Allstate Advises Its Policyholders How to File Claims in the Wake of Hurricane Gustav

The Allstate Corporation Rich Halberg (847) 402-5600 Allstate (NYSE: ALL) today advised policyholders whose homes and cars have been damaged by Hurricane Gustav that claims can be filed by calling 1-800-54-STORM or visiting Allstate.com. In addition Allstate has dispatched Mobile Response Units (MRU) - specially equipped, self-contained motorhomes to help Allstate policyholders start the claims process from the field.

These units have been dispatched from their pre-positioning locations in the Gulf Coast into the areas directly impacted by Hurricane Gustav. Allstate expects some of the MRUs to be set up, operational and ready to assist policyholders with claims in areas deemed safely accessible by civil authorities as early as Wednesday morning.

Allstate is running a series of advertisements in the affected areas on radio, television and in local newspapers to inform its policyholders of their options for filing claims. The company also is advising its policyholders to consider the following when returning to a home that may have been damaged by Hurricane Gustav:

-- First and foremost, be safe. If your home has sustained serious structural damage, be extremely careful inside your home. Debris may be hazardous and the structure could be unstable.

-- Make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Save the receipts for repairs as these expenses may be reimbursed as part of your homeowners policy. Call your Allstate agent if you have questions about your policy.

-- If your home is not habitable, find out what additional living expenses your insurance policy may provide.

-- Assist claims adjusters assigned to your claim by providing alternate contact numbers if necessary.

-- Prepare to file an insurance claim by gathering all relevant policy numbers.

-- Report possible claims to Allstate promptly. Be aware, if a widespread disaster has occurred, there may be damage to the local infrastructure causing telecommunications problems. Please continue your attempts to report your claim.

-- To speed your claim process, inventory your home for damaged or lost items before your adjuster arrives.

For additional disaster-related information, contact your local Allstate agent, visit our catastrophe information center at www.allstate.com/catastrophe/hurricane or visit our YouTube(TM) site at www.youtube.com/allstate. The sites contain useful information and tips on what to do before, during and after a catastrophe.

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 is reinventing protection and retirement to help individuals in approximately 17 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Customers can access Allstate products and services such as auto insurance and homeowners insurance through approximately 14,700 exclusive Allstate agencies and financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, 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. Customers can also access information about Allstate Financial Group products and services at myallstatefinancial.com.

Great MPG With Those Fries

A travel trailer can be a very affordable means of travel to see the United States. Utilizing a fifth wheel can also enable you an enjoyable way of travel.

When New York resident Walter Little takes his family out fifth-wheeling, he sticks a little extra fuel in the cab of his truck: A couple of 35 gallon drums of vegatable oil. Little fires his Ford F250 with bio-diesel--and a fillup doesn’t mean a stop at the nearest fuel station, it means running a hose from barrel to tank.

Walt doesn’t just let bio-diesel affect his vacations--he builds, sells, and installs bio-diesel retrofit kits so other folks can run their rigs on this environmentally friendly fuel. How much does he pay for his fillups? So far he’s never had to pay a nickle for the Ford’s fillups--friendly restaurateurs are happy to have him haul off their old fryer oil for free.

What’ll it cost to convert your RV to run on french fry oil? Well, you can’t do it on a shoestring--Little charges between three and five thousand dollars. But if you can get your fuel for free, it may pay off in the long haul. Visit Little’s website for more information, or check out a story from The Journal News.

Take a Spin in the newest Luxury Motor Home

Monaco Motor Homes has recently unveiled their newest entry into the luxury motorhome division, the La Palma.

You can test drive the new Monaco Motor Homes at any number of dealers around the United States. You'll be sure to be impressed with these new luxury motorhomes.

Here is a detailed listing of standard and optional featres on the new La Palma:

Body Construction
Laminated Sidewall Construction
Steel Cage Cockpit Construction
Smooth Gel Coat Fiberglass Exterior Walls
Front and Rear Molded Fiberglass Caps
Front-Mounted Mirrors with Power Control Heads and Heat
One-Piece Generator Access Door
Rear Engine Doors
Fiberglass Engine Cover
Panaview™ 1-Piece Front Windshield
84” Interior Height
Side-Hinged Baggage Doors
Metal-Hinged Fuel Door with Lock
Pass-Through Storage Bays under Slide-Outs
One-Piece Polyethylene Storage Compartment
Deluxe Full-Body Paint
Rear Ladder
Carpeted Electric Flush-Floor Stepwell Cover
Interior Rubber Entry Step with Stepwell Storage Bucket
Exterior Single Entry Step
Undercoating

Options
Film Front Protection Mask
New Chrome Exterior Mirror; 17.5” Chrome Head Exterior Mirror with Power Control Heads and Heat (Required Option with 3-Camera Rear Vision System)
Standard Run Savings Package: Film Front Protection Mask, 3-Camera Rear Vision System, Home Theater System, Chrome Front-Mounted Mirrors with Power Control Heads and Heat, Six-Way Power Co-Pilot Seat, Central Vacuum System, 600-Watt Inverter, Manual Front Door Awning, 12V Heater in Wet Bay, RV Sani-Con 2 System


Chassis/Engine/Suspension
Roadmaster RSR Rail Chassis
Cummins® ISB-AD 340 HP Low-Torque Engine with Allison® 2100 MH 6-Speed World Transmission
Pushbutton Shift Pad
Torque: 660 lbs./ft. Max. Net at 1,600 RPM
75-Gallon Fuel Tank
156 Amp Alternator
Stainless Steel Wheel Simulators
Leaf Spring Suspension
Four Gas Shock Absorbers
Performance Suspension Package
Hydraulic Anti-Lock Braking System
Exhaust Brake VG Turbo with Engine
Prewire for Supplemental Braking System
Air Cleaner Restriction Indicator
Fully Automatic Hydraulic Leveling System
5,000 Lb. Hitch Receiver with Dual Connector 4-Pin or 7-Pin


Cockpit
Fiberglass Automotive Dash with Silver Graphite Instrumentation Panel
In-Dash AM/FM/CD Stereo Radio with Sirius-Ready Compatibility, iPod Control, Aux-in-Conn, SD Card Slot and Weather Band
Power Sunvisors
Rear Vision System with Audio and Adjustable Camera
Molded Pilot Side Console with Two-Tier Cup Holder and Control Pad for Transmission Shifter
Molded Co-Pilot Side Console with Two-Tier Cup Holder
Leatherette Pilot and Co-Pilot Cockpit Recliner Seats
Six-Way Power Pilot Seat
Carpeted Driver and Passenger Floor Mats

Options
Six-Way Power Co-Pilot Seat
Sirius Radio Tuner with Satellite System
3-Camera Rear Vision System with Audio and Adjustable Center Camera (Requires Selection of Chrome Mirrors)
Interior Solar Privacy Sunscreens
GPS Navigation System


Interior
Raised Panel Cabinet Doors
Black ABS Refrigerator Insert
Heavy-Duty Ball Bearing Drawer Guides
Wood Cabinet Drawer Boxes
Solid Surface Kitchen Countertop, Edge Treatment and Backsplash
Kitchen Countertop Extension with Two Drawers Below, 110V Outlet and Two Deep Drawers (N/A: 36SFD)
Kitchen Countertop End Splash near Sink (N/A: 36SFD)
Kitchen Countertop End Splash near Cooktop (36SFD)
Laminated Bath Lavatory Countertop, Solid Surface Edge Treatment, Stainless Steel Lavatory Bowl with Solid Surface Backsplash
Laminated Countertops with Solid Surface Edge Treatment
Kitchen Pantry next to Refrigerator with Full-Height Hardwood Roll-Out Storage (N/A with Four-Door Refrigerator Option) (N/A: 36SBD)
Kitchen Pantry next to Refrigerator with Full-Height Wire Roll-Out Storage (N/A with Four-Door Refrigerator Option) (36SBD)
Linoleum Flooring: Kitchen, Bath, Entry
Soft Touch Padded Vinyl Ceiling
Wood Grain Crown Molding in Bedroom and Living Area
New Wood Slide-Out Fascia with Wood Inserts
New Satin Nickel Cabinetry Hardware and Bath Accessories
Hardwood Framed Pocket Doors with Flat Panel Insert, Slide-Bolt Door Latch (N/A: 34SDD, 36SFD)
Blackout Day/Night Pleated Shades in Living Area and Bedroom

Options
New Decors: Urban Loft II, New Autumn Trail III and Vintage Gold
Wood Choice: Newport Cherry II, Champagne Select


Furniture
Queen Bed with Nightstands
Party Table behind Co-Pilot Seat (34PDD)
Arched Back Wood Booth Dinette with Side-Sliding Dinette Tabletop (N/A: 36SFD)
Freestanding Dinette with Two Freestanding Chairs and Two Folding Chairs (36SFD)
Roadside: Fabric Easy Bed Sofa
Curbside: Fabric Easy Bed Sofa (34SBD, 36SBD)
Curbside: Fabric Love Seat Sofa (36 SFD)
Curbside: Leatherette Swivel-Rocker Barrel Chair (34PDD)

Options
Roadside: New Style Fabric Hide-A-Bed Sofa with Air Mattress
Roadside: New Style Leatherette Hide-A-Bed Sofa with Air Mattress
Leatherette Euro-Recliner with Ottoman (34PDD)
Roadside: Leatherette Ensemble Booth Dinette Includes Leatherette Hide-A-Bed Sofa with Air Mattress (N/A: 36SFD)
Curbside: Leatherette Easy Bed Sofa (34SBD, 36SBD)
Curbside: Leatherette Love Seat Sofa (36SFD)
Curbside: One Leatherette Euro-Recliner with Ottoman, Wall-Mounted Table (N/A: 34PDD, 34SDD)
Freestanding Dinette with Two Freestanding Chairs and Two Folding Chairs (N/A: 36SFD)


Electrical System and lights
50 Amp 120V Distribution Panel and Cord
55 Amp Electronic 12V Power Converter
Onan® 6.0 kW Diesel Generator
Two 6V House Batteries
Two 12V Heavy-Duty Chassis Batteries
Battery Disconnect Switch at Front Door
Exterior Power Entry Step with Light
Interior Stepwell Entry Step Lights
Water Pump Switch in Service Bay Area and Convenience Center
Lights in Outside Storage Compartments
Underhood Utility Light
Two Recessed Ceiling Map Lights above Cockpit Seats
Hallway/Kitchen Convenience Center
New Decorative Lighting Fixtures

Options
600 Watt Inverter
50 Amp Energy Management System


Plumbing and LP Systems
Kitchen Stainless Steel Under-Mounted Sink with Single Lever Satin Nickel Faucet with Pullout Sprayer
Central Water Filtration System
Stainless Steel Bath Lavatory Bowl
Bath Lavatory Faucet Satin Nickel Finish
Demand Water System and Water Pump
10-Gallon LP Gas/Electric Water Heater with Electronic Ignition, DSI
Winterization Valving System
Water Heater Bypass Valve
China Toilet with Sprayer
Holding Tank Rinsing System
Insulated Systems Compartment with Easy Access to Hook-Up
Shower inside Wet Bay with Hot/Cold Water, Shower Head with Shut-Off
Pressurized Water Fill
Contained Storage Area for Sewer Hose
One-Piece Fiberglass Shower
Radius Satin Nickel Shower Door Frame with Obscured Glass (N/A: 34SBD)
Tri-Slide Shower Door with Rectangular Shower (34SBD)

Options
RV Sani-Con 2 System — Holding Tank Flush System with Hanging Bracket for Hose


Heating Vents and Air Conditioning
Dual 13.5M BTU Air Conditioners
Electronic Ignition Furnace 35M BTU
New Electronic Dash AC/Heat Climate Control System
Kitchen Powered Attic Fan with Wall Control of Automatic Dome and Fan Power
Bath Powered Attic Fan with Wall Control of Automatic Dome and Fan Power

Options
Dual 15M BTU Air Conditioner with Heat Pumps
12V Heater in Wet Bay


Windows Doors and Awnings
Radius Flush-Mounted Dual Pane Safety Glass Dark Tinted Slider Windows
Front Entry Door with Clear Glass, Removable Screen and Anti-Skid Steps
Patio Awning with Metal Cover
Topper Slide-Out Awnings Living Area and Bedroom
Tinted Skylight in Bathroom with Protecta Glaze

Options
Eclipse Automatic Patio Awning with Metal Covers
Front Door Awning with Metal Cover
Window Awnings Living Area Slide-Out House Windows (N/A with Kitchen Windows)


Safety
Fire Extinguisher
Deadbolt Lock on Entrance Door
120V GFI Protected Circuit, Kitchen, Bath and Exterior
LP Gas Detector
Smoke Detector
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Pilot and Co-Pilot Three-Point Seatbelts
Third Brake Safety Light

Lightweight Travel Trailers for the New Year

The trend this year is towards slimmer more streamlined models when it come to travel trailers and Fleetwood certainly steps up to the plate with the roll out of their all new 2009 Backpack and Compass Ultralite Travel Trailers. These ultra-light weight units are perfect for families on a budget and with today’s economy are easy on the pocket when it comes to pulling them. There are several options and extras to choose that will make these units a must have for any avid camper. Come check out what your local Indiana RV dealer has to offer at Lee’s Country RV in Batesville or Muncie Indiana.

Fifth Wheels: Built for the Modern Explorer.

Fifth Wheels, although not self contained like many other RV’s only needs a half ton truck to tow. The convenience of having a large slide-out that expands to deliver sizeable interior space will give anyone the room needed for family and friends. You can very easily take a trip to the most remote places and always have the conveniences of home right at your finger tips. To experience what a vehicle can do for you, visit your local Indiana RV dealer, Lee’s Country RV in Batesville or Muncie Indiana.

Monaco Motor Homes

Almost anywhere you may go in the US today, you can see the latest Monaco Motorhomes. The all new Monaco LaPalma 36DBD has been equipped with Monaco’s first floor plan that has a bathroom-and-a-half floor plan. This model has been engineered to sit on a workhorse chassis with extras included in the floor plan such as a full rear bath with shower, sink, and toilet as well as a mid-coach half-bath with sink and toilet. Come see all the latest Monaco Motorhomes and what this magnificent beast, the Monaco LaPalma 36DBD has to offer at one of the tri-state exclusive RV dealers Lee’s Country RV in Batesville or Muncie Indiana.

FEMA seeks immunity from suits over trailer fumes

Published: July 24, 2008 01:44 pm
Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS — The Federal Emergency Management Agency asked a federal judge Wednesday for immunity from lawsuits over potentially dangerous fumes in government-issued trailers that have housed tens of thousands of Gulf Coast hurricane victims.

Lawyers for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita accuse FEMA of negligence for sheltering them in trailers with elevated levels of formaldehyde, a preservative used in construction materials that can cause health problems.

A government attorney told U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt that the FEMA’s decisions in responding to a disaster, including its use of travel trailers after Katrina, are legally protected from “judicial second-guessing.”

“It is what the legislative branch is supposed to second guess, and they are doing that,” Department of Justice attorney Henry Miller said, referring to a series of congressional hearings on formaldehyde concerns.

Plaintiffs attorney Gerald Meunier said FEMA can be held liable for providing hurricane victims with trailers that didn’t meet federal safety standards and weren’t designed to be long-term housing.

“Some of these people are still living in these trailers almost three years later,” Meunier said.

Engelhardt took FEMA’s request for immunity under advisement and didn’t indicate how soon he will rule.

The judge is presiding over several consolidated cases filed against the federal government and the companies that supplied FEMA with tens of thousands of trailers after Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, and Rita struck about a month later.

FEMA spent more than $2.5 billion to purchase more than 140,000 new trailers from recreational vehicle dealers and trailer manufacturers after the storms.

The lawsuits accuse trailer makers of providing FEMA with shoddily built units in a rush to meet the agency’s unprecedented demand for emergency housing. Plaintiffs lawyers also claim FEMA ignored concerns about formaldehyde levels in trailers for months after Katrina.

“At what point do you say, ‘We know there’s a crisis here, but there is a minimal standard where people have got to be protected against danger,’” Meunier said.

Earlier this year, federal officials announced that tests on hundreds of occupied FEMA trailers and mobile homes detected formaldehyde levels that were, on average, about five times higher than what people are exposed to in most modern homes.

Miller said FEMA fielded its first formaldehyde complaint from a trailer occupant in March 2006 and only had seven or eight complaints by June 2006.

“What was the alternative (to using trailers)?” Miller asked. “To move them to Baton Rouge, to move them to Arkansas, to move them to Texas?”

Lawyers for the plaintiffs want the cases certified as a class action on behalf of tens of thousands of current and former trailer occupants in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Engelhardt hasn’t ruled on that request yet.