Yes, you did read that headline correctly – Maxis’ city-building behemoth is now loaning itself out to the whim of the Progressive Insurance Group, a system of insurance companies from the US. The downloadable content is free, which is nice, but I can’t help but feel a little odd about downloading it nonetheless.
It does have it’s uses though.
By grabbing this pack, players will be able to plop a Progressive insurance building anywhere they like, subsequently providing happiness for nearby buildings, and allowing you to insure all the buildings in your city. How much you pay will affect the resulting payouts in the event of Godzilla trying to turn your City Hall into his personal chew toy, or earthquakes tearing your commercial zone asunder.
This isn’t the first company that has picked SimCity to advertise their product in either – Nissan introduced the Nissan Leaf docking station to promote their electric car, allowing Sims in your city to go green and show off their electric cars too.
It seems odd to see companies like these identify games like SimCity as prime advertising space, but if EA and Maxis are willing, then I suppose it’s a somewhat logical conclusion. It’s very fitting that placing the DLC-specific buildings in your metropolis will cause adjacent buildings to swoon with joy, but I won’t be switching insurance providers anytime soon.
Now excuse me while I get back to my Coca-Cola™ and Pringles™.
graemefinch.com 
I wonder if the real life Progressive insures against home damage by giant lizards.
Hahaha, I’m sure it will now!