Esurance
Encyclopedia
Esurance Inc. is an American
auto insurance provider headquartered in San Francisco, California
. Esurance has 1,700 employees in 14 offices nationwide.
In 2000 Esurance was acquired by Folksamerica Holding Company, Inc. (a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group
).
In May, 2011, Allstate Insurance Group announced that it had reached a definitive agreement with White Mountains Insurance Group to purchase Esurance and Answer Financial for approximately $1 billion. Allstate's acquisition of Esurance was completed on October 7, 2011. The company's headquarters will remain in San Francisco, CA.
In 2008, Esurance policies in force decreased by 5%. As of 2009, Esurance offers auto insurance in 30 states.
Until June 2010, Esurance commercials were animated featuring a pink-haired female spy named Erin Esurance, who poses as an auto-insurance agent. The character was created by Kristin Brewe, Esurance's director of brand and public relations until September 2009, and designed by artist Phil Robinson. She is voiced by Mo Mellady. The commercials were animated using Adobe Flash
originally by W!LDBRAIN and the Ghostbot & Fire Studios animation films, and later by Special Agent Productions. The goal was to juxtapose a widely disliked business, insurance, with a popular superhero archetype. In her first three years, the character was used in over 30 commercials. The character was also used on an episode of Who Wants to be a Superhero?
.
In June 2010, Esurance rebranded itself, unveiling a new national advertising campaign as well as a new company logo. The new ads are set in a faux Esurance office and feature a cast of characters, known as Techies & Feelies. However, the Erin character (no longer portrayed as a superhero) remains prominently displayed throughout the office. The new company slogan is: "Technology when you want it. People when you don't."
Esurance markets itself as being more environmentally friendly
than competitors. The company often cites documents being available online in advertising. Esurance has partnered with sports teams for "Go Green" events by giving away reusable grocery bags. About 45% percent of the company's data is stored on outsourced servers in a LEED
certified building.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
auto insurance provider headquartered in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Esurance has 1,700 employees in 14 offices nationwide.
History
Esurance was founded in 1998 under the name of Silicon Sierra Holdings Inc. by John-Bernard Duler, Jeffrey Goodman, Huyen Bui, David Griffin, and Chuck Wallace. The founding team raised $5.5 million from Palo Alto Ventures, Trinity Ventures, and Stanford University in May 1999 and a $34 million second round of funding from Redpoint Ventures and Global Retail Partners in November 1999. Esurance launched its Web site and started writing personal auto insurance in December 1999.In 2000 Esurance was acquired by Folksamerica Holding Company, Inc. (a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group
White Mountains Insurance Group
White Mountains Insurance Group is a holding company with business interests in property and casualty insurance, and reinsurance. The group owns the direct marketing insurer Esurance and a 75% stake in specialty insurance carrier OneBeacon. In 2008 White Mountains Insurance Group also acquired a...
).
In May, 2011, Allstate Insurance Group announced that it had reached a definitive agreement with White Mountains Insurance Group to purchase Esurance and Answer Financial for approximately $1 billion. Allstate's acquisition of Esurance was completed on October 7, 2011. The company's headquarters will remain in San Francisco, CA.
In 2008, Esurance policies in force decreased by 5%. As of 2009, Esurance offers auto insurance in 30 states.
Leadership
Esurance's Executive Committee- Gary Tolman, President & Chief Executive Officer
- Jonathan Adkisson, Chief Financial Officer
- Kerian Bunch, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
- Chris Henn, Chief Operating Officer
- Wayne Sharrah, Chief Claims Officer
- Phil Swift, Chief Information Officer
- John Swigart, Chief Marketing Officer
Marketing
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
originally by W!LDBRAIN and the Ghostbot & Fire Studios animation films, and later by Special Agent Productions. The goal was to juxtapose a widely disliked business, insurance, with a popular superhero archetype. In her first three years, the character was used in over 30 commercials. The character was also used on an episode of Who Wants to be a Superhero?
Who Wants to Be a Superhero? (Season 2)
Who Wants to Be a Superhero? is a reality show hosted by Stan Lee. Contestants dress up as comic book superheroes of their own invention. Each week, Lee challenges the contestants to represent what "superheroes are all about." Three or four supervillains will attempt to defeat the superheroes...
.
In June 2010, Esurance rebranded itself, unveiling a new national advertising campaign as well as a new company logo. The new ads are set in a faux Esurance office and feature a cast of characters, known as Techies & Feelies. However, the Erin character (no longer portrayed as a superhero) remains prominently displayed throughout the office. The new company slogan is: "Technology when you want it. People when you don't."
Esurance markets itself as being more environmentally friendly
Environmentally friendly
Environmentally friendly are terms used to refer to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies claimed to inflict minimal or no harm on the environment....
than competitors. The company often cites documents being available online in advertising. Esurance has partnered with sports teams for "Go Green" events by giving away reusable grocery bags. About 45% percent of the company's data is stored on outsourced servers in a LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods....
certified building.