Progressive.com's Superiority Proven by Being Named No. 1 Online Insurance Carrier by Gomez(TM) for the Fourth Consecutive Quarter

  Company Earns Gomez WebStar(TM) Award as No. 1 Online Insurance Carrier &
               Best Site for Auto Buyers for Spring/Summer 2001

    MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, May 8 Progressive.com, Web site of
Progressive Insurance received the Spring/Summer 2001 Gomez
Internet Insurance Carrier Scorecard(TM) WebStar Award, the company announced
today.  The WebStar Award is given to companies receiving the number one
ranking Overall for their industry according to Gomez, Inc., the Internet
quality measurement firm.  With this honor, Progressive becomes the only
insurance carrier to receive the WebStar Award for four consecutive quarters,
thus dominating the category while remaining the only insurance company to
date to earn the Overall number one ranking.
    In addition to the Overall number one ranking, Progressive ranks number
one in the "Ease of Use" category and was named the "Best Site for Auto
Buyers."  Gomez Scorecards are designed to help online consumers identify
firms whose Internet offerings best meet their needs.  The Gomez Internet
Insurance Carrier Scorecard evaluates firms on more than 250 objective
criteria designed to measure the quality of the online delivery of insurance
products and services.
    Of progressive.com, Gomez said: "Progressive offers online vehicle
insurance shoppers an extremely functional Web offering supporting online
quotes, purchases and policy service capabilities."  In the Winter 2000
Internet Insurance Carrier Scorecard Gomez also credits
personal.progressive.com(R), the online customer service center, for providing
"best-of-breed functionality for consumers desiring to manage their vehicle
insurance policies via the Internet."  Scorecards can be viewed at
http://www.gomez.com .
    "E-transaction leadership is key to Progressive," said Alan Bauer,
Internet Business Leader for Progressive.  "We're committed to doing whatever
it takes to give consumers information-rich and hassle-free online
experiences."
    Gomez characterized Progressive's instant online quotes and complete
online purchase functionality as a key benefit.  Progressive.com is the only
Web site that offers consumers instant online rate comparisons for up to three
leading companies.  Consumers can compare rates and buy the Progressive policy
instantly online.
    Progressive.com leads the insurance industry in consumer-friendly
innovations.  It was the first auto insurance Web site, the first to offer
online auto, boat, motorcycle and RV insurance quoting and comparison rates,
first to offer instantaneous online purchase of auto, boat and motorcycle
insurance policies and first to offer after-the-sale service.  The latest
features include a safety section presenting crash-test video and analysis
from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, shopping tools that help
visitors calculate automobile-related costs including buying vs. leasing, loan
payments and financing vs. paying cash and a variety of safe driving tips.  In
September of 2000, Progressive was the first insurance company to develop
wireless application protocol (WAP) technology, allowing users of web-enabled
cellular phones and hand-held devices wireless access to progressive.com.
    Last month, progressive.com became the first Web site to introduce a
feature that allows policyholders to better understand the premium implication
of a claim. That is, once a claim is closed, a policyholder using
personal.progressive.com may ask the system to calculate the effect the claim
may have on their insurance premium using the liability decision (at fault/not
at fault) and the claim payout.
    Progressive, in business since 1937, provides all drivers with competitive
rates and 24-hour, in-person services.  The company sells its products over
the phone at 1-800-AUTO-PRO, online at progressive.com and through more than
30,000 independent agencies throughout the U.S.  The company's headquarters
are in Mayfield Village, Ohio.  More information about the company can be
found at http://www.progressive.com .

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