Farmers Group Closing Administrative Office

Farmers Insurance Group said Friday that it will close its Santa Ana-based administrative office and relocate about 180 employees to Simi Valley and other Farmers offices. The Los Angeles-based insurance company said the move will allow it to cut costs. Policyholders will not be affected, the company said. The Santa Ana operation, which includes a business services unit specializing in commercial insurance, was Farmers’ only back-office facility located in Orange County, but the insurer will still retain three customer claims centers and 386 agents in the county. Officials said they would offer employees the opportunity to keep their jobs at the new Simi Valley office, or attempt to find new positions at other Farmers offices. The building, at 2800 Farmers Drive, will be sold, the company said.