News Room

December 7, 2009

Assurant Solutions Signs Agreement with Fred Meyer Jewelers to Offer Lifetime Jewelry Care Plan

ATLANTA: Assurant Solutions, a leading global provider of extended service contracts, today announced an agreement with Fred Meyer Jewelers to provide lifetime jewelry care plans to consumers who purchase fine jewelry through Fred Meyer Jewelers’ network of nearly 400 stores.

Fred Meyer Jewelers, one of the nation’s largest jewelry retailers, will support the program through enhanced marketing and repair services. Assurant Solutions, part of Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), will back the plans and assist Fred Meyer Jewelers with developing customized sales strategies. Assurant Solutions and Fred Meyer Jewelers also have joined forces to offer a two-year watch protection plan. Assurant Solutions will handle the marketing, underwriting, and administration for this program as well.

Assurant Solutions’ lifetime jewelry care plan is designed to provide for jewelry maintenance and repair needs, including polishing, refinishing, pearl restringing and other services. The plan’s cost ranges from $17.99 up to $299.99, depending on the price of the jewelry item.

Assurant Solutions provides service plans through more than 9,000 retail stores in the United States. Its service plans cover a variety of products, including jewelry and watches, consumer electronics, appliances, computers, motor vehicles, furniture, lawn and garden equipment, fitness equipment, and wireless equipment.

"We understand the value each Fred Meyer Jewelers treasure holds for our customers" said Peter Engel, president of Fred Meyer Jewelers. "The Lifetime Jewelry Care Plan ensures worry-free ownership and a lifetime of lasting enjoyment. We chose Assurant Solutions as partners because they share our values in providing customers the ultimate buying and ownership experience.”

Jeff Unterreiner, vice president of business development for the Assurant Solutions extended service business, said, “We are very excited about this opportunity to provide Fred Meyer Jewelers customers the lifetime jewelry care and watch protection plans. We worked closely with Fred Meyer Jewelers to design these plans with customers’ needs as the primary focus and look forward to helping Fred Meyer Jewelers provide its customers the best care and service experience for their fine jewelry and watches.”

About Assurant Solutions

Assurant Solutions businesses develop, underwrite, market and administer specialty insurance, extended service contracts and other risk management solutions through collaborative relationships with leading financial institutions, retailers, automobile dealers, funeral homes, utilities and other entities. With operations in 24 cities, including executive offices in Atlanta, Ga., Assurant Solutions serves clients and their customers in 12 countries throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and Asia. www.assurantsolutions.com

Assurant Solutions is part of Assurant, a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North American and selected international markets. Assurant, a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. Assurant has over $25 billion in assets and $8 billion in annual revenue.www.assurant.com

About Fred Meyer Jewelers

Founded in 1973, Fred Meyer Jewelers is the nation’s third largest fine jewelry retailer operating nearly 400 stores in 37 states under the Fred Meyer Jewelers and Littman Jewelers brand names. The stores carry a broad assortment of engagement and wedding rings, fine jewelry for women and men, and brand-name watches. Fred Meyer Jewelers, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fred Meyer Stores, Inc., which was acquired in 1999 by The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), one of the nation's largest grocery retailers. For more information on Fred Meyer Jewelers visit www.FredMeyerJewelers.com.

Media Contact:

Assurant Solutions
James A. Sykes
Tel. 770.763.1015
Email: james.sykes@assurant.com