Recruiting Event to Help Hurricane Victims Get a Fresh Start; The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies Holds Recruiting Event to Help Survivors Get New Jobs in Louisiana and Elsewhere; 1,600 Jobs Open Countrywide

KENNER, La.--Oct. 1, 20051, 2005--The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, the third largest auto insurance group in the U.S. and in Louisiana, is holding an all-day recruiting event at the Radisson Hotel New Orleans Airport, 2150 Veterans Blvd., Kenner from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today to help those displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita secure claims representative jobs in Louisiana or in other states. Progressive operates about 450 claims offices in all 50 states and currently has 700 open claims jobs. For more information about the event, applicants can call 1-800-333-5650, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In addition to claims representative jobs, candidates can apply for customer service and other positions during the event; Progressive currently has more than 900 other jobs available throughout the country.

Job applicants unable to attend the event may go to http://www.jobs.progressive.com/ to apply online.

Juan Andrade, Gulf Region claims general manager, Progressive, said: "We have jobs open, people need work. We think we can make it easier for some people to get a fresh start."

Since the hurricane struck, Progressive has deployed more than 900 claims representatives from all 50 states to the Gulf region to settle customers' claims as quickly and accurately as possible.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance based on premiums written and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7, in-person and online service. The products and services of the Progressive Direct Group of Insurance Companies are marketed directly to consumers by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and online at progressivedirect.com through the Progressive Direct(SM) brand. The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies offers insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies that market their products and services through the Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive brand. For more information about Drive Insurance, go to driveinsurance.com. The Common Shares of the Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR. More information can be found at progressive.com.