MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Progressive Commercial Auto, part of The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, which ranks third in the nation for commercial auto insurance based on premiums written and sells commercial auto insurance to small businesses over the phone and through independent insurance agents and brokers, recently reviewed claims data from crashes that occurred between September 2005 and August 2006 involving commercial vehicles it insures. The study looked at “light local” vehicles, that is, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 16,000 pounds and trucks, or vehicles with a GVWR of more than 16,000 pounds.

Light local vehicles insured on a commercial policy would include passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, vans and minivans, etc., and trucks would include tractor trailers, dump and tow trucks, flatbeds, etc.

Findings include:

Fridays Not Good—But It Depends on What You Drive:

Most crashes involving light local vehicles happened on Fridays while the least number of crashes happened on Tuesdays and Mondays (Saturdays and Sundays were excluded from the study), but…
Crashes involving heavier trucks happened most often on Thursdays and least often on Mondays and Fridays!
January Winter Blues = Fewer Crashes:

In the study period, December 2005 had the highest rate of accidents involving light local vehicles insured by Progressive Commercial Auto; the month with the second highest was November 2005. The months with the lowest rate of accidents were January and April 2006. The difference between highest and lowest? The likelihood of light local vehicles being involved in a crash was 17 percent greater in December 2005 than in January 2006.
June 2006 had the highest rate of accidents involving trucks, which was 29 percent greater than the month with the lowest, January 2006.
Trucks Start Earlier, Finish Earlier:

Not surprisingly, about 66 percent of all crashes involving light local and heavier trucks happened during traditional work hours, though most of the crashes involving heavier trucks happened between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. and those involving light local vehicles started one hour later – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Light local vehicles were involved in most crashes between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. while heavier trucks were involved in most of their crashes between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“Our claims data simply show when crashes happen, not why; but, when accidents do happen, business owners need reassurance that they won’t experience major business interruption,” said Bill Kampf, general manager, Progressive Commercial Auto. “We want customers to know that insurance is more than just shopping around for the lowest rate – it’s also about service. Our combination of competitive rates, specialized coverages and claims handling provide the protection and fast, accurate estimates that ensure drivers get back on the road, and back to work, as quickly as possible.”

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for commercial and personal auto 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® 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® Insurance from Progressive brand. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at (NYSE:PGR). More information can be found at www.progressive.com.

Bill Kampf, general manager, Progressive Commercial Auto, is available for interview.

Contacts
Progressive PR
Kathy Bell, 440-395-0898

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© Business Wire 2006