Northbrook, Ill.-based Allstate Insurance Company announcedtoday that as of last Thursday they have implemented up to a 30-daydeferred payment period for customers located in counties directlyaffected by the wildfires in southern California.

The company said this means customers who qualify for deferredpayment and are unable to make their premium payments will not bepenalized with a loss of coverage during the deferment period.

If a qualifying customer continues to make payments, even ifit's not the minimum due, their payments will be credited towardthe outstanding premium amount, Allstate explained

The company added that if a qualifying customer has a renewalpolicy offer pending during this timeframe but is unable to make apayment; their policy will continue to be in effect. Additionally,installment fees will be waived during this timeframe.

Robert Barge III, field vice president for Allstate Insurance inCalifornia, said the action is "just one more way we're workingwith our customers to help them get on the road to recovery as soonas possible."

Allstate said customers who qualify for deferred payment and arecurrently enrolled in the Easy Pay Plan, Mortgagee Pay or PayrollDeduction programs will not automatically be placed on a deferredpayment schedule.

However, the insurer said if funds are scheduled for removalfrom a customer's account in the impacted areas and no funds areavailable, the qualifying customer will be removed from theprogram(s) and rolled over to the deferred payment schedule.

Counties currently impacted by this decision include SantaBarbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and SanDiego.

During the initial 30-day period and beyond, Allstate said itwill continue to work with officials in California to monitor thesituation and adjust the deferred payment program as warranted.

Companies within the Allstate family include: Allstate InsuranceCompany, Allstate Motor Club, Allstate Life Insurance Company,Allstate Workplace Division, Lincoln Benefit Life Company, SuretyLife Insurance Company, Encompass Insurance Company and DeerbrookInsurance Company.