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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
“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.”
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
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
:-)
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.
How many other times/states in which they have “accidentally” incorrectly computed a competitors rate to make theirs look better?
Sometimes “cheap” turns out to be expensive…
Their 6 months policies cost more than their 12 month policies? Interesting strategy…
Yeah, I know…’hate’ is a strong word.
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?
I have posted twice being critical of Progressive and they have been blocked
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.
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.
It said the 6 month policy is more expensive than 12 month EXAMPLE:
6 month policy is $500
12 month costs $900-
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.
agreed. FLO MUST GO! those commercials are ANNOYING!
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.
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).
“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??
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
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
:-)
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.