes, I'll just give really a brief summary, because earlier this week I gave an on-the-record briefing which, I understand for some of you was numbingly detailed.

The President is looking forward to having very good discussions, not only with the leaders of the G8, but with the various "so-called" outreach leaders, the leaders of the seven African nations will be there, as well as the leaders of Brazil, India, China, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, South Korea, Indonesia who will be there as well.

It is a very, very full agenda. As you know, there are issues of development and disease, poverty alleviation, issues related to the global economy, protectionism, the Doha Round, investment liberalization, oil prices. There are issues relating to food security and food prices. There are issues relating to climate change. There's a series of political and security issues relating to counterterrorism and nonproliferation, as well as regional challenges with respect to Zimbabwe, North Korea, Burma, Sudan, Middle East, Iran, and a host of other issues facing these leaders.

As I said, the President is looking forward to the discussion. As he indicated, there are a number of overarching themes that we will seek to underline. The first is accountability and keeping our promises. The second is continuing our efforts to alleviate disease and poverty through the new health initiatives on health care workers and neglected tropical diseases, as well as sending a very strong message on confronting protectionism, especially through the Doha Round. And he will underscore his commitment to push toward a prompt conclusion of a balanced outcome in the Doha Round this year, recognizing that it requires contributions not only from the G8 countries, but also from the major emerging economies.

I will stop there, and turn it over to Dennis, who can give you a briefing on the events when we land and the bilateral with Prime Minister Fukuda.

MR. WILDER: Thanks. This is the President's fourth visit to Japan as President of the United States. Of course it's the first time he will go to Hokkaido, the northern -- largest northern island in Japan. Very much looking forward to, on the first day, having a bilateral set of meetings with the Japanese leader, Prime Minister Fukuda. After he lands, he will go into a meeting with Prime Minister Fukuda and his senior staff for about an hour. Following that, they will have a press availability, and then after that will be a dinner, a private dinner. In this case, it will be a very small dinner with the Bushes, Mr. and Mrs. Fukuda, and the Ambassador of the United States to Japan, Tom Schieffer, and the Japanese Ambassador to the United States.

In terms of the agenda of this meeting, as you probably saw, the President talked to Japanese reporters earlier this week and made clear that Japan is the cornerstone of American foreign policy in East Asia. Many ways you can argue that this period of the Bush presidency has been a golden age in U.S.-Japanese relations; it's one in which we have become stronger partners in the region and in the world. We are, of course, working on a very ambitious program of realignment of our military forces in Japan. They'll discuss that. The Japanese are helping to move 8,000 Marines to Guam, and their dependents, and we are realigning our base structure in Japan to move some of our bases out of urban areas and to consolidate bases for a better relationship with the Japanese people.

In addition, later this year, the United States will for the first time deploy a nuclear carrier to Japan. The Kitty Hawk is being retired, and we will be for the first time basing a nuclear carrier there, which we're very grateful to the Japanese people for all the support they give to forward-deployed American forces in this area of the world.

Other issues that the two leaders will discuss -- obviously the six-party talks, and the next steps in the six-party talks, will be an important part of the agenda. We are hoping that we will have the heads of delegation meeting of the six-party talks next week in Beijing. Chris Hill is going out to Beijing to begin those consultations early next week, and then we hope as soon as possible to be able to hold the heads of delegation meeting there.

Q Next week meaning the same week as the G8?

MR. WILDER: The heads of delegation may be either next week or the week thereafter, at the end of the week.

Q Do you have rough dates?

MR. WILDER: We don't have dates yet. We're still working with the six parties to settle the exact dates, but we're coming close.

Q Well, when you say "next week" -- I'm sorry, because it's Saturday, are you referring to --

    Q Are you on Japanese time?

    Q -- this upcoming --

MR. WILDER: I'm saying the end of next week is probably the earliest they can occur.

Q So it would be around the 11th?

MR. WILDER: The 11th, 11th or 12th, right. So we're talking about having heads of delegations meet probably at the end of next week or early the next week.

Q That's for the next steps on North Korea.

MR. WILDER: Right. There are several things, obviously, that the heads of delegation will be working on. One is the verification mechanism, how we will do verification of the declaration that the North submitted. They'll also be working on completing the steps in second phase. For example, we still have de-fueling of the nuclear reactor that needs to occur. And so while about half of the rods have been taken out of the reactor, we need to have the rest of the rods removed and placed in the spent fuel pond. So there are many issues related to that that need to be worked out.

And then, of course, a discussion of the next phase, moving from disablement to dismantlement, and dealing with the questions of ultimate disposition of the nuclear materials in North Korea.

So we're at a very pivotal point in the six-party process, and the President and the Prime Minister of Japan will want to compare notes and make sure we are working on the same page as we move forward.

In addition, they'll want to discuss assistance in Africa. Japanese have a very ambitious program for assistance in Africa. And as you know, the President is very eager to see not only the United States, but many other nations help with poverty alleviation, health and other issues in Africa.

I think I'll stop there, and let you ask any questions you might have.

Q What's Japan's role in Iraq these days? Would you expect that to be changed in any way?

MR. WILDER: Japanese today have a logistics unit stationed in Kuwait that operates C-130 flights into Iraq. We're very happy for the support they provide the Iraqis in that way. They also, of course, provide substantial financial assistance to Iraq for development and construction of the infrastructure in Iraq. They also, with Afghanistan, provide the refueling operation for Operation Enduring Freedom, and that is a major contribution as well to the war on terror.

Q The Japanese leader has made movement on climate change the key issue for him. So what is the President likely to give him?

MR. WILDER: Where is Dan?

MS. PERINO: I can answer for you. He had to go. It's not any different from what Dan said earlier this week, what the President said on Wednesday and Thursday in his interviews -- I guess Wednesday were the Japanese interviews -- which is that -- a couple of things. One, if you go back to 2007 and the G8 -- and you know these G8s build on one another -- in May 2007, President Bush said, let's start the major economies meeting process, so that we can have a workable setup, where all the major economies are at the table, so that that can feed into the U.N. process. He said that last May, right before the G8 in Heiligendamm. That was welcomed there. Then we had the MEM meeting there in September. There's been many others around the world. In fact, I think most recently there was, just like last month, one in South Korea.

So a lot of this is culminating towards getting an agreement that we can move forward on at the G8 and the MEM -- remember, there's a G8 meeting on climate on Monday or the Tuesday -- Tuesday, and then the next day is the Major Economies Meeting. So that will be Wednesday.

One key point on the Major Economies Meeting, which I think that everybody in the G8 recognizes and supports, is that we have been able to lead an effort where all the major economies are still at the table, and they're speaking with one voice, in terms of we need to work together to solve a problem. It is our shared responsibility and our shared solution that will help get us there.

When it comes to specifics about how each country is going to do that, that's a little bit harder. And people are working on that in their own respective capitals. We're working on it in ours. Just look at the debate over the past several years, but most recently right there in the Senate, in June. And other countries are starting to grapple with it, including countries like India and China, and India last week putting forward legislation.

So we are very pleased that this past year we've been able to keep everyone together, cement that process, keep that glued together. I think it's fed well into the G8 process, and we are hopeful we'll be able to accomplish what Prime Minister Fukuda has set out.

Q But you would be able to accomplish that if the United States got on board with what the Japanese want, which is similar to what Merkel wanted last year.

MS. PERINO: There's a lot of inputs that go into this. And the President of the United States is not only thinking of his constituents, but of how do you make this actually work in a way that is practicable. And so we will continue to talk about it, we'll represent our interests, and we will continue to make sure that India and China and other developing nations are at the table, because one thing that we have realized -- that we have been able to get people to realize over those past years, that if you don't have them, you're not going to solve the problem anyway, because it's a global problem of global emissions. So we'll have to see how it goes.

Q Two questions for Dennis. One on the Japanese Prime Minister. He's obviously been very weak politically at home, with low approval ratings. Do you know what he's looking for from the President tomorrow, to try to help him out?

MR. WILDER: I think it's quite clear that the Japanese are eager to have the United States continue to play the very positive role we've played on the abductee issue. Japanese public has very strong feelings about getting positive progress on that. The President has said we're not going to forget that issue, that it's going to be part of the six-party process. I think the Japanese Prime Minister will, of course, want to hear the President repeat those assurances, that the United States is very committed to seeing progress on this issue. So I think that will be a key issue for the Prime Minister, but also for the Japanese people.

Other issues, I would guess, that the Japanese Prime Minister is going to be eager to discuss -- how we move forward on climate issues in the -- both the G8 and the Major Economies Meeting; I think they'll want to compare notes on U.S.-Japan global policy in a lot of different areas of the world -- Iran, Burma, I've already mentioned North Korea.

    MS. PERINO: Africa.

    MR. WILDER: Africa, of course.

Q Okay, and then one question on China, if I may. The President met, or I think gave an award a week or two ago to two Chinese lawyers who were then detained last week by the Chinese authorities. Can you, one, tell us anything about the meeting the President had with those, and whether the President or anyone in his administration has contacted the Chinese about their fate?

MR. WILDER: Just to be clear, the President met with Chinese awardees who were given an award by the National Endowment of Democracy. Every year when the National Endowment for Democracy gives these awards, the President has met with the awardees. So he met in the Roosevelt Room with several of the awardees, some of whom also were there receiving awards for people in China who were not able to be there, because they're imprisoned.

We were disturbed to see that the Chinese refused to allow some of those awardees to come to a meeting with Congressman Wolf in Beijing. And we did make representations. Our ambassador in Beijing made representations to the Chinese side that we thought this was an unnecessary detention of these individuals. They did not actually arrest them, they simply detained them so that they could not come to the meeting with Congressman Wolf. The Chinese claim was the appropriate procedures hadn't been taken. We find that a rather thin argument. The President will push President Hu at their meeting, their bilateral meeting, to continue to open up China, to continue to make it a freer place, to continue to open to freedom of religion, freedom of press. And of course he'll want to hear what happened during the meetings in Beijing with the representatives of the Dalai Lama.

Q So those lawyers are not in jail or anything, or house arrest, anymore?

MR. WILDER: My understanding is they are not. And I believe that's what we know to be the case.

Q Can I ask you a question on -- if Africa is part of the outreach in this session, what level does Zimbabwe and the problems there factor into these discussions? Are there going to be any discussions specifically on dealing with Mugabe?

MR. WILDER: Yes, I believe it will be part of the G8 statement. It will be a part of the G8 discussion. I think that the G8 will strongly condemn what Mugabe has done, and will strongly question the legitimacy of his government and his governing of Zimbabwe.

Q Any specific actions being discussed by the members?

MS. PERINO: I think we'll have to wait and see how the meeting goes. I know we've got it on the agenda, of something to talk about, but we'll keep you updated if there's more on that.

Q Is the President going to -- he's meeting tomorrow, I guess, with the African -- is he going to make any requests of them on Zimbabwe?

MS. PERINO: I'm sure he'll continue to ask them to speak out and speak, as some of them have done, very strongly. But let's let that meeting take place, and we'll update you after it happens.

Q What do you expect from the G8 statements on food and oil prices?

MS. PERINO: Since Dan had to go, I think we can -- I'm going to refer you to his extensive briefing from Tuesday and Wednesday, because not a lot of it has changed. And we'll see if we can get you more, but he had to go back up to the front.

Q Dana, the bottom line is, we are not going to see any long-term goal declared either by the G8 or by the Major Economies Meetings?

MS. PERINO: I didn't say that. I think we're going to have to see what we're able to achieve. I'm not going to foreshadow it here. It's always a tricky thing that the press tries to get us to do, as we're going into a meeting that hasn't even started yet. So let us see how it goes, and then we'll keep you updated along the way. I have Jim Connaughton who is on board as well. If he has more on the flight, we could bring him back, or we'll just keep you updated while the meetings are ongoing. I'll have him and Dan, and be able to get information out of those meetings as quickly as possible and feed it back to you.

Q Has the President met with the current Prime Minister before, the Japanese -- is this his first meeting or second meeting?

MR. WILDER: No, he came to Washington. He had a meeting in Washington with Prime Minister Fukuda. And of course they spoke last week on the phone.

    Q When was that? I remember it, but what month was that?

    MR. WILDER: March, I believe.

    Q Quick social question. What's he doing for his birthday?

MS. PERINO: I don't know yet. I've got to ask him. You know, he had a big birthday party last night, with friends and family, as he always does on the 4th of July. And he had a wonderful chocolate and vanilla cake with vanilla ice cream. So I don't know what more he'll do tomorrow.

MR. WILDER: We hear rumors that the Japanese are going to surprise him with something. We don't quite know what it is.

Q Rumors or fact?

MR. WILDER: I don't work for the Japanese side, so I guess I have to say rumors.

    Q Do you know anything?

    MS. PERINO: No, I don't, I really don't.

    Q Are they premature, or are they -- (laughter.)

Q I have another question, on Iran. What is the U.S. response to Iran saying -- Iran's --

MS. PERINO: We're going to have to consult with our allies about what Iran's response means. We haven't had a chance to fully do that yet, so those -- our representatives are talking with the rest of the P-5, the P-5-plus-one, in this regard, which also equals six, which is very confusing to me sometimes. But we'll just have to see how that is received by others before we make a formal response, because that's how we've been able to keep this process working, is making sure that everybody is coordinated and had a chance to talk to one another before talking about it in the press -- with the press.

Source: White House Press Office

Farmers Insurance Claims Teams Helping Customers in or Near the Goleta, California Wildfires Jul 5, 2008 05:15PM

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies(R) asks its customers suffering damage or ordered to evacuate because of the widespread wildfires, to immediately contact Farmers' 24 hour claims hotline at:

1-800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.

"The Farmers Mobile Claims Center Bus (MCC) located at:

San Marcos High School
4750 Hollister Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

MCC is situated at the corner of Turnpike and Hollister," noted Bill Matlock, Executive Director of Farmers Los Angeles State Office.

"We are watching the fires very closely and in addition, our claims teams are located throughout the Santa Barbara County area to assist our customers with any of their claims needs," he added.

The Farmers Mobile Catastrophe Claims Center Bus (MCC) is a rolling customer support center equipped with top-of-the-line technology for immediate claims handling and outfitted with comforts of home such as a grill for on-the-spot meals. Farmers customers can stop by the MCC anytime. Reporters are welcome to tour the bus as well.

Farmers is the second largest homeowners' insurer in California.

NOTE to MEDIA: For a tour of the MCC or interviews, please contact Jerry Davies at 213-400-4459.

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.

Source: Farmers Insurance Group