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Progressive Insurance Lowers Auto Insurance Rates and Expands Presence in New Jersey

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--April 3, 2006--

  Six Months After Entering New Jersey, Progressive Direct(SM) and Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive Lower Auto Insurance Rates and Bring New Products to Market  



New Jersey drivers may be able to save money on car insurance - and bikers and boaters now have more insurance options - thanks to moves announced today by The Progressive Direct Group of Insurance Companies (Progressive Direct) and The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies (Drive Insurance).

Since entering the Garden State last September, Progressive Direct has reduced auto insurance rates an average of 9 percent, and Drive Insurance has taken rates down an average of 5 percent. The Progressive Direct brand of insurance, which was previously only available to New Jersey drivers online at progressivedirect.com, is now also available in New Jersey by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE. The Drive brand is sold through more than 200 local independent agencies. Consumers can locate a Drive agent near them by visiting driveinsurance.com.

"Our message to New Jersey drivers is simple: If you haven't shopped with us yet, now is a good time to see what we have to offer," said Jeff Briglia, Progressive Direct product manager. "Or, if you shopped with us and didn't find what you were looking for, check us out again; you may find things have changed."

"We're always reviewing our business results, and when we find that we can pass savings along to our customers, we move quickly to change our rates," said Mike Esposito, Drive Insurance product manager. "The fact that the regulatory environment enables us to respond quickly to changes in the marketplace is one of the reasons we came to New Jersey."

The product managers also announced that each of their respective businesses is now offering motorcycle and boat insurance. Riders or boaters who want to buy online or over the phone can purchase a Progressive Direct motorcycle or boat policy, while those who prefer to work with an independent agent can purchase Drive motorcycle or boat insurance. Together, Progressive Direct and Drive Insurance are the number one writer of motorcycle insurance in the country.

"Because we insure more motorcycles than anyone else and because many of the people who work in our motorcycle business are riders themselves, we understand what riders want and need in terms of insurance coverage," said Briglia. Both Progressive Direct and Drive Insurance will offer a variety of motorcycle coverages, including up to $30,000 in coverage for custom parts and equipment. A wide range of coverages are also available for vehicles such as mopeds, scooters, ATVs, and even the Segway(R) Human Transporter (HT).

Specialized boat insurance products are also now available from both companies, including coverage for items like personal effects and fishing equipment, and services such as fuel spill clean-up and wreckage removal. Boaters also can purchase total loss replacement coverage, so that if their new boat is stolen or destroyed within the first five years, they'll get a brand new boat of the same or similar make and model, regardless of the cost in today's dollars.

The introduction of the motorcycle and boat products comes six months after the companies began selling private passenger auto insurance in New Jersey and four months after the introduction of commercial auto insurance, which caters primarily to small business owners with vehicles such as delivery vans, tow trucks and dump trucks. Recreational Vehicle insurance is the only product from Drive Insurance and Progressive Direct that is not yet available in New Jersey, but the companies expect to introduce RV insurance next year.

"We welcome Progressive's entry into the motorcycle and boat insurance markets, further expanding availability of insurance products to New Jersey consumers and the competitive marketplace created by the 2003 auto insurance reforms," said Steven M. Goldman, commissioner, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.

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 . More information can be found at www.progressive.com.