Progressive vs. State Farm
Which car insurance do consumers say is best?
Progressive and State Farm are two names synonymous with car insurance. Sure, part of it may be because we see them both advertised everywhere. You can't browse social media or watch TV without seeing some kind of commercial. But they are also widely popular among drivers. In fact, State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the country, while Progressive is the third largest.
So if you're shopping for a car insurance company, odds are you're at least considering Progressive and State Farm. Maybe you've asked a friend or family member who they recommend. But wouldn't it be nice to know who thousands recommend? Well, thanks to thousands of reviews of Progressive and State Farm, we can tell you!
In addition to the overviews of Progressive and State Farm, you can see overall consumer ratings of the companies and ratings for other aspects, such as customer service, claims service, and price.
Jump to: Consumer ratings of Progressive and State Farm
Will You Get Lower Insurance Rates with State Farm or Progressive?
Which car insurance company offers cheaper car insurance rates, Progressive or State Farm? The insurance rate is based on the individual, and many factors go into it. Discounts on an auto insurance policy has become more automated, but there's still some wiggle room. If you answer more questions and do more digging, you may save more money. The underwriting standards of both companies aslo differ. So something that matters to State Farm may not matter as much to Progressive and vice versa.
While the rates the companies offer will vary by person and location, we've gathered average national rates to provide a comparison of Progressive and State Farm. Progressive bills itself as an affordable alternative among insurance providers, but is that actually true?
In the table below, compare the average national car insurance rates for Progressive and State Farm for three different driver profiles for male and female. Keep in mind these are only national averages for a certain profile. Your car insurance rates will differ from these depending on where you live, your unique driver profile and your coverages, among other things.
| Driver profile | Progressive average rates | State Farm average rates |
|---|---|---|
| Male teen | $2,953 | $1,967 |
| Male adult | $1,523 | $1,418 |
| Male senior | $1,190 | $1,062 |
| Driver profile | Progressive average rates | State Farm average rates |
|---|---|---|
| Female teen | $2,706 | $1,721 |
| Female adult | $1,575 | $1,418 |
| Female senior | $1,143 | $1,062 |
To determine the average national rates for male and female drivers for Progressive and State Farm, we created three driver profiles for both males and females and got rates for drivers for each profile. The profiles for male and female drivers were an 18-year-old teen with state minimum coverages and fair credit; a 35-year-old single adult with 100/300/50 liability limits in addition to full coverage with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive, a good credit score and one driving violation in the last three years; and a 65-year-old driver with 100/300/50 liability limits in addition to full coverage with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive, a good credit score and no driving violations in the last three years. Additionally, we averaged the rates in each state we had data for that company. Rate data is provided by Quadrant Information Services.
What Are The Most Important Things to Know about Progressive?
Progressive's largest focus in the insurance industry is car insurance where it serves more than 18 million drivers. You'll find other coverages on Progressive's website, such as homeowners and renters insurance, though these products are sold through non-affiliated insurance companies. But if you're interested in car insurance through Progressive and want to save money, you can bundle policies with Progressive to earn a discount.
Progressive has a popular usage-based insurance program called Snapshot. By enrolling in Snapshot, Progressive policyholders can earn a discount after six months if they demonstrate safe driving habits while being monitored through the app or an OBD plug-in. One unique aspect about the Snapshot program is that participants can actually have their rate increase if Progressive views them as a risky driver based on their monitored driving habits.
Progressive looks to offer lower rates across the board. So its focus is less on extra discounts for good driving. Consequently, if you have a few tickets, Progressive may be significantly cheaper. It varies based on the property damage liability limits and other coverage options you choose.
In service to drivers who may have some marks, but still want a lower rate, Progressive has a popular usage-based insurance program called Snapshot . By enrolling in Snapshot, Progressive policyholders can earn a discount after six months if they demonstrate safe driving habits while being monitored through the app or an OBD plug-in. One unique aspect about the Snapshot program is that participants can actually have their rate increase if Progressive views them as a risky driver based on their monitored driving habits. Like other programs, it offers real-time feedback. So you won't be hit with a higher rate without warning. If you're a generally good driver who had some bad luck leading to tickets and accidents, this could significantly improve your rates.
The Ohio-based company is also an option for drivers who work for a transportation network company (TNC), such as Uber or Lyft. Progressive offers rideshare insurance, which covers the gaps between a personal insurance policy and the insurance provided by the TNC.
Another optional coverage available through Progressive Insurance is the deductible savings bank. This coverage is just like the name indicates policyholders with collision and/or comprehensive coverage can have their deductible reduced by $50 every six months they are claim-free. So if a Progressive driver enrolled in the program with a $500 deductible and goes five straight years without a claim, the savings bank would cover the deductible after a claim, rather than the driver being responsible for the deductible out-of-pocket. But keep in mind, this is an additional coverage option, meaning you'll be paying for it.
Does State Farm Offer a Competitive Insurance Premium and Good Coverage?
State Farm, based out of Bloomington, Illinois, is well-known for its vast network of agents. So despite being the largest car insurance company in the country, State Farm still prides itself on a local feel by employing more than 18,000 agents nationwide. It has the largest market share among auto insurance companies.
Among the additional programs State Farm offers is its Drive Safe and Save discount. By allowing State Farm to track your driving through your mobile device or your vehicle's OnStar system, you could qualify for a discount of up to 50 percent, according to State Farm. To learn more about car tracking device programs, including State Farm's Drive Safe and Save, check out our blog.
State Farm also caters to drivers who drive for companies like Uber or Lyft. Offering a rideshare coverage program, State Farm says that it typically costs about 15 to 20 percent more than your normal, personal State Farm premium.
State Farm also offers ways for younger drivers to earn savings. In addition to a good student discount, State Farm also has an initiative called the Steer Clear Driver Program. If you're under the age of 25 and have been accident and violation free for at least the past three years, you can complete the Steer Clear program to earn a discount. You can learn more about the program by visiting State Farm’s website.
Their collision coverage and other programs are better for drivers with clean driving records according to many consumers. For comparative purposes, J.D. Power rates both State Farm and Progressive positively. Especially with the help of a State Farm agent, you could significantly lower your annual premium. So how do consumers rate the largest car insurance company in the country?
Check out the tables below to see ratings from consumers in addition to other ways you can save with State Farm and Progressive.
How do consumers rate Progressive and State Farm?
How do consumers rate Progressive and State Farm?
What discounts do Progressive and State Farm offer?
Auto insurance rates are based on a wide range of factors. Your driving history and the coverage you choose are just two aspects of affordable car insurance. You can start with an online quote to narrow your choices and choose an auto insurance provider.
Then talk with an agent or visit the company's website for a comprehensive list of all discounts you may qualify for. Even if you've made some mistakes, you can qualify for many benefits you might not expect if you're a safe driver now.
