Western Financial Group now targeting Calgary and Edmonton Markets

Western Financial Group, leading provider of insurance services in rural communities, now targeting Calgary and Edmonton markets

High River (Alta), August 17, 2011 - Western Financial Group, the leading provider of insurance services in rural communities across Western Canada, is now setting its sights on Alberta’s urban markets.

Western Direct Insurance, a new subsidiary of Western Financial Group, has begun offering direct home and auto insurance by telephone and over the Internet to consumers in Calgary, Edmonton and smaller Alberta cities, underwritten by The Personal Insurance Company.

“We’ve been planning to expand into the cities for some time, and we feel the direct approach provides an effective and efficient way to establish our brand in the highly competitive urban markets,” said Scott Tannas, President and CEO of Western Financial Group. “We are launching first in Alberta cities, with plans to later expand into other urban centres in the West.”

Over the next several weeks, Western Direct will launch an extensive advertising campaign that will include television, radio, direct mail and online promotion. The campaign is based on the theme that ‘Insurance is Boring. So we made saving easy.’

“I’ve been in the insurance business most of my career, so it pains me to admit this, but some people don’t find insurance very exciting,” said Mr. Tannas. “The least we can do is make it painless. Western Direct offers a quick, convenient and affordable way to get the insurance coverage you need from a company with deep roots here in Western Canada.”

Western Direct is offering a full range of personal insurance products, including home, auto, motorcycle, recreational vehicle, and watercraft coverage – along with pet insurance – all available over the telephone or online.

Consumers can learn more by visiting the Western Direct website, westerndirect.ca, or by phoning 1-855-674-6338.

About Western Financial Group

Western Financial Group is a provider of P&C and life insurance, as well as banking and investment services, for more than 550,000 customers across Western Canada.
Western is the largest property and casualty brokerage in Western Canada, providing auto, home, farm and business insurance to residents of 88 communities through 98 local offices across Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Manitoba. In most locations we also offer life insurance products, travel insurance, some investment services, and deposit and loan services such as the purchase of GICs, as well as personal and commercial mortgages and loans.

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