Progressive.com and Nextel Connect To Offer Vehicle Insurance Information Via Nextel Wireless Web

PROGRESSIVE LOGO
Progressive logo. (PRNewsFoto)[PM]
CLEVELAND, OH USA 06/29/2000
   Progressive Helps Nextel's Small Business Customers Manage Their Vehicle
                            Insurance Needs Online

    MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, Aug. 13 Progressive Insurance
, the nation's fourth largest auto insurance company, and Nextel
Communications Inc. , a leading provider of fully integrated,
all-digital wireless service, today announced the availability of
progressive.com on the Nextel Wireless Web, giving Nextel's nearly 1.5 million
Wireless Web subscribers access to vehicle insurance information via their
Nextel Internet-ready phones.
    Progressive.com is the first vehicle insurance Web site available on the
Nextel Wireless Web. In September 2000, Progressive became the first insurance
company to offer wireless access to its Web site for Web-enabled cell phone
and personal digital assistant (PDA) users. Nextel offers the only nationwide,
IP-based packet data network.
    "Progressive's commercial vehicle insurance group focuses on the
specialized needs of small businesses, which is a great overlap with Nextel's
market strength.  Together we can provide small business owners with more
control over their vehicle insurance policies and information," said Toby
Alfred, Progressive's Internet manager.  "Wireless access to progressive.com
gives Nextel's customers the freedom to shop for and manage their vehicle
insurance when and where they want."
    "Working with Progressive complements Nextel's Wireless Web strategy of
helping companies and individuals have timely access to current information
and conduct business from anywhere," said Greg Santoro, vice president of
Internet and Wireless Services at Nextel. "By extending their wireless
capabilities to provide access to commercial vehicle insurance in addition to
personal lines of insurance, Progressive demonstrates it shares Nextel's
commitment to meet both the business and personal needs of customers."
    Wireless access to progressive.com allows Nextel's business customer base
to take care of their commercial and personal vehicle insurance needs
instantly.  They can contact Progressive for a quote, buy a policy, make
payments and policy changes, report claims, or locate a nearby independent
agent by entering a ZIP code.  Progressive.com is available in the "Finance"
and "Shopping" sections of the Nextel Wireless Web.

    About Nextel
    Nextel Communications, Inc., based in Reston, Va., is a leading provider
of fully integrated wireless communications services and has built the largest
guaranteed all-digital wireless network in the United States covering
thousands of communities across the United States. Nextel and Nextel Partners,
Inc. currently serve 188 of the top 200 U.S. markets. Through recent market
launches, Nextel and Nextel Partners service is available today in areas of
the U.S. where approximately 220 million people live or work. In addition,
through Nextel International, Inc., Nextel has wireless operations and
investments in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, the Philippines, Peru, Chile
and Japan.

    About Progressive
    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), and first to offer after-the-sale
service (1998).
    Progressive's commercial vehicle insurance group is one of the top
commercial auto insurers in the nation, providing coverage to most business
drivers and small business types. 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-PROGRESSIVE(SM), 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 .

    Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000629/PGRLOGO

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