Progressive Direct Returns as Holeshot Sponsor of the 2006-'07 Amp'd Mobile SX Season

AURORA, Ill. (October 30, 2006) – The nation’s largest motorcycle and third largest car insurance group, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, today announced that its Progressive Direct® brand, which is sold by phone and online, will return as the official sponsor of the holeshot award for the 2006-2007 Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series, the world’s premier off-road motorcycle racing series. This is Progressive Direct’s second consecutive year as a sponsor.

“We’re thrilled to be involved with Amp’d Mobile Supercross and to once again sponsor the holeshot,” said Miriam Deitcher, advertising manager, Progressive Direct. “It’s a great fit for Progressive Direct; not only does it give us the opportunity to connect with fans that own a variety of products that we insure—cars, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and trucks, to name a few—but it’s also a chance to support an exciting sport.”

Progressive Direct will award prize money to the riders who get the holeshot—or early lead—in the main event of each race. At each race a pre-determined line is chalked out near the exit of the first turn, marking the official Progressive Direct Holeshot Award. As part of the sponsorship, Progressive Direct will be the Official Insurance of Amp’d Mobile Supercross; the agreement also includes prominent on-track signage, on-site and Internet promotions, giveaways and broadcast exposure.

“This is a mutually beneficial partnership that provides prime brand exposure for Progressive Direct and the series simultaneously,” said Craig Hoover, vice president of national sales, Live Nation, which produces and promotes the racing series. “Last year, the series saw its largest attendance in history with more than 830,000 live event spectators. And, more than 14 million households watched the series on SPEED and CBS Sports in 2006 compared to the 10 million in 2005.”

The 2006-2007 Amp’d Mobile World Supercross GP/Amp’d Mobile AMA Supercross Series will begin on December 2, 2006 in Toronto, Canada; the first U.S. race will take place on January 6, 2007 in Anaheim, Calif. The complete schedule can be found at www.supercrossonline.com. Supercross enthusiasts who can’t make it to the track can watch the series on the SPEED Channel cable network and on the CBS Sports television network after checking their local listings for times.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance and number one for motorcycle insurance based on premiums written and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7 in-person and online service. The products and services of The Progressive Direct Group of Insurance Companies are marketed directly to consumers under the Progressive Direct® brand by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and online at www.progressivedirect.com and www.progressiveseguros.com, a site for Spanish-speaking consumers. Progressive Direct offers consumers conveniences that help make car insurance easier, including comparison rates of other top companies and the ability to shop for, buy and manage their policies by phone or online, 24/7. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR. More information can be found at www.progressive.com.