Progressive cuts ties with insurance agency over racist Juneteenth sign

[Celerity]

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/progressive-cuts-ties-with-insurance-agency-over-racist-juneteenth-sign-410555.aspx?Region=United+States



An insurance agency in Maine has found itself facing backlash after it put up a “racist” sign on Juneteenth, NPR reported. A sign taped to Millinocket-based insurance agency Harry E Reed Insurance Agency, which is affiliated with Progressive Insurance, said the business was closed for the day, and told visitors to “enjoy your fried chicken and collard greens”.

Progressive confirmed to Insurance Business that it will be terminating the relationship with the insurance agency. A Progressive spokesperson said: “We’re aware and appalled by the sign recently posted at the Harry E Reed Agency and are terminating our relationship with the agency. At Progressive, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are fundamental to our Core Values.

“We’re committed to creating an environment where our people feel welcomed, valued and respected and expect that anyone representing Progressive to take part in this commitment. The sign is in direct violation of that commitment and doesn’t align with our company’s core values and code of conduct.” An image of the racist sign, shared on Monday, caused outrage on social media.

Allura Stillwagon, who shared the sign with her online following, told NPR: "I had to read it more than once because I thought it was something [my mom] saw on Facebook. But when she said it was a business [in town], I was immediately disgusted.” "People have this idea that Maine isn't very racist and that it's pretty liberal. But up north, it's not like that at all,” Stillwagon said.

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[madaboutharry]

1. The owners must live in a right wing sealed bubble

if they thought that this sign was ok.

[MLAA]

2. Excellent

None of that mealy mouth ‘we are investigating’ crap. Excellent statement by Progressive.

[LoisB]

3. Good.

[roamer65]

4. I love Progressive even more now.

I get great rates from them.

[dalton99a]

5. Very, very smart insurance agent

[FoxNewsSucks]

6. I'm glad they did that,

and I do get a laugh at many of the Flo commercials.

But Progressive sucks. They helped fund the development of laser speed guns. Backed lower speed limits on rural highways and interstates. Donated laser guns to armed tax collectors on the condition that they be used 24/7 to write speeding tickets.

Why? Because they get to jack up the rates of people driving at reasonable safe speeds who get those speeding tickets. The vast majority of which are NOT driving dangerously.

They're just another self-serving corporation. With good commercials.

[LittleGirl]

10. I agree

I had Progressive for a decade and never had a claim. I was a loyal customer.
Then, on the way to work one wintry morning, my car did a 180 on a bridge over the river and scrapped up my car pretty good. It cost about 1500 to fix everything. They doubled my rates and I cancelled them during the first billing cycle.

[markie]

11. I am in the midst

of trying to get just a sensible $$ settlement from them... accident caused by one of their customers

[Deuxcents]

7. Love good news

[NBachers]

8. Wait for the "If you are offended, we apologize for you" statement from the racist agency.

[Skittles]

9. outstanding

that means Progressive heard from enough outraged people to make the decision quickly......

[alphafemale]

12. They will quietly reinstate the agency by the end of the year.

Or even sooner, once the storm quiets down.

Willing to bet it.

[intheflow]

13. Possibly not.

If this agency was tied to Progressive almost exclusively, that may be enough of a hit to put them out of business. One can hope!