STATE FARM INSURANCE IS FIRST FROM ITS INDUSTRY TO HELP STEER HOME FIRE SPRINKLER COALITION’S EFFORT TO INCREASE SAFETY IN HOMES

October 21, 2005, Quincy, MA – The nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) has announced that State Farm Insurance is the first representative of the insurance industry to join HFSC’s Steering Committee.

“From the Coalition’s earliest days our strategic planning process identified the home insurance industry as an important partner for HFSC’s work,” explained Coalition Chair Gary Keith. “By stepping forward in strong and visible support of improving residential fire safety, State Farm has made a pioneering move that will help HFSC achieve our public safety mission.”

More than 4,000 people die from fire in the U.S. on average each year. Eight out of 10 fire deaths occur in residential properties. Although residences have by far the highest fire risk, sprinkler installations in homes lag far behind other occupancies, such as hotels, hospitals and high-rise offices. HFSC’s mission is to increase awareness of the availability and the life-saving value of fire sprinkler systems in new homes.

Key to increasing the availability of sprinklered homes are powerful financial incentives, such as discounts on homeowner’s insurance policies. State Farm offers its customers with sprinklered homes in the U.S. and Canada a discount off the premium that ranges from 5-10%.

“This is a valuable partnership to help save lives and protect property. It just fits with our Good Neighbor beliefs,” says Stephanie Colegrove, State Farm’s Property & Casualty, vice President – Operations. “It is appropriate for State Farm, the largest home insurer in the United States, to take a leadership role in homeowner safety and property protection.” The Bloomington, IL company insures one out of five homes in the U.S.

To learn more about home fire sprinkler systems, visit HFSC’s Web site: www.homefiresprinkler.org.

THE HOME FIRE SPRINKLER COALITION

The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition’s (HFSC) mission is to provide accurate information to the public about the life-saving value of residential fire sprinkler protection, particularly in new construction of one- and two-family dwellings. Steering Committee Members include the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association (CASA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA), State Farm Insurance and U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), as well as 17 affiliate members.

The HFSC has developed educational material with details about residential home fire sprinkler systems, how they work, why they provide affordable protection and answers to common myths and misconceptions about their operation. These materials are available upon request by calling 1-888-635-7222 or at the HFSC web site: www.homefiresprinkler.org.

State Farm Insurance

State Farm® insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 71,000 employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada. State Farm also offers financial services products through State Farm Bank® . State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 18 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca.