Commercial Auto Insurance from Progressive Now Widely Available in North Carolina

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--May 1, 2006--The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, the third largest auto insurance group in the country, is now offering commercial auto insurance through Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive local independent agents in North Carolina. Previously, Progressive's commercial coverages were available in North Carolina only on a very limited basis through general agents, who provide wholesale insurance products to agents and brokers. Now, independent agents throughout the state will be able to offer Drive Commercial Auto directly to their customers.

"We're very pleased to offer independent agents and small business owners in North Carolina another choice for their commercial auto needs," said Dale Willis, North Carolina product manager, Drive Commercial Auto. "We think agents will find that our technology makes it very easy to do business with us. And for small business owners, our combination of competitive prices and superior service makes us a terrific choice."

Drive Commercial Auto, the third largest and one of the country's fastest growing commercial auto insurance brands, specializes in fulfilling the commercial auto insurance needs of small businesses, insuring fleets of up to 20 vehicles with policy limits of up to $1 million. It provides flexible payment plans and secure online payment processing by credit or debit card.

Already an established leader in the light-local market, Drive Commercial Auto is now focused on dominating the truck market. It provides truck drivers and owner-operators with the three critical components for truck insurance - financial stability, exceptional claims service and expert knowledge in trucks.

Unlike most commercial auto carriers that depend on independent adjusters to write estimates for large vehicle and truck repairs, Drive Commercial Auto has in-house field specialists located throughout the country. The field specialist team continues Progressive's commitment to superior claims service by offering in-depth knowledge and expertise in commercial auto repair estimates. The typical field specialist has 15 years of truck repair management experience, which helps ensure customers' truck repairs are done right, and right away.

Progressive Commercial Auto Quick Facts:

-- Progressive companies wrote approximately $1.8 billion in commercial auto business in 2005.

-- Drive Commercial Auto is now available in 48 states countrywide (not in Hawaii, Mass., District of Columbia)

-- Drive Commercial Auto accepts a wide variety of business types, including tradesmen, contractors, construction, sales, trucking, landscaping, towing and farming, and is the number one insurer of dump trucks in the nation.

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 insurance 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 using the Drive brand make up a group that is the largest writer of auto insurance through independent agencies in the U.S. Drive is also a leading writer of commercial auto, motorcycle, boat and RV insurance. 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 NYSE:PGR.