GEICO's $10,000 Contribution Will Assist Cedar Fire Residents

POWAY, Calif., Nov. 19, 2003 -- GEICO turned over a check for $10,000 today to the Poway Fire Relief Fund in order to provide for the immediate needs of Poway residents affected by the Cedar Fire wildfires.

"Some of our own associates," said Nancy Pierce, GEICO's regional vice president, "lost their homes and we know how devastating this has been for everyone in the community. We want to do as much as we can to help people return to their homes and begin again."

GEICO associates around the country donated thousands of dollars of their own money and collected personal items for their colleagues who had lost their personal belongings while the fires raged. The company set up a temporary center at its Poway regional headquarters in order to help GEICO families with their child care arrangements throughout the ordeal.

The Poway Fire Relief Fund was organized by the Poway Rotary Club and the City of Poway to provide immediate relief for local wildfire victims. The Fund provides grants directly to individuals and families to assist them with their immediate needs. To date, the Fund has grown to nearly $80,000.

"More than 50 of our local families have lost everything in this devastating fire," Poway Mayor Mickey Cafagna said. "The City of Poway wanted to help start a victims' relief fund, and the Rotary Club of Poway offered to manage and administer it. In so many ways, our community of businesses, citizens and service organizations has answered the call to help those in need, and we are sincerely thankful."

Poway Rotary Club President Mark Wozmak said, "Our goal has been to provide immediate personal financial relief to victims of the firestorm in Poway. Incredible community support from GEICO and others has allowed us to put money in people's hands within days of the incident. We continue to meet with and provide support for the families, as their needs are identified. Support from the residents, city staff, business community and Rotarians has made this possible."

GEICO is the fifth largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 5.3 million policyholders and insures more than 8.6 million vehicles. GEICO uses television, radio, print media and direct mail to attract customers to call its 1-800-841-3000 number and to its www.geico.com Web site, and keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO offers sales and claim services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, go to www.geico.com.