For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathy Bell
Jericho Communications
212-645-6900 x145

Only on progressive.com: See the High-Speed SUV Crash Tests and Decide for Yourself
Insurer's Web Site Exclusive, Authorized Host of IIHS High Speed SUV Crash Test Results Video

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OHIO - November 14, 2000 - Consumers worldwide now have access to recent full-motion video results of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) high-speed crash tests for four popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Consumers can access the dramatic video results and analysis at progressive.com anytime throughout the year. These recently released 40-mile an hour frontal-impact crash tests were conducted on the Mitsubishi Montero, Isuzu Trooper, BMW X5 and Nissan Xterra. This footage isn't available on any other Web site.

The Institute's crashworthiness evaluations are based primarily on results from frontal offset crash tests at 40-mph. The federal government has been testing new passenger vehicles in 35-mph crash tests since 1978. The Institute's offset tests, conducted since 1995, involve 40 percent of a vehicle's front end hitting a deformable barrier at 40-mph. This test complements the federal test involving the full width of the front end hitting a rigid barrier. Both tests are contributing to improvements in crashworthiness -- in particular improved crumple zones and safety cages.

"Understanding how vehicles react in high-speed crashes is important for consumers," said Toby Alfred, Internet site manager, Progressive. "People want to know how well a vehicle will protect them in a 40-mile an hour crash. Now they can come to progressive.com and find out."

The Institute's crashworthiness ratings -- good, acceptable, marginal, or poor -- are based primarily on performance in the 40-mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier. This impact is especially demanding of vehicle structure. The driver side of the vehicle hits the barrier, so a relatively small area of the front-end structure must manage the energy produced by the crash. This means intrusion into the occupant compartment is more likely to occur than in a full-width test.

"We are delighted to see Progressive use our video and results on its Web site. The more access insurance consumers get to these kinds of results, the more pressure there will be on automakers to improve their designs," said Brian O'Neill, IIHS president.

Alfred said, "Adding the crash information to progressive.com lets you compare crash test results and auto insurance rates on those vehicles in one place. And, it makes progressive.com the only place where you can do both."

Progressive.com leads the insurance industry in consumer-friendly innovations. It was the first auto insurance Web site, the first to offer online auto insurance quoting and comparison rates, first to offer instantaneous online purchase of an auto, motorcycle and boat insurance policy and first to offer after-the-sale service.

In addition to the results of the most recent IIHS crash tests, consumers who visit progressive.com can also find an agent in their neighborhood, get a Progressive quote and the rates from up to three other leading auto insurance companies, get a quote on motorcycle, boat and RV insurance and purchase an auto, motorcycle and boat policy instantaneously online. A repair facility-locator service, driving-related surveys and vehicle recall information are also features at the site.

Progressive.com was named the top insurance carrier Web site on the Fall 2000 Insurance Carrier Scorecard from Gomez, a leading e-commerce authority. Gomez also named progressive.com the best site for auto insurance buyers, citing "truly superior quote and online policy management features."

Progressive (NYSE:PGR), headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio, is one of the nation's largest personal auto insurers. In business since 1937, the company provides all drivers with competitive rates and 24-hour, in-person services. The company sells its products over the phone at 1-800-AUTO-PRO, on the Internet at progressive.com and through more than 30,000 independent agencies throughout the U.S. More information about Progressive can be found at progressive.com.