Leading Auto Insurer Introduces Real-time Internet 'Buy Button' to Consumers in the Empire State
NEW YORK, July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- New York consumers now have the option of shopping for rates and purchasing their auto insurance policies over the Internet. Progressive (NYSE: PGR), the nation's fifth largest auto insurance company, today announced the introduction of its Internet "Buy Button" functionality to consumers throughout the Empire State. The feature enables consumers to compare rates available to them from up to four companies, and to buy Progressive auto insurance real-time, at the company's Web site, progressive.com.
The addition of New York brings the total number of states in which consumers can instantly buy Progressive auto insurance over the Internet to eight. Other states with "Buy Buttons" include California, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
"Consumers tell us they want choices in the ways they shop for auto insurance," said Alan Brannan, general manager, Progressive. "Increasingly, people are using the Internet to shop for products and services, and they want the choice of completing the sale over the Internet, in person or over the phone. Progressive is pleased to offer New York consumers all three options."
In addition to the company's Internet purchasing option in eight states, consumers in most U.S. states can visit Progressive's Web site to compare auto insurance rates available to them from Progressive and other market leaders. The Internet-based service is identical to Progressive's telephone-based 1-800-AUTO-PRO(R) shopping service.
On the Internet or over the phone, consumers can receive a quote on their auto insurance from Progressive, and comparison rates for up to three other leading insurers, including State Farm and Allstate. Independent Agents representing Progressive can also help customers understand what other auto insurance companies would charge for the same policy.
Because rates vary widely, Brannan encourages consumers to regularly compare insurance prices before purchasing auto insurance.
"The auto insurance industry is very competitive in New York," said Brannan. "Because the price of auto insurance can vary hundreds of dollars, it pays to shop around to see what a number of companies will charge for an identical policy. For example, we recently lowered our rates in New York by more than four percent and received approval to lower rates an additional three percent. Progressive makes it easy for consumers to shop and compare -- through the Internet, by calling 1-800-AUTO-PRO or by going to an Independent Agent."
Today, Progressive's Web site has more functionality than any other auto insurance company. Consumers can visit progressive.com to find out about auto insurance and auto safety, including vehicle recalls and safety ratings. Consumers can also use the site's "Find An Agent" function to find a local Independent Agent who can help them with their insurance needs.
The company's Web site received the "Best of Insurance" award from Financial NetNews, a publication of Institutional Investor, Inc. The publication wrote of Progressive's Web site: "The auto insurer is pushing the envelope in an industry that has largely been slow to go online."
Progressive serves the auto insurance needs of more than 331,000 New Yorkers, operating 20 offices and employing more than 650 people throughout the state. In business since 1937, Progressive provides consumers throughout the U.S. and Canada with competitively priced automobile insurance and 24- hour, in-person services via the phone, Internet and more than 30,000 Independent Agents across the country, making it the nation's largest writer of auto insurance through Independent Agents. The Progressive company writing auto insurance in New York receives an A++ rating -- the highest available -- from A.M. Best, the independent company that rates the financial conditions of insurance companies. The Progressive Corporation's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: PGR). More information about the company can be found on the World Wide Web at progressive.com.
SOURCE Progressive Corporation -0- 07/31/98
/NOTE TO EDITORS: The company's New York General Managers are available for interviews on this and other auto insurance related subjects. They are: Downstate: Alan Brannan, 732-726-5621; Capital Region/Hudson Valley: Victor Politzi, 518-862-5112; Western New York (Rochester/Buffalo) Robin Harbage, 716-463-3137; Central New York (Syracuse), John Barbagallo, 315-453-6483./
/CONTACT: Leslie Kolleda, 904-947-5158, or Donna Marquard, 440-446-2361, both of Progressive/
/Web site: http://www.progressive.com/ (PGR) CO: Progressive Corporation ST: New York IN: INS MLM AUT SU: PDT JS-KB -- CLF008 -- 9909 07/31/98 13:42 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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