Head of Progressive's Drive Brand Resigns, Effective in May

April 9, 2006

The man behind the wheel of Progressive Insurance's independent agency brand, Drive Insurance, has resigned.

The Progressive Corporation in Mayfield, Ohio said on April 7 it had accepted the resignation of Robert T. Williams, effective May 17. Williams is president of the company's Drive Group of Insurance Companies.

No reason was given in the announcement.

The Drive subsidiary offers auto insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies.

Williams took over at Drive when it was launched in late 2004 as part of Progressive Insurance Co.'s move to re-brand its independent agency segment by giving it a new name and a big advertising push. At the time, Williams said the goal was to increase the amount of business the company got from independent agents, even though it was already the largest writer of independent agency auto business.

Progressive is itself best known for extensive national branding of its auto insurance that is sold direct, both over the phone and online. But it is also the largest writer of auto insurance sold through independent agents. Drive is an attempt to take the same high-profile branding approach it uses in marketing its direct sales and apply it the independent agency side.