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Progressive Auto Insurance Offers NY Policies via the Web

31 July 1998

A Progressive Auto Insurance Policy Is a Mouse-Click Away for New York's Online Shoppers

       Leading Auto Insurer Introduces Real-time Internet 'Buy Button'
                       to Consumers in the Empire State

    NEW YORK, July 31 -- New York consumers now have the option
of shopping for rates and purchasing their auto insurance policies over the
Internet.  Progressive , the nation's fifth largest auto insurance
company, today announced the introduction of its Internet "Buy Button"
functionality to consumers throughout the Empire State.  The feature enables
consumers to compare rates available to them from up to four companies, and to
buy Progressive auto insurance real-time, at the company's Web site,
progressive.com.
    The addition of New York brings the total number of states in which
consumers can instantly buy Progressive auto insurance over the Internet to
eight.  Other states with "Buy Buttons" include California, Florida,
Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
    "Consumers tell us they want choices in the ways they shop for auto
insurance," said Alan Brannan, general manager, Progressive. "Increasingly,
people are using the Internet to shop for products and services, and they want
the choice of completing the sale over the Internet, in person or over the
phone.  Progressive is pleased to offer New York consumers all three options."
    In addition to the company's Internet purchasing option in eight states,
consumers in most U.S. states can visit Progressive's Web site to compare auto
insurance rates available to them from Progressive and other market leaders.
The Internet-based service is identical to Progressive's telephone-based
1-800-AUTO-PRO(R) shopping service.
    On the Internet or over the phone, consumers can receive a quote on their
auto insurance from Progressive, and comparison rates for up to three other
leading insurers, including State Farm and Allstate.  Independent Agents
representing Progressive can also help customers understand what other auto
insurance companies would charge for the same policy.
    Because rates vary widely, Brannan encourages consumers to regularly
compare insurance prices before purchasing auto insurance.
    "The auto insurance industry is very competitive in New York," said
Brannan.  "Because the price of auto insurance can vary hundreds of dollars,
it pays to shop around to see what a number of companies will charge for an
identical policy.  For example, we recently lowered our rates in New York by
more than four percent and received approval to lower rates an additional
three percent.  Progressive makes it easy for consumers to shop and compare
-- through the Internet, by calling 1-800-AUTO-PRO or by going to an
Independent Agent."
    Today, Progressive's Web site has more functionality than any other auto
insurance company.  Consumers can visit progressive.com to find out about auto
insurance and auto safety, including vehicle recalls and safety ratings.
Consumers can also use the site's "Find An Agent" function to find a local
Independent Agent who can help them with their insurance needs.
    The company's Web site received the "Best of Insurance" award from
Financial NetNews, a publication of Institutional Investor, Inc.  The
publication wrote of Progressive's Web site:  "The auto insurer is pushing the
envelope in an industry that has largely been slow to go online."
    Progressive serves the auto insurance needs of more than 331,000 New
Yorkers, operating 20 offices and employing more than 650 people throughout
the state.  In business since 1937, Progressive provides consumers throughout
the U.S. and Canada with competitively priced automobile insurance and 24-
hour, in-person services via the phone, Internet and more than 30,000
Independent Agents across the country, making it the nation's largest writer
of auto insurance through Independent Agents.  The Progressive company writing
auto insurance in New York receives an A++ rating -- the highest available --
from A.M. Best, the independent company that rates the financial conditions of
insurance companies.  The Progressive Corporation's stock is traded on the New
York Stock Exchange .  More information about the company can be
found on the World Wide Web at progressive.com.