:Progressive Corporation

{{Short description|American insurance company}}

{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}

{{Infobox company

| name = The Progressive Corporation

| logo = Logo of the Progressive Corporation.svg

| logo_size = 300px

| image = PGR Corp HQ.jpg

| image_size =

| image_caption = Progressive Corporate Headquarters - Mayfield Village, Ohio - March 2025

| type = Public

| traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|PGR}}|S&P 500 component}}

| founder =

| area_served =

| key_people = Lawton W. Fitt
{{small|(Chairperson)}}
Tricia Griffith
{{small|(President and CEO)}}

| industry = Insurance

| revenue = US$75.37 billion (2024){{cite web|url=https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/PGR/progressive/financial-statements|date=2025-02-14|title=Progressive Financial Statements 2009-2024}}

| operating_income = US$11.467 billion (2024)

| net_income = US$8.463 billion (2024)

| assets = US$105.203 billion (2024)

| equity = US$27.159 billion (2024)

| owner =

| num_employees = 61,400 (2023)

| divisions =

| founded = {{Start date and age|1937|3|10}}

| location = {{nowrap|Mayfield, Ohio, U.S.}}

| locations =

| website = {{URL|https://www.progressive.com}}

| footnotes =

}}

The Progressive Corporation is an American insurance company. Progressive is currently the #2 auto insurer in the United States behind State Farm.{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2024 |title=Property and Casualty Insurance Industry 2023 Top 25 Groups and Companies By Countrywide Premium - Total Private Passenger Auto / Total Commercial Auto |url=https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/research-actuarial-property-casualty-market-share.pdf |access-date=February 14, 2025 |website=National Association of Insurance Commissioners |language=en-US}} The company was co-founded in 1937 by Jack Green and Joseph M. Lewis, and is headquartered in Mayfield, Ohio.{{cite book|pages=[https://archive.org/details/informationtechn00riva_502/page/n155 142]|title=Information Technology and Organizational Transformation: Solving the Management Puzzle|url=https://archive.org/details/informationtechn00riva_502|url-access=limited|author= Suzanne Rivard|author2=Benoit Aubert |author3=Michel Patry |author4=Guy Paré |author5=Heather Smith |year=2004|publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann|isbn=978-0-7506-6202-4}} The company insures passenger vehicles, motorcycles, recreational vehicles (RVs), trailers, boats, personal water craft (PWC), and commercial vehicles. Progressive also provides home, life, pet, and other types of insurance through select companies.

The company ranked #62 on the 2024 Fortune 500 list of the top American corporations.{{Cite web |date= |title=Fortune 500 Progressive |url=https://fortune.com/company/progressive/fortune500/ |access-date= |website=Fortune |language=en-US |url-access=subscription}}

History

Progressive was formed in 1937 by Joseph Lewis and Jack Green as Progressive Mutual Insurance Company.{{Cite book |last=Turner |first=Tyya N. |title=Vault Guide to the Top Insurance Employers |publisher=Vault Inc. |year=2005 |isbn=1-58131-320-9 |location=New York, NY |pages=126 |language=en}} In 1956, the company found a niche by insuring more risky drivers. In 1965, Peter B. Lewis, son of Joseph Lewis, and his mother borrowed $2.5 million, pledging their majority stake as collateral, and completed a leveraged buyout of Progressive.{{Cite news |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Emma G. |date=2013-11-25 |title=Peter B. Lewis, Philanthropist Who Led Progressive Auto Insurance, Dies at 80 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/25/business/peter-b-lewis-philanthropist-who-led-progressive-auto-insurance-dies-at-80.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} In 1971, Progressive conducted an initial public offering (IPO) and became a publicly-traded company.{{Cite news |date=1971-04-17 |title=3 Issues of Stock are Offered in a Week |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/04/17/archives/3-issues-of-stocks-are-offered-in-week.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} In 1987, the sum of the company's written premiums surpassed $1 billion, and by 2016 that number reached $20 billion.{{cite web |title=Progressive History |url=https://www.progressive.com/progressive-insurance/history/ |access-date=April 29, 2016 |website=Progressive.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/company/progressive-insurance/comments?topic=6126032656590262272&type=U&scope=3264&stype=C&a=2oK4|title=LinkedIn Login, Sign in | LinkedIn}} Progressive also claims being the first auto insurance company to allow customers to purchase insurance policies over the phone in 1993, and to have a website in 1995, and have policies available for purchase online in 1997, Later, Progressive enabled customers to use mobile browsers and smartphone apps for rating and managing policies.{{cite web|title=Progressive Firsts|website=Progressive.com|url=https://www.progressive.com/progressive-insurance/first/|access-date=April 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506161940/https://www.progressive.com/progressive-insurance/first/|archive-date=May 6, 2016|url-status=dead}} It also reports to be the first to offer 24/7 claims reporting.{{cite web|title=Progressive Background|website=Progressive.com|url=https://www.progressive.com/newsroom/press-kit/progressive-background/}}

On December 13, 2006, the company said earnings rose 58 percent in November as the company retained more of the premiums it collected because of comparisons to a month affected by Hurricane Katrina claims.{{Cite web|url=https://signin.lexisnexis.com/lnaccess/app/signin?back=https%3A%2F%2Fadvance.lexis.com%3A443%2F&aci=la|title=Lexis® - Sign In | LexisNexis|website=signin.lexisnexis.com}}

Segments

{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2023|small=y}}

The company operates in three segments: personal lines, commercial auto, and other indemnity.{{Cite web |title=Progressive Corp, PGV:BRN profile - FT.com |url=https://markets.ft.com/data/equities/tearsheet/profile?s=PGV:BRN |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=markets.ft.com}}

  • The personal lines segment writes insurance for private passenger automobiles, motorcycles, boats, and recreational vehicles through both an independent agency channel and a direct channel.
  • The commercial auto segment writes primary liability and physical damage insurance for automobiles and trucks owned by businesses primarily through an independent agency channel.
  • The other-indemnity segment provides professional liability insurance to community banks, principally directors, and officers liability insurance. It also provides insurance-related services, primarily providing policy issuance and claims adjusting services in 25 states for Commercial Auto Insurance Procedures/Plans.

Industry information

Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer in the United States as of the 2023 fiscal year, with 15.2% of the market, behind State Farm's share of 18.3%.{{Cite web |title=Largest Car Insurance Companies |url=https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/largest-car-insurance-companies/#what-are-the-largest-auto-insurance-companies |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Bankrate |language=en-US}} Progressive primarily offers its services through the internet, by telephone or through independent insurance agents.{{Cite book |last=Plunkett |first=Jack W. |title=Plunkett's Insurance Industry Almanac: The Only Comprehensive Guide to the Insurance Industry |publisher=Plunkett Research, Ltd. |year=2006 |isbn=978-1-59392-063-0 |location=Houston |language=en}} Progressive’s agency business sells insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agents and progressiveagent.com where customers can quote their own policies and then contact an agent to complete the sale.

In December 2009, Progressive announced it was selling car insurance in Australia.{{cite web | url=http://newsroom.progressive.com/2009/december/progressive-enters-australia.aspx | title=Recent News Releases & Coverage | Progressive Newsroom }} Initially called Progressive Direct, it rebranded as Progressive in 2011, and later rebranded as PD Insurance in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.progressiveonline.com.au/|title=Progressive Online|date=March 20, 2024|website=Progressive Online}}

Crash response

In September 2007, Progressive began to offer pet injury coverage, which provides coverage for dogs and cats that are injured in a crash and is included at no additional cost with collision coverage.{{cite book|author=Jack W. Plunkett|title=The Almanac of American Employers 2009: Market Research, Statistics & Trends Pertaining to the Leading Corporate Employers in America|publisher=Plunkett Research, Ltd|year=2008|isbn=978-1-59392-143-9}} Immediate response vehicles used by Progressive are specially modified Ford Explorers and Ford Escapes.{{cite book |title=Plunkett's Insurance Industry Almanac 2006: The Only Complete Reference To The Insurance And Risk Management Industry |isbn=978-1-59392-038-8|year=2005|author=Jack W. Plunkett|publisher=Plunkett Research Ltd}}

Advertising

Progressive's marketing campaign is known for offering quotes of its competitors along with its own quote.{{Cite news |last1=Lieber |first1=Ron |last2=Bernard |first2=Tara Siegel |date=2024-09-28 |title=We Tried to Shop Our Way to Cheaper Car Insurance. It Didn't Work. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/business/cheaper-car-insurance-shopping.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Since 2008, many of Progressive's television advertisements have featured a character named Flo, played by actress Stephanie Courtney,{{Cite news |last=Weaver |first=Caity |date=2023-11-25 |title=Everybody Knows Flo From Progressive. Who Is Stephanie Courtney? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/25/magazine/progressive-insurance-flo-stephanie-courtney.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} who explains the benefits of Progressive Insurance.{{Cite news |last=Gracia |first=Chris |date=October 20, 2008 |title=The strange allure of the Progressive insurance girl |url=http://www.austin360.com/tv/content/tv/stories/2008/10/1020progressive.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025045039/http://www.austin360.com/tv/content/tv/stories/2008/10/1020progressive.html |archive-date=October 25, 2008 |work=Austin American-Statesman}} In December 2010, the company introduced the "Messenger", as a complementary campaign. He was played by John Jenkinson.Elliott, Stuart. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/business/media/01adco.html?_r=1&ref=progressivecorporation A Nomadic Insurance Pitchman, Luring New Customers"]. New York Times, November 30, 2010. The Flo universe also includes Jamie (Jim Cashman), an awkward fellow Progressive employee; and Bill and Tom, rival insurance salesmen from the figurative straw man "A. Nother Insurance Company." Bill and Tom were largely discontinued after Allstate filed a claim with the Better Business Bureau alleging that Progressive was making a false claim that they offered discounts that Allstate and other insurance providers did not.{{Cite web |date=2019-12-10 |title=NAD Recommends Progressive Discontinue Certain Advertising Claims Made in Comparative Context, Following Challenge from Allstate |url=https://asrcreviews.org/nad-recommends-progressive-discontinue-certain-advertising-claims-made-in-comparative-context-following-challenge-from-allstate/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210155011/https://asrcreviews.org/nad-recommends-progressive-discontinue-certain-advertising-claims-made-in-comparative-context-following-challenge-from-allstate/ |archive-date=2019-12-10 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Advertising Self-Regulatory Council}}

In 2012, Progressive introduced another character, a personified box, voiced by Chris Parnell, representing the company's products. It is portrayed as having an entourage (including a personal trainer).{{cite web|title=Flo Gets More Company as Progressive Rolls Out 'The Box'|url=http://adage.com/article/news/flo-company-progressive-rolls-box/238621/|website=Advertising Age|date=December 5, 2012|access-date=January 16, 2017}} Progressive later added more characters like Flobot, Mara (Natalie Palamides), Dr. Rick, and Motaur to its advertising series. In 2019, Progressive began the At Home with Baker Mayfield ad campaign during the National Football League season. The campaign featured the Cleveland Browns quarterback living with his wife in FirstEnergy Stadium.{{cite web|title=Progressive launches Season 2 of 'At Home with Baker Mayfield' campaign|url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nfl/browns/baker-mayfield-progressive-season-2/95-a7762a0c-cfba-4e01-9a1e-ef5f8d11b46e|website=WKYC|date=September 2, 2020|access-date=January 31, 2021}} After he was traded to the Carolina Panthers in the 2022 offseason, Mayfield stated that the advertisements will end, calling it a "missed opportunity."{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=Scott |date=July 12, 2022 |title=No new Baker Mayfield/Progressive ads forthcoming from Panthers' stadium. Mayfield calls it a "missed opportunity," saying he thought it would have been fun to "move" stadiums and tap into the feeling everyone has about what a hassle moving is. |url=https://x.com/scott_fowler/status/1546901434310004739 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241214002251/https://x.com/scott_fowler/status/1546901434310004739 |archive-date=2024-12-14 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}{{cite web |last1=Contes |first1=Brandon |title=Baker Mayfield says Progressive Insurance missed an ad opportunity |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/advertising/baker-mayfield-progressive-commercials.html |website=Awful Announcing |access-date=July 13, 2022 |date=July 13, 2022}}

In 2022, Jon Hamm appeared in several TV commercials, as himself, unsuccessfully pursuing a romantic relationship with spokesperson Flo.{{cite web |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/05/progressive-insurance-to-launch-new-flo-ad-campaign-with-mad-men-actor-jon-hamm-as-romantic-suitor.html|title=Progressive Insurance to launch new Flo ad campaign with 'Mad Men' actor Jon Hamm as romantic suitor |date=May 20, 2022 |work=Cleveland.com |last=Cain |first=Brenda}}

{{clear}}

Products

{{more citations needed section|date=August 2012}}

{{Promotional|section|date=November 2013}}

According to a February 2011 Wall Street Journal article, Progressive has a leg up on its rivals in Pay As You Drive insurance, a form of vehicle insurance also generically known as usage-based insurance.{{cite news| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704775604576120361954865544?ru=yahoo | work=The Wall Street Journal | first=Erik | last=Holm | title=How Am I Driving? Insurers May Know | date=February 4, 2011}} Progressive has seven U.S. patents covering usage-based insurance methods and systems, with more patents pending.{{citation needed |date=January 2023}}{{Update inline|date=January 2023}} Progressive began working on the concept in the mid-1990s and continues to refine the concept and bring it to the mass market.

Snapshot is Progressive's Pay As You Drive, or usage-based insurance program. Snapshot is a voluntary discount program where drivers can save money on their car insurance by sharing their driving habits with Progressive. According to Progressive, Snapshot is best for people who drive less, in safer ways and during safer times of day.{{cite web | url=http://www.progressive.com/snapshot/ | title=Snapshot Rewards You for Good Driving }} Snapshot customers can make changes to their driving habits that will lead to bigger discounts by checking their driving data and projected discount on progressive.com over the course of their initial policy period.{{cite web |url=http://www.progressive.com/auto/snapshot-how-it-works/ |title = Snapshot Rewards You for Good Driving {{!}} Progressive}}

Drivers plug a device the size of a garage door opener into the on-board diagnostic (OBD) port of their car. The device records and sends the driving data to Progressive, and Progressive uses that information to calculate the rate. After 30 days, customers find out if they're eligible for a discount based on that 30-day "snapshot" of their driving habits. At the end of a six-month policy period, Progressive calculates the customer's renewal discount and customers return the device to Progressive. The company doesn't take into account how fast the car goes although it does take into account how fast and frequently the vehicle operator brakes. Snapshot is voluntary and customers can opt out at any time. The customer is charged up to $50.00 if they do not return the snapshot device to Progressive should they decide not to engage in the program after receiving it.

Snapshot is currently available in 45 states plus the District of Columbia. Because insurance is regulated at the state level, Snapshot is currently not available in Alaska, California, Hawaii, and North Carolina.

Corporate sponsorship

= Naming rights =

In 1999, Progressive Auto Insurance was the title sponsor of the Super Bowl XXXIII halftime show.{{cite web |title=Progressive Auto Insurance Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show to Feature Gloria Estefan and Stevie Wonder |url=https://www.propertyandcasualty.com/doc/progressive-auto-insurance-super-bowl-xxxiii-0001 |website=www.propertyandcasualty.com |access-date=February 14, 2020 |date=November 16, 1998}}

In January 2008, Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the Cleveland Guardians, was renamed Progressive Field. Progressive signed a 16-year contract for the naming rights, as well as sponsorship rights to become the Official Auto Insurer of the Cleveland Guardians. The agreement costs around $3.6 million per year.{{cite web|url=http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/01/cleveland_indians_formally_ann.html|title=Cleveland Indians formally announce naming rights sold to Progressive Insurance |date=January 11, 2008|access-date=January 11, 2008|work=The Plain Dealer|author=Mike Starkey}} (Mayfield Village, Ohio, where the company is based, is a suburb of Cleveland.) Naming rights for Progressive were extended on April 3, 2024 for an additional 12 years until at least 2036, with an option to extend by 5 years to 2041 if the current lease on the ballpark was extended.{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Guardians, Progressive Insurance extend naming rights to Progressive Field through 2036 |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-cleveland-guardians-progressive-insurance-extend-naming-rights-to-progressive-field-through-2036 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}

In March 2008, Progressive announced its title sponsorship of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE and their funding of the $10 million prize purse. The Progressive Automotive X PRIZE is an international competition designed to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles. The competition is open to teams from around the world that can design, build, and bring to market 100 MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent) vehicles.{{cite web|year=2007|title=Auto X Prize Revs Up|url=http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/107615.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408141851/http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/30/107615.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2007|publisher=MSNBC|author=Alan Boyle|author-link=Alan Boyle|access-date=September 16, 2008}}

On December 14, 2010, the Gator Bowl Association announced that Progressive Insurance would become the title sponsor for the 2011 Gator Bowl[http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=532508 "Jacksonville Daily Record: December 17, 2010-Progressive Sponsors Gator Bowl"]. college football bowl game.

On September 24, 2019, Progressive became the official sponsor of Friday Night SmackDown broadcast on Fox.Crupt, Anthony: [https://adage.com/article/media/fox-wwe-land-progressive-presenting-sponsor-friday-night-smackdown/2200021 FOX, WWE LAND PROGRESSIVE AS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF ‘FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN’] - Ad Age September 24, 2019. it will later serve as presenting sponsor for NXT on The CW.

Starting in 2021, Progressive sponsored Sesame Street on PBS Kids replacing Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen.

= NASCAR =

In 2020, Progressive sponsored Roush Fenway Racing's No. 6 car for Ryan Newman at races at Atlanta and Pocono. In 2025, Progressive signed a deal to sponsor Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 11 car for Denny Hamlin for 18 races, replacing FedEx.{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Progressive Insurance sponsoring Denny Hamlin in 18 races |url=https://www.jayski.com/2025/03/18/progressive-insurance-sponsoring-denny-hamlin-in-18-races/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media LLC}}

= Motorcycle =

  • Progressive has been the Title Sponsor of the International Motorcycle Shows (IMS) since 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.motorcycleshows.com/|title=Progressive International Motorcycle Shows {{!}} motorcycleshows.com|website=www.motorcycleshows.com|language=en|access-date=June 20, 2018}}
  • Progressive has been the Title Sponsor of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD since 2017.
  • Bikes, Blues and BBQ: Title Sponsor, 2015 – Current
  • The Handbuilt Bike Show: Presenting Sponsor, 2018 – Current
  • Laconia Motorcycle Week: Title Sponsor, 2012 – Current
  • Leesburg Bikefest: Presenting Sponsor, 2014 – Current
  • Motoblot: Presenting Sponsor, 2015 – Current
  • Ohio Bike Week: Title Sponsor, 2016–Present

= Boat =

Progressive has been the Title Sponsor of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) boat shows since 2012, and will maintain title sponsorship through at least 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nmma.org/press/article/21936|title=Progressive® Renews Title Sponsorship for NMMA Boat & Sportshows|access-date=June 20, 2018}}

  • Fred Hall Shows: Title Sponsor, 2016–Present
  • LEMTA (Lake Erie Marine Trades Association): Title Sponsor, 2016–Present

= Outdoors =

  • Hay Days: Official Insurance Sponsor, 2018 – Current
  • Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show: Official Insurance Sponsor, 2014 – Current

Controversies

In 2002, the company settled with the State of Georgia in a class action lawsuit over diminished value claims brought by policyholders.{{Cite web |date=February 20, 2002 |title=Progressive settles Georgia diminished value lawsuit |url=http://www.insure.com/articles/lawsuitlibrary/progressive-ga.html |access-date=November 26, 2009 |website=Insure.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120074557/http://www.insure.com/articles/lawsuitlibrary/progressive-ga.html |archive-date=November 20, 2008 }} Five years later, the company apologized after it was revealed they hired private investigators to infiltrate a church group and pose as congregation members to collect information on litigants seeking redress from the company. Another lawsuit was filed by the litigants over the affair against the company for invasion of privacy and fraud.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2007 |title=Progressive CEO sorry for spying on church goers |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2326105820070823?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews |access-date=November 26, 2009 |website=Reuters}}

In 2009, Progressive was sued for allegedly deceiving policyholders by employing illegally operated, unlicensed body shops to make repairs on vehicles for their clients in order to save money.{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2009 |title=Civil Conspiracy Added to List of Charges Against Progressive Insurance |url=http://www.collisionweek.com/cw/news/2009/f0904-civi.asp |access-date=November 26, 2009 |website=Collision Week|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708175349/http://www.collisionweek.com/cw/news/2009/f0904-civi.asp |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }} The court ruled in the company's favor on two of the counts and the other four were dropped, pending appeal.{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2011 |title=Class Action Judgments: GEICO Wins Appeal vs. Greenberger & Progressive Wins 2/6 vs. Blue Ash Inc. |url=http://www.autobodynews.com/news/industry-news/item/4845-class-action-judgments-geico-wins-appeal-vs-greenberger--progressive-wins-2/6-vs-blue-ash-inc.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719115852/http://www.autobodynews.com/news/industry-news/item/4845-class-action-judgments-geico-wins-appeal-vs-greenberger--progressive-wins-2/6-vs-blue-ash-inc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |access-date=April 30, 2012 |website=Auto Body News}}

In 2012, the company was widely criticized online for how it handled the claims filed by the family of Kaitlynn Fisher. The 24-year-old died when the car she was driving was hit by another that had run a red light in Baltimore. Progressive fought to avoid paying out the claim to Fisher's estate. Fisher's insurance policy with Progressive included coverage in the event of an accident with an underinsured driver. The underinsured driver was found to be negligent in a jury trial brought by the Fisher family, in which the Fisher family contended that Progressive provided legal assistance to the defense.{{Cite news |last=Fisher |first=Matt |date=August 13, 2012 |title=My Sister Paid Progressive Insurance to Defend Her Killer In Court |url=http://mattfisher.tumblr.com/post/29338478278/my-sister-paid-progressive-insurance-to-defend-her |access-date=March 28, 2018 |newspaper=Tumblr |via=Tumbler}}{{Cite news |last=Grant |first=Drew |date=August 13, 2012 |title=Comedian Matt Fisher Claims Sister's Progressive Insurance Paid for Her Killer's Lawyers |work=Observer |url=http://observer.com/2012/08/comedian-matt-fisher-claims-sisters-progressive-insurance-paid-for-her-killers-lawyers |access-date=March 26, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Peitzman |first=Louis |date=August 13, 2012 |title=Comedian Calls Out Progressive Insurance for Defending His Sister's Killer; Progressive Responds in Heartless Robot Fashion |work=Gawker |url=http://gawker.com/5934436/comedian-calls-out-progressive-for-defending-his-sisters-killer-progressive-responds-in-heartless-robot-fashion |access-date=March 26, 2018}} In two followup statements, Progressive explained that they did not "serve as the attorney for the defendant in this case"{{Cite web |last=Wolf |first=Chris |date=August 14, 2012 |title=Statement on the Fisher Case |url=http://www.progressive.com/understanding-insurance/entries/2012/8/14/statement_on_fisher.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817004719/http://www.progressive.com/understanding-insurance/entries/2012/8/14/statement_on_fisher.aspx |archive-date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2018 |website=Understanding Insurance [blog] |publisher=Progressive}} and then clarified that "[a]s a defendant in this case, Progressive participated in the trial procedures on our own behalf."{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2012 |title=Update on the Kaitlynn Fisher Case |url=http://www.progressive.com/understanding-insurance/entries/2012/8/16/update_on_the_kaitl.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818023038/http://www.progressive.com/understanding-insurance/entries/2012/8/16/update_on_the_kaitl.aspx |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |access-date=March 26, 2018 |website=Understanding Insurance [blog] |publisher=Progressive}} The company's position was that fault for the accident had not been clearly established, since three witnesses (the driver of the other car, that car's passenger, and Ms. Fisher's passenger) believed that Fisher had run a red light, and filed a motion to intervene to assert that she had been at fault, and therefore was not liable to pay the underinsured motorist claim. The lawyer for the Fisher family countered by noting that two of the three witnesses were not independent, saying "I have an issue with how they examined the evidence to abandon their insured" and introduced the idea the state insurance commissioner could find Progressive had acted in bad faith. As noted, Progressive lost the case and was ordered to pay the underinsured motorist claim in addition to a separate settlement with the Fisher family "to avoid a hearing before the state insurance commissioner."{{Cite news |last=Lieber |first=Ron |date=August 17, 2012 |title=The Auto Insurance Case That Blew Up on the Internet |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/18/your-money/progressives-side-of-the-insurance-case-that-blew-up-on-the-internet.html |access-date=March 26, 2018}}

Index memberships

See also

References

{{Reflist|30em}}