Progressive Insurance Names Barone to Head Agency Distribution Business

Progressive Insurance has named Karen Barone as National Distribution Leader for its Agency Business.

Barone’s new responsibilities include maintaining and advancing Progressive’s leadership role in agent technology which aims to make it easier for agents to sell and service policies. She will also lead Progressive’s sales organization which helps agents develop marketing plans to win new customers and retain existing ones in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Barone joined Progressive in 1990 as a manager trainee. Most recently she was the Central Region Personal Lines General Manager, a position she assumed in September 2007. In that role, she was responsible for the Company’s personal auto product in 14 Midwest states.

She has also served as a customer service supervisor, claims representative, product analyst, state product manager and regional marketing director.

Barone will lead Progressive’s efforts to help its more than 30,000 independent agencies profitably grow their businesses.

“Independent agents are critical to our success and play a key role for consumers shopping for insurance,” Barone said. “Agents provide us with the largest possible retail network; my job is to make sure we’re offering them the product, prices, and tools they need to grow with us. I promise to bring my experience and my passion to the position and to be our independent agents’ #1 advocate.”