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Progressive Opens Riverview Claims Service Center, Makes Handling Claims/Repair Process Following Car Crashes Fast, Easy

RIVERVIEW, Fla.--Imagine if every student at the University of South Florida, or everyone at a sold-out Tropicana Field event got into a car accident. Well, that's about how many accidents 45,000 happen in the Tampa metropolitan area each year thats more than 850 a week and more than 120 a day. Imagine if these drivers could whittle down the amount of time they spend dealing with those crashes from days to just minutes. Now, they can, thanks to a new center opened by The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies at 4119 Foxworth Road in Riverview. There, claims reps handle all the details of the claims/repair process for drivers.

You may think the most stressful part of being involved in a crash is the crash itself. But, thats just the beginning. The crash is just the start of a process that some say can take four or more days and can include having to arrange for alternate transportation, find a repair facility and get estimates, track updates, inspect the repairs, etc., said Todd Parry, Riverview service center manager, Progressive.

But drivers who choose to use Progressives concierge level of claims service at the new Riverview facility can reduce the amount of time they spend on these details to about 15 minutes. A driver can simply drop off the damaged car and, within minutes, can be on their way in a rental car assured that a quality body shop will get to work repairing their car quickly and that the repairs will be guaranteed.

While this service is new to the Riverview area, drivers on the other side of the Bay are already taking advantage of this time-saving process at the recently opened Oldsmar service center, which serves residents in and around Clearwater, Palm Harbor and Largo. Since it opened in December, the Oldsmar location has served approximately 1,200 drivers.

My claim was handled with great ease, said Michael Pilver Sr., a Pinellas Park resident who recently utilized the Oldsmar service center. Everyone was very friendly and courteous. The staff went out of their way to make sure everything was done in a timely manner and we didnt have to worry about anything.

Progressive, the third largest auto insurance group in the country and fourth largest in the state, sells insurance through independent insurance agents and brokers and direct over the Internet and by phone. This new service is free to Progressive customers and anyone involved in a claim with their customers.

How the Concierge Claims Center Works

  • Call. The customer calls Progressive to report the claim any time of the day or night and then schedules an appointment to bring the vehicle to the specially designed service center.
  • Drop off and go. In about 15 minutes, the customer can be on his or her way in a rental car with assurance that Progressive will keep him or her informed of the status of the claim throughout the repair process.

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 transports the vehicle from the claims center to its facility and the repair work begins.

When the work is finished, the vehicle is returned to the Progressive facility where representatives from both Progressive and the body shop inspect the quality of repairs.

  • Pickup - and its guaranteed. Once satisfied with the repair quality, Progressive calls the customer and asks him or her to return to the center where, together with the claims representative, the customer inspects the repairs.

The customer then leaves with a written guarantee on the repairs that both Progressive and the body shop stand behind as long as the customer owns or leases the vehicle.

Think of this as Progressives way of giving time back to Bay-area drivers, said Parry. Its fast and its simple. Let us handle the details so you can spend your time doing what you want. And, when your car is returned to the center from the body shop, you can rest assured that its been inspected and the repairs are guaranteed. Were committed to making this service available to even more drivers and are thrilled to be opening the Riverview site.

Progressive has more than 13,200 claims professionals in more than 460 offices throughout the U.S., as well as more than 4,000 Progressive employees and 30+ claims offices in Florida. There are eight concierge facilities in Florida and 54 countrywide.

Although this time-saving service is not yet available at all claims offices Progressive operates, claims representatives there continue to personally handle each drivers claim from start to finish.

About Progressive

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, now celebrating its 70th year in business, is the countrys third largest auto insurance group and largest seller of motorcycle and personal watercraft policies based on premiums written, and is a market leader in commercial auto insurance.

Progressive is committed to becoming consumers #1 choice for auto insurance by providing competitive products and rates that meet drivers needs throughout their lifetimes, superior online and in-person customer service, and best-in-class, 24-hour claims service, including its concierge level of claims service available at service centers throughout the United States.

Progressive companies offer consumers choices in how to shop for, buy and manage their auto insurance policies. The Agency Business sells Progressive Drive Insurance private passenger auto insurance through more than 30,000 independent agencies. To find an agent, go to www.driveinsurance.com. The Direct Business sells Progressive Direct private passenger auto insurance online at www.progressive.com and by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE. Each business makes independent decisions about private passenger auto insurance product design and pricing, and both offer Progressives other products, including Progressive Commercial, Progressive Motorcycle, Progressive Boat, etc. Progressive and Drive are registered trademarks.

For more information, visit www.progressive.com.

Todd Parry, Riverview service center manager, is available for interview.