Exhibit 32(A)

Exhibit No. 32(A)

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Glenn M. Renwick, President and Chief Executive Officer, of The Progressive Corporation (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the period ended September 30, 2004 (the “Report”), which this certification accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

(2) information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ Glenn M. Renwick

Glenn M. Renwick
President and Chief Executive Officer
November 9, 2004