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New Data Reveal Surprising Facts About How Likely Indianapolis Drivers Are to Get Into Accidents

INDIANAPOLIS--Aug. 8, 2006--

  Progressive Indianapolis Service Center Releases Local Accident Data; Offers Drivers a Way to Avoid Hassle and Save Time Getting Cars Fixed After Crashes  



If you thought you'd be less likely to crash your car if you lived in a smaller-sized Indiana town as opposed to Indianapolis - the largest city in the state - who could blame you? After all, generally speaking, the more populated an area, the greater the likelihood of being involved in an accident. But that's not always the case, according to data released today by the Progressive Indianapolis Service Center. The Service Center, which offers drivers an optional, time-saving service that manages the entire claims/repair process following a crash, can be used by Progressive Direct(R) and Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive customers and anyone involved in a claim with these customers. As the third largest auto insurer in Indiana, Progressive insures one out of every 11 drivers in the state.

Progressive's data show that its Indianapolis drivers are less likely to be involved in a crash than its drivers in Indiana cities that are significantly less populated. Even though Indianapolis is about four times larger than Ft. Wayne and South Bend, and eight times larger than Elkhart, Indy drivers are less likely to crash their cars than drivers in these three cities. However, the more populated the area, the greater the likelihood of drivers being involved in a crash does hold true for less populated cities such as Evansville and Terre Haute; Indianapolis is four times larger than Evansville and nine times larger than Terre Haute, and Indy drivers are more likely to crash than drivers there.

Progressive's Indianapolis drivers are 15 percent less likely to crash than its average U.S. driver. They're also less likely to crash than drivers in other metro areas with similar population figures countrywide, like Las Vegas, Orlando and Milwaukee. The exception? Indy drivers are actually more likely to crash than similarly populated Louisville, Ky. drivers.

"Our data show that while Indianapolis drivers are less likely to be involved in accidents than drivers countrywide, the fact is, on average nearly 43,000 accidents happen in the Indianapolis metro area each year," said Richard Pedigo, Indianapolis Service Center manager. "And when they do, the time wasted and inconvenience caused are anything but minor. But when you use our Service Center, at least the process of getting your car repaired doesn't have to take over your life. We make it easy - you just drop off your damaged car and can be on your way in a rental car in about 15 minutes. We handle the entire claims/repair process so you can spend your time the way you want to."

Pedigo said without a Service Center, drivers involved in crashes report spending four or more days managing the process of getting their vehicles repaired, including arranging for alternate transportation, getting repair estimates, finding a shop, getting updates, inspecting the repairs, etc. Based on the number of accidents in Indianapolis - about 800 a week - this means drivers involved in accidents in Indianapolis in just one day collectively lose more than 5,500 hours of time - that's nearly two years - managing the claims/repair process.

But if you choose to use the Progressive Indianapolis Service Center, you can dramatically reduce the time you spend getting your car fixed after an accident. After you drop off your car, a Progressive claims representative prepares a repair estimate and contacts an auto body shop based on its track record of providing superior service and doing quality repairs, as well as its ability to begin and complete work promptly. Both Progressive and the shop reach agreement on the cost of the repairs; the shop then takes the vehicle from the Service Center to its facility and completes the repairs. When the work is finished, the vehicle is returned to the Service Center where representatives from both Progressive and the body shop inspect the quality of repairs. Once satisfied with the repair quality, Progressive calls you to return to the Service Center where, together with the claims representative, you inspect the repairs. Once you're satisfied, you leave with your car and a written guarantee that both Progressive and the body shop stand behind as long as you own the vehicle.

Since opening in November 2003, the Indianapolis Service Center, located at 4642 Northwestern Drive in Zionsville, Ind., has saved drivers hundreds of thousands of hours they would have otherwise spent managing the repair process following a crash. The Service Center has overseen the claims/repairs process on an estimated 14,000 vehicles.

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(R) 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. More information can be found at www.progressive.com.

Richard Pedigo, Indianapolis Service Center manager, is available for interview.