The DriveŽ Group of Progressive Insurance Companies (Drive Insurance), the largest writer of auto insurance through independent agents and brokers in the U.S., conducted a countrywide online survey of young independent insurance agents to find out what they think about everything from business growth opportunities and technology to the skills necessary to succeed and the challenges faced by the industry.

More than 750 young independent agents responded to the survey. Drive Insurance followed the industry's definition of young agents - those 40 or younger, or those who have been in the industry less than 10 years.

According to the survey:

Young Agents on Success, Challenges and Succession

The Top Five Skills Needed to Become a Successful Independent Insurance Agent
1. Product and risk management knowledge
2. Sales skills; People management skills (tie)
3. Initiative; being a self starter
4. Business management skills
5. Empathy for customers

The Top Five Most Significant Challenges Faced by an Independent Insurance Agency
1. Attracting new customers
2. Increasing competition from companies selling direct
3. Finding and retaining good people
4. Having the variety of markets and products to meet customers' needs
5. Retaining existing customers

On Succession
Of all young agency owners or principals, the majority (67 percent) have a succession plan in place in the event of a planned or unplanned absence.

Why an Agent?
When asked why they became an independent insurance agent, the reasons most young agents give: To own my own business (26 percent); because it was a family-owned business (18 percent); and to help consumers/the general public (15 percent).

Young Agents on Growing Their Business

The Three Most Important Ways Young Agents Attract New Business
Personal Lines   
1. Referrals from existing customers   
2. Cross selling new coverages to existing customers   
3. Traditional advertising/marketing (e.g., local print, direct mail, printed yellow pages, telemarketing, etc.)   

Commercial Lines
1. Referrals from existing customers
2. Cross selling new coverages to existing customers
3. Referrals from other organizations and area professionals

Where the Growth Is
Ninety-three (93) percent of young agents surveyed are targeting personal lines as a growth area while 75 percent are targeting commercial lines.

Young Agents on Technology

The Top Technologies Young Independent Insurance Agents Use to Manage/Grow Their Business
1. Carrier Web sites
2. Agency Management System
3. Downloads from carriers
4. Real-time interfaces with carriers
5. Comparative raters
6. The Internet for prospecting, selling or informational purposes

The Technological Advantage
The majority of young independent insurance agents (79 percent) say technology has been significant in helping them grow their business.

Carriers Mentioned Most Often as Providing the Best Technology to Write & Retain Business
1. Drive Insurance from Progressive (72 percent)
2. Safeco (5 percent)
3. Travelers (4 percent)

Web Site Usage
Only 11 percent of young independent insurance agents have an interactive Web site where people can quote, buy and contact them. Thirty-four (34) percent have a static Web site where people can learn more about their agency and the services they provide and 40 percent don't have a Web site at all.

Young Agents on Carriers

The Five Most Important Things Carriers Can Offer an Independent Insurance Agency
1. Competitive rates
2. Technology that helps them more easily write business and service customers
3. A variety of markets and products (auto, home, umbrella) that meet customers' needs
4. Competitive commissions
5. Support provided by dedicated service personnel via phone

Banking on a Brand
Nearly all agents (94 percent) say a carrier's commitment to building a brand on behalf of independent insurance agents is important.

About The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, provides drivers with competitive rates and superior claims and customer service. The products and services of The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies are marketed to consumers under the DriveŽ Insurance from Progressive brand through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S. Progressive companies using the Drive brand make up a group that is the largest writer of auto insurance through independent agents and brokers in the U.S., based on premiums written. Drive is also a leading writer of commercial auto, motorcycle, boat and RV insurance. Agents and brokers can log in to ForAgentsOnly.com to get an at-a-glance summary of everything they need to manage and grow their Drive business, including referrals, quotes, customer policy information, state and countrywide news and more. For more information, to find a Drive agent, or to get a quote, go to www.driveinsurance.com. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR.