Kansas Drivers Can Now Save Big Bucks Based on How They Drive As Progressive Launches One-of-a-Kind Car Insurance Program

Are you the poster child for safe driving, always leaving plenty of space between you and the car ahead? Or a business traveler who parks your car at the airport several days a week? Or maybe you have a car that you only take out for a spin on warm summer days. If so, your car is probably less likely to be involved in a crash, so shouldn't you pay less for car insurance?

Progressive thinks so, and that's why it's introducing an optional car insurance program that offers lower rates on vehicles that are driven in less risky ways. The behavior-based insurance program, called MyRate, gives drivers a customized rate based on how, how much, and when their car is driven. It is now available to Kansas drivers who purchase policies directly from Progressive online or by phone, or through its more than 500 independent insurance agents in the state.

"MyRate is designed for safe drivers," said Richard Hutchinson, Progressive's MyRate general manager. "It's for people who drive fewer miles than average, at low-risk times of day and keep alert for others on the road. They don't make fast lane changes or follow too closely behind other drivers so they don't have to over-react or slam on the brakes."

MyRate uses Progressive's patented technology to put consumers in control of their auto insurance rates. Drivers who choose to sign up for MyRate receive a device that plugs into a port in their car and measures how, how much and when the car is being driven. Cars driven less often, in less risky ways, and at less risky times of day can receive a lower premium.

Drivers with more than one car can select which, if any, of their vehicles to enroll in MyRate. For example, a person with a second car that isn't driven that often may enroll that car in MyRate but may decline to enroll their other vehicle if it is driven much more frequently or during higher-risk times of day.

New Kansas customers get an immediate first-term discount of up to 10 percent when they sign up for MyRate and, to cover the cost of the device and data transmission, a $30 technology expense is added to their premium for each policy term that they're enrolled in the program. When they renew their policy, they could save as much as 25 percent or more, or be charged up to 9 percent more, based on their driving habits.

Drivers will be able to see whether they're on track for a discount by reviewing their driving data anytime by logging in to their policy on progressive.com. They can see how their driving habits are affecting their rate, and, if they choose, make behavioral changes that could lead to savings.

Progressive has been an industry pioneer in understanding that how you drive should affect what you pay. Its initial foray into usage-based insurance started in 1999 with a program in Texas called Autograph. It then piloted its next generation of usage-based insurance, TripSense®, in Minnesota, Michigan and Oregon beginning in 2004. The new program, MyRate, will continue to be rolled out to more states in 2009, pending state regulatory approval.

Progressive has received patents on its methods and systems of implementing usage-based insurance and has licensed these methods and systems to other companies. Progressive also has a registered service mark for Pay As You Drive®.

For more information, visit your local independent agent or go to www.myrate.com.

About Progressive

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, is one of the country's largest auto insurance groups, the largest seller of motorcycle policies, and a market leader in commercial auto insurance based on premiums written.

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

Progressive companies offer consumers choices in how to shop for, buy and manage their auto insurance policies. Progressive offers its products, including personal and commercial auto, motorcycle, boat and recreational vehicle insurance, through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the U.S. and online and by phone directly from the Company. Private passenger auto products and prices are different when purchased directly from Progressive or through independent agencies.