The Allstate "Insurance Network" is up and running and on target to make auto, home, and renters insurance available to policyholders in all states by the end of 2001.

When Allstate announced its plans to begin selling its insurance policies on the Internet and over the phone in November 1999, it projected the rollout would be complete and on budget by the end of 2001. Allstate will continue to offer its policies through approximately 13,000 insurance agents around the country.

Currently, consumers in 10 states — Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio, and Virginia — can purchase insurance from Allstate on the Internet, via an 800 phone number, or from an insurance agent. The company charges the same premium for policies regardless of purchase method.

While Allstate was not the first insurer to offer auto and home insurance products on the Internet — Progressive Insurance Corp. and Homesite Insurance Co. beat them to the respective punches — it is by far the largest company to offer consumers the option to purchase same-day in-force auto and home insurance online.

In addition to selling policies, Allstate allows its policyholders to report claims, check the status of a claim, make electronic payments, view policy information, and request policy changes, on the Internet.