Farmers Group, Inc. announced it is offering an auto insurance discount to its customers and future customers who have vehicles equipped with electronic stability control (ESC) technology.

“Farmers is offering a 5% discount beginning May 1, 2008 to apply to the collision coverage portion of an auto policy,” explained Farmers President of Personal Lines, Jeff Dailey.

“The discount is given on any Mississippi automobile classified and rated as a private passenger automobile, and must be equipped with a factory-installed electronic stability control system as standard equipment,” he added.

The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reports that ESC is designed to help prevent a driver from losing control of the vehicle during high-speed maneuvers or on slippery roads.

Stability control is most important for top-heavy vehicles, which are involved in more serious single-vehicle collisions and roll over more easily.

ESC is an extension of antilock brake technology with additional sensors continuously monitoring how well a vehicle is responding to a driver’s steering input.

When the sensors detect that the vehicle is straying from the driver’s intended line of travel, ESC brakes individual wheels to keep the vehicle under control.

“According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 10,000 motorists are killed in the U.S. each year in rollover accidents, accounting for more than one-third of highway fatalities,” added Mr. Dailey.

“A report released in July by the NHTSA found that electronic stability control reduces fatal crashes involving a single car by 36 percent. The corresponding percentage for SUVs, pickups and vans is 63 percent. Fatal single vehicle roll-over crashes are reduced even further---70 percent for cars and 88 percent for the other vehicles with ESC. We know that the vast majority of Farmers customers are safety-minded good drivers and ESC technology helps keep them even safer. We are pleased to offer the discount to our customers and future customers in Mississippi.”

Farmers customers are urged to contact their Farmers agent with any questions or for further information.