Progressive Data Shows 30 Percent Increase in Single-Vehicle Claims on New Year’s Day
With large increase in single-vehicle accidents,
According to data from Progressive Insurance, single-vehicle claims were
up 30 percent on New Year’s Day 2012, when compared to the same day of
the week two weeks prior to and after New Year’s Day. The total number
of claims saw a jump of around 25 percent, with the largest increase
coming in the single-vehicle variety. A single-vehicle claim occurs when
one car has an incident, and no other car is involved. Notable jumps in
single-vehicle claims on New Year’s Day include:
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30 percent increase in single-vehicle claims
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76 percent increase in single-vehicle rollovers
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59 percent increase in a single-vehicles running off the road and
striking an object
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29 percent increase in single-vehicles that swerved to avoid
something and hit an object
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19 percent increase in striking an object in the road
“We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘I’m my own worst enemy,’ and that phrase
rings as true as ever on New Year’s Day,” said Maria Cashy, the claims
customer service process leader at Progressive. “The large increase in
single-vehicle claims could be attributed to a variety of factors such
as icy streets, more people out on the roads or late-night driving.
Regardless, the best thing you can do to keep yourself safe is stay off
the road.”
If you are out on New Year’s, Cashy recommends getting a cab or having a
designated driver.
“For taxi drivers, navigating the icy roads is the norm at this time of
year,” Cashy continued. “They know the spots to avoid, are accustomed to
late-night driving and are used to crowded roadways.”
If you do find yourself in an accident this New Year’s, Progressive
recommends you take the following steps:
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Stay calm. Keeping a normal demeanor helps you stay in control
of the situation.
-
Make sure you and your passengers are OK. Move as far off the
roadway as possible, but stay at the scene of the accident. Warn
oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights and/or
setting flares.
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Call the police. Call 911 or the appropriate emergency number
to report the accident.
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Contact your insurance company and report the claim. The sooner
your insurance company knows about the accident, the sooner they can
start working to resolve your claim. People who are insured by
Progressive can file a claim by calling 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, online at
progressive.com or through the Progressive mobile app.
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Do not discuss the accident. Do not discuss the car accident
with anyone other than the police and your claims representative.
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If it’s a multi-car accident, exchange vital information with the
other driver involved in the car accident. Write down the name,
address, phone number and license numbers for all drivers and
witnesses, particularly those who were not riding in a vehicle
involved in the accident. Ask for the insurance companies and policy
numbers for drivers involved in the car accident.
About Progressive
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012, The Progressive
Group of Insurance Companies (collectively, “Progressive Insurance”)
makes it easy to understand, buy, and use auto
insurance. Progressive offers choices
so consumers can reach it whenever, wherever, and however it’s most
convenient—online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, on
a mobile device or in-person with a local agent.
Progressive offers insurance for personal and commercial autos and
trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, and homes. It’s the
fourth largest auto insurer in the country, the largest seller of motorcycle
insurance, and a leader in commercial
auto insurance. Progressive also offers car
insurance online in Australia at http://www.progressiveonline.com.au.
Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering
shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like
Name Your Price®, the Snapshot Discount®, and a
concierge level of claims service.
The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village,
Ohio-based holding company, trade publicly at (NYSE:PGR).
