Damaged Vehicles Already Back on the Road Thanks to Quick Action by Progressive Claims Service; Progressive's Claims Service Settles 80 Percent of All Reported Auto Claims from Hurricane Dennis

PENSACOLA, Fla.--July 25, 2005--A little more than two weeks after the first hurricane of the 2005 season struck the Florida Panhandle, the state's fourth largest auto insurer reports that it has settled 80 percent of its auto claims resulting from Hurricane Dennis.

"The phones started ringing when Dennis came ashore on Sunday, July 10, and since then, we haven't stopped inspecting vehicles and settling claims," said Scott Snapp, national catastrophe response manager, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies (Progressive) .

Before Dennis made landfall, Progressive set plans in motion to place a Catastrophe Command Center in Pensacola, Fla., and to stage several remote sites throughout the Pensacola area and in Mobile, Ala. The company also benefited from using catastrophe claims forecast modeling techniques that are improved since the hectic 2004 hurricane season.

Progressive has also settled more than half of all reported boat, motorcycle and recreational vehicle claims. According to Progressive, these claims typically have a slower closure rate than auto claims because people tend to take care of their damaged homes and cars first.

Progressive customers with vehicle or boat that suffered damage as a result of Hurricane Dennis should call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737) as soon as they can. Progressive claims representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to direct customers to an inspection site located in and around storm-stricken areas.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies is the number one writer of RV insurance through independent agents and a leading insurer of personal watercraft. The company's hallmark 24/7 claims service is available through more than 430 claims offices countrywide. 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(R) Insurance from Progressive brand. For more information, go to driveinsurance.com.

Scott Snapp, national catastrophe response manager for Progressive, is available for interview.