Progressive Distributes April Results and Announces Investor Relations Meeting Webcast

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--May 1, 20059, 2005--The Progressive Corporation today reported the following results for April 2005:

(dollars in millions, except                April     April     
 per share amounts)                          2005      2004     Change
                                        --------- --------- ----------
Net premiums written                     $1,430.4  $1,315.7         9%
Net premiums earned                       1,321.7   1,230.4         7%
Net income                                  147.6     157.1       (6)%
   Per share                                  .74       .71         3%
Combined ratio                               85.3      84.1 (1.2) pts.

See the complete monthly release at http://investors.progressive.com/releases/2005/pdf/mreport_0405.pdf for further month and year-to-date information and commentary.

The Company also announced that it will host a simultaneous webcast of its 2005 Investor Relations Meeting on Thursday, May 26, 2005, beginning at 9:00 a.m. eastern time. The meeting will last approximately three hours and will include a question and answer session following the presentations. Information that is distributed at the meeting will be made available on the Company's Web site on the morning of the meeting. To attend the simultaneous webcast, visit the Company's Web site at http://investors.progressive.com/events.asp

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 companies that offer insurance directly (by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and online at progressivedirect.com) market their products and services under the Progressive Direct(SM) brand, while the companies that offer insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies market their products and services under the Drive Insurance from Progressive brand. 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.