HARLEYSVILLE, Pa., May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- For the next year, the Py family of Philadelphia won't have to worry about paying for its homeowners insurance. That's because Harleysville Insurance, the regional property/casualty insurance company - working in conjunction with Sylvester & Keating, one of its independent insurance agencies - is providing a free one-year policy for the family's new, made-over home.
William and Carole Py, who live in Northeast Philadelphia, recently had their home rebuilt for the ABC-TV program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Their story was featured in two back-to-back episodes that aired on Sunday, April 30.

The Pys' lives were turned upside down in 1997 when their daughter and son-in-law were both tragically taken from them within the span of little more than a year, leaving behind three children - William, 14, Samantha, 12, and Jose, 10 - all of whom were under the age of six at the time. The grandparents then stepped up to fill the void in their grandchildren's lives - raising them as their own. More recently, the Pys learned that their 50-year-old home - which also was too small for three growing children - was plagued by significant problems that would have required extensive renovations.

After learning of the Py family's plight, the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" design team, with the help of hundreds of local workers and volunteers, demolished their old split level and built a dream home in its place in less than a week.

"The way the Py family has responded to their difficult circumstances truly is heartwarming," commented Michael Browne, president and CEO of Harleysville Insurance, based in Harleysville, Pa. "Just as these grandparents stepped up on behalf of their family, we felt it was important for Harleysville Insurance to step up and provide them with a year of free homeowners insurance."

"We really appreciate the opportunity to work with Harleysville to give the Py family the peace of mind that comes from a fully paid homeowners insurance policy on their brand new home," added Dennis Keating, president of Sylvester & Keating in Penndel, Pa. "Harleysville's motto is 'Good people to know,' and this is just another example of the way they put that into practice."

Harleysville Insurance's connection with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" isn't ending with the Py family. The insurance company is exploring opportunities with the TV program to assist other families selected to appear on the show during the remainder of the current programming season, which will include projects in New Jersey and New York in May.

Harleysville Insurance is a leading regional provider of insurance products and services for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for individuals, and ranks among the top 60 U.S. property/casualty insurance groups based on net written premiums. Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company owns 56 percent of Harleysville Group Inc. (Nasdaq: HGIC - News), a publicly traded holding company for nine regional property/casualty insurance companies collectively rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Harleysville Insurance - which distributes its products exclusively through independent insurance agencies and reflects that commitment to its agency force by being a Trusted Choice® member company - currently operates in 32 eastern and midwestern states. Further information can be found on the company's Web site at http://www.harleysvillegroup.com.

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Source: Harleysville Insurance

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