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How Progressive Began
On March 10, 1937, Joseph Lewis and Jack Green started Progressive Mutual Insurance Company. They wanted to provide vehicle owners with security and protection, and they thought an insurance company was a good investment for a couple of lawyers who were just getting started.
Since its beginning, Progressive has taken an innovative approach to auto insurance. We offered drive-in claims service before any other auto insurance company, and, in another industry first, we allowed customers to pay their premiums in installments — an appealing option for those who couldn't afford annual payments. Progressive wanted — and still wants — to make auto insurance accessible and easy so more people could protect their vehicles.
Progressive's steady growth continued through the years, which helped fuel the decision to become a public company in 1971. Three years later, in 1974, Progressive moved its headquarters to the Cleveland suburb of Mayfield Village.
The next two decades saw steady growth for the company, and in 1987, Progressive surpassed $1 billion in premiums. That same year, the New York Stock Exchange listed Progressive stock under the PGR symbol.
In the early 2000s, Progressive changed its claims focus to provide a better overall experience for every party involved in a claim, including the customer and the body shop. This focus helped us launch our concierge level of claims service — another industry first — in 2003. With this level of service, Progressive oversees all elements of the claims/repair process on behalf of drivers involved in accidents, which reduces the time drivers spend managing repairs from about four days to 15 minutes. Customers simply drop off their cars at a claims service center, located in select markets, and pick them up once the repairs are complete —Progressive takes care of everything in between.
In 2006, Progressive expanded its concierge level of claims service to address the special needs of drivers whose vehicles are unrepairable as the result of an accident. Our Total Loss Concierge service helps customers find a replacement vehicle at a competitive price — and helps them find financing, too. Currently, Progressive is one of the largest auto insurance groups in the United States, thanks to innovations including comparison rates and 24/7 customer and claims service.
