Esurance and American Forests Plant 5,000 Trees

Auto Insurance Company Helps Reforest Wildfire-Devastated Areas in California


SAN FRANCISCO, July 15  /PRNewswire/ -- Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company, announced its most recent environmental initiative. This month, Esurance will plant 5,000 trees in areas of California devastated by wildfires through American Forests' California Wildlife ReLeaf program. American Forests was the recipient of a $5,000 Earth Day Grant awarded by Esurance.

Esurance's annual Earth Day grant program asks customers to nominate their favorite environmental organizations. American Forests, whose work includes reforestation and environmental education in pursuit of healthy forest ecosystems, was chosen as the 2009 Earth Day Grant recipient.

"Esurance is proud to have customers who are so actively engaged in making the world a better, greener place," stated Joann Lee, Esurance's Community Relations Manager. "As an auto insurance company dedicated to saving some green, we couldn't be happier to support American Forests in their efforts to restore essential natural resources in our national park system."

American Forests' California Wildfire ReLeaf program began in 1999 in response to the large areas of California land devastated by wildfires. This initiative has nearly reached its goal to plant one million trees in California's national parks and forests, including the Angeles, San Bernadino, and Sequoia National Forests.

Deborah Gangloff, Executive Director of American Forests, commented, "It is only through the contributions of our members, the public, and businesses like Esurance that we can fund the planting of trees to reforest wildfire-devastated lands. We commend Esurance and their customers for continuing to show their commitment to a healthy planet and healthy communities, even in these tough economic times."

For more details about the Esurance Earth Day grant and other environmental info, please visit:

http://www.esurance.com/Welcome/home/home/green_policyholders.aspx

For more details about American Forests' California Wildfire ReLeaf program, please visit: http://www.americanforests.org/planttrees/af_info.php?campaign=cawildfire

About Esurance

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM), provides personal car insurance direct to consumers online and through select online agents. Because of Esurance's virtually paperless online customer experience, Esurance car insurance customers have saved thousands of trees since the company's inception. As of the end of the first quarter 2009, Esurance has also helped plant and maintain over 76,000 trees by supporting a variety of urban reforestation programs. Esurance is also committed to safeguarding the environment through its own operational practices, including a fleet of hybrid claims vehicles and investment in renewable energy sources to offset the electricity used in each of its permanent office locations.

Over the years, Esurance's environmental initiatives have earned the company numerous awards and recognition. In 2008, Esurance was inducted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Leadership Club for its significant purchase of renewable energy credits. For more information about Esurance's green initiatives, visit: http://www.esurance.com/environment

About American Forests

American Forests' mission is to grow a healthier world with trees by working with communities on local efforts that restore and maintain forest ecosystems. Our work encompasses planting trees, calculating the value of urban forests, fostering environmental education, and improving public policy for trees at the national level. We have a goal of 100 million trees planted by 2020.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  The words "will," "believe," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to White Mountains':

  *changes in adjusted book value per share or return on equity;
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*incurred losses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and related reinsurance;

*projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts;

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*the risks associated with Item 1A of White Mountains' 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K;

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*business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued;

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*an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting its financial position;

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DATASOURCE: Esurance



CONTACT:  Susan MacTavish Best of Best Public Relations, [phone],

, for Esurance



Web Site:  http://www.esurance.com/ 

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