10-KPeriod: FY2017

PROGRESSIVE CORP/OH/ Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2017

Filed February 27, 2018For Securities:PGR

Summary

The Progressive Corporation (PGR) reported strong net premium written growth for the year ending December 31, 2017, increasing to $27.1 billion from $23.4 billion in 2016. The company's combined ratio improved slightly to 93.4 in 2017, indicating efficient claims and expense management. A significant strategic development was the continued integration and branding of the Property business, acquired through ARX Holding Corp., which is now a distinct segment and a key component of their 'Destination Era' strategy aimed at deeper customer relationships through product bundling. Key financial highlights include a substantial increase in total revenues to $26.8 billion and net income attributable to Progressive of $1.6 billion, up from $1.0 billion in the prior year. The company also declared a variable dividend of $1.1247 per share for 2017, reflecting its performance-based dividend policy. Progressive continues to invest in technology, particularly its usage-based insurance program, Snapshot, and a similar offering for commercial clients, SmartHaul, to enhance competitive positioning and customer engagement.

Financial Highlights

36 data points
Beta

Revenue

$26.84B

Net Income

$1.59B

5.9% Net Margin

EPS (Diluted)

$2.72

Total Assets

$38.70B

Cash & Equivalents

$265.00M

Free Cash Flow

$3.60B

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$26.84B
Interest Expense$153.10M
Net Income$1.59B
EPS (Basic)$2.74
EPS (Diluted)$2.72
Shares Outstanding (Basic)580.80M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)585.70M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net premiums written grew to $27.1 billion in 2017, up from $23.4 billion in 2016, demonstrating strong top-line growth.
  • 2The combined ratio improved to 93.4 in 2017, indicating effective management of losses and expenses.
  • 3Net income attributable to Progressive significantly increased to $1.6 billion in 2017, compared to $1.0 billion in 2016.
  • 4The company continues to execute its 'Destination Era' strategy, focusing on bundling personal auto and property insurance products, with the Property segment (ASI) now reporting under the Progressive brand.
  • 5Investments in technology, such as the Snapshot usage-based insurance program and the commercial SmartHaul program, are highlighted as key competitive advantages.
  • 6A variable dividend of $1.1247 per share was declared for 2017, reflecting the company's performance-based dividend policy.
  • 7Total revenues reached $26.8 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

Progressive's primary business is insurance. Its main segments are Personal Lines (primarily personal auto insurance), Commercial Lines (commercial auto insurance), and Property (residential property insurance).

In 2017, Progressive showed significant improvement with net premiums written increasing to $27.1 billion and net income attributable to Progressive rising to $1.6 billion, up from $1.0 billion in 2016. The combined ratio also improved slightly to 93.4.

The 'Destination Era' strategy is Progressive's initiative to build deeper, long-term customer relationships. It involves bundling its auto insurance with property insurance (often from its subsidiary ASI) and other products, either offered directly or through unaffiliated third parties, to meet diverse customer needs.

For its Property business, Progressive utilizes reinsurance arrangements, including an occurrence excess of loss program and an aggregate stop-loss agreement, to mitigate the impact of catastrophes such as hurricanes and severe storms. These arrangements involve unaffiliated reinsurance companies and catastrophe bonds.