Drive Brand Expressway Opens as the Fastest Route to Growth for Independent Insurance Agents; New Internet Portal Is Single Source For Agents To Access Drive's First-Ever Direct Mail Program, Agency Signage, Yellow Pages Opportunities, And Much More

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--Feb. 1, 20064, 2006--Independent agents who want to grow their agency by co-branding it with Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive now have a fast, easy way to learn about and participate in a variety of opportunities, including Drive's first-ever direct mail prospecting program. It's called the Drive Brand Expressway, and agents access it through Drive's agency-dedicated Web site, ForAgentsOnly.com (FAO). Drive is the country's largest writer of private passenger auto insurance through independent agents, and a leading writer of commercial auto, motorcycle, boat and RV insurance.

The Drive Brand Expressway offers a number of additional features and benefits, including technology that recognizes agents and enables them to order only those co-branded marketing tools for which they're eligible based on their size, growth, and commitment to grow with Drive; a fast ordering and fulfillment process; and the ability to easily imprint agency contact information on materials to provide a more personalized look.

The opening of the Drive Brand Expressway heralds the launch of another Drive first - a direct mail prospecting program for independent agents. Turnkey and cost-effective for agents, the program features professionally designed direct mail materials that are personalized with the agency's name and contact information and a proprietary mailing list model, both of which are field-tested and proven to motivate prospects to contact agents listed on the mail pieces. Agents eligible for the program can go to the Drive Brand Expressway to easily review and choose from available mail pieces, select target ZIP codes and quantities to mail, and authorize payment for their order.

Other Drive Brand Expressway prospecting tools include Drive signage, co-branded Yellow Pages ads, billboards, and radio commercials. Agents can also sign up to have Drive's quarterly customer e-Newsletter - which is customized with the agency's information - sent automatically to their customers.

"By combining easy-to-use technology and the Drive brand, the Drive Brand Expressway gives independent agents fast access to the branding tools and resources they need to grow with us," said David Skove, Drive brand director. "Consumers see our national advertising and are motivated to contact a local independent agent who sells Drive. So it's important for eligible agents to have fast access to tools that will help them identify themselves as Drive agents in order to attract those consumers. We also strongly encourage agents to consult with their local Drive territory sales manager to determine which of these tools are most appropriate for their agency. Drive is committed to providing a brand that helps agents grow and innovative technology that makes it easier than ever to do business with us."

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, provides drivers with competitive rates and superior claims and customer service. The products and services of the Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies are marketed to consumers under the Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive brand through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S. Progressive companies under the Drive brand comprise a group that is the largest writer of personal auto, motorcycle, recreational vehicle and boat insurance through independent insurance agencies in the U.S. Agents and brokers can log in to ForAgentsOnly.com to get an at-a-glance summary of everything they need to do for their Drive business, get consumer referrals, quote Drive, access customer policies, read state and countrywide news, and more. For more information, to find a Drive agent, or to get a quote, go to www.driveinsurance.com. The Common Shares of the Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at .