Progressive Vs. State Farm

Key Points:

• Progressive and State Farm offer similar coverage levels and are two of the highest-rated providers from our industry research.
• State Farm has higher customer satisfaction ratings in most regions in the U.S.
• State Farm insurance policies are more affordable for most drivers than Progressive.

Progressive and State Farm have both been around for almost 100 years, and each has plenty of happy car insurance customers. Deciding which company is right for your coverage needs will depend on cost, coverage options, availability, and other factors.

In this article, we’ll compare Progressive vs. State Farm to help you find the car insurance coverage you need. We’ll compare each provider’s ratings, plans, costs, and discounts. If you’d like to compare quotes from other providers, we’ll also name some of the best insurance companies from our ratings and reviews.

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Progressive Vs. State Farm: Highlights

Progressive car insurance has been in the insurance business since 1937. Since then, the company has introduced a number of innovations. For example, Progressive was the first major auto insurance company to launch a website, the first to sell premiums online, and the first to offer usage-based insurance. 

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the company wrote $38 billion in premiums in 2022 and is the third largest auto insurer in the United States.

As of 2023, State Farm car insurance has been in business for over 100 years. It’s not quite the oldest car insurance company, but it is the largest in the United States. 

According to the NAIC, it wrote over $46 billion in insurance premiums and had 17 percent of the market share in 2022. It’s important to mention that, while State Farm advertises availability in 50 states, the insurer currently is not accepting any new customers in Massachusetts or Rhode Island.

See the chart below to compare the two companies at a glance:

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Progressive Vs. State Farm: Coverage Options

Both Progressive and State Farm offer the following basic car insurance coverage options.

When shopping for insurance, you’ll see liability limits written as three numbers, like this: 100/300/100. In this example, the limits provide $100,000 bodily injury per person, $300,000 bodily injury per accident, and $100,000 property damage liability. That might sound excessive, but it’s actually a good coverage level to have to avoid lawsuits with other drivers.

Additional Coverage With Progressive

Progressive offers the following extra coverage options:

• Roadside assistance: Get coverage for lockouts, fuel delivery, flat tire changes, and towing.
• Rental car reimbursement: If your car has been in a covered accident, Progressive can cover the costs of a rental car up to the amount you specify. Be aware, rental car reimbursement might not cover the hours or days that your car sits in the shop waiting for repair authorization.
• Loan/lease payoff: With this option, Progressive will pay an additional 25 percent of your car’s value toward the amount you have left to pay on your loan.
• Custom parts and equipment value: Normally, aftermarket modifications aren’t covered for repairs. However, with this option, you can add your custom sound system or racing seats to your insurance coverage.

Additional Coverage With State Farm

In addition to the standard types of auto insurance coverage mentioned above, State Farm also offers:

• Car Rental Expenses: This option pays for a rental car after a covered claim.
• Travel Expenses: This pays for your meals, lodging, and transportation if you get into a covered accident over 50 miles from home.
• Rental Car Deductible: State Farm will pay $500 toward your deductible if you get into an accident while driving a rental car.
• Emergency Road Service: State Farm’s roadside assistance program covers up to one hour of mechanical labor at the site, towing to the nearest repair shop, lockout services, fuel delivery, spare tire changes, and jump starts.

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Progressive Vs. State Farm: Cost And Discounts

According to our research, an auto insurance policy from State Farm has lower rates for most drivers than Progressive does. Progressive’s full-coverage car insurance is still more affordable than national average rates, coming in at almost $400 cheaper per year. 

The full-coverage and liability car insurance rates in the chart below reflect averages for a single male driver, aged 30, with a clean driving record, and good credit. We’ve also included full-coverage auto insurance rates for a young driver and a driver with a recent ticket to show how rates change for each company.

State Farm’s rates are lower in every category we received quotes for, including for policyholders with a recent speeding ticket. 

Progressive Discounts

Comparing Progressive vs. State Farm, the number of discounts available from each company is the same, but the actual discount offerings vary. See a full comparison of available car insurance discounts in the table below:

For some drivers, State Farm offers better discounts than Progressive does. For example, if you’re a student, you could get 25 percent off with State Farm’s good student discount and another 15 percent off by completing the Steer Clear program. However, the quotes you see between Progressive vs. State Farm can vary. You might find Progressive to be cheaper even after those discounts.

Neither State Farm nor Progressive provides discounts to seniors or members of the military. However, that doesn’t mean seniors or military personnel can’t find good rates from these companies.

Other Factors That Affect Progressive And State Farm Insurance Costs

Beyond safe driving, a few factors can play a role in car insurance premiums from either Progressive or State Farm, including:

• Driver age: Younger drivers tend to have higher premiums.
• Credit score: Drivers with poor credit often have higher premiums in states where companies are allowed to use credit history as a factor.
• Vehicle: SUVs, trucks, and sports cars will have higher insurance premiums than sedans and vehicles with high safety ratings.
• Marital status: In many states, marital status can impact the cost of car insurance premiums.

Progressive Vs. State Farm: Usage-Based Discounts

Aside from bundling your car insurance policy with renters or homeowners insurance, another great way to save is to enroll in a usage-based insurance program. Progressive’s Snapshot program and State Farm’s Drive Safe and Save both provide usage-based discounts to good drivers, but what’s the difference?

If you’re thinking about joining Progressive’s Snapshot, consider yourself warned: Not everyone is a good driver, and not everyone gets discounts. In fact, about 20 percent of Snapshot program participants actually see their rates increase, according to Progressive. Rates can increase because of high-risk driving habits, not just by losing the introductory discount.

If you drive late at night and tend to take corners fast, Snapshot won’t be worth it. However, if you really are a good driver, it could pay off. You can save about $25 on your first policy and about $145 on average after that.

State Farm’s website says that drivers can save up to 30 percent with Drive Safe and Save. Drivers get a 5 percent discount for signing up. Drive Safe and Save tracks speeding, fast corners, hard braking, acceleration, and distracted driving. The good thing about this program is that it can’t raise your rate because of high-risk driving. Now, your rate might increase if you become ineligible for a low-mileage discount you previously had, but that’s different.

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Progressive Vs. State Farm: Ratings And Reviews

Both Progressive and State Farm have average scores in the J.D. Power 2023 Auto Insurance Study. However, State Farm scored higher than Progressive in all regions:

Progressive Insurance Reviews

“Customer Service at Progressive is wonderful. Tony ****** was very helpful for me getting my policy set up and answered all of my questions. When speaking with Tara I was delighted at how friendly and helpful she was. Thank you to the progressive team for having my back when I need you. It makes my life easier!”

–Tyler K. via BBB

“It's been over two years since the accident and they haven’t paid a penny. I’m the victim and progressive is the insurance party of the person who hit me in an accident. Even when the situation is this simple they have not paid me a single penny for the accident claim. Disgusting customer service. Extremely rude adjusters that gave me anxiety and trauma just by talking to them. Do not ever consider taking their insurance. You will be lost.”

–Dilni K. via BBB

State Farm Reviews

“The best premiums and coverage. I got my 3 vehicles, home and life insurance all on one low monthly bill. Jessica is the greatest. She is always there to help when needed and I’m thankful to her and the others for always making me feel like a valued customer.”

–Lois L. via BBB

“I have had State Farm for 10 years or more, paid the bill on time with auto pay and never had any claims until recently. We have had 3 in the past two years. They have decided to cancel my insurance. I thought that was the whole reason you paid insurance, for these things to be taken care of when they happen. They are definitely not a Good Neighbor. Now I completely understand why so many people say insurance is a rip off.”

–Donna B. via BBB

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Progressive Vs. State Farm: Our Take

Considering all the evidence, we think both of these companies would make a great choice for auto insurance. If you’re a student, it would be unwise to pass up a quote from State Farm. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance after college, Progressive is a great option. Plus, with Progressive’s comparison tool, you can also check out a few other companies at the same time.

We recommend getting car insurance quotes from both providers to ensure that you are getting the best rate and coverage possible.

Read more in our full Progressive insurance review or State Farm insurance review.

Other Recommended Car Insurance Companies

Speaking of getting multiple quotes, there are a few other great providers out there. We recently reviewed the best car insurance companies in the industry, and along with Progressive and State Farm, USAA and Travelers were among our top choices.

USAA: Best For Military Members

You should check out USAA if you or your family have any military affiliations. USAA tends to be an affordable option for those who qualify and can be cheaper than State Farm or Progressive. After comparing multiple insurance companies, USAA was the only provider that we gave five stars to for its prices, reputation, and great customer service. 

For more information, check out our USAA auto insurance review.

Travelers: Best Coverage Options

It’s also a good idea to include Travelers auto insurance in your search. Travelers has affordable coverage and offers great discounts to students. The company has over 100 years of experience and offers coverage in 50 states, including usage-based insurance and rental car insurance. 

Read more in our Travelers insurance review.

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Progressive Vs. State Farm: FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions about Progressive and State Farm car insurance.

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How We Rated Allstate Insurance

Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:

• Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
• Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
• Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
• Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.

*Data accurate at time of publication.

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