More than 45,000 crashes occur in the New Orleans metropolitan area each year – that’s about 865 accidents a week and 120 a day. Customers who choose a concierge level of service can now take their vehicles to the new state-of-the-art claims service center in Metairie. There, Progressive representatives handle all the details of the claims/repair process for drivers who select the service. The new location, one of ten centers in Louisiana,  replaces an older one on Lake Avenue which had been in service since 2002.

    “Yes, being involved in a crash is stressful. But, that's just the beginning. Lots of people find themselves having to get repair estimates, find a way to work, find a body shop, keep tabs on the repairs – it can seem endless,” said Robert Lendle, Metairie service center manager, Progressive. “In fact, people tell us it takes four days or more to do it on your own.”

    But Progressive says that customers can spend as little as 15 minutes of their time on these details. Drivers can simply drop off a damaged car and, within minutes, be on their way in a rental car assured after signing over authority to repair their vehicle by a shop chosen by the insurance company.

    Progressive’s concierge service has met with strong objection in other states. The company has tussled with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) by refusing to license the initial San Diego center as a repair facility, claiming that there was no repair activity taking place on the premises. Although litigation continues, the center has been allowed to remain open with the promise to the BAR that no repair activity will go on. If the center were licensed, however, it would conflict with regulations prohibiting insurer-owned shops.