<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.A
<SEQUENCE>7
<FILENAME>ex23-a.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23(A)
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                  EXHIBIT 23(a)
                                  -------------


        Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P., Independent Accountants
<PAGE>   2
                                                                   Exhibit 23(a)


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
                       ----------------------------------


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders,
The Progressive Corporation:

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated January 25, 2000 relating to the
financial statements and financial statement schedules of The Progressive
Corporation which appears in The Progressive Corporation's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
July 12, 2000
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>