What Progressive Insurance Is
Progressive Insurance is a major U.S. auto insurer that also sells home, motorcycle, boat, and umbrella coverage. The company is known for its comparison tool that lets you see quotes from other insurers side by side, and for its optional programs that track your driving habits to potentially lower your rate. Progressive is publicly traded, operates in all 50 states, and handles claims through its own adjusters and a network of repair shops.
Progressive differs from some competitors in how it structures discounts and in what it charges for the same coverage. The company uses what it calls "Snapshot," a program that monitors how you drive—hard braking, time of day, miles driven—and can reduce your premium if your habits match lower-risk profiles. You can also get discounts for bundling policies, paying in full, having safety features in your car, or completing a defensive driving course.
Like all insurers, Progressive must follow state insurance laws, which set minimum coverage amounts, define what claims must be paid, and regulate how rates are set. Progressive's rates and policy terms vary by state, by your driving record, by the car you drive, and by the coverage limits you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Progressive offers auto, home, motorcycle, boat, and umbrella insurance, with rates that vary by state, driving record, vehicle, and coverage choices.
- The Snapshot program monitors your driving and may lower your rate if you avoid hard braking and drive during safer hours, though you can get a quote without enrolling.
- Progressive's comparison tool shows quotes from other major insurers, so you can see how its price stacks against competitors for the same coverage.
- Discounts are available for bundling policies, paying upfront, having safety equipment, completing driver training, and maintaining a clean driving record.
- Claims are handled by Progressive's own adjusters or through its network of repair shops, and the process varies depending on whether you use in-network or out-of-network providers.
How Progressive's Rates Are Set
Progressive calculates your rate using factors that insurance companies across the industry rely on: your age, driving record, the type of vehicle you drive, how far you commute, your credit history (in most states), and your claims history. The company also factors in your zip code, because accident and theft rates vary by location. If you have accidents or violations on your record, your rate will be higher than someone with a clean history.
The Snapshot program is optional and works by having you install a mobile app or plug a small device into your car's diagnostic port. Progressive then collects data on your driving for 30 days (or longer if you choose). Hard braking, speeding, and driving late at night count against you; smooth acceleration and daytime driving count in your favor. If your driving patterns are low-risk, you may see a discount. If they are not, Progressive will not raise your rate—you straightforward do not get the discount.
Progressive also offers discounts that do not involve monitoring. Bundling auto and home insurance typically saves 15 to 25 percent on each policy, though the exact amount varies by state and by your specific situation. Paying your premium in full rather than in monthly installments usually saves money. Having anti-theft devices, airbags, or automatic safety features in your car can lower your rate. Completing a defensive driving course through an approved provider may also may have access to you for a reduction.
Coverage Types and What They Pay For
Progressive's auto insurance policies include several types of coverage, each with its own limit and deductible. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else—their car, their medical bills, their lost wages. It is required by law in every state, though the minimum amount varies. Collision coverage pays for damage to your own car when you hit another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal.
Uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and car damage if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage pays the difference if the other driver's insurance is not enough to cover your damages. Medical payments coverage (sometimes called "med pay") pays your medical bills and those of your passengers after an accident, up to your chosen limit, regardless of fault.
Each type of coverage has a deductible—the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Collision and comprehensive deductibles are typically $250, $500, $1,000, or $2,500. Liability and medical payments do not have deductibles; you pay nothing out of pocket for those. Choosing a higher deductible lowers your monthly premium but means you pay more if you have a claim.
How Progressive Handles Claims
When you file a claim with Progressive, you can do so online, by phone, or through the Progressive mobile app. You will need your policy number, the date and location of the incident, and details about what happened. For accidents involving another vehicle, you should also have the other driver's name, phone number, address, insurance company, and policy number if possible.
Progressive assigns a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster may contact you to gather more information, ask you to provide photos or a police report, and arrange for an inspection of your vehicle. If you use one of Progressive's network repair shops, the process is usually faster because the shop and Progressive have an established relationship. If you choose an out-of-network shop, Progressive will still pay for repairs, but you may have to pay the shop upfront and then submit a receipt for reimbursement.
The time it takes to settle a claim depends on the complexity. A straightforward collision claim might be resolved in a few days; a claim involving multiple vehicles, injuries, or disputes over fault can take weeks or months. Progressive is required by state law to acknowledge your claim within a set timeframe (usually 10 to 30 days, depending on the state) and to pay or deny it within a reasonable time after investigation.
Discounts and Ways to Lower Your Premium
Beyond Snapshot, Progressive offers several discounts that stack on top of each other. A multi-policy discount applies when you bundle auto insurance with home, renters, motorcycle, or boat coverage. A paid-in-full discount applies when you pay your entire annual or six-month premium upfront instead of in monthly installments. A safe driver discount applies if you have no accidents or violations in the past three to five years, depending on the state.
Safety feature discounts reward you for having anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, airbags, automatic seat belts, or active safety systems like forward collision warning. Some insurers offer these as standard; Progressive lists them separately. A defensive driving discount applies if you complete an approved course—usually an online class that takes a few hours. Some employers and professional organizations also offer group discounts through Progressive.
Discounts vary by state and are not always available to every customer. Progressive's website allows you to see which discounts you may be able to use before you get a quote. The company also periodically runs promotional discounts for new customers or for switching from another insurer, though these are temporary and expire after a set period.
Progressive's Comparison Tool and How It Works
Progressive's online quote tool is unusual because it shows you quotes from other major insurers alongside Progressive's own quote. When you enter your information, you see options from companies like Geico, State Farm, Allstate, and others. This transparency is meant to help you compare prices for the same coverage across multiple companies without having to visit each one separately.
The comparison tool uses the coverage limits and deductibles you select to generate quotes. If you choose $100,000 in liability coverage and a $500 collision deductible, all the quotes shown will reflect those same choices. This makes it easier to see which company offers the lowest price for what you actually want to buy. Keep in mind that the quotes shown are estimates; the final price may vary slightly based on additional information the insurer gathers during underwriting.
Progressive does not receive a commission from the other insurers for showing their quotes, so the company has no financial incentive to hide or inflate their prices. However, the quotes shown are only as accurate as the information you provide. If you leave out details about your driving record or the vehicle you drive, the quotes may not reflect your actual risk profile.
What Happens If You Have an Accident or Violation
If you cause an accident, your liability coverage pays for the other person's damages up to your policy limit. If the damages exceed your limit, you may be responsible for the difference. If you are injured in the accident, your medical payments coverage pays your medical bills. If the other driver is at fault and uninsured, your uninsured motorist coverage pays for your injuries and car damage.
Accidents and violations stay on your driving record for three to five years, depending on your state. During that time, your insurance rate will be higher than it would be with a clean record. Some states allow you to take a defensive driving course to remove a minor violation from your record, which can help keep your rate from rising. After the violation or accident ages off your record, your rate should drop.
If you have multiple accidents or violations, Progressive may decide not to renew your policy when it expires. If that happens, you can still find coverage through other insurers, though your rates will be higher. Some states have assigned risk pools or high-risk insurers that will cover drivers who have been turned down by standard insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Progressive raise your rate if you use Snapshot and your driving is risky?
No. Progressive will not increase your rate based on Snapshot data. If your driving patterns show high risk, you straightforward do not receive the discount. You can also remove the Snapshot device or app at any time without penalty. The program is designed to reward safe driving, not to punish unsafe driving.
Can you cancel Progressive insurance anytime?
Yes, you can cancel at any time, though you may owe a cancellation fee depending on your state and how long you have been insured. Most states allow a short grace period (usually 10 to 30 days) during which you can cancel without a fee. After that, Progressive may charge a cancellation fee, though many states cap or prohibit these fees. Check your policy or call Progressive to find out what applies in your state.
What is the difference between Progressive's in-network and out-of-network repair shops?
In-network shops have agreements with Progressive and can often complete repairs faster because they work with Progressive adjusters regularly. Out-of-network shops are not part of Progressive's network, so the process may take longer. You can choose either type; Progressive will pay for repairs at both. With out-of-network shops, you may need to pay upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement.
How does Progressive handle claims if you are not at fault?
If the other driver is at fault, Progressive will still pay your claim (minus your deductible if you have collision or comprehensive coverage). Progressive then pursues the other driver's insurance company for reimbursement, a process called subrogation. This can take weeks or months, but you do not have to wait for it to be resolved to get your car repaired.
Can you get a Progressive quote without enrolling in Snapshot?
Yes. Snapshot is optional. You can get a quote from Progressive without agreeing to the program. If you enroll later, you may be able to get a discount retroactively, depending on your state. If you never enroll, your rate will straightforward be based on the standard factors Progressive uses for all customers.