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

SAFETY TAKES A BACK SEAT WHEN SHOPPING FOR A NEW CAR
As The Portland International Auto Show Opens, progressive.com Survey Uncovers New Car Buying Attitudes

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OHIO - January 22, 2001 - In what may be the ultimate example of style over substance, a new survey by Progressive Insurance finds that people place a premium on the look and the amenities offered in a new car rather than its safety features. The survey found that the top five considerations when purchasing a new car were overall purchase price, practicality (i.e. gas mileage, insurance, etc.), monthly payment amount, look/style of the car, followed by safety features (i.e. air bags, anti-lock brakes, etc.).

The survey of consumers' new car buying attitudes on progressive.com found that 47 percent of respondents think that the color of the car was more important than side air bags in their decision to purchase a new car while 22 percent of respondents said that a CD player was more important than anti-lock brakes in their new car purchase decision.

Other interesting findings: 24 percent of respondents said that leather seats were more important than four-wheel drive in their decision to purchase a new car, while respondents with children were nearly twice as likely to say that the monthly payment amount for a new car was more important than its safety features. Safety continued to take a back seat when asked how driving behavior would change after purchasing a new car. Three times more respondents said they would give up eating and drinking when driving a new car than those who would curtail speeding or tailgating.

The survey also found that 27 percent of respondents think that auto insurance premiums do not vary significantly by vehicle type, and 19 percent said that their premium would be the same regardless of their insurer. In fact, auto insurance rates vary widely depending on vehicle and insurance company. The average difference between the highest and lowest premium available to consumers in Portland for the identical policy offered from different insurance companies is $404 every six months. And, vehicles with more safety features often receive lower auto insurance rates.

"While consumers are kicking the tires or checking the price of the leather package when shopping for a new car, they rarely take the time to compare auto insurance premium," said Alex Ho, progressive.com Marketing Manager. "Some safety features can slightly increase the overall cost of a new car, but this doesn't necessarily translate to higher premium rates. In fact, safer cars often have lower rates. Since auto insurance rates vary widely from company to company, it's important for consumers to shop around and compare rates. Who knows, they might save enough to pay for that CD changer!"

Progressive Insurance (NYSE:PGR), headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio, is the nation's fourth largest auto insurance company. In business since 1937, the company provides all drivers with competitive rates and 24-hour, in-person and online services. The company sells its products over the phone at 1-800-AUTO-PRO®, online 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.

Alex Ho is available for interview.

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Did You Know
A Countrywide Survey By progressive.com Tells Us How People Shop For New Vehicles

Shades of Gray
Forty-seven percent of respondents said that color was more important than side air bags in their decision to purchase a new car.

Stopping Might Be Difficult, But It Plays Rockin' Tunes
Twenty-two percent of respondents said that a CD player was more important than anti-lock brakes in their decision to purchase a new car.

Leather Just Feels So Good
Twenty-four percent of respondents said that leather seats were more important than four-wheel drive in their decision to purchase a new car.

It May Not Have Air Bags But The Payments Are Cheap
Surprisingly, respondents with children were nearly twice as likely to say that the monthly payment amount for a new car was more important than its safety features.

It's Not What You Drive, But Rather How Fast You Go
Men were three times more likely than women to report driving faster after having purchased a new car.

Tire Recall? What Tire Recall?
Surprisingly, only six percent of respondents said their new car purchase decision would be affected by negative media coverage about a tire recall.

Stay Away From The Speed Demons
Respondents who had more than one accident in the past three years were six times more likely to drive faster after purchasing a new car.

Who Needs Air Bags When You Can Get Leather Seats?
Thirty-six percent of respondents with children reported the color of a new car as more important than whether the car had side air bags - and 21 percent said that leather seats were more important than four wheel drive.

It Might Not Be As Safe But It's Practical
People were two times more likely to rank practicality over safety as a primary consideration when purchasing a new car.

Nobody Wants Crumbs In the Car
When asked how their driving behavior would change after purchasing a new car, respondents were three times more likely to say they'd eat/drink less in a new car - compared to switching lanes, speeding or tailgating less.

Men Are From Mars - But At Least They Value Safety More
Men were more likely than women to report safety features as the primary consideration when purchasing a new car.

We May Be Divorced, But At Least We Have A Cool Car
The number one thing divorced respondents would want in a new car if price was not a concern was a car with sophistication and coolness - beating out safety features by ten percent.

High Salary Doesn't Equal Big Spender
Respondents making more than $75,000 a year were nearly twice as likely to be concerned about the purchase price of a car than respondents making less than $25,000 a year.

My Insurance Won't Change That Much?
Overall, 27 percent of respondents said that insurance coverage for a new car would be the same for all car types. And 19 percent of respondents said that their auto insurance would be the same, regardless of their insurer.

We Might Factor It In But We Just Renew
Eighty-one percent of both men and women factor in the additional cost of insurance when purchasing/leasing a new vehicle, although 46 percent of men and women reported thinking that insurance rates will be the same regardless of the type of car and insurer.

Top Five Considerations When Purchasing A New Car

1. Overall purchase price (25 percent)
2. Practicality (i.e. gas mileage, insurance, etc.) (22 percent)
3. Monthly payment amount (19 percent)
4. Look/style of the car (14 percent)
5. Safety features (i.e. air bags, anti-lock brakes, etc.) (10 percent)

Top Five Changes In Driving Behavior After Purchasing A New Car

1. Drive more carefully than before (23 percent)
2. Pay more attention to the road/other drivers (17 percent)
3. Avoid potentially dangerous situations (seven percent)
4. Drive faster because the car is new (two percent)
5. Drive slower than before (two percent)