Progressive.com Named #1 Insurance Carrier Web Site by Gomez for the Sixth Consecutive Period
Progressive.com Becomes First Web Site To Take Top Honors Six Times
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — May 14, 2002 —The evaluations are complete and the Web site ranked number one on the Second Quarter 2002 Gomez Internet Insurance Carrier Scorecard is progressive.com, making the site the only one to be named "#1 Insurance Carrier Web Site" six consecutive times. Progressive.com is the Web site of the Progressive group of insurance companies.
Progressive.com has previously been named #1 Insurance Carrier Web Site on the Gomez Scorecard in Summer 2000, Fall 2000, Winter 2000, Spring 2001 and Fall 2001.
To be considered, insurance companies must meet minimum criteria set by Gomez, including the ability to offer online quotes for personal auto insurance or term life insurance to a significant portion of the US population. Insurance carriers must also collect at least $1 billion in direct premiums for the products supported via instant quotes. Companies meeting the minimum criteria are then rated against one another on the quality of their Internet delivery of insurance and related services. The Scorecard ranks a total of 19 insurance companies.
In addition to being ranked number one overall, progressive.com ranked number one in the "Ease of Use" category for the fourth consecutive rating period and was named "Best Site for Auto Buyers" by Gomez for the fifth consecutive rating period. Progressive.com was also ranked number one in "Relationship Services." This, according to Gomez, is functionality that creates and maintains valuable interaction with customers such as Progressive's online customer service center, personal.progressive.com.
"We are ecstatic to be the only Web site to take top honors six times," said Toby Alfred, site manager, progressive.com. "But just as gratifying is knowing that more than 2.4 million unique visitors came to our site in the first quarter of 2002 and more than 1.4 million current customers are registered to manage their policies online at personal.progressive.com. Having access to the information we have on our Web site gives consumers more control over their auto insurance and can help them to save money."
Gomez lauded progressive.com for featuring consumers' ability to buy from the company online, by phone and through an independent agent at the beginning of the online quote and purchase processes. There, consumers are provided with a customized, unsolicited list of local independent agents. "It's important that consumers know they have choices in how to shop and buy with Progressive," said Alfred. "Presenting all choices up front lets people choose for themselves."
Newly-elevated features like "Moving?" help draw more visitors to progressive.com and help to distinguish it from other sites. "More than 8 million people move from one state to another each year," said Alfred. "In most cases, your auto insurance policy cannot 'move' with you-states have different minimum liability limits, some have different coverages and some companies don't write insurance in the state you're may be moving to. Visitors to progressive.com can now enter the state they're currently living in and the state they're moving to and receive all the information they need to make the transition easier, including coverages required, average insurance rates in both states and license and vehicle registration requirements. And, we wanted to make it fun, so we'll give you a few key facts about your new home state."
The Progressive group of insurance companies, in business since 1937, ranks fourth in the nation for auto insurance and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7 service. The company sells its products by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE SM , online at progressive.com and through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies. The Progressive Corporation, the holding company, has headquarters in Mayfield Village, Ohio and is publicly traded at NYSE: PGR. More information can be found at progressive.com.
###
