More Choice For New Jersey Business Owners As Progressive Brings Commercial Auto Coverages To The Garden State
Just Two Months After Bringing its Personal Auto Coverages Back to New Jersey, Progressive Brings its Commercial Auto Coverages to the Market
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — December 12, 2005 — The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, the third largest commercial auto insurance group in the country, today announced it is now offering commercial auto insurance to New Jersey business owners. This follows the October 3, 2005 announcement that the Group's two brands of private passenger auto insurance — Drive® Insurance from Progressive and Progressive DirectSM — had become available in the state.
The Company's Commercial Auto Business has grown an average of about 35 percent a year over the past three years, making it one of the fastest growing commercial auto writers countrywide with competitively priced coverage for most drivers and vehicle types including delivery vans, tow trucks and dump trucks. The Company insures small businesses ranging from new ventures with a single vehicle to established enterprises with fleets of up to 20 vehicles.
"We believe consumers benefit when companies compete for their business," said Michael Miller, New Jersey Commercial Auto product manager, Progressive. "So we're excited to bring another option to commercial vehicle owners in New Jersey."
Most business owners choose to purchase Progressive Commercial Auto through a local independent agent because of the expert advice and personalized service they receive. There are about 100 agencies throughout New Jersey authorized to sell Progressive Commercial Auto. Commercial vehicle owners can go to driveinsurance.com to find an agent near them. Agents who are interested in selling Drive Insurance can visit the site and click on About Drive for more information. Progressive's Commercial coverages also are available directly to consumers by phone and over the Internet.
"We're pleased that New Jersey independent agents can grow their business by offering customers both personal auto and commercial auto coverages from Drive Insurance from Progressive," added Miller.
Progressive provides competitive rates for virtually every driver and most vehicle types. "We have wide acceptance of drivers and vehicles — two of the most important factors for business owners to consider when choosing commercial auto coverage," said Miller.
Unlike some carriers who sell commercial coverage as an endorsement to a personal auto policy, Progressive's Commercial Auto specialization enables it to provide unique benefits including the company's dedicated team of claims specialists who have extensive experience with large vehicle and heavy truck claims and repairs. Progressive's specialists receive ongoing commercial auto claims training at its industry-leading training center in Tempe, Arizona ensuring that customers receive superior claims service 24/7.
About The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance based on premiums written and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7 in-person and online service. The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies offers insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies that market their products and services through the Drive® Insurance from Progressive brand. For more information about Drive Insurance, go to driveinsurance.com. Progressive companies under the Progressive DirectSM brand offer consumers insurance by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and online at progressive.com. Progressive Direct offers consumers conveniences that help make car insurance easier, including comparison rates of other big name insurance companies and the ability to shop for, buy and manage their policies by phone or online, 24/7. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR. More information can be found at progressive.com.
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Michael J. Miller, Progressive's New Jersey Commercial Auto product manager, is available for interview.
