NEW YORK (Reuters) - Progressive Corp, the third-largest auto insurer in the United States, said on Wednesday that net income for November fell 29 percent from a year ago as the market gets more competitive.

The auto insurer said November net income was $93 million, or 14 cents a share, down from $131.9 million, or 17 cents a share, in November 2006.

Its net premiums written fell 5 percent year over year to $912.8 million.

Auto insurers are cutting rates as they fight to keep market share against direct marketers such as Geico, a unit of insurer Berkshire Hathaway. Progressive Chief Executive Glenn Renwick has called the business "extremely competitive."

Progressive, based in Mayfield Village, Ohio, said its policies in force had risen 2 percent in personal auto and 8 percent in its special lines. It has just over seven million customers for its regular car insurance.

At the same time, however, the amount of each premium dollar Progressive gets to keep after expenses and claims declined by about 7 cents from a year ago, the company said.

Last month Progressive said net income for October fell 42 percent from the year ago level and also announced staff cuts.

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