Progressive.com Surveys Americans to Determine How Much We Love Our Cars

                  The Perfect, Romantic Valentine's Day ...
      A Candlelit Dinner In The Garage, A Vintage Can of Motor Oil, The
  Slow Purr Of An Engine And A Fresh Bouquet Of Rose-Scented Air Fresheners

    MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, Feb. 7 This Valentine's Day, while
some people indulge in heart-shaped chocolates and toast their loved ones,
others will show affection in different ways: by topping off their tank with
93 octane gasoline, laying on a fresh coat of wax and going for a long ride
together.
    According to a countrywide online survey by progressive.com, 12 percent of
people surveyed said that they would buy a gift for their car this Valentine's
Day, and 53 percent reported that they keep a picture of their car. The survey
also found that 17 percent of men would buy a gift for their car on
Valentine's Day -- only two percent less than the 19 percent of men who would
buy their children a gift this Valentine's Day.
    And when it comes to family priorities, our cars often win.  Twenty-seven
percent of those surveyed reported that they love their car more than their
in-laws.  But it's not only in-laws who get the cold shoulder -- 45 percent of
married respondents reported that their car is important; compared to only 10
percent that said their spouse was important and six percent that said their
kids were important.
    "As we approach the day that people celebrate their love for each other,
we also wanted to see if this love extended to their vehicles," said Toby
Alfred, site manager for progressive.com. "We were pleased to find out that 77
percent of respondents love their vehicles enough to buy full coverage auto
insurance."
    The survey also found that it pays to be a truck on Valentine's Day: 22
percent of truck owners said they would buy a gift for their vehicle this
Valentine's Day.  Only nine percent of luxury or full size vehicle owners and
six percent of SUV owners said they would buy a gift for their vehicle.
    Whether you think of your car as simply a way to get there and back, or
think of it as your red-hot lover, you want to take the best care of it that
you possibly can. So this Valentine's Day, go to progressive.com for some tips
on how you can take care of your loved one, uh, vehicle.
    Progressive Insurance , headquartered in Mayfield Village,
Ohio, is the nation's fourth largest auto insurance company.  In business
since 1937, the company provides all drivers with competitive rates and 24-
hour, in-person and online services. The company sells its products over the
phone at 1-800-AUTO-PRO(R), online at progressive.com and through more than
30,000 independent agencies throughout the U.S. More information about
Progressive can be found at http://www.progressive.com .

                               DID YOU KNOW ...
  A Countrywide Survey By progressive.com Uncovers How Much We Love Our Cars

    A Better Use Of My Time
    Fourteen percent of respondents would rather spend a Saturday afternoon
washing and waxing their car than with their in-laws. Men were three times
more likely than women to spend their Saturday afternoons washing and waxing
their car.

    Will It Prefer Chocolates Or New Hubcaps?
    Twelve percent of people surveyed said that they would buy a gift for
their car this Valentine's Day.  Seventeen percent of men said they would buy
a gift for their car, compared to 19 percent of men who said they would buy
their children a gift this Valentine's Day.

    Allow Me To Introduce You To My Car Joe
    Thirty-two percent of respondents reported that they name their car. Five
percent more women than men responded that they would name their car.

    What Do You Get A Car That Has Everything?
    Twenty-two percent of truck owners said they would buy their vehicle a
gift this Valentine's Day. Only nine percent of luxury or full size vehicle
owners and six percent of SUV owners said they would buy their vehicle a gift
this Valentine's Day.

    Like A Softy
    Eighty-four percent of respondents reported that they love their car.
Truck owners were the most likely to report that they love their car, followed
by SUV owners, luxury or full size vehicle owners, and minivan or station
wagon owners.

    I Know Where My Priorities Lie
    Twenty-one percent of men reported that they would spend their Saturday
afternoon washing and waxing their car.  Only six percent of women reported
the same. Fifty-seven percent of women said that they would spend their
Saturday afternoons with their spouse, compared to only 39 percent of men.

    Gender Differences
    Men were more likely than women to classify their car as sexy and
aggressive, while women were more likely than men to classify their car as
friendly and smart.

    One Gives Me Pleasure, One Gives Me Grief
    Twenty-seven percent of those surveyed reported that they love their car
more than their in-laws.

    A Clean Car vs. A Clean House
    Forty-six percent of respondents said that they would rather wash their
car on a weekend compared to 26 percent who said they would rather do their
laundry on a weekend. Only seven percent reported that they would spend their
weekend mowing their lawns.

    Queen Of The Road?!
    A surprising 66 percent of truck owners consider their vehicle to be
female compared to 37 percent of SUV owners. Sixty-three percent of SUV owners
consider their car to be male compared to only 34 percent of truck owners.

    Watch Out, Here Comes The Big Bad Station Wagon?!
    Fifty-eight percent of minivan or station wagon owners said that their car
makes them feel empowered.  Only 24 percent of truck owners said that their
truck makes them feel empowered.

    At Least My Car Will Listen To Me
    Forty five percent of married respondents reported that their car is
important; compared to only 10 percent that said their spouse was important
and six percent that said their kids were important.

    Have You Seen My New Pickup?
    Fifty-three percent of people reported that they have a picture of their
car.  Sixty-seven percent of truck owners reported that they have a picture of
their car compared to 46 percent of luxury vehicle owners.

    You Can Bet They Won't Ask For Directions!
    Men were twice as likely as women to report driving their car more than
twice a week without a destination in mind.

    Like Owner, Like Car
    A whopping 72 percent of both men and women reported that their car
reflects their personalities.

    My Car The Pick-Up Tool
    Single respondents were two times more likely than married respondents to
report that they consider their car to be sexy.

    My Car, The Straight A Student
    Luxury car owners were three times more likely than truck owners to
describe their car as smart.  However, truck owners were the most likely to
describe their cars as sexy, more than any other respondent.

    Only The Best For My Baby
    When asked what kind of auto insurance they have, 77 percent of
respondents reported having full coverage.

    Top Five Car Owners Who Will Buy A Gift For Their Car This Valentine's Day
    1. Truck
    2. Minivan or station wagon
    3. Compact car
    4. Luxury or full size car
    5. Mid size car

    * SUV owners came in last

    Top Five Car Owners Who Have A Picture Of Their Car
    1. Truck
    2. SUV
    3. Minivan or station wagon
    4. Luxury or full size car (tie)
    5. Compact car (tie)

    Top Five Car Owners Who Define Their Car As Sexy
    1. Truck
    2. Luxury or full size car
    3. SUV
    4. Mid size car (tie)
    5. Compact car (tie)

    Top Five Car Owners Who Love Their Car
    1. Truck
    2. SUV
    3. Luxury or full size car (tie)
    4. Minivan or station wagon (tie)
    5. Compact car (tie)