ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to continue expanding across Missouri, Allstate will appoint 14 new agency owners in Missouri this year and will offer payments to people referring qualified candidates.

The expansion effort is expected to create more than 40 jobs in Missouri, including support staff. Each new agency owner is required to have at least two support staff to help make sure customers are treated with efficiency and courtesy.

While people with all previous job experiences are welcome to apply, people with sales, customer-service and management experience are encouraged to consider the Exclusive Agent Opportunity.

"With the marketplace as strong as it is, and Allstate investing in the state, the Exclusive Agent opportunity is a fantastic next career for individuals who want to own and operate their own business in Missouri," said Gary Chitwood, Allstate's West Central Region's Strategic Deployment Leader. "Our local field sales leaders and recruiters are seeking professionals with financial or sales backgrounds, who are dedicated to customer service and want the support of the Allstate brand and team behind their new business venture."

"Allstate is unique among all other insurers because its agents own the economic interest in their business," continued Chitwood. "Allstate agents can sell the economic interest in their agency. No other branded insurer has this option."

To help with recruiting, Allstate is offering up to $5,000 to people who refer a qualified candidate. The referral fee is payable upon the appointment of the candidate as an Allstate agency owner. To find out more about the opportunity or to refer a candidate, people should call (913) 685-6714, email Seth.Young@allstate.com or visit www.BeTheGoodHands.com.

Interested candidates can also join Allstate representatives and agents at a Be The Good Hands Session on Saturday, April 19 in Overland Park, KS. Register at www.BeTheGoodHandsKC.com. At the session, local Allstate management, local Allstate agents and other Allstate employees will discuss the Allstate Exclusive Agent opportunity.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names and Allstate Financial business segment. Allstate branded insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services are offered through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com, www.allstate.com/financial and 1-800 Allstate(®), and are widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate(®)." In 2013, $29 million was given by The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners to support local communities. Allstate employees and agency owners donated 200,000 hours of service across the country.

SOURCE The Allstate Insurance Company