Progressive Announces Election of Lawton W. Fitt to Board of

The Board of Directors of The Progressive Corporation today electedLawton W. Fitt, 55, to fill a vacancy on the Company's Board for a termending on the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in April 2010.

Ms. Fitt is a retired partner of Goldman Sachs & Co., where she workeduntil 2002. From 2002-2005, she served as Secretary (Chief ExecutiveOfficer) of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. She currently serves onthe Boards of Directors of Ciena Corporation, Thomson Reuters, FrontierCommunications, and Overture Acquisition Corporation, and is a trusteeof several not-for-profit organizations.

The Board also approved a new authorization for the Company torepurchase up to 50 million of its Common Shares commencing on July 1,2009; there is no expiration date. This authorization will replace theapproximately 48 million shares that currently remain under the Board'sJune 2007 authorization, which will expire by its terms on June 30, 2009.

About Progressive TheProgressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, is oneof the country's largest auto insurance groups, the largest seller ofmotorcycle policies and a market leader in commercial auto insurancebased on premiums written.

Progressive is committed to becoming consumers' #1 choice for autoinsurance by providing competitive rates and innovative products andservices that meet drivers' needs throughout their lifetimes, includingsuperior online and in-person customer service, and best-in-class,24-hour claims service, such as its concierge level of claims serviceavailable at service centers located in major metropolitan areasthroughout the United States.

Progressive companies offer consumers choices in how to shop for, buyand manage their auto insurance policies. Progressive offers itsproducts, including personal and commercial auto, motorcycle, boat andrecreational vehicle insurance, through more than 30,000 independentinsurance agencies throughout the U.S. and online and by phone directlyfrom the Company. Private passenger auto products and prices aredifferent when purchased directly from Progressive or throughindependent agencies. To find an agent or to get a quote, go to http://www.progressive.com.

The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village,Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at (NYSE:PGR).