** Shares of U.S. insurance provider Kemper Corp KMPR.N fall 7.78% to $46.45

** Earlier in session, stock hit $45.64, lowest since early August

** Joseph P. Lacher, Jr. to step down as president and chief executive officer of KMPR, after nearly a decade in the role

** Co appoints C. Thomas Evans, Jr. as interim CEO, effective immediately

** Lacher to remain with the co in an advisory capacity through the end of the year to support the transition process

** YTD, the stock has fallen ~30%, including session moves

(Reporting by Krisha Bhatt)

((Krisha.Bhatt@thomsonreuters.com;))