Progressive Opens New Adjuster Training Center

The training center provides classroom instruction areas as well as spaces for the display of wrecked vehicles for hands-on practical instruction.

Progressive has other claims training facilities in Cleveland, Phoenix, and Tampa, Fla.

Shannon Radigan, a spokeswoman for Progressive, said the company opened the Tempe location in 2003, for claims training in specialty products. One of the lessons the company said it took away from this experience is that the claims center education program allows the company to deliver consistent and effective claims experience to its customers.

Expanding the training into its growing commercial auto lines permits the company to deliver the same claims experience in that area as well, Progressive said.

Progressive's commercial auto, written primarily by independent agents, produced $1.6 billion in net premiums in 2004, growing from $1.4 billion in 2003, and is offered in 45 states.

"We know how important a vehicle can be to a small business owner's livelihood," said Brian Silva, commercial auto general manager, Progressive. "A new specialized training curriculum, along with this facility, will help us get more claims representatives trained to provide fast, fair and accurate claims service that helps small business owners get back on the road as quickly as possible after a claim,"

Ms. Radigan said that the program covers a wide variety of commercial auto, ranging from vans, to dump trucks, trailers, tow trucks and others.

While the company has 45 commercial auto specialists, training its personal lines auto adjusters on commercial vehicles will allow those specialists the opportunity to concentrate on more complex claims and at the same time efficiently deal with a customer's claims, she noted. The new facility is expected to train 125 auto adjusters this year, she said.