USAA Vs. Progressive

Key Points:

• USAA and Progressive both offer a full suite of coverage options and plenty of discounts.
• Our data shows USAA is a bit more affordable than Progressive on average, but it’s only available to military members and their families.
• USAA has better ratings for customer service through J.D. Power studies than Progressive.

Each car insurance company has its share of pros and cons. If you’re considering USAA vs. Progressive for a new auto insurance policy, you’re already on the right track. USAA and Progressive are two of the highest-rated companies in our review of the nation’s best car insurance, each offering a variety of choices for insurance coverage at a reasonable price. But when you compare Progressive vs. USAA, which is right for you?

Below, we’ll see how USAA and Progressive stack up against one another. Because every driver is unique, we recommend comparing the cost of car insurance from both. In addition to the insurer you choose, factors like your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect the price you pay.

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USAA Vs. Progressive Reviews

We rate Progressive and USAA the same overall: 4.5 out of 5.0. Both companies are reliable options for insurance coverage, whether you need insurance today to buy a new car or coverage for your whole family.

Is Progressive or USAA Better? 

USAA and Progressive are two of the biggest insurers in the industry for a reason. We found USAA car insurance to be the best for veterans, active military personnel, and their family members, while Progressive car insurance is a great option for its variety of coverage options and discounts. While both companies are great, each performs well in different areas. Compare our ratings below.

USAA and Progressive both have their fair share of positive customer reviews. But before we see what customers have to say, let’s compare the providers’ industry ratings.

*Scores from the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠

USAA and Progressive Customer Reviews

When shopping for auto insurance, it’s a good idea to see what real-life policyholders have to say about their service. We took a look at customer reviews for both providers on the BBB. 

Positive customer reviews from USAA mention excellent customer service experiences that go above and beyond customers’ expectations. As for negative reviews, several dissatisfied customers have had trouble with USAA’s claims process.

It’s not hard to find positive remarks about Progressive, like how representatives have helped drivers through the claims process. On the other hand, negative reviews mention unexpected rate increases.

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USAA Vs. Progressive: Coverage

USAA and Progressive both offer standard coverage along with add-ons and other insurance products. When you’re deciding how much car insurance you need, consider the minimum requirements in your state and your own driving history, including speeding tickets, whether you have good credit or poor credit, and more.

You can get the standard types of auto insurance with either USAA or Progressive. Here’s a quick look at what standard coverage encompasses:

• Liability auto insurance: Bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) liability insurance cover other motorists after you cause an accident. Unless you live in New Hampshire or Virginia, a certain amount of liability insurance is required to drive legally in your state.
• Collision insurance: This type of protection covers the damages your car sustains in an accident, no matter which party is at fault.
• Comprehensive car insurance: This type of coverage protects you when your vehicle is damaged by a non-collision event like hazardous weather, animals, vandalism, or theft.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): PIP covers your medical expenses and those of your passengers after an accident. It can also take care of lost wages and funeral expenses.
• Medical payments (MedPay): MedPay covers your medical expenses and those of your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): This type of insurance protects you in the case that you get into an accident with a motorist who doesn’t have sufficient insurance and consequently can’t cover your expenses.

Additional Coverage

Both providers also offer add-ons, which can be purchased in addition to the standard coverage mentioned above. Here are a few extra coverage options offered by USAA vs. Progressive:

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Is USAA Cheaper Than Progressive?

On average, USAA is more affordable than Progressive for good drivers. Our quote data shows 30-year-olds with good driving histories pay about $1,476 per year for full coverage with USAA and $1,809 with Progressive. Of course, USAA is only available for military members and their families. Your rate also depends on many factors like your age, location, and vehicle. 

Below are a few more full coverage quote examples with the two companies. These apply to a 2020 Honda CR-V.

The quickest way to find out how much you will pay for USAA or Progressive car insurance is to get quotes from both providers. This is because quotes vary depending on a number of factors beyond the auto insurance provider you choose. Your state and age can affect car insurance rates, as well as your driving history and credit score.

USAA And Progressive Discount Comparison

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, both USAA and Progressive have long lists of discounts that you could qualify for to get a better rate. Let’s take a closer look at car insurance discounts from USAA vs. Progressive:

Both Progressive and USAA have usage-based insurance programs that work through mobile apps. Progressive’s Snapshot^® and USAA’s SafePilot^TM monitor your driving habits, including how hard you brake and how quickly you accelerate. Safe driving will get you discounts with both Snapshot and SafePilot. 

As an added perk, Progressive has some top-of-the-line tools to help you in the quotes process, including a quotes comparison tool that lets you see how Progressive’s rates compare to other auto insurance companies. There’s also the signature Name Your Price^® tool. Just input how much you would like to pay for car insurance, and Progressive will show you plans that fit within your budget.

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USAA Vs. Progressive: Customer Experience

Looking at J.D. Power studies can give you a good idea of how an insurance company performs overall. USAA performed higher than Progressive in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study℠. The study measured customer satisfaction in terms of price, distribution channel, and policy offerings during the quotes process. USAA auto insurance received a score of 874 out of a possible 1,000 points, while Progressive earned 853. The industry average was 861.

Similarly, both USAA and Progressive were included in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠. Progressive earned a score of 870 out of a possible 1,000 based on customer satisfaction ratings, whereas USAA received one of the highest scores of any auto insurance company in the study with 900 points. This tells us that both insurers have the ability to handle claims quickly and efficiently, but USAA comes out ahead of Progressive.

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USAA Vs. Progressive: Our Take

USAA and Progressive are both top-level auto insurance providers that offer reliable coverage and many discount opportunities. While USAA stands out in terms of cost and customer satisfaction, it’s only available to military members and their families. Progressive is a good alternative for those who don’t qualify for a USAA policy. Progressive has comprehensive coverage and an extensive list of discounts that can save you money on car insurance.

If you qualify, we recommend getting car insurance quotes from both USAA and Progressive.

Learn more about the insurers in our complete USAA insurance review and Progressive insurance review.

Other Top Car Insurance Companies

When looking for a new car insurance provider, it’s smart to shop around and compare quotes from multiple sources before committing to a car insurance policy. Some of our other top insurers are Geico and State Farm, which both offer cheap full coverage car insurance.

Geico: Best for Basic Coverage

When we researched more than 30 major car insurance companies across the nation, Geico auto insurance emerged as the Best for Basic Coverage. Geico offers standard coverage, plus roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance.

You can get great discounts with Geico, too. Here are a few ways to save:

• Safe driver discount
• Student driver discount
• Military discount
• Discount for drivers with an accident-free driving record
• Loyal customer discount
• And more

Compare: Geico vs. Progressive

State Farm: Best Overall Provider

The largest auto insurance company in the nation, State Farm is one of our top choices for car insurance for its variety of coverage options and a high number of discounts for students and young drivers. State Farm offers standard auto insurance, as well as roadside assistance, rental and travel expense coverage, and rideshare insurance.

With State Farm’s Drive Safe And Save™ program, State Farm monitors your safe driving habits via a mobile app and gives you a discount. There’s also the Steer Clear^® app that encourages drivers under 25 years old to drive safely and save money on auto insurance.

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FAQ: USAA Vs. Progressive

Below are a few frequently asked questions about comparing USAA and Progressive:

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How We Rate Insurers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car insurance providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a car insurance company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• 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.
• Cost: 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.
• 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.
• 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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