MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2006--Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive has unveiled several new, cost-effective co-branding tools - including print ad, news release, customer thank you/referral e-mail and commercial auto direct mail post card templates, as well as high-quality vinyl banners - to help independent agents promote and grow their businesses by highlighting their affiliation with Drive. The new tools are all available exclusively through the Brand Expressway on Drive's agency-dedicated Web site, ForAgentsOnly.com (FAO). The Drive Brand represents a group of insurance companies that makes up the country's largest writer of private passenger auto insurance through independent agents and is a leading commercial auto, motorcycle, boat and RV insurance brand.

The Drive Brand Expressway is an Internet portal that combines easy-to-use technology and the Drive brand to give agents fast, easy access to the branding tools and resources they need. Its newest features can be customized with individual agency information and are designed to increase consumer awareness in the agents' local markets. These latest offerings include:

-- Drive print ad templates. Agents can select from a variety of electronic Drive print ads for placement in magazines and other publications. The templates are provided free of charge and agents are only responsible for the cost and coordination of the ad with their publication of choice.

-- News releases templates. Agents can select from several template releases covering a variety of insurance-themed topics and use the system to choose newspapers within a 30-mile radius of their agency to which they want send their personalized release, free of charge.

-- Thank you/referral e-mail templates. Agents can access and download several template e-mails for new customers, thanking them for their business and asking them to refer friends and family.

-- Commercial Auto direct mail postcards. Agents can select postcard templates and use the system to have them mailed automatically to a targeted list of business vehicle owners in their area. Drive handles the mailing for a minimal cost.

-- Banners. Agents can order high-quality, Drive vinyl banners for display at agency-sponsored events, community events, and trade and business shows.

"We're always looking for new, cost-effective ways to help Drive agents attract and retain customers," said David Skove, Drive brand director. "Independent agents have responded positively to the Brand Expressway, so we're excited to expand its co-branded marketing opportunities. These materials are being offered at little or no cost, and agents can use the system to customize each template with their agency information for a more personalized look."

The Drive Brand Expressway was launched in February 2006 to give eligible Drive independent agents access to co-branded opportunities like Yellow Pages ads, billboards, radio commercials and Drive's quarterly customer e-Newsletter, which is customized with agents' information and automatically sent to their customers. The Expressway features technology that automatically recognizes each agent and enables them to order only those co-branded tools for which they're eligible based on their size, growth, and commitment to grow with Drive. "The Brand Expressway will let agents know which materials are available to them, but we also encourage agents to talk with their Drive territory sales managers to determine which tools best meet their needs," said Skove.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, provides drivers with competitive rates and superior claims and customer service. The products and services of the Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies are marketed to consumers under the Drive(R) Insurance from Progressive brand through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S. Progressive companies using the Drive brand make up a group that is the largest writer of auto insurance through independent agents and brokers in the U.S., based on premiums written. Drive is also a leading writer of commercial auto, motorcycle, boat and RV insurance. Agents and brokers can log in to ForAgentsOnly.com to get an at-a-glance summary of everything they need to manage and grow their Drive business, including referrals, quotes, customer policy information, state and countrywide news and more. For more information, to find a Drive agent, or to get a quote, go to www.driveinsurance.com. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR.

Contacts
Progressive
Chante Jefferson, 440-395-1756

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© Business Wire 2006