Thursday, 18 November 2021

Progressive Insurance Reviews, Coverage, & More (2021)

Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.

Car driving down the road
Progressive Auto Insurance
In Our Opinion:
As a household name, Progressive offers auto, motorcycle, and recreational vehicle insurance in all 50 states. The company sells unique coverage options in addition to its standard suite of products, but price inconsistencies and negative customer service reviews may deter drivers. We’ve named Progressive “Best for High-Risk Drivers” because of its low-cost plans for drivers with DUIs or DWIs on record.
Industry Standing
95
Availability
100
Coverage
95
Affordability
90
Customer Service
90
Online Experience
100
Pros
Online Experience
Usage-based plans available
Safe driving reward discounts
Teen/student discounts
Special coverage options (roadside assistance, rideshare coverage, etc.)
Cons
Rate increases/higher premiums
Average customer service ratings
100

Progressive is one of the most well-known auto insurance companies in the U.S. In this article, we discuss Progressive insurance reviews, coverage, costs, and more.

Auto insurance is an absolute necessity for every driver, regardless of how confident you are in your driving skills. If you’re shopping for insurance, then you’ll have many major players to consider. 

Read on to learn about highlights as well as concerns that customers have shared in Progressive insurance reviews this year and remember to always get multiple quotes from the best car insurance companies in your area before making a decision.

About Progressive 

Since opening its doors in 1937, Progressive has become one of the biggest car insurance companies in the U.S.. The company wrote more than $40 billion in insurance premiums in 2020, according to the National Associations of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Progressive earned an “excellent” A financial strength rating from AM Best, indicating a strong ability to pay out insurance claims. and the company received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

The company has been an innovativeforce in the insurance industry. In 1997, Progressive auto insurance was the first insurance product that was available for purchase over the internet. It was also the first insurer to offer usage-based insurance, beginning in 2008.  

Progressive also offers other insurance products such as life insurance, motorcycle insurance, homeowners insurance and renters insurance.

Progressive Insurance Cost

According to our rate estimates, Progressive is one of the most affordable providers overall. Good drivers can find full coverage rates at around $1,397 annually, which is cheaper than the national average of $1,732.

Our rate estimates apply to full coverage insurance for 35-year-old drivers with good driving records and credit scores. However, we also compared rate estimates for other driving profiles and found that Progressive is affordable for young drivers, people with poor credit, and drivers with a recent accident or DUI.

Here’s how Progressive compares to a variety of popular insurance providers in 2021:

Car Insurance Provider Average Annual Cost Estimate
USAA $1,113
Erie Insurance $1,113
Auto-Owners $1,229
State Farm $1,339
Geico $1,352
Progressive $1,397
Nationwide $1,533
Travelers $1,617
National Average Cost $1,732
Farmers $2,032
The Hartford $2,166
Allstate $2,430

Progressive Insurance Cost By State

Of course, what you pay depends on where you live to a large degree. Drivers in some areas can shell out hundreds of dollars more than drivers in other areas just because of location. Here’s how Progressive compares to the average rate for good drivers in each state and Washington, D.C.:

State State Average Cost Estimate Progressive Cost Estimate
Alabama $1,448 $1,385
Alaska $1,287 $1,307
Arizona $1,625 $1,277
Arkanksas $1,449 $1,478
California $2,339 $1,709
Colorado $1,672 $1,426
Connecticut $1,885 $1,296
Delaware $1,921 $1,268
Washington, D.C. $1,787 $1,741
Florida $2,894 $2,393
Georgia $1,548 $1,418
Hawaii $1,238 $1,500
Idaho $1,089 $890
Illinois $1,474 $1,158
Indiana $1,087 $1,041
Iowa $1,095 $1,054
Kansas $1,364 $1,320
Kentucky $1,817 $1,326
Louisiana $3,828 $2,944
Maine $995 $976
Maryland $1,941 $1,474
Massachusetts $2,568 $3,054
Michigan $4,390 $1,682
Minnesota $1,487 $1,823
Mississippi $1,357 $1,335
Missouri $1,741 $1,521
Montana $2,214 $1,412
Nebraska $1,372 $1,446
Nevada $2,332 $1,486
New Hampshire $1,181 $752
New Jersey $2,108 $1,326
New Mexico $1,356 $1,325
New York $3,964 $1,310
North Carolina $1,277 $1,398
North Dakota $1,310 $988
Ohio $923 $947
Oklahoma $1,630 $1,494
Oregon $1,284 $1,068
Pennsylvania $1,405 $1,501
Rhode Island $1,923 $1,670
South Carolina $1,592 $1,192
South Dakota $1,331 $1,622
Tennessee $1,217 $1,055
Texas $2,067 Data not available
Utah $1,446 $1,090
Vermont $1,013 $1,627
Virginia $1,079 $913
Washington $1,271 $867
West Virginia $1,390 $1,221
Wisconsin $946 $771
Wyoming $1,499 Data not available

Progressive Insurance Discounts

Adding a teen driver to your existing plan can drive costs up significantly, but putting them on their own plan may increase their rates by 365 percent, so you might consider adding them on anyway. 

With Progressive, households can add teen and student drivers to their plans without too much penalty. College students with good grades are entitled to generous discounts, which makes Progressive a nice option for younger drivers. 

Here are some of the discounts Progressive offers to help you save money:

  • Multi-car discount
  • Pay in full discount
  • Sign online discount
  • Teen driver discount
  • Multi-policy discount
  • Safe driver discount
  • Homeowner discount
  • Online quote discount
  • Good student discount
  • Distant student discount
  • Paperless billing discount
  • Automatic payments discount
  • Continuous insurance discount

Policyholders can also bundle vehicle coverage with a renters or homeowners insurance policy and save an additional five percent on their auto insurance. 

Additionally, Progressive also offers two major savings programs: 

  • Snapshot®: Track your driving habits and get discounts for safe driving and how often you drive. Some states offer an automatic discount for participation. 
  • Deductible Savings Bank®: Get $50 put into a “deductible bank” every time you complete a six-month policy term without an accident or violation. This bank can then be used to pay the next deductible. 

While the Snapshot program seems like an obvious money-saver for confident drivers, Progressive customer reviews have said on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website that the tracking device used to monitor driving habits is very sensitive and perhaps a bit unfair. Some customers have also reported increased insurance rates when using the tracker. 

Overall, your insurance premium will depend largely on your place of residence, age, gender, credit score, vehicle, and driving record. If price is your main concern, lower options are likely out there. 

Progressive Insurance Coverage Options

According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, 77 percent of drivers purchase comprehensive coverage and liability insurance, and 73 percent of drivers also purchase collision insurance. There are many more types of auto insurance plans, and Progressive auto insurance policies have extra coverage options drivers may not easily find elsewhere. 

Progressive car insurance plans include: 

  • Bodily injury liability coverage: Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses related to an injury resulting from a car accident that you caused.
  • Property damage liability coverage: Covers damage to other drivers’ cars and other property in an accident for which you’re found at fault.
  • Comprehensive coverage: Protects your vehicle from fire, theft, vandalism, animals, weather, and broken glass
  • Collision coverage: Covers repairs and replacements to your vehicle in the event of a collision, regardless of who is at fault
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Covers medical expenses and vehicle damage expenses if you are in an accident with an uninsured driver
  • Medical payments: Covers medical bills related to a personal injury for yourself and any passengers after an accident, regardless of fault

Progressive Insurance Add-Ons

Progressive also offers the following car insurance coverage add-ons:

  • Rental car reimbursement: If your accident is covered, Progressive will provide up to $50 per day for a rental.
  • Loan/lease payoff: This insurance option helps you pay the remaining balance of your loan or lease if you total your vehicle, similar to GAP insurance
  • Complementary pet coverage: Progressive auto insurance covers your vet bills up to a certain amount if your pet is injured in a collision. 
  • Custom parts and equipment value: CPE coverage insures items you add to your vehicle, such as GPS units or custom wheels, up to a certain amount. 
  • Roadside assistance: Towing is provided for free to the nearest mechanic (within 15 miles). Drivers also get lock-out services, flat-tire changes, fuel deliveries, and more. 
  • Rideshare coverage: Unlike some plans that only extend coverage to Uber and Lyft drivers once they’ve accepted a ride, Progressive’s rideshare insurance covers drivers while they’re waiting for a customer.
  • Accident forgiveness: If you choose to add accident forgiveness or it is included in your policy, your rates won’t go up after one accident. Progressive offers both small accident
Progressive insurance reviews for its Snapshot program show that it tracks behavior like this man looking at his phone while driving a car.
Safe driving can earn you a discount on Progressive auto insurance. Track your driving on Progressive’s Snapshot mobile app.

Progressive Auto Insurance Quotes

Progressive offers car insurance quotes online through multiple quote engines. In our experience, the quote process takes no more than five minutes and gives multiple pricing and plan options with deductible estimates. 

Because Progressive markets itself as more affordable than competitors, its website offers a tool to compare rates with other car insurance providers. Enter your information as you normally would for a free quote and see Progressive’s plans and rates. Then, click on the compare rates tool to get a listing of similar plans and prices from other insurers.

Progressive’s Name Your Price® Tool

You can also use the Name Your Price® tool to enter your budget and get plans based on how much you are willing to pay. First, you will need to provide your basic information so that Progressive can find coverage that suits you.

Then, you may use the tool to enter your desired premium amount. Progressive will provide plans within your price range. 

Progressive Claims Process & Customer Service 

Customers have two options when filing a Progressive auto insurance claim: get their vehicle repaired or receive a payment for the estimated cost of the repairs. Either way, customers can easily make a claim through Progressive’s mobile app, online, or by calling the number for the claims department. 

Once the claim is made, an inspector will come to evaluate the damage and write up an estimate for the cost of repairs. You will receive payment directly or your claims representative will schedule repairs through a network repair facility. You will be responsible for your predetermined deductible. 

Total Loss Claims

Claiming a total loss, however, is a different process. If repairs would cost more than the value of your vehicle, then an inspector will determine your vehicle is a total loss. This process requires more paperwork, but you will be paid for the value of your vehicle. 

Though the claims process is an easy one, Progressive auto insurance reviews are lackluster when it comes to customer satisfaction and claims settlements. In the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM, Progressive auto insurance reviews rank it well below competitors like USAA, GEICO, Nationwide, and Farmers. Customers have reported unfair claims denial and rated their claim representative’s servicing as just average.

However, Progressive has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best, indicating the company has superior financial strength to meet claims obligations.

Progressive Mobile App 

Technology has grown in importance as many consumers manage a greater number of accounts through apps and online portals. Progressive’s mobile app is a one-stop shop for making claims, checking your auto insurance policy, and getting assistance in emergency situations. 

With the app, you can: 

  • Report a claim
  • Get a free quote
  • View coverage for all drivers
  • Request roadside assistance
  • Shop for Progressive products
  • Send photos of vehicle damage
  • Get status updates on claims and repairs
  • Pay bills using a credit/debit card or checking account

Additional highlights include the ability to use Google or Apple Pay and offline viewing of your car insurance ID card. The app is secure and encrypts all personal information for user safety. 

Progressive Insurance Reviews

Progressive’s online platform makes it easy to enroll in auto insurance, and the marketed discounts provide a strong incentive to purchase coverage. We like Progressive’s online experience and coverage options, but sometimes customers may feel misled on rates and what is actually covered. 

Here are some Progressive insurance reviews from real-life customers. 

Positive Progressive Insurance Reviews

In many of the positive Progressive insurance reviews we saw, a common theme was smooth, efficient customer service.

“Online insurance. You can only expect so much. This is a business working to a high level of efficiency. I got what I expected – fast and easily update-able policies, lots of notifications, low prices, and great service.” – Benjamin B. via Trustpilot

“[Progressive’s] robot customer service rep was spot-on, no repeating myself. Transfer to an actual person was quick and smooth.” – Anonymous via ResellerRatings

Negative Progressive Insurance Reviews

On the other hand, many of the less favorable Progressive insurance reviews we read complained about the company’s high prices.

“Progressive has a lot of publicity, but their auto insurance prices are high. I was with them for a year, because it has good accessibility in their online platforms. When I applied to other insurers, I realized [Progressive’s] costs were high. Now, I have insurance with a better offer, and I pay less than half.” – Gabriel R. via Trustpilot

Customers shopping for car insurance should beware of rate increases and quote inaccuracies, as Progressive car insurance reviews mention instances of rate changes.

Progressive Insurance Complaints

Overall, Progressive receives an average number of complaints, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC gives Progressive a company complaint score of 1.1. A score of 1 indicates an average number of complaints, and scores above 1 represent higher-than-average complaint volume. A score of 1.1 suggests Progressive is only slightly above average when it comes to the volume of complaints.

Conclusion: Best for High-Risk Drivers

Based on our research and Progressive insurance reviews, we found Progressive offers the best coverage for riskier drivers, including teens and students, which is a major benefit for some households. Easy enrollment and account management are possible with an excellent online experience. However, many customers have only average claims experiences and therefore may not receive the coverage they expected. 

For a better overall experience, you might consider GEICO car insurance (Best Overall) or State Farm car insurance (Best for Student Drivers), which we rate at 96 percent and 95 percent, respectively. However, we give Progressive a 95 percent overall rating as well.

How do you cancel Progressive car insurance?

There is only one way to cancel Progressive car insurance and unfortunately, you can’t do it online. To cancel your Progressive coverage, take the following steps:

1. Call the Progressive customer service phone number at 1-866-416-2003.
2. Specify the effective date of the cancellation.
3. Provide the name of your new insurance provider, if you have one.
4. Ask if you are eligible for a pro-rated refund for any premiums you may have paid in advance.

How long does a Progressive claim take?

Progressive says that claims usually take seven to 14 days to process. However, actual repairs to your vehicle may take much longer than that, depending on the damage and the repair shop.

Does Progressive pay well on claims?

According to the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM, Progressive underperformed when it came to claims satisfaction. The provider scored below several of its top competitors in the study.

Does Progressive cover high-risk drivers?

Progressive was one of the first car insurance companies to cover high-risk drivers. Today, the company is still one of the best when it comes to offering affordable coverage to drivers with recent at-fault accidents, moving violations, or DUIs.

What bank does Progressive Insurance use?

Progressive uses Commerce Bank to pay its claims. This arrangement allows the company to pay out claims in real-time to debit cards or prepaid cards, rather than have customers wait for a check in the mail.

Original article: Progressive Insurance Reviews, Coverage, & More (2021)



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