Accelerate strategic vision to reinvent protection and retirement for consumers

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Oct 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Allstate Insurance Company announced it has promoted Joseph J.
Richardson Jr. to senior vice president, Protection Distribution.
Richardson reports to George Ruebenson, President of Allstate
Protection, and has also become a member of Allstate's
Senior Management Team.

In his new role, Richardson is responsible for Allstate's multi-access
distribution platform of exclusive agencies, independent agencies and
direct sales. Richardson will help drive Allstate's
strategic vision to reinvent protection and retirement through a focus
on delivering innovative products in ways that best reflect the needs of
the consumers.

"Joe's deep
experience across the enterprise and his strong performance co-leading
our field operations make him ideal to head Protection Distribution,"
said Thomas J. Wilson, chairman, president and CEO of The Allstate
Corporation. "We have great opportunities to
drive profitable growth through multiple touch points with the consumer,
and Joe will help to ensure that happens."

Richardson joined Allstate in 1977 and has held key leadership roles
within Allstate's Distribution, Claims and
Underwriting organizations. Most recently, he was vice president,
Eastern Market Operating Committee, where he co-led the entire field
operation across fourteen regions nationwide. He also held positions of
chief executive officer, Allstate Floridian, chairman, Allstate New
Jersey and he is currently a board member of the Allstate Bank and
Allstate's Political Action Committee.

"Joe brings a diverse set of skills to his
new role and is a proven leader at developing strategy and achieving
results," said George Ruebenson, President of
Allstate Protection. "Joe will certainly help
our organization maintain our commitment to operational excellence while
accelerating our consumer focus and innovation."

"I'm thrilled to
take this role and to help accelerate our strategy to reinvent
protection and retirement for consumers,"
said Richardson. "It is also gratifying to
have built a career at Allstate, which provides so many individuals
opportunities for long-term growth and professional challenges."

A Pennsylvania native, Richardson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from
Temple University He is an active contributor and volunteer in the
communities where he has worked and lived, including being a board
member and treasurer for the National Adoption Center in Philadelphia.

For additional information about Allstate Insurance Company, visit www.allstate.com.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's
largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're
In Good Hands With Allstate(R)"
slogan, Allstate helps individuals in approximately 17 million
households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow
through approximately 14,900 exclusive agencies and financial
representatives in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate
products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance
through Allstate agencies, or in select states at Allstate.com and 1-800
Allstate(R). Encompass(R)
and Deerbrook(R) Insurance
brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through
independent agents. The Allstate Financial Group provides life
insurance, supplemental accident and health insurance, annuity, banking
and retirement products designed for individual, institutional and
worksite customers that are distributed through Allstate agencies,
independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

SOURCE: The Allstate Corporation

The Allstate Corporation 
David Steck 
(847) 402-5600

Copyright Business Wire 2008