Harder to Name a Boat Than a Baby? That's What Some Boaters Say in New Survey

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--May 1, 20056, 2005--

Boaters Weigh in on Names, Shopping Habits, Gilligan's Island and Other Matters in Survey by one of America's Fastest-Growing Boat Insurers

What's in a name? Plenty, according to a recent countrywide online survey conducted by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, a leading boat insurer and the number one seller of personal watercraft insurance in the United States.

The survey of more than 1,000 people with pleasure and fishing boats finds that more than a third of all boaters surveyed (37 percent) name their boat, although pleasure boaters are more likely than people with fishing boats to do so (42 percent versus 29 percent, respectively). As for the inspiration behind their boat's name, 14 percent of all boaters say it's their significant other's name. But deciding on the perfect name was a challenge for some - nearly one in four (22 percent) say it was actually harder to name their boat than their pet or child.

"In some ways, this finding isn't all that surprising," said Scott Hall, boat product manager, Progressive. "When you talk with boaters every day like we do, you see first-hand how emotionally attached they are to their boats."

Hall said Progressive fielded the light-hearted survey as a fun way to gain additional insight into boaters' behaviors and attitudes.

The survey finds that brains win out when it comes to being marooned on an island. The Gilligan's Island character boaters say they'd most like to be stranded on an island with is The Professor (38 percent). Thurston and "Lovey" Howell are the least popular choices, each getting picked by only 1 percent of boaters.

When it comes to gender differences, the opposite sex wins out. Women boaters say they'd most like to be stranded on an island with The Professor (60 percent), while men prefer down-to-earth Mary Ann over glamorous Ginger (49 percent to 30 percent).

And some boaters seem to be capable of falling in love at first sight. The survey finds that, even though it's a major purchase for most people, one in nine boaters (9 percent) spent just one day shopping for a boat before buying. People with fishing boats were slightly more likely than pleasure boaters to do so (11 percent versus 8 percent). The largest percentage of boaters spent about one month shopping for their boat (30 percent).

When it comes to protecting their investment, nearly half of all boaters surveyed (48 percent) admit they never shop around for boat insurance - but they should, because rates and coverages vary widely among insurers. In addition, specialty boat insurers offer many coverages not available through a homeowners policy endorsement.

"We know that many boaters insure their boats through an endorsement on their homeowners policy. That tells us we need to do a better job of reaching out to boaters to let them know what's available to them," said Hall. "The fact is, a boat is a big investment, and there's a lot of protection available to boaters that they simply can't get through a standard homeowners policy."

Other interesting survey findings include:

-- Boaters tend to agree on the "perfect" movie choice: The movie most boaters pick as their favorite is "The Perfect Storm" (19 percent); their least favorite is "Waterworld" (6 percent).

-- To spend more time on their boat, more than half of boaters surveyed (51 percent) take Fridays off from work, while 7 percent admit they call in sick to work. And people with fishing boats are more likely than pleasure boaters to call in sick (9 percent versus 6 percent).

-- Boaters aren't afraid to wear their love for boating on their sleeves. About one in four (27 percent) wear clothing with nautical motifs.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance based on premiums written and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7, in-person and online service. The products and services of the Progressive Direct Group of Insurance Companies are marketed directly to consumers by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and online at progressivedirect.com through the Progressive Direct(SM) brand. The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies offers insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies that market their products and services through the Drive Insurance from Progressive(SM) brand. For more information, go to driveinsurance.com. The Common Shares of the Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR. More information can be found at progressive.com.

Scott Hall, boat product manager, Progressive, is available for interview.

Additional survey results and breakdowns available upon request.

Note to Editors: The accent over the 'e' in Cote in the contact information was omitted for transmission purposes.