Exhibit 99.1

                        STATEMENT FROM VESTA INSURANCE

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to
inquiries made to Vesta Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: VTA) regarding the
potential impact of Hurricane Wilma, the Company released the following
statement:

    "As previously disclosed, Vesta's losses from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
did not reach the Company's catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance program
threshold. Therefore, Vesta has complete reinsurance coverage in the event that
Hurricane Wilma causes the Company losses in Florida. As previously disclosed in
a Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2005, Vesta and its subsidiary insurance companies
including Florida Select, have excess of loss catastrophe reinsurance in effect,
including the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, to cover gross losses in
excess of $20.0 million up to approximately $218.0 million in Florida.
Additionally, the Company has a 50% quota share reinsurance agreement in place.
As a result, in the event that Hurricane Wilma impacts Florida, the Company's
maximum potential net loss exposure would be approximately $10.0 million plus
any additional reinstatement premiums which will depend on the size of the gross
loss."

    About Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
    Vesta, headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., is a holding company for a group
of insurance companies that primarily offer property insurance in targeted
states.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It
    This press release may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of
the election of directors at the 2005 annual meeting. In connection with that
meeting, the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) a proxy statement regarding the election of directors at the annual
meeting. Investors are urged to read the definitive proxy statement when it
becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC because
they will contain important information. The definitive proxy statement will be
sent to the stockholders of the Company seeking their approval of the election
of directors. In addition, you may obtain these documents free of charge at the
website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Also, you may obtain documents
filed with the SEC by the Company free of charge by requesting them in writing
from Vesta Insurance Group, Attention: Investor Relations, 3760 River Run Drive,
Birmingham, Alabama 35243 or by telephone at 205-970-7000.



    Participants in Solicitation
    The Company and its directors and executive officers and other members of
management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies from the stockholders of the Company in connection with the annual
meeting. Information about the Company's directors and executive officers and
their ownership of the Company's common stock was included in the Company's
proxy statement for its 2004 annual meeting, which was filed with the SEC on
April 29, 2004 and Form 4 Beneficial Ownership reports filed subsequently on
behalf of such persons. Additional information about the interests of the
Company's participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed
transaction will be included in the proxy statement when it becomes available.

    Forward-Looking Statement
    This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements
related to the losses and potential losses from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and
Wilma. These statements are based on management's current expectations and
information currently available and are believed to be reasonable and are made
in good faith. However, the forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected in the statements. Factors that may make the actual results differ
from anticipated results include, but are not limited to, the intensity and
location of Hurricane Wilma; that the gross losses from Wilma will exceed our
reinsurance protection; adverse development on previously incurred losses from
Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, and other uncertainties, all of which are difficult
to predict and some of which are beyond the Company's control. For these
reasons, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements when making
investment decisions. The company does not undertake any obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking statement, either as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.

SOURCE  Vesta Insurance Group, Inc.
    -0-                             10/20/2005
    /CONTACT:  Charles R. Lambert, Vice President - Investor Relations of
Vesta Insurance Group, Inc., +1-205-970-7030, or CLambert@vesta.com /
    /Web site:  http://www.vesta.com/
    (VTA)