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                                EXHIBIT 23(a)
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            Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, Independent Accountants
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                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS





We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 of our report dated January 26, 1994, on our audits of the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of The
Progressive Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1993 and 1992, and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1993, which report
is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.



                            COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.





Cleveland, Ohio
December 28, 1994