Progressive Settles over Wrong Massachusetts Rate Quotes

May 28, 2009

  • May 28, 2009 at 12:42 pm
    Mr. Frog says:
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    How many other times/states in which they have “accidentally” incorrectly computed a competitors rate to make theirs look better?

  • May 28, 2009 at 12:44 pm
    J Doe says:
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    Sometimes “cheap” turns out to be expensive…

  • May 28, 2009 at 12:45 pm
    Mrs Dean Wormer says:
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    Their 6 months policies cost more than their 12 month policies? Interesting strategy…

  • May 28, 2009 at 12:53 pm
    Nectar64 says:
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    Yeah, I know…’hate’ is a strong word.

  • May 28, 2009 at 12:58 pm
    DJH says:
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    As a former employee I feel I can make this affirmation, Progressive is a good company.
    It’s too bad that this error occurred. Progressive isn’t always cheap but they will always write coverage for someone! And they do not have a history of cancelling policies because their underwriting guideline change. How many carriers can say that?

  • May 28, 2009 at 1:27 am
    Agent says:
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    I have posted twice being critical of Progressive and they have been blocked

  • May 28, 2009 at 1:31 am
    Not a fan says:
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    I have represented Progessive for many years and they are not a good company for agents or customer. The are constantly trying trying to cut Independent Agents throats, the ones who made them. We are phasing them out of our office and all Independents should do the same.

    DHJ you may have worked for them but you are lucky you never had to write business with them.

    Not to mention the socialist who runs them.

  • May 28, 2009 at 1:38 am
    Ray says:
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    Our agency has written with Progressive for well over a decade and we have no problems with them. They may not be the most competitive, but they do write risks that our regular companies would reject. Their rules are pretty much black and white, no room for doubt so there aren’t any arguments down the road. The rating figures that we get from them are very acurate and we are confident in telling our insureds that the premium is going to be pretty much right on.

  • May 28, 2009 at 2:17 am
    BALTO AGENT says:
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    It said the 6 month policy is more expensive than 12 month EXAMPLE:
    6 month policy is $500
    12 month costs $900-

  • May 28, 2009 at 2:19 am
    bob says:
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    I strongly disagree with Not a Fan. I have been an agent for Progressive for many years, and while not perfect they are far better than many other agency companies. I even carry my personal auto with them and am very satisfied. As far as them misquoting the competition, any buyer who would believe ANY companies quotes about their competition needs to have their head examined!If you aren’t smart enough to shop around, then you deserve what you pay.

  • May 28, 2009 at 2:26 am
    Ralph says:
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    agreed. FLO MUST GO! those commercials are ANNOYING!

  • May 28, 2009 at 2:38 am
    agency man says:
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    I’m glad you’re phasing them out, since you clearly don’t understand the business. Why would a company cut the throat of agents who provide 65% of their premium. That’s seems like a great business model for you to follow since you believe a company who leads the IA channel would do something like that. Looks like there’s more business for other IA’s in your market.

  • May 29, 2009 at 12:49 pm
    Illinois Agent says:
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    We’ve represented Progressive for about 10 years and are quite content with their rates, coverage and service. I’ve run into a number of agents who complain about Progressive, but I’ve found them generally to be older agents who don’t realize it’s 2009 and the insurance landscape has changed dramatically and forever (FYI-I’ve been in the business since 1982).

  • May 29, 2009 at 12:53 pm
    Mrs Dean Wormer says:
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    “In a settlement announced this week, Attorney General Martha Coakley said Progressive sometimes quoted prices for yearlong policies when asked the prices of six-month policies, which usually are more expensive.”

    6 month policies are usually MORE expensive??

  • May 29, 2009 at 12:57 pm
    Ray says:
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    I believe that the intent of the statement is that generally 2 six month policies are more expensive than a single 12 month policy – someone noted this earlier.

    For instance
    6 months – 550 (2 X 550 = 1100)
    1 year – 1000

  • May 29, 2009 at 6:58 am
    Stat Guy says:
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    I am amazed to read some of these comments about Farmers and Progressive in IJ. I can’t beleive that their management are not aware of the bad press and do nothing about it. I especially believe that these comments are more damaging to their reputations than put downs in other carriers’ commercial advertisements. Word of mouth is the single most valid way to get a message out. this only shows that once some people get to the top of their game that they forgot how they got there and what got them there….not just by stepping on others. I wonder how long Progressive will let this go on without taking some public action; if their independent agents complain, they have a bad product; you can’t rely on selling to younger folks over the internet without loosing market share. They should put their money where their mouth is. BTW, my company actually listens and it shows: we doubled our personal lines market over two years. Not bad in a very difficult and soft market for a l’il ol’ regional
    :-)

  • June 4, 2009 at 12:18 pm
    Lifetime MA Resident says:
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    I admit I don’t know a lot about Progressive, but I think their methods of lining up pricing for consumers is dangerous and plays on the lack of education the typical consumer has when it comes to buying insurance. (I am not trying to single out Progressive. I know most direct markets out there today have a tool on the internet that allows consumers to generate their own quote.) At the end of the day, you want to be insured by a company that will pay your claim and pay it quickly without much hassle. Sometimes paying a little more premium to get that assurance is worth it. Too many people limit their search to the up front cost. I wish consumers were more educated when making their decisions.



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