TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART II
Item 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
Item 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Item 8. EXHIBITS
Item 9. UNDERTAKINGS
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-4(A) 2003 DIRECTORS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
EX-4(B) RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
EX-5 OPINION OF BAKER & HOSTETLER
EX-23(A) CONSENT OF PWC
EX-24(A) POWER OF ATTORNEY
EX-24(B) CERTIFIED COPY OF RESOLUTIONS


Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2003

Registration No.


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under
The Securities Act of 1933

THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
OHIO
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  34-0963169
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

6300 Wilson Mills Road, Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION 2003 DIRECTORS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(Full title of the plan)

Charles E. Jarrett, Secretary
The Progressive Corporation
300 North Commons Boulevard
Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143
(Name and address of agent for service)

(216) 461-5000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


                                 
            Proposed maximum   Proposed maximum        
Title of Securities   Amount to be   offering price per   aggregate offering   Amount of
to be registered   registered1   share2   price2   registration fee

 
 
 
 
Common Shares,
    350,000     $ 64.845     $ 22,695,750     $ 1,836.09  
$1.00 par value
                               
     

     1 Pursuant to Rule 416(a), the amount of securities registered under this Registration Statement shall include an indeterminate number of additional Common Shares that may become issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.

     2 The registration fee has been calculated pursuant to Rules 457(c) and (h) based on the average of the high and low prices of such Common Shares reported in the NYSE consolidated reporting system on April 15, 2003.

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PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by the Registrant, are incorporated into this Registration Statement by reference:

(1)   The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002;
 
(2)   All other reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) since the end of the fiscal year covered by the report referred to in (1) above; and
 
(3)   The description of the Common Shares contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on Form 10 under the 1934 Act on file with the Commission and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

     All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the 1934 Act subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereunder have been sold, or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     Article VI of the Code of Regulations of the Registrant provides for indemnification of any current or former director, officer or employee in certain instances, as permitted under Section 1701.13(E) of the Ohio Revised Code, against expenses, judgments, decrees, fines, penalties or amounts paid in settlement in connection with the defense of any past, pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding, criminal or civil, to which he or she was, is or may be a party by reason of his or her status as such director, officer or employee.

     A current or former director, officer or employee is entitled to indemnification if he or she is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any such action, suit or proceeding or if a determination is made pursuant to Article VI of the Code of Regulations (1) by the directors of the Registrant acting at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of directors who neither were nor are parties to or threatened with any such action, suit or proceeding is present or (2) by the shareholders of the Registrant at a meeting held for such purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Registrant on such proposal or without a meeting by the written consent of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the voting power of the Registrant on such proposal, that such director, officer or employee (a) was not, and has not been adjudicated to have been, negligent or guilty of misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to the Registrant, (b) acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interest of the Registrant and (c) in any matter which is the subject of a criminal action, suit or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

     The expenses of each director, officer or employee incurred in defending any such action, suit or proceeding, whether threatened or actual, may be paid by the Registrant as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, as authorized by the Board of Directors in the specific case, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer or employee to repay such expenses unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

     Additionally, Section 1701.13(E)(5)(a) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that, unless prohibited by specific reference in a corporation’s articles of incorporation or code of regulations (which prohibition is not contained in the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations), a corporation shall pay a director’s expenses, including

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attorneys’ fees, as such expenses are incurred, in defending an action, suit or proceeding brought against a director in such capacity, whether such action, suit or proceeding is brought by a third party or by or in the right of the corporation, provided the director delivers to the corporation an undertaking to (a) repay such amount if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction that his or her action or failure to act was undertaken with deliberate intent to injure the corporation or with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation and (b) reasonably cooperate with the corporation in such action, suit or proceeding.

     Section 1701.13(E)(7) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that a corporation may purchase insurance or furnish similar protection for any director, officer or employee against any liability asserted against him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the corporation would have power to indemnify him or her under Ohio law. Such insurance may be purchased from or maintained with a person in which the corporation has a financial interest.

     The Registrant maintains directors and officers liability insurance in the amount of $25,000,000 under a policy issued by an unaffiliated insurance company. The risks covered by such policy include certain liabilities under the securities laws.

Item 8. EXHIBITS

     
4(a)    The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan
 
4(b)    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement
 
4(c)    Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Registrant
 
4(d)    Code of Regulations of the Registrant
 
  Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP
 
23(a)    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P., Independent Accountants
 
23(b)    Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP (included in Exhibit 5)
 
24(a)    Powers of Attorney
 
24(b)    Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Registrant as to Power of Attorney, certified by Secretary of the Registrant

Item 9. UNDERTAKINGS

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

  (i)   to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
  (ii)   to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

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  (iii)   to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
 
  provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

(2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

      The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Mayfield Village, Ohio, on April 21, 2003.

     
    THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
 
    By: /s/ Charles E. Jarrett

Charles E. Jarrett, Secretary

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on April 21, 2003.

     
Signature                  Title
     
*
Peter B. Lewis
  Director and Chairman of the Board
     
/s/ Glenn M. Renwick
Glenn M. Renwick
  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
     
/s/ W. Thomas Forrester
W. Thomas Forrester 
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
/s/ Jeffrey W. Basch
Jeffrey W. Basch 
  Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
*
Milton N. Allen
  Director
     
*
B. Charles Ames
  Director
     
*
Charles A. Davis
  Director
     
*
Stephen R. Hardis
  Director
     
*
Bernadine P. Healy
  Director

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*
Jeffrey D. Kelly
  Director
     
*
Philip A. Laskawy
  Director
     
*
Norman S. Matthews
  Director
     
*
Donald B. Shackelford
  Director
     
     
*   Charles E. Jarrett, by signing his name hereto, does sign this document on behalf of the persons indicated above pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by such persons and filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.

/s/ Charles E. Jarrett


Charles E. Jarrett, Attorney-In-Fact

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EXHIBIT INDEX

             
            If Incorporated By
            Reference, Document
            with which Exhibit
Exhibit No. Under           was previously filed
Reg. S-K, Item 601   Form S-8 Exhibit No.   Description   with SEC

 
 
 
             
 (4)   4(a)   The Progressive
Corporation 2003
Directors Equity
Incentive Plan
  Attached
 
 (4)   4(b)   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement   Attached
 
 (4)   4(c)   Amended Articles of   Registration
        Incorporation, as amended, of the Registrant   Statement No. 333-104646 (filed with the SEC on April 21, 2003; see Exhibit 4(d) therein)
             
 (4)   4(d)   Code of Regulations of the Registrant   Registration Statement No. 333-104646 (filed with the SEC on April 21, 2003; see Exhibit 4(e) therein)
 
  (5)   5   Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP   Attached
 
  (23)   23(a)   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P., Independent Accountants   Attached
 
  (23)   23(b)   Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP   Included in Exhibit 5
 
  (24)   24(a)   Powers of Attorney   Attached
 
  (24)   24(b)   Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Registrant as to Power of Attorney, certified by Secretary of the Registrant   Attached

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Exhibit 4(a)

THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION

2003 DIRECTORS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

(a) The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), hereby establishes an incentive compensation plan for Eligible Directors, to be known as "The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan" (the "Plan"), as set forth in this document. The Plan permits the grant of Restricted Stock and Stock Options to Eligible Directors of the Company.

(b) The purpose of the Plan is to enable the Company to attract, retain and reward directors of the Company and to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such directors and the Company's shareholders by offering such directors equity or equity-based incentives.

(c) For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

"Award" means any award of Restricted Stock or Stock Options under the Plan.

"Award Agreement" means an agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to an Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

"Book Value" means, as of any given date, on a per share basis (1) the shareholders' equity in the Company as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year as reflected in the Company's audited consolidated balance sheet as of such year-end date, subject to such adjustments as the Committee shall specify at or after grant, divided by (2) the number of outstanding shares of Stock as of such year-end date, subject to such adjustments as the Committee shall specify for events subsequent to such year-end date.

"Change in Control" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 7(b).

"Change in Control Price" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 7(d).

"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

"Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

"Company" means The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation, or any successor corporation.

"Disability" means a mental or physical condition which, in the opinion of the Committee, renders a Participant unable or incompetent to carry out the responsibilities held by such Participant as a Board member and which is expected to be permanent or for an indefinite duration.

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"Eligible Directors" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 4.

"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

"Expiration Date" means the date upon which an Award, or any portion thereof, is scheduled to expire or terminate if not exercised or vested prior thereto, as determined by the Committee.

"Fair Market Value" means, as of any given date, the mean between the highest and lowest quoted selling price of the Stock on such date on the New York Stock Exchange or, if no such sale of the Stock occurs on the New York Stock Exchange on such date, then such mean price on the next preceding day on which the Stock was traded. If the Stock is no longer traded on the New York Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value of the Stock shall be determined by the Committee in good faith.

"Family Member" means a Participant's child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, a trust in which any of these persons (and/or the Participant) holds more than 50% of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which any of these persons (and/or the Participant) controls the management of assets and any other entity in which any of these persons (and/or the Participant) owns more than 50% of the voting interests.

"Incentive Stock Option" means any Stock Option intended to be and designated as an "Incentive Stock Option", which satisfies the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor section thereto.

"Non-Employee Director" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Commission.

"Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

"Option Exercise Price" means the price at which a share of Stock may be purchased by a Participant pursuant to the exercise of an Option, as determined by the Committee and set forth in the related Option Award Agreement.

"Option Term" has the meaning assigned to it in Section 6(b)(2).

"Participant" means an Eligible Director who holds an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.

"Plan" means The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

"Potential Change in Control" has the meaning assigned to it in
Section 7(c).

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"Restricted Stock" means an Award of shares of Stock that is made pursuant to Section 5 and is subject to restrictions.

"Restriction Period" and "Minimum Restriction Period" shall have the meanings assigned to them in Section 5(b)(7).

"Stock" means the Common Shares, $1.00 par value per share, of the Company.

"Stock Option" or "Option" means any option to purchase shares of Stock that is granted pursuant to Section 6.

SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION.

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall consist of not less than three directors of the Company, all of whom shall be Non-Employee Directors. Committee members shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve on the Committee at the pleasure of the Board. The functions of the Committee specified in the Plan shall be exercised by the Board if and to the extent that no Committee exists which has the authority to so administer the Plan.

The Committee shall have full power to interpret and administer the Plan and full authority to select the individuals to whom Awards will be granted and to determine the type and amount of Awards to be granted to each Participant, the consideration, if any, to be paid for such Awards, the timing of such Awards, the terms and conditions of Awards granted under the Plan and the terms and conditions of the related Award Agreements which will be entered into with Participants.

The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter, change and repeal such rules, regulations, guidelines and practices governing the Plan, from time to time, as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreement relating thereto); to direct employees of the Company or other advisors to prepare such materials or perform such analyses as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate; and otherwise to supervise the administration of the Plan.

Any interpretation and administration of the Plan by the Committee, and all actions and determinations of the Committee, shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company, its shareholders, all Participants in the Plan, their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns and all persons claiming under or through any of them. No member of the Board or of the Committee shall incur any liability for any action taken or omitted, or any determination made, in good faith in connection with the Plan.

SECTION 3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

(a) Aggregate Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) below, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for Awards under the Plan is 350,000. Any Stock issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.

(b) Forfeiture or Termination of Awards or Stock. If any Stock subject to any Award granted hereunder is forfeited or an Award otherwise terminates or expires without the

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issuance of Stock, the Stock that is subject to such Award shall again be available for distribution in connection with future Awards under the Plan as set forth in Section 3(a), unless the Participant who had been awarded such forfeited Stock or the expired or terminated Award has theretofor received dividends or other benefits of ownership with respect to such Stock. For purposes hereof, a Participant shall not be deemed to have received a benefit of ownership with respect to such Stock by the exercise of voting rights or the accumulation of dividends which are not realized due to the forfeiture of such Stock or the expiration or termination of the related Award without issuance of such Stock.

(c) Adjustment. In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, share dividend, share split, reverse share split, combination of shares or other change in the corporate or capital structure of the Company affecting the Stock, such substitution or adjustment shall be made in the aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, in the maximum number of shares that may be subject to Awards granted to any Participant during any calendar year or other period, in the number and Option Exercise Price of shares subject to outstanding Options granted under the Plan and in the number of shares subject to Restricted Stock Awards granted under the Plan as may be approved by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights; provided that the number of shares subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. Any fractional shares shall be eliminated.

(d) Annual Award Limitation. No Participant may be granted Awards under the Plan with respect to an aggregate of more than 6,000 shares of Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) hereof) during any calendar year.

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY.

All directors of the Company who are not full time employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Eligible Directors") are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan.

SECTION 5. RESTRICTED STOCK.

(a) Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Stock may be awarded to Eligible Directors at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall determine the individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock will be made; the number of shares of Restricted Stock to be awarded to each Participant; the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 5(b)); the date or dates or conditions upon which Restricted Stock Awards will vest; the period or periods within which such Restricted Stock Awards may be subject to restrictions and forfeiture; and the other terms and conditions of such Awards in addition to those set forth in Section 5(b).

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock upon the lapse of time or such other factors as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.

(b) Terms and Conditions. Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable. A Participant who receives a Restricted Stock Award shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant has executed an Award Agreement evidencing the Award in the

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form approved from time to time by the Committee and has delivered a fully executed copy thereof to the Company, and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award.

(1) The purchase price for shares of Restricted Stock shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant and may be equal to their par value or zero.

(2) Awards of Restricted Stock must be accepted by executing the related Restricted Stock Award Agreement, delivering an executed copy of such Restricted Stock Award Agreement to the Company and paying whatever price (if any) is required under Section 5(b)(1).

(3) Subject to Section 5(b)(5), each Participant receiving a Restricted Stock Award shall be issued a stock certificate in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Award.

(4) Subject to Section 5(b)(5), the stock certificates evidencing such shares of Restricted Stock shall be delivered to and held in custody by the Company, or its designee, until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed or any conditions to the vesting of such Award have been satisfied. As a condition of any Restricted Stock Award, the Participant shall deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock covered by such Award.

(5) At the discretion of the Company, any shares of Restricted Stock awarded to any Participant may be issued and held in book entry form. In such event, no stock certificates evidencing such shares will be issued to the Participant and the applicable restrictions may be noted in the records of the Company's stock transfer agent and in the book entry system.

(6) Awards of Restricted Stock will vest and all restrictions thereon will terminate upon the lapse of a period of time specified by the Committee at the time of grant, provided all other conditions to vesting have been met.

(7) Subject to the provisions of this Plan and the related Restricted Stock Award Agreement, during the period set by the Committee commencing with the date of a Restricted Stock Award (the "Restriction Period"), the Participant who has received such Award shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber the shares of Restricted Stock which are subject to such Award. The Restriction Period shall not be less than six months and one day in duration ("Minimum Restriction Period"). Subject to these limitations and the Minimum Restriction Period requirement, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions, in whole or in part, based on service, performance or such other factors and criteria as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion.

(8) Except as provided in this Section 5(b)(8), Section 5(b)(7) or
Section 5(b)(9), the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock awarded, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the Stock and the right

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to receive any dividends. The Committee, in its sole discretion, as determined at the time of award, may permit or require the payment of cash dividends to be deferred and, if the Committee so determines, reinvested, subject to Section 10(c), in additional Restricted Stock to the extent shares are available under Section 3, or otherwise reinvested. Stock dividends issued with respect to Restricted Stock shall be treated as additional shares of Restricted Stock that are subject to the same restrictions and other terms and conditions that apply to the shares with respect to which such dividends are issued.

(9) No Restricted Stock shall be transferable by any Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, except that, if determined by the Committee at the time of grant and so provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant may transfer Restricted Stock during his or her lifetime to one or more of his or her Family Members, provided that no consideration is paid for the transfer and that the transfer would not result in the loss of any exemption under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act with respect to any Restricted Stock. The transferee of Restricted Stock will be subject to all restrictions, terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock prior to its transfer, except that the Restricted Stock will not be further transferable by the transferee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

(10) Subject to Section 5(b)(5), if a Participant dies while serving as a member of the Board, his or her estate shall be entitled to receive any shares of Restricted Stock held by such Participant at the time of death and such Restricted Stock shall thereafter vest, or any restrictions lapse, on the vesting date or dates specified in the related Award Agreements.

(11) If a Participant resigns or is removed from the Board by reason of a Disability, he or she shall be entitled to retain any Restricted Stock held by him or her at the time of such resignation or removal and such Restricted Stock shall thereafter vest, or any restrictions lapse, on the vesting date or dates specified in the related Award Agreements.

(12) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or after the time of granting any Restricted Stock Award, if a Director resigns or is removed from the Board for any reason other than death or Disability or does not stand for re-election, all Restricted Stock held by such Participant which is unvested or subject to restriction at the time of such resignation or removal, or at the time such Director leaves the Board, shall thereupon be forfeited.

SECTION 6. STOCK OPTIONS.

(a) Grant. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Stock Options may be granted to Eligible Directors at any time and from time to time, as shall be determined by the Committee. The Committee shall determine the individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Stock Options will be made; the number of shares purchasable under each Stock Option; the time or times at which Stock Options will vest and become exercisable; and the other terms and conditions of the Stock Options (and the related Option Award Agreements) in addition to those set forth in Sections 6(b) and 6(c). All Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

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(b) Terms and Conditions. Options granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by Option Award Agreements, shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

(1) Option Exercise Price. The Option Exercise Price per share of Stock purchasable under a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant and shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant.

(2) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option ("Option Term") shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant and may not exceed ten years from the date the Option is granted.

(3) Exercise. Stock Options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at or after grant; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 6(b)(6) and unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or after grant, no Stock Option shall be exercisable prior to six months and one day following the date of grant. If any Stock Option is exercisable only in installments or only after a specified vesting date, the Committee may accelerate or waive, in whole or in part, such installment exercise provisions or vesting date, at any time at or after grant based on such factors as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

(4) Method of Exercise. Subject to whatever installment exercise provisions apply with respect to such Stock Option, and the six month and one day holding period set forth in Section 6(b)(3) and any other conditions to vesting, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, at any time during the Option Term, by giving to the Company written notice of exercise specifying the number of shares of Stock to be purchased.

Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Exercise Price of the shares of Stock for which the Option is exercised, in cash or by check or such other instrument as the Committee may accept. Subject to the prior approval of the Committee, in its sole discretion, at or after grant, payment, in full or in part, of the Option Exercise Price may be made in the form of unrestricted Stock then owned by the Participant or Stock that is part of the Non-Qualified Stock Option being exercised. The value of each such share surrendered or withheld shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the Option is exercised.

No Stock shall be issued pursuant to an exercise of an Option until full payment has been made therefor. A Participant shall not have rights to dividends or any other rights of a shareholder with respect to any Stock subject to an Option unless and until the Participant has given written notice of exercise, has paid in full for such shares, has given, if requested, the representation described in
Section 10(a) and such shares have been issued to the Participant.

(5) Non-Transferability of Options. Subject to the following sentence, no Stock Option shall be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant's lifetime, only by the Participant or, subject to Section 6(b)(3), by the Participant's

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authorized legal representative if the Participant is unable to exercise an Option as a result of the Participant's Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if determined by the Committee at the time of grant and so provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant may transfer a Non-Qualified Stock Option during his or her lifetime to one or more of his or her Family Members, provided that no consideration is paid for the transfer and that the transfer would not result in the loss of any exemption under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act with respect to any Stock Option. The transferee of a Stock Option will be subject to all restrictions, terms and conditions applicable to the Stock Option prior to its transfer, except that the Stock Option will not be further transferable by the transferee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

(6) Termination by Death. If any Participant dies, any Stock Option held by such Participant at the time of his or her death may thereafter be exercised, to the extent such Option was exercisable at the time of death or would have become exercisable within one year from the time of death had the Participant continued to fulfill all conditions of the Option during such period (or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant), by the estate of the Participant (acting through its fiduciary) for a period of one year (or such other period as the Committee may specify at or after grant) from the date of such death. The balance of the Stock Option shall be forfeited.

(7) Termination by Reason of Disability. Subject to Section 6(b)(3), if a Participant resigns or is removed from the Board by reason of a Disability, any Stock Option then held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent such Option is exercisable at the time of such resignation or removal or would have become exercisable within one year from the time of such resignation or removal had the Participant continued to fulfill all conditions of the Option during such period (or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant), by the Participant or by the Participant's duly authorized legal representative if the Participant is unable to exercise the Option as a result of the Participant's Disability, for a period of one year (or such other period as the Committee may specify at or after grant) from the date of such resignation or removal; provided that if the Participant dies within such one-year period (or such other period as the Committee shall specify at or after grant), any unexercised Stock Option held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable by the estate of the Participant (acting through its fiduciary) to the same extent to which it was exercisable at the time of death for a period of one year from the date of such termination of employment. The balance of the Stock Option shall be forfeited.

(8) Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or after the time of granting any Stock Option, if a Participant resigns or is removed from the Board for any reason other than death or Disability, all Stock Options held by such Participant shall thereupon immediately terminate.

(c) Buyout Provisions. The Committee may at any time buy out, for a payment in cash, Stock or Restricted Stock, any Option previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish and agree upon with the Participant, provided that no such transaction involving a Participant shall be structured or effected in a manner that would violate, or result in any liability on the part of the Participant under, Section 16 of the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

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SECTION 7. CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISION.

(a) Impact of Event. In the event of and upon: (1) a "Change in Control" as defined in Section 7(b) or (2) a "Potential Change in Control" as defined in Section 7(c), the following acceleration and valuation provisions shall apply:

(1) Any Stock Options awarded under the Plan not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested;

(2) All restrictions and limitations, if any, applicable to any Restricted Stock or Stock Options shall terminate and such Stock or Stock Options shall be deemed fully vested; and

(3) The value of all outstanding Awards, in each case to the extent vested, shall, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion at or after grant but prior to any Change in Control or Potential Change in Control, be cashed out on the basis of the "Change in Control Price", as defined in Section 7(d), as of the date such Change in Control or such Potential Change in Control is determined to have occurred.

(b) Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of Section 7(a), a "Change in Control" means the happening of any of the following:

(1) When any "person" as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding the Company and any Subsidiary and any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary (including any trustee of such plan acting as trustee), directly or indirectly, becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time), of securities of the Company representing 20 percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; provided, however, that the terms "person" and "group" shall not include any "Excluded Director", and the term "Excluded Director" means any director who, on the effective date of the Plan, is the beneficial owner of or has the right to acquire an amount of Stock equal to or greater than five percent of the number of shares of Stock outstanding on such effective date; and further provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Board or any committee thereof, the terms "person" and "group" shall not include any entity or group of entities which has acquired Stock of the Company in the ordinary course of business for investment purposes only and not with the purpose or effect of changing or influencing the control of the Company, or in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect, ("Investment Intent"), as demonstrated by the filing by such entity or group of a statement on Schedule 13G (including amendments thereto) pursuant to Regulation 13D under the Exchange Act, as long as such entity or group continues to hold such Stock with an Investment Intent;

(2) When, during any period of 24 consecutive months during the existence of the Plan, the individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason other than death to constitute at least a majority thereof; provided, however, that a director who was not a director at the beginning of such 24-month period shall be deemed to have satisfied such 24-month

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requirement (and be an Incumbent Director) if such director was elected by, or on the recommendation of or with the approval of, at least two-thirds of the directors who then qualified as Incumbent Directors either actually (because they were directors at the beginning of such 24-month period) or by prior operation of this
Section 7(b)(2); or

(3) The occurrence of a transaction requiring shareholder approval for the acquisition of the Company, or any portion of the outstanding equity securities or voting power of the Company, by an entity other than the Company or a Subsidiary through purchase of Stock or assets, by merger or otherwise;

provided, however, a change in control shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control for purposes of the Plan if the Board approves such change prior to either (i) the commencement of any of the events described in Section
7(b)(l), (2), or (3) or 7(c)(l) or (ii) the commencement by any person other than the Company of a tender offer for Stock.

(c) Definition of Potential Change in Control. For purposes of Section
7(a), a "Potential Change in Control" means the happening of any one of the following:

(1) The approval by shareholders of an agreement by the Company, the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control of the Company as defined in Section 7(b); or

(2) The acquisition of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, by any entity, person or group (other than the Company or a Subsidiary or any Company employee benefit plan (including any trustee of such plan acting as such trustee)) of securities of the Company representing five percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities and the adoption by the Board of a resolution to the effect that a Potential Change in Control of the Company has occurred for purposes of this Plan.

(d) Change in Control Price. For purposes of this Section 7, "Change in Control Price" means the highest price per share paid in any transaction reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index, or paid or offered in any bona fide transaction related to a Change in Control or Potential Change in Control of the Company, at any time during the 60-day period immediately preceding the occurrence of the Change in Control (or, where applicable, the occurrence of the Potential Change in Control event), in each case as determined by the Committee.

SECTION 8. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.

The Board may at any time, in its sole discretion, amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no such amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of a Participant under an Award theretofore granted, without the Participant's consent. The Company shall submit to the shareholders of the Company for their approval any amendments to the Plan which are required to be approved by shareholders, either by law or the rules and regulations of any governmental authority or any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then traded.

Subject to changes in law or other legal requirements that would permit otherwise, the Plan may not be amended without the approval of the shareholders, to (a) increase the total number of

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shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan or to any Participant during any calendar year (except for adjustments pursuant to Section 3(c)), (b) permit the granting of Stock Options with exercise prices lower than those specified in
Section 6(b)(1) or (c) modify the Plan's eligibility requirements.

The Committee may at any time, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of any outstanding Award, but no such amendment shall be made which would impair the rights of a Participant under an Award theretofore granted, without the Participant's consent; nor, in the case of any Award of a Stock Option, shall any such amendment reduce the Option Exercise Price relating to such Stock Option or, in any other case, reduce the purchase price (if any) of the Stock which is subject to an outstanding Award; nor shall any such amendment be made which would make the applicable exemptions provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act unavailable to any Participant holding an Award without the Participant's consent.

Subject to the above provisions, the Board shall have all necessary authority to amend the Plan to take into account changes in applicable securities and tax laws and accounting rules, as well as other developments.

SECTION 9. UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN.

The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.

SECTION 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

(a) The Committee may require each Participant acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the Stock without a view to distribution thereof. Any certificates for such shares may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.

All shares of Stock or other securities issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any certificates for such shares to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or to cause such restrictions to be noted in the records of the Company's stock transfer agent and any applicable book entry system.

(b) Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

(c) The actual or deemed reinvestment of dividends in additional Stock or Restricted Stock at the time of any dividend payment shall only be permissible if sufficient shares of Stock are available under Section 3 for such reinvestment (taking into account the then outstanding and previously granted Restricted Stock and Stock Options).

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(d) The Plan, all Awards made and all actions taken thereunder and any agreements relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

(e) In the event any Award is transferred or assigned pursuant to a court order, such transfer or assignment shall be without liability to the Company and the Company shall have the right to offset against such Award any expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by the Company in connection with such transfer or assignment.

(f) All Award Agreements entered into with Participants pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to the Plan. A Participant who receives an Award under the Plan shall not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant has executed an Award Agreement evidencing the Award, in form approved by the Committee; has delivered a fully-executed copy of such Award Agreement to the Company; and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award.

(g) The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

SECTION 11. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL; EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

The Plan was adopted by the Board on January 31, 2003 and is subject to approval by the holders of the Company's outstanding Stock, in accordance with applicable law. The Plan will become effective on the date of such approval.

SECTION 12. TERM OF PLAN.

No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after January 31, 2013, but Awards granted prior to such date may extend beyond that date.

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Exhibit 4(b)

THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
2003 DIRECTORS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

This Agreement ("Agreement") is made this <Grant Date> by and between <Participant Name> ("Participant") and The Progressive Corporation (the "Company").

1. AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK. The Company hereby grants to Participant an award (the "Award") of restricted stock (the "Restricted Stock") consisting of <# of Shares> shares of the Company's Common Shares, $1 Par Value ("Common Shares"), pursuant and subject to The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

2. CONDITIONS TO PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall not become effective, and Participant shall have no rights with respect to the Award or the Restricted Stock, unless and until both of the following have occurred to the Company's satisfaction:

a. Participant has fully executed this Agreement and delivered it to the Company (in the Company's discretion, such execution and delivery may be accomplished through electronic means); and

b. Participant has fully executed a stock power in the form attached as Appendix A and delivered it to the Company, including a "Medallion Guarantee" by a qualified bank, securities broker or other financial institution as further described on Appendix A.

3. RESTRICTIONS; VESTING. The Restricted Stock shall be subject to the restrictions and other terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and in this Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, Participant's rights in and to the shares of Restricted Stock shall vest on <Vesting Date>.

The shares of Restricted Stock awarded under this Agreement shall vest as set forth above unless, prior to such vesting date, the Award and the applicable shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited or become subject to accelerated vesting under the terms and conditions of the Plan. Until shares of Restricted Stock vest, Participant shall not sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber such shares of Restricted Stock.

4. MANNER IN WHICH SHARES WILL BE HELD. Stock certificates evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock awarded under this Agreement shall be registered in the name of Participant and shall be delivered to and held in custody by the Company, or its designee, until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed or any conditions to the vesting of such Award have been satisfied. Such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Award.

In the discretion of the Company, any or all shares of Restricted Stock awarded to Participant hereunder may be issued in, or after issuance may be transferred to, book-entry form and held by the Company in such form. In such event, no stock certificates evidencing such shares will be held, the applicable restrictions will be noted in the records of the Company's transfer agent and in the book entry system, and upon vesting, Participant may request that the Company issue a stock certificate for the applicable number of Common Shares.

5. RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDER. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Plan, Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock awarded hereunder, all of the rights

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of a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any dividends as declared by the Company's Board of Directors.

6. SHARES NON-TRANSFERABLE. No shares of Restricted Stock shall be transferable by Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event any Award is transferred or assigned pursuant to a court order, such transfer or assignment shall be without liability to the Company, and the Company shall have the right to offset against such Award any expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by the Company in connection with such transfer or assignment.

7. TERMINATION OF SERVICE. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors, if Participant resigns or is removed from the Board of Directors for any reason other than death or Disability or does not stand for re-election, all Restricted Stock held by Participant which is unvested or subject to restriction at the time of such resignation or removal, or at the time Participant leaves the Board, shall be automatically forfeited.

8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes and cancels any other agreement, representation or communication, whether oral or in writing, between the parties hereto relating to subject matter hereof, provided that the Agreement shall be at all times subject to the Plan as provided above.

9. AMENDMENT. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may hereafter amend the terms of this Award, but no such amendment shall be made which would impair the rights of Participant, without Participant's consent.

10. DEFINITIONS: Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, each capitalized term in this Agreement shall have the meaning given to it in the Plan.

Participant hereby: (i) acknowledges receiving a copy of the Plan Description relating to the Plan, and represents that he or she is familiar with all of the material provisions of the Plan, as set forth in such Plan Description; (ii) accepts this Agreement and the Restricted Stock awarded pursuant hereto subject to all provisions of the Plan and this Agreement; and
(iii) agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee relating to the Plan, this Agreement or the Restricted Stock awarded hereunder.

-2-

APPENDIX A --- IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER

For Value Received, the undersigned does hereby assign and transfer to



shares of Common Shares, $1.00 par value per share, of The

Progressive Corporation ("Company") represented by certificate(s)

no(s).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------,


inclusive, standing in the name of the undersigned on the books of the Company.

The undersigned does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint

Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.


Printed Name


Signature

Date:

IMPORTANT: The signature of the assignor (Participant) must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (bank, stock broker, savings and loan association, or credit union) with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 17Ad-15.


Name of Guarantor Institution


Signature Medallion Guaranteed

-3-

Exhibit 5

April 21, 2003

The Progressive Corporation
6300 Wilson Mills Road
Mayfield Village, OH 44143

Re: Common Shares issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan

Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), in connection with its Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the offering of up to 350,000 Common Shares, $1.00 par value (the "Common Shares"), of the Company pursuant to the Company's 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

In connection with the foregoing, we have examined (a) the Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and the Code of Regulations of the Company, (b) the Plan, and (c) such records of the corporate proceedings of the Company and such other documents as we deem necessary to render this opinion.

Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that:

1. The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Ohio.

2. The Common Shares available for issuance under the Plan, when issued and sold pursuant to the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

Baker & Hostetler LLP


Exhibit 23(a)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 22, 2003 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appear in the 2002 Annual Report to Shareholders of The Progressive Corporation (the "Company"), which is included as an Appendix to the Company's 2003 Proxy Statement, which report and consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated January 22, 2003 relating to the financial statement schedules, which appear in such Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, L.L.P.


Cleveland, Ohio
April 21, 2003


Exhibit 24(a)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned officer of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 7, 2003               /s/ Jeffrey W. Basch
                                     --------------------
                                     Jeffrey W. Basch
                                     Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned officer of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 7, 2003               /s/ W. Thomas Forrester
                                     -----------------------
                                     W. Thomas Forrester
                                     Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned officer and director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 7, 2003                  /s/ Glenn M. Renwick
                                        -----------------------------
                                        Glenn M. Renwick
                                        Director, Chief Executive Officer and
                                        President


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 4, 2003                       /s/ Milton N. Allen
                                             ----------------------------
                                             Milton N. Allen
                                             Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 7, 2003                       /s/ B. Charles Ames
                                             -------------------------
                                             B. Charles Ames
                                             Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 7, 2003                      /s/ Charles A. Davis
                                            ---------------------
                                            Charles A. Davis
                                            Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 4, 2003                        /s/ Stephen R. Hardis
                                              ---------------------
                                              Stephen R. Hardis
                                              Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 6, 2003                        /s/ Bernadine P. Healy
                                              -------------------------
                                              Bernadine P. Healy
                                              Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 7, 2003                         /s/ Jeffrey D. Kelly
                                               --------------------
                                               Jeffrey D. Kelly
                                               Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 4, 2003                      /s/ Philip A. Laskawy
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Philip A. Laskawy
                                            Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned officer and director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 7, 2003                  /s/ Peter B. Lewis
                                        ---------------------------------
                                        Peter B. Lewis
                                        Chairman of the Board and Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 7, 2003                      /s/ Norman S. Matthews
                                            ------------------------
                                            Norman S. Matthews
                                            Director


POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT: The undersigned director of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has made, constituted and appointed, and by this instrument does make, constitute and appoint, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow, Michael R. Uth and David M. Coffey, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to affix for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, as attorney-in-fact and agent, his signature to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 or other form in order to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, up to 350,000 of the Company's Common Shares, $1.00 par value, issuable under The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, and to any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and exhibits to such Registration Statement, and to any and all applications, instruments and other documents pertaining thereto, giving and granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the premises, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do if personally present, and hereby ratifying and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, or any such substitute or substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed in the capacities and on the date indicated below.

Date:    April 6, 2003                        /s/ Donald B. Shackelford
                                              -------------------------
                                              Donald B. Shackelford
                                              Director


Exhibit 24(b)

THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
2003 DIRECTORS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
CERTIFIED COPY OF RESOLUTIONS

RESOLVED, that The Progressive Corporation (the "Company") hereby approves and adopts The Progressive Corporation 2003 Directors Equity Incentive Plan, in form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Plan"), subject to approval by the holders of the Company's Common Shares, $1 par value ("Shareholders"); and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Plan be submitted to the Shareholders for approval at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Company reserve 350,000 Common Shares for issuance pursuant to Restricted Stock or Stock Option awards which may hereafter be granted under the Plan, which amount may be further increased by the Board of Directors, from time to time, in its sole discretion, subject to any necessary approval by Shareholders; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Company be, and each of them with full power to act without the others is, hereby authorized and directed to prepare, or cause to be prepared, and to execute and file or cause to be executed and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), for and on behalf of the Company, a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (which, together with the related Prospectus and all exhibits and other documents relating thereto, is herein referred to as the "Registration Statement") with respect to the registration of the additional Common Shares of the Company hereinabove authorized for issuance under the Plan and any related derivative or other securities (including, without limitation, Restricted Stock and Stock Options) (the "Plan Securities"), with such changes (including, but not limited to, changes of a substantive nature) as any such officer or officers shall approve, which approval shall be shown conclusively by the execution of the Registration Statement by or on behalf of any such officer or officers; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Company be, and each of them with full power to act without the others is, hereby authorized and empowered, for and on behalf of the Company, to prepare or cause to be prepared and to execute such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement as they, or any of them, may deem necessary or desirable, or as may be required by the Commission; to cause such amendments and supplements, when duly executed (if required), to be filed with the Commission; and to do all such other acts and things and to execute all such other documents as they, or any of them, deem necessary or desirable in order to cause the Registration Statement to comply with the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission pursuant thereto (the "Rules and Regulations"), and to become effective under the Act and the Rules and Regulations; and

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FURTHER RESOLVED, that when the Registration Statement has become effective, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Company be, and each of them with full power to act without the others is, hereby authorized and empowered, for and on behalf of the Company, to execute and deliver any and all instruments, certificates and/or other documents, and to do any and all acts and things, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the issuance of Plan Securities under the Plan; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Charles E. Jarrett, or such other individual as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may designate in his stead, is hereby named as the person authorized to receive service of all notices, orders, communications and other documents which may be issued or sent by the Commission in connection with the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto, with all the powers consequent upon such designation under the Rules and Regulations; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that any director or officer of the Company required by law to affix his or her signature to the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto may affix his or her signature personally, or by any attorney-in-fact, duly constituted in writing by said director or officer to sign his or her name thereto; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Jeffrey W. Basch, David M. Coffey, W. Thomas Forrester, Charles E. Jarrett, Dane A. Shrallow and Glenn M. Renwick be, and each of them hereby is, appointed as the attorney-in-fact and agent of the Company, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the Company, to sign, attest and file the Registration Statement, and any and all amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement and any and all applications or other documents to be filed with the Commission and any and all applications or other documents to be filed with any governmental or private agency or official relative to the issuance of the Plan Securities, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and approving the acts of such attorneys-in-fact or any such substitute or substitutes and, without implied limitation, including in the above the authority to do the foregoing things on behalf of the Company in the name of the person so acting or on behalf and in the name of any duly authorized officer of the Company; and the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary be, and each hereby is, authorized and empowered for and on behalf of the Company to execute a Power of Attorney evidencing the foregoing appointment; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that Jeffrey W. Basch, David M. Coffey, W. Thomas Forrester, Charles E. Jarrett, Glenn M. Renwick and Dane A. Shrallow be, and each of them with full power to act without the others is, hereby authorized and empowered to sign the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement, on behalf of and as attorneys-in-fact for the principal executive officer, principal accounting officer, principal financial officer or any other officer of the Company, including, without limitation, the

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President, any Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary, and on behalf of and as attorneys for each director of the Company; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that each of the officers of the Company and its attorneys, Messrs. David M. Coffey, Suzanne M. Hanselman, R. Steven Kestner, Charles E. Jarrett and Dane A. Shrallow, be, and each of them with full power to act without the others is, hereby authorized and empowered to appear on behalf of the Company before the Commission in connection with any and all matters relating to the Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Company be, and each of them with full power to act without the others is, hereby authorized and empowered, in the name and on behalf of the Company, to take any and all action which they, or any of them, deem necessary or advisable in order to obtain a permit to issue Plan Securities, or to register or qualify the Plan Securities for issuance, or to request an exemption from registration of the Plan Securities, or to register or obtain a license for the Company as a dealer or broker, under the securities laws of such states of the United States of America and of such foreign jurisdictions as any such officer or officers may deem advisable, and in connection with such registrations, permits, licenses, qualifications and exemptions to execute, acknowledge, verify, deliver, file and publish or cause to be published all such applications, reports, resolutions, surety bonds, consents to service of process, appointments of attorneys to receive service of process, powers of attorney and other papers and instruments, and to take any and all further action, which they, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable in order to maintain such registration or qualification in effect for as long as they may deem to be in the best interests of this Company or as required by law; and that the execution by such officer or officers of any such document or the taking of any such action in connection with the foregoing matters shall be deemed to be conclusive evidence that such officer or officers deem(s) the taking of any such action to be necessary or proper and in the best interests of the Company and approves such action; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Shares of the Company to be issued pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the Registration Statement, shall be duly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares of the Company, free of any shareholder preemptive rights; and

RESOLVED, that the preparation, execution and filing with the New York Stock Exchange of a Listing Application or a Supplemental Listing Application (including all exhibits and supporting material) to list the 350,000 Common Shares to be issued under the Plan be, and it hereby is, in all respects authorized and approved; and that the officers of the Company and its attorneys, Messrs. David M. Coffey, Suzanne M. Hanselman, Charles E. Jarrett, R. Steven Kestner and Dane A. Shrallow, be, and each of them is, hereby authorized and empowered, at such time as to them shall seem advisable, to make application for such listing and, in connection therewith, to execute, in the name and on behalf of the Company, and under its corporate seal or otherwise, and to file or deliver, all such applications, statements, certificates, agreements and

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other instruments and documents as shall be necessary or desirable to accomplish such listing; and that such officers and attorneys be, and each of them hereby is, authorized to appear on behalf of the Company before the appropriate committee or body of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., as such appearance may be required, with authority to make such changes in any such Listing Application as shall be presented thereto and in any agreements that may be made in connection therewith as, in their or his discretion, may be necessary to comply with the requirements for such listing; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the authority of National City Bank ("NCB"), as transfer agent and registrar for the Company's outstanding Common Shares, be, and it hereby is, extended to include the original issue and the transfer and registration from time to time of the additional Common Shares to be issued under the Plan, as herein authorized; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that for the purpose of the original issue of Common Shares by the Company under the Plan as aforesaid, NCB, as transfer agent and registrar for the Common Shares, be, and is hereby, authorized and directed to
(i) countersign as such transfer agent by manual or facsimile signature stock certificates for the Common Shares to be so issued by the Company when such certificates shall be delivered to such transfer agent duly executed on behalf of the Company, (ii) procure as registrar of the Common Shares the registration of such certificates, and (iii) deliver such certificates, when so countersigned and registered, to or upon the order of the persons entitled thereto as set forth in the order or orders of the Company for the issuance of the Common Shares; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the Company hereby adopts and incorporates by reference any form of specific resolution to carry into effect the purpose and intent of the foregoing resolutions, or covering authority included in matters authorized in the foregoing resolutions, including forms of resolutions in connection therewith that may be required by the Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the New York Stock Exchange and any state, institution, person or agency, and the Secretary of the Company is hereby directed to insert a copy thereof in the minute book of the Company following the minutes of this meeting and certify the same as having been duly adopted thereby; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Compensation Committee of the Board be, and it hereby is, authorized and directed, for and on behalf of the Company to administer the Plan in accordance with its terms, to interpret the Plan and make all determinations thereunder, to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it shall deem advisable from time to time and to otherwise exercise all of the powers and authority granted to such Committee under the Plan; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary of the Company be, and each of them with full power to act without the others is, hereby authorized and empowered to do or cause to be done all such acts or things, to cause to be paid all necessary fees and expenses, and to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made, executed and delivered, all such agreements, documents, instruments and certificates, in the

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name of and on behalf of the Company or otherwise, as they or any of them may deem necessary, advisable or appropriate to effectuate or carry out the purposes and intent of the foregoing resolutions; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that any and all actions heretofore or hereafter taken by any officer or officers of the Company within the terms of the foregoing resolutions be and are hereby ratified and confirmed as the authorized acts and deeds of the Company.

I, Charles E. Jarrett, do hereby certify that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting Secretary of The Progressive Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"); that I have custody of the official records of the Company; and that the foregoing is a true, correct, and complete copy of the resolutions duly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors on the 31st day of January, 2003; and that said resolutions are valid and binding, and have not been amended, modified or rescinded, and are in full force and effect on the date hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand as such Secretary and affixed the seal of the Company on the 21st day of April, 2003.

                                   /s/ Charles E. Jarrett
                                   -----------------------------------
SEAL                               Charles E. Jarrett

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