By Steve Mckay

This MyRate customer's blog shows just what we're aiming for with the MyRate program: saving money for safe drivers.

By Steve Mckay

We recently spoke to a few MyRate customers who are on track for substantial discounts – more than 20% - even though they drive at least 15,000 miles per year, much of it on city roads. How is this possible? Turns out it’s easier than you might think.

First, all of these great drivers plan way ahead – they start slowing down for stop signs long before they get close, and they almost never speed up to make a yellow light. They’re always ready for something ahead of them that might cause them to suddenly stop. And they stick to very consistent routines – they take the same roads to the same places at the same times every day, so they know exactly what to expect.

Some of the people we spoke to are also very aware of the condition of their car. They’re mindful of their brakes, and try to put as little wear on them as possible.

One word that was noticeably absent from our discussions was “fun.” Some of the best drivers compared their driving habits to those of “Sunday Driver”; another said they were driving “as if I’m still in driving school and the instructor is next to me” – no “wind in my hair” or “exciting acceleration around a turn” here. It made me think of how I like to take a different route to work sometimes just for variety and because the winding roads are more fun. Probably not the wisest choice, as winding roads mean I’m slowing down too fast and too often.

The good news here is, improved safety is within reach for many of us. And safety, albeit potentially dull, is a better option than dangerous fun. If it’s motion thrills you’re after, stick to roller-coasters. Meanwhile, we’ll keep talking to, and learning from, the best drivers in America.

This week we pleased to welcome guest blogger Jen Walker, a product analyst here at Progressive. Jen is one of the most dedicated, practical environmental advocates we know. She has worked green practices into her life in very sensible ways. We asked her what she thought about MyRate.

By Jen Walker

When I was a kid, one of my favorite songs was Kermit the Frog’s “It’s Not Easy Being Green.” Boy, was he right!

As an adult, I’m doing everything I can to limit my carbon footprint by living as green as possible. I recycle. I buy (and even grow my own) organic food. I’ve replaced my regular light bulbs with low-energy bulbs. I make sure I unplug cell phone and computer chargers when I’m not using them. I even bought a more fuel-efficient vehicle, which my family and I drive 99 percent of the time. Our other vehicle is a truck, which we use only when we need to haul big stuff, like trees and mulch. We barely put 3,000 miles a year on the truck (if that), and yet, we pay the same amount of premium we’d pay if we drove it everyday. Wouldn’t it be nice if we only had to pay based on usage? Well, with MyRate, a usage-based premium is possible, making “being green” a little easier…and cheaper.

By Steve McKay

… and not just for insurance geeks. The MyRate team is forever attending conferences on cutting-edge auto technology featuring laser displays that appear in front of the windshield, Internet access, floor mats that change color, etc.

My colleague in charge of design has lots of ideas for things the MyRate device could do: glow, talk, tell you when a spark plug is out, speak like Mr. T.

Is it too much? Do you care? Or are all these bells and whistles too distracting? What do you wish your car could do?

By Steve Mckay

As an insurance company, two of our top priorities are allocating risk and reducing costs. As a consumer, what are your priorities? Safety? Saving money? Getting a fair deal? Probably all of the above, right?

Every so often, consumer and corporate priorities mesh so well that the resulting effect extends far beyond the company and consumer — it actually impacts society. That’s our hope with MyRate. We want to have a program that prompts changes in behavior that are good for everyone.

Last week, one of my colleagues actually commented in a meeting, “If we do this right, it really could make the world a better place.” A noble and ambitious goal, to be sure. But that’s really a byproduct of what MyRate is all about. Our focus is being responsive to your particular needs, and making this program work for you. That’s why we’re so keen on receiving your feedback. We want MyRate to serve you.

And if we make the world a safer and better place in the process, so be it.