Progressive is Only Company to Earn Two E-commerce Pioneer Awards for Online Innovations
Progressive Wins Finance/Insurance/Real Estate Category and Special Award for Business Transformation
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — September 9, 2002 —Progressive (NYSE: PGR), whose companies comprise one of the country's largest auto insurance groups, became the only two-award winner in the first-ever E-Commerce Pioneer Awards, given by Ecom-Ohio on September 5, 2002. Ecom-Ohio is an initiative to evaluate the infrastructure and demand for e-commerce in Ohio. Progressive was recognized for its online offerings, including its Web site, progressive.com, its online customer service center, personal.progressive.com and its agent-dedicated Web site, ForAgentsOnly.com (FAO). Progressive won the award in its business category and a special award for business transformation.
Over 90 companies applied, and 36 finalists were considered for the awards that honor innovations in e-commerce. Along with Progressive, finalists in the finance, insurance and real estate category included KeyCorp and Schwab Retirement Plan Services. Finalists for the business transformation award included Charter One Bank, General Electric Aircraft Engines and Procter & Gamble.
"We're delighted to be recognized as an Internet leader in the auto insurance industry," said Ray Voelker, Progressive's chief information officer. "Leveraging the infrastructure of our 'bricks-and-mortar' business allowed us to also become a successful 'clicks-and-mortar' business, giving consumers more choices in when, where and how they buy and service their auto insurance policies."
Progressive launched its award-winning Web site, progressive.com, in 1995, becoming the first auto insurance company with an Internet presence. The company was the first to offer online quoting and comparison rates in 1996, the first to offer instant online purchasing of auto insurance in 1997, the first to offer online policy service in 1998, and the first to offer wireless access to online sales and service in 2000.
The company also provides its network of more than 30,000 independent agents with tools based on cutting-edge technology, including a password-protected, agent-dedicated Web site, ForAgentsOnly.com (FAO). With FAO, agents can quickly and easily view and update their customers' Progressive policies online, access data to promote efficient agency management, receive current state news, and more.
Companies eligible for the award included any Ohio-based company, any company with more than 200 employees in Ohio, or Ohio customers of companies outside Ohio. The E-Commerce awards are designed to recognize achievement in online business and inspire other companies to adopt e-commerce capabilities for the benefit of Ohio consumers. The E-Com Ohio initiative is sponsored by sixteen private-sector companies and is now in its third year of measuring Ohio businesses' and citizens' ability to deploy the new tools of electronic commerce.
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, in-person service. The companies offer insurance by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, 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. More information can be found at progressive.com.
###
