The $0.08 per share dividend represents a 14% increase over quarterly dividend payments made in 2009. Since its Initial Public Offering in 2005, the Company has changed its policy from an annual to a quarterly dividend and has increased its quarterly dividend in each of the last four years. The Board of Directors intends to continue to review the Company's dividend policy at future first quarter meetings, with the anticipation of considering annual dividend increases in accordance with its dividend policy.

About National Interstate Corporation

National Interstate Corporation (Nasdaq:NATL), founded in 1989, is a specialty property and casualty insurance holding company with a niche orientation and focus on the transportation industry. We differentiate ourselves by offering insurance products and services designed to meet the unique needs of targeted insurance buyers. Our products include insurance for transportation companies, alternative risk transfer, or captive insurance programs for commercial risks, specialty personal lines consisting of insurance products focused primarily on recreational vehicle owners and small commercial vehicle accounts, and transportation and general commercial insurance in Hawaii and Alaska. We offer our insurance products through multiple distribution channels including independent agents and brokers, affiliated agencies and agent Internet initiatives. Our insurance subsidiaries are rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Headquartered in Richfield, Ohio, National Interstate is an independently operated subsidiary of Great American Insurance Company, a property-casualty subsidiary of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) (Nasdaq:AFG).

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: National Interstate Corporation

CONTACT:  National Interstate Corporation
Tanya Inama
877-837-0339
investorrelations@natl.com