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Storms Damage Thousands of Vehicles in Missouri and Kansas;

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--March 16, 2006--Baseball-sized hail and debris tossed by high winds damaged thousands of vehicles caught in the storms that swept across Missouri and Kansas earlier this week. To handle the increasing number of claims for broken windshields, dents and other storm-related damage, has deployed more than 70 members of its Catastrophe Response Team to ten drive-in claims centers located across Missouri and eastern Kansas and to its Catastrophe Response Center in Austin, Texas.

Progressive, which insures about one out of every 13 cars in Missouri and one out of every 14 in Kansas, advises customers who suffered storm damage to call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737) as soon as possible.

Progressive offers the following six steps drivers should take to restore a storm-damaged vehicle to its pre-accident condition:

    1. Call your insurance company immediately to report the damage.

    2. Discuss your repair estimate with your insurance company and
       your local body shop. Dents in sheet metal caused by hail may
       need to be repaired in a conventional manner. However, trained
       technicians may recommend paintless dent removal (PDR), which
       involves using specially molded metal tools on the underside
       of a damaged part that won't disturb the factory finish.

    3. Find a reputable facility. If you choose a repair shop on your
       own, contact the Better Business Bureau or get referrals from
       friends. If you take your car to a PDR provider, ask the shop
       how PDR works and how they access hard to reach places.

    4. Schedule Your Repair As Soon As Possible. Due to the volume of
       damaged vehicles, repair shops will be very busy and repairs
       may take a little longer.

    5. Make sure your vehicle is repaired to your satisfaction. Hail
       damage is not always easy to see under natural light. Before
       accepting your vehicle, look at the surface in fluorescent
       lighting and from several angles so that you can see all the
       details.

    6. Ask if the shop guarantees its work. Ask your insurance company
       if it guarantees the work of its preferred body shops and get
       all contract information in writing. If you notice a flaw in
       your vehicle's repair, you should be able to have it fixed at
       no additional charge.

"We know how important it is to get you and your vehicle back on the road quickly - that's what our 24/7, in-person claims service is all about," said Drew Walston, catastrophe response director, Progressive. "Understanding your repair options may help expedite getting your car repaired faster."

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance and number one for motorcycle 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 www.progressivedirect.com through the Progressive Direct(SM) brand. The products and services of the Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies are offered by more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies and online at www.driveinsurance.com through the Drive(R) 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 www.progressive.com.

Drew Walston, catastrophe response director, Progressive, is available for interview