The most successful insurance companies are known for their advertising campaigns. With something as mundane as insurance, one of the sure ways to hook people is through entertainment.
At the forefront of insurance ads like the Geico Gecko and State Farm’s Jake is Progressive Insurance’s Flo, played by Stephanie Courtney since 2007. Whether you like or feel indifferent about her, odds are you have heard of Progressive Insurance and its services through Flo.
This shows that you don’t always need a colorful cartoon character that looks unique to draw in customers but a charming and wholesome cashier portrayed by a real person.
How Did Stephanie Courtney Become Flo?
Stephanie Courtney was chosen for Flo due to her background in comedy, particularly improv. She has been acting since the first grade in her hometown of Stony Point, New York. Before moving to Los Angeles, Courtney performed at the Neighborhood Playhouse in the city. She founded the improv theater The Groundlings, where she met her husband and found an agent for six months of stand-up.
She appeared in movies and TV shows like ER, Everybody Love Raymond, and The Heartbreak Kid. Her track record shows over 60 appearances. That doesn’t include her appearances as Flo, which have been going on since 2007 when she was 37. Her agent wrestled her into an audition with Progressive when they were looking for a new spokesperson.
Flo in The Progressive Insurance Commercials
Only the best car insurance commercials seem to get an ongoing series; Courtney showed Progressive she had what it takes to make their company a household name. So, they created more contracts for her as the years went on. In every ad, Flo’s wholesome and bubbly personality is complimented by Progressive being presented as a bright white store area like an Apple store.
The central theme of the commercials has always been making light of insurance shopping –both in the comedic and literal sense. Progressive has several insurance products – auto, boat, motorcycle, homeowners, commercial, and snowmobile coverage. There are several creative ways to market those many products, and Flo does it uniquely.
Progressive will often let Courtney do improv in addition to the scripts they write for her, so there is some personality to the ads, not just a corporate campaign.
What Makes Flo so Successful For Progressive?
It could be Flo’s mom’s humor or ability to play straight and eccentric characters –sometimes even simultaneously. Another appeal is that Flo looks good. The two hours of hair makeup that Courtney had to go through before shooting created a look that showed both Halloween costumes and lookalike contests.
Even those who don’t like Flo still understand the ad’s message and the product it’s selling because she is still a good spokesperson. Intelligence is another big draw, with her being an expert in insurance while being humorous about it.
Though criticism is that she comes across as dumb and ditzy, how many ditzy do you know who understand insurance to the letter?
Is Progressive Insurance a Good Car Insurance Company?
Progressive has been in the insurance business since 1937. They are among the major national insurance providers of Geico, Allstate, and State Farm and have high ratings. As you have read, they have several insurance coverages available. They are even rolling out Segway insurance.
Progressive has received praise for its claim services, payouts, and cheaper full coverage premiums. Seeing Flo on a sign or banner at the insurance offices is reassuring for some policyholders. Because of Flo and insurance services like this, Progressive Insurance has a spot in every insurance shopper’s quote list.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to switch companies, our insurance experts can get you driving insured in no time. Call us at 888-949-6289 or visit our website to get started with free car insurance quotes. Do you prefer to speak to a representative in person? Please find us at one of our locations.
