Farmers FastQuote Launches in California; Receive Free Auto Insurance Quotes Online With Farmers FastQuote

    LOS ANGELES--March 19, 2002--Shopping around for auto insurance can sometimes be frustrating. With so many companies to chose from, it can be challenging to figure out the easiest way to obtain a quote in a simple, easy way. That's why Farmers decided to launch Farmers FastQuote. Beginning today, consumers in California will be able to go online and receive a free quote on their auto insurance via the Internet.
    Customers will be able to get a preliminary auto insurance quote through Farmers FastQuote by visiting www.farmers.com. Once there, they will go to the Quote My Policy section and answer a couple simple questions and within seconds they will have a free online quote. Customers can then opt to have an agent contact them or they can be directed to an agent in their area.
    "Farmers realizes the value of providing information quotes online and wanted to take advantage of the marketing opportunities afforded by the Internet," said Ron Coble, California state executive for Farmers. "Our goal is to make the comparison shopping process simpler for the customer and Farmers FastQuote certainly does that."
    Farmers FastQuote was first piloted in Colorado in August 2001. Approximately 200,000 customers have used Farmers FastQuote since its inception.
    Farmers Insurance Group of Companies includes the nation's third-largest group of home and auto insurers. Headquartered in Los Angeles and doing business in 41 states, the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies provides home, auto, business, life insurance and financial services to more than 10 million households through 17,000 exclusive and independent agents and district managers.