Farmers Insurance Offers Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9, 2009 -- Farmers Insurance Group of Companies® reminds holiday shoppers to be "safety-wise" during the heavy shopping time from now through New Year's Day.

"Shoppers will be busy this holiday season buying small and large gifts, and wrapping and transporting packages from store to store before taking them home," notes Mark Toohey, Farmers Senior Vice President and head of Media and Public Relations, North America. "Here are some very good safety tips from Farmers on how shoppers can protect their purchases and have a truly safe holiday season."

  --  Do not leave brightly wrapped packages in your car.
  --  Be very careful to use ATM's that are in well lit and protected areas.
  --  Do not go to an ATM outside late at night.
  --  Park in shopping centers that are well lit at night and ask if the
      store has escort service to your car.
  --  Place packages in your trunk, not on the back seat while away from
      your car.
  --  Protect your credit cards if used.  Do not lay your card down before
      purchasing items where it can be seen.
  --  Do not hold a wallet out filled with cash.
  --  Carry the keys to your car in your hand when walking in a parking lot
      and unlock your doors before you get to the car so you can get in
      quickly.

Farmers Insurance would also like to remind shoppers that once they get their gifts home, take a few minutes to go over tips that will help defer burglars from breaking in and taking packages.

  --  Do not put gifts under the tree in full view of a window, to deter
      burglars who could break in and steal gifts before the big day.
  --  Do not put empty boxes out on the street advertising what you bought
      as it is common for burglars to attack houses knowing they have new
      bikes, electronics, and other large items.
  --  Make sure someone's home to sign for packages so they won't be left
      outside the door.
  --  Parents also need to be aware that their kids may be vulnerable to
      theft at school if they go back to school with new phones and iPods. 
      These items in a backpack add up to many hundreds of dollars.

"Just following good safety practices will assure every family has a safe and happy holiday," Toohey added.

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.