Key Competitors
·   Home and Auto Insurers
·   Other Personal Lines Insurers
·   Internet Companies

Business Background
Progressive is the fourth-largest auto insurance company in the country, with more than 8 million customers. We're committed to using the latest technology and innovation to improve the experience of our customers. At Progressive, we care about how we do business.

• 2001
  Progressive becomes first publicly-held company to report underwriting results monthly.
  
  Progressive becomes first auto insurance company to receive a wireless payment from a customer using a personal digital assistant device (PDA).
  
  
• 2000
  Progressive becomes first auto insurance company to sell motorcycle boat and personal watercraft insurance over the Internet. The company becomes the first to offer instant online quotes for recreation vehicle insurance.

Progressive becomes the first insurance company to introduce a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) which allows consumers to access information about the company, find an independent agent and more by using their Web-enabled personal digital assistants or Web-enabled phones.

• 1999
  Progressive becomes the first insurance company to offer instant online quotes for motorcycle and boat insurance.

• 1998
  personal.progressive.com, the industry's most comprehensive and easiest-to-use auto insurance customer service site, is launched. The site lets customers make payments, track the status of claims information and modify policy information.

• 1997
  Progressive gives consumers another first: The ability to buy an auto insurance policy in real time online.

• 1996
  Progressive introduces auto insurance online comparison rates.

• 1995
  Progressive is the first auto insurance company to launch a Web site, www.progressive.com.

• 1994
  Progressive introduces the industry's first toll-free, 24-hour auto insurance comparison rating service, making it the only company to give consumers a Progressive quote and the rates of up to three other leading companies. Also, the Immediate Response Vehicle (IRV) is introduced. The IRV is a specially-marked and -outfitted vehicle that carries trained claims professionals to wherever the customer needs them. Outfitted with the latest technology, the claim representative in an IRV is able to complete a damage estimate and write a check right on the spot.

• 1956
  Progressive's Safe Driver Plan lowers rates for low-risk drivers, sets industry policy standard.

Links for Research
News Releases
Temple Library Resources (Business Premier Sources & Lexis-Nexus)

Sources
Wall Street Journal
Company Website
Business Periodicals
Insurance Journals
Internet Journals and Magazines

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