Allstate Insurance Company has become the latest insurer to announce moves designed to have a positive environmental effect.

The Northbrook, Ill.-based company said it was launching Allstate Green to help offset auto emissions by funding reforestation and clean energy projects in the United States.

Their action follows last week's Fireman's Fund announcement that it has in place a “green upgrade” for its Prestige Premier policyholders allowing them to rebuild homes damaged by California wildfires using environmental safety and efficiency standards and landscape with native vegetation.

Earlier this year Swiss Re said its campaign against global warming will include subsidies to employees who purchase hybrid vehicles or spend for other energy saving items.

In September Travelers said it has established a climate change committee and has promoted energy-efficient offices and joined other groups to better understand the ramifications of climate change.

Key elements of the Allstate Green test program include:

o Participants reduce paper statements with the Allstate Easy Pay Plan, an electronic payment system that automatically deducts premiums from a checking account.

o With each enrollment, Allstate will donate $30 to Carbonfund.org, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to promote reforestation and renewable wind energy programs in the United States. This donation, the insurer said, will help offset a typical vehicle's emissions for one year–at no cost to customers.

o Customers will save up to 2 percent on premiums by enrolling in the Allstate Easy Pay Plan.

Allstate said the test program is available now in Colorado and Ohio, and if successful will be rolled out nationally next year.

Tom Wilson, Allstate president and chief executive officer, said in a statement that “Allstate Green enables customers to improve the environment–and save money–through contributions to domestic programs that offset greenhouse gas emissions and generate renewable electric energy. We expect Allstate Green to be as successful as Your Choice Auto and other new products launched last year.”

The company said it will immediately begin to offset annual energy usage of its corporate headquarters and business miles traveled by employee-owned and company vehicles through contributions to reforestation and wind energy projects.

According to Allstate, the result of these actions means the company's operations will contribute significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions. To further support future actions concerning the company's commitment to sustainable performance, Allstate said it intends to:

o Commit at least $200 million in environmentally beneficial investments over the next three years. The company said it recently helped launch a solar power project in Nevada and has invested in wind-, hydro- and geothermal energy projects.

o Offer insurance agency owners the opportunity to offset the carbon footprint of their offices. By choosing to be a “green” agency, they will receive signage identifying their office as green and regular updates about ways to further reduce energy usage and impact on the environment.

“Our research told us consumers are looking for new ways to help the environment–they already recycle, and they want to do more,” said George Ruebenson, president of Allstate Protection.

Allstate said if the 20 million autos insured by the company were enrolled in Allstate Green, it would have the environmental impact of every registered driver in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston garaging their cars for a year.

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Allstate Announces Eco-Friendly Moves

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