Progressive Distributes September Results

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                           Month                     Quarter
------------------------------------------- --------------------------
(millions, except
 per share
 amounts and
 ratios)          2005      2004  Change     2005      2004  Change
              --------- --------- ------ --------- --------- ------
Net premiums
 written      $1,063.1  $1,002.4      6% $3,556.9  $3,386.9      5%
Net premiums
 earned        1,071.6   1,013.2      6%  3,478.9   3,277.7      6%
Net income       104.6     120.5   (13)%    305.3     388.9   (21)%
      Per share    .53       .55    (4)%     1.54      1.77   (13)%
Pre-tax net
 realized gains
 (losses)
 on securities    (8.9)     20.1     NM      (4.1)     23.9     NM

Combined ratio    88.9      88.1 (.8) pts.   90.4      86.3 (4.1) pts.
Diluted
 equivalent
 shares          198.4     219.0    (9)%    198.6     219.1    (9)%

NM=Not Meaningful
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See the complete monthly release at http://investors.progressive.com/releases/2005/pdf/mreport_0905.pdf for further month and year-to-date information and commentary.

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 companies that offer insurance directly (by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and online at progressivedirect.com) market their products and services under the Progressive Direct(SM) brand, while the companies that offer insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies market their products and services under the Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive brand. 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, including a guide to interpreting the monthly reporting package.