Progressive vs. Allstate: Weighing the Top Auto Insurers

When it comes time to buy car insurance, two of the first companies that come to mind are Progressive and Allstate. These auto insurance giants have national brand recognition thanks to popular ad campaigns and extensive coverage offerings.

But if you’re trying to decide between Progressive and Allstate for your policy, how do you pick the better provider? By comparing critical factors like cost, customer satisfaction, financial strength and available discounts, we can break down how Progressive and Allstate auto insurance stack up.

Progressive Overview

• Founded in 1937, Progressive is the 3rd largest auto insurer in the U.S.
• Offers usage-based “Snapshot” program to track driving and offer discounts
• Known for quirky advertising and marketing campaigns
• Policies available direct through website, phone, or independent agents
• Available in all 50 states and D.C.

Allstate Overview

• Started in 1931, now the 4th largest auto insurer in the U.S.
• Sells policies through local exclusive agents as well as online and by phone
• Provides “Drivewise” app for tracking driving habits, similar to Snapshot
• Known for branding focused on auto accident protection
• Available in 50 states and D.C.

Now let’s compare the two companies across several key insurance factors:

Cost of Coverage

For most drivers, insurance rates are a top priority. How much you’ll pay can vary greatly between insurers.

Progressive generally offers slightly lower rates on average compared to Allstate. For example, a 35-year old driver may pay around $150 per month with Progressive, while Allstate could be $180 per month for the same coverage. However, actual quotes depend on your location, driving history, and other risk factors.

Both companies offer extensive discounts that can help lower your costs:

• Progressive discounts: Snapshot, multi-policy, pay-in-full, continuous insurance, good student, anti-theft devices
• Allstate discounts: Drivewise, multi-car, new car, anti-theft, good student, anti-lock brakes, good payer

Overall, Progressive usually comes out cheaper for similar policies, especially for higher-risk drivers. But getting quotes from both is the best way to find the lowest rate.

Customer Satisfaction

How happy are drivers with claim processes, interactions with agents, and general service from these top auto insurers? Customer satisfaction scores help tell the story.

• J.D. Power auto claims satisfaction: Progressive scored 891 out of 1,000 points. Allstate scored 881.
• Consumer Reports customer satisfaction: Progressive received a 79 rating. Allstate was 74.
• BBB reviews: Progressive has 1.2 stars out of 5 on average from 6,800+ reviews. Allstate has 1 star out of 5 from 1,500+ reviews.

While customer satisfaction is relatively low for both companies, Progressive edges out Allstate in reviews and ratings across industry sources. But your personal experience may differ depending on your region and agent.

Financial Strength

You want an insurer that’s financially stable with resources to pay out claims. Independent ratings help evaluate financial strength:

• A.M. Best rating: Progressive received an “A+” (Superior) rating, while Allstate earned an “A+” mark as well.
• Standard & Poor’s rating: Progressive scored “A+” compared to Allstate’s “AA-” rating.
• Moody’s rating: Both companies were rated “Aa3” by Moody’s.

According to these ratings, both Progressive and Allstate are financially sound companies with low risk of insolvency. Allstate does have a slight edge in financial strength ratings, but both firms have strong positions overall.

Coverage Options

The types of auto insurance policies and additional protections available are also key considerations.

Both Progressive and Allstate offer these core auto coverages:

• Bodily injury liability
• Property damage liability
• Collision
• Comprehensive
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist
• Medical payments

They also provide options like roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, rideshare coverage, custom parts/equipment value, and accident forgiveness.

In terms of offerings, Progressive and Allstate are very similar regarding standard policies and added protections. The main difference is Allstate provides coverage for mechanical breakdowns, while Progressive does not.

Discounts and Rewards

In addition to the standard auto insurance discounts, Progressive and Allstate offer these unique programs:

Progressive

• Name Your Price® tool – Pick your premium and adjust coverage to match
• Snapshot® – Plug in device to record driving for personalized rates

Allstate

• Drivewise® – App to track driving habits and earn rewards
• Milewise® – Pay per mile instead of a fixed premium
• Allstate Rewards® – Earn points for safe driving you can redeem for gift cards and merchandise

For drivers wanting to take extra steps to save money, these advanced programs from Progressive and Allstate provide more ways to lower your insurance costs.

Availability of Agents and Service

If you prefer to talk to a local agent, Allstate has the advantage. Allstate sells through local, exclusive agent offices across the country. This gives customers a dedicated contact person for support.

Progressive mainly sells direct through its website and call centers. They do offer policies through independent agents, but these are less common than Allstate’s widespread agent network.

So Allstate is the better choice if you want an agent relationship. But Progressive simplifies buying insurance directly online or over the phone.

Key Takeaways: Progressive vs. Allstate

• Progressive generally has lower rates, especially for higher-risk drivers
• Allstate edges Progressive in financial strength ratings
• Both score fairly low in customer satisfaction – Progressive slightly higher
• Progressive and Allstate offer similar coverage options and discounts
• Allstate has more local agents, while Progressive focuses on online/phone

Overall, Progressive is our recommended first choice for most drivers due to its lower rates and highly rated claims processes. Allstate remains a solid option, but may cost more for the same level of coverage compared to Progressive.

Drivers should get quotes from both insurers to see actual pricing differences for themselves before deciding. Comparing total costs of similar policies is the best method to determine the better value.

But for an easy experience and great rates, Progressive usually beats Allstate across the board. Give Progressive a try if you want a top-ranked national insurer that makes buying and managing your policy hassle-free.