Small SUV's -- Is Yours Safe? Check out High-Speed Crash Tests and Analysis on progressive.com

       Progressive.com Features the Latest High-Speed Crash Test Videos
               from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

    MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, April 24 April 24, 2001 -- Consumers worldwide now have access to full-motion video
results of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) high-speed
frontal offset crash tests for three new 2001 small model sport utility
vehicles at progressive.com.  The latest tests (results released yesterday)
were conducted on the Hyundai Santa Fe, RAV4 and the Ford Escape.  The Hyundai
Santa Fe was the only vehicle to receive a rating of "good" from IIHS.  This
current footage isn't available on any other Web site.
    Progressive.com is the Web site of Progressive , one of the
country's largest auto insurance companies.  Since November of last year,
progressive.com has been the exclusive Web site host of IIHS dramatic video
and analysis; past results are archived at the site.
    The Institute's crashworthiness evaluations of "good," "acceptable,"
"marginal" or "poor" are based primarily on results from frontal offset crash
tests at 40 mph.  The offset tests involve 40 percent of a vehicle's front end
hitting a crushable barrier at 40 mph.
    This is the second time the Institute has tested a RAV4 in the 40 mph
frontal offset impact.  "In particular, the structural performance improved.
But there is still room for improvement.  The dummy's head hit the steering
wheel through the airbag, and there was a possibility of injury to both lower
legs," said Brian O'Neill, IIHS president.  The debut of the Ford Escape was
disappointing due to moderate to major intrusion into the driver footwell area
of the vehicle during the test.  Because of this, there was a high likelihood
of right leg injury.  The best performer in this round of testing was the 2001
Hundai Santa Fe with little intrusion into the occupant compartment.
    "Progressive believes that choice is a powerful tool.  When consumers have
choices, they can make more informed decisions," said Toby Alfred, site
manager for progressive.com.  "Hosting the IIHS crash test videos on
progressive.com helps a consumer choose the right vehicle -- the vehicle that
will keep him or her safe in an accident, and cost the least to be repaired.
Progressive.com is the only site where consumers can view vehicle crash test
results and then check out the insurance rates for the vehicle from
Progressive and up to three other leading companies."
    "We are delighted to see Progressive use our video and results on its Web
site.  The more access insurance consumers have to these kinds of results, the
more pressure there will be on automakers to improve their designs," said
Brian O'Neill, IIHS president.
    Progressive.com leads the insurance industry in consumer-friendly
innovations.  It was the first auto insurance Web site (1995), the first to
offer online quoting and comparison rates (1996), first to offer instantaneous
online purchase of an auto policy (1997), first to offer after-the-sale
service (1998) and the first insurance company to offer wireless access to its
Web site for Web-enabled cell phone and personal digital assistant (PDA) users
(2000).
    In addition to the results of the most recent IIHS crash tests, consumers
who visit progressive.com can find an agent in their neighborhood, get a
Progressive quote and the rates from up to three other leading auto insurance
companies, get a quote on motorcycle, boat and RV insurance and purchase an
auto, motorcycle and boat policy instantaneously online.  Also at
progressive.com:  a repair facility-locator service; shopping tools that help
consumers calculate auto-related costs; a vehicle recall search link; an
insurance 101 section that defines terms and "Info to Go," where consumers can
find the latest information and tips on driving-related issues.
    Progressive.com was named the top insurance carrier Web site by Gomez(TM),
a leading e-commerce authority, for Winter 2000. This is the third consecutive
quarter progressive.com has won.  Gomez also named
personal.progressive.com(R), the company's online customer service center, for
providing "best-of-breed functionality for consumers desiring to manage their
vehicle insurance policies via the Internet."
    Progressive , with headquarters 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 the
company can be found at http://www.progressive.com .

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