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An independent agent's review of Progressive auto insurance: AM Best A+ financial strength, strengths for high-risk and SR-22 drivers, Snapshot telematics and Name Your Price, the renewal-increase watch-out, and how it compares to GEICO, Safeco, and other carriers Dragon shops across PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY.
Progressive is one of the largest auto insurers in the United States, and it is one of the 30-plus carriers Dragon Insurance writes for. That puts us in a useful position: we quote Progressive every week, we see where it wins on price, and we see where another carrier beats it for the same driver. This review is written from that independent-agent seat, not from an affiliate scoreboard.
Below is what Progressive does well, where it falls short, who it tends to be the best fit for, and how it stacks up against the other carriers we shop for auto coverage across Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Key Takeaways
Quick Answer
Is Progressive a good auto insurance company?
Yes, for the right driver. Progressive is a financially strong, technology-forward national carrier that is frequently the most competitive option for drivers with prior incidents, SR-22 needs, or non-standard situations. It is not automatically the cheapest for every profile, and its renewal rates can climb, so it should be compared against other carriers rather than bought in isolation.
Here is how Progressive performs across the metrics that matter most when you are deciding whether to place or keep your auto policy there.
| Metric | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AM Best Financial Strength | A+ (Superior) | Strong ability to pay claims across its primary auto companies |
| High-risk and SR-22 pricing | Strong | Often the most competitive for tickets, at-fault claims, and filings |
| Digital tools and telematics | Strong | Snapshot telematics and the Name Your Price tool are best-in-class |
| First-term price competitiveness | Moderate to Strong | Frequently competitive, but not guaranteed lowest for every profile |
| Renewal rate stability | Watch | Rates can increase at renewal, which is why annual re-shopping matters |
Progressive offers the full range of standard and optional auto coverages. The core protections are the same ones every driver should compare on equal limits before judging price.
Progressive's own quote depends on your specific profile, but it helps to know what full coverage tends to cost across Pennsylvania before you compare rates. According to MoneyGeek's 2026 Pennsylvania rate data, a 22-year-old driver with a clean record has typically been quoted around $220/month ($2,642/year) for full coverage, while rates for drivers between roughly age 30 and 65 tend to stabilize around $108/month ($1,295/year), per the same source. The table below layers in how a driving record changes that starting point.
| Driver Age | Clean Record | 1 At-Fault Accident | DUI Conviction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 22 | $220/mo ($2,642/yr) | ~$273/mo (~$3,276/yr) | ~$451/mo (~$5,412/yr) |
| Age 35 | $108/mo ($1,295/yr) | $134/mo ($1,610/yr) | $221/mo ($2,648/yr) |
| Age 55 | $108/mo ($1,295/yr) | $134/mo ($1,610/yr) | $221/mo ($2,648/yr) |
Source: MoneyGeek 2026 Pennsylvania rate data, full coverage. The Age 22 accident and DUI figures are illustrative estimates, calculated by applying MoneyGeek's published Pennsylvania violation surcharge percentages (at-fault accident +24%, DUI +105%) to the Age 22 clean-record rate. They are not a guaranteed quote. Ages 35 and 55 reflect MoneyGeek's own published clean-record, at-fault-accident, and DUI figures for the stable 30 to 65 age band. Actual premiums vary by carrier, ZIP code, vehicle, and underwriting. Call Dragon at 717-229-5115 for a rate specific to your profile.
A few areas are genuine strengths, and they are why Progressive earns a place on our panel rather than just a logo on a comparison page.
Higher-risk and non-standard drivers. If you have a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident, a recent lapse, or you need an SR-22 filed, Progressive is often the carrier that comes back with a workable rate when standard insurers do not. For non-standard situations we also compare Bristol West and The General, but Progressive is frequently the front-runner.
Snapshot telematics. Drivers who do not drive much, or who drive carefully, can earn a meaningful discount by sharing driving data through Snapshot. It rewards smooth braking, lower mileage, and avoiding late-night driving.
Name Your Price. This tool lets you start from a monthly budget and see which coverage combinations fit. It is a helpful way to understand the trade-off between premium and protection, though an agent should still check that the limits are adequate.
No carrier is the right answer for everyone. These are the limitations we see most often.
Renewal increases. The most common complaint we hear is a low first-term premium that rises at the first or second renewal. The fix is not loyalty, it is comparison: re-shop every year so you are always on the most competitive carrier for your current profile.
Not always the cheapest for clean records. Drivers with spotless histories and good credit sometimes find Safeco, Liberty Mutual, Plymouth Rock, or GEICO beat Progressive on price. That is exactly the kind of gap a side-by-side quote reveals.
Bundling can be split across companies. Progressive's home coverage is frequently underwritten by partner carriers, which can complicate a true single-carrier bundle. If bundling is your goal, we also compare Safeco and AAA, where the auto and home discount stacks more cleanly.
Progressive is not the right fit for every driver. Based on our quoting experience and independent rating data, these are the profiles that should compare closely before signing with Progressive.
Clean-record drivers chasing the rock-bottom rate. Drivers with a spotless history and excellent credit often find that Safeco, Liberty Mutual, Plymouth Rock, or GEICO beat Progressive's price for the same coverage. A clean record does not guarantee Progressive is your cheapest option. Ask Dragon to run a side-by-side comparison before you assume it is.
Drivers who will not re-shop at renewal. Progressive's first-term rate is often competitive, but renewal increases are common. If you are not willing to compare rates again each year, a carrier with more stable renewal pricing may serve you better over time.
Homeowners who want one company for auto and home. Progressive's home coverage frequently runs through partner carriers rather than Progressive itself, which can complicate a true single-carrier bundle. Safeco and AAA bundle auto and home more cleanly if that matters to you.
Drivers who weigh overall service experience heavily. J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study scored Progressive 621 out of 1,000 for overall customer satisfaction, the lowest among the largest national carriers and well below State Farm (650) and GEICO (645). If claims handling and day-to-day service matter more to you than price, weigh that data before choosing Progressive.
| Driver Profile | Is Progressive a strong fit? |
|---|---|
| Driver with tickets or an at-fault accident | Often the best option |
| SR-22 filing required | Strong fit |
| Low-mileage or cautious driver (Snapshot) | Strong fit |
| Clean record, excellent credit | Compare against Safeco, GEICO, Plymouth Rock |
| Wants a clean single-carrier auto and home bundle | Compare against Safeco and AAA |
Here is how Progressive stacks up against three other major national carriers, using NerdWallet's 2026 rate and feature comparison. State Farm and Allstate are captive carriers sold only through their own branded agents; Dragon Insurance does not sell or quote either one. They are included here only as market-rate context, not as options Dragon offers. Progressive and GEICO are both on Dragon's panel and are quoted side by side for our clients.
| Carrier | Typical Full-Coverage Rate | Digital Tools / App | Accident Forgiveness | Bundling Options | Agent Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $162/mo ($1,948/yr) | Snapshot telematics, Name Your Price, strong mobile app | Yes, most states | Auto + home (often via partner carriers), renters, more | Independent agents (including Dragon) and direct |
| GEICO | $172/mo ($2,058/yr) | Strong mobile app, limited local branches | Where available | Auto + home, renters, more | Mostly direct/call center; some independent agents |
| State Farm* | $177/mo ($2,124/yr) | Highest-rated app in NerdWallet's comparison | Not offered | Auto + home + life, single-carrier | Captive agent network only |
| Allstate* | $264/mo ($3,164/yr) | Standard mobile app | Yes | Auto + home + life, single-carrier | Captive agent network only |
*State Farm and Allstate are shown for comparison only; Dragon Insurance does not sell or quote these carriers. Source: NerdWallet 2026 rate comparison for a good driver with good credit, full coverage. Rates are national averages, not quotes, and vary by state, ZIP code, and driver profile.
The gap narrows, and sometimes reverses, for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record. NerdWallet's 2026 data shows a driver with a recent at-fault accident averaging $2,940/year with Progressive, compared to $3,498/year with GEICO and $4,940/year with Allstate, which lines up with Progressive's reputation as a strong option for higher-risk drivers described above.
Safeco and Liberty Mutual are also on Dragon's panel, and they are the two carriers most likely to beat Progressive for a clean-record driver. Here is a direct comparison across the profiles we quote most often in Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
| Category | Progressive | Safeco | Liberty Mutual |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-risk / SR-22 drivers | Best option | Higher rates | Higher rates |
| Clean-record, excellent credit | Compare against Safeco/Liberty | Competitive | Competitive |
| Telematics program | Snapshot | RightTrack | RightTrack (same) |
| Budget-based quoting tool | Name Your Price | Not offered | Not offered |
| Bundling discount | Available (home often via partner) | Strong | Strong |
| AM Best rating | A+ (Superior) | A (Excellent) | A (Excellent) |
| Best for | High-risk, SR-22, non-standard drivers | Bundle seekers, clean records | Similar to Safeco |
Safeco is a Liberty Mutual subsidiary sold as a separate brand with independent pricing, so the two may quote different rates for the same risk profile. Progressive is a separate, independent public company with no ownership relationship to either. AM Best ratings per AM Best.
The premium is identical whether you buy Progressive directly or through an independent agent, because agents are paid by the carrier at bind, not by you. The difference is that buying direct gives you one quote from one company. When you call Dragon, we quote Progressive alongside GEICO, Safeco, Liberty Mutual, Plymouth Rock, National General, and the rest of our panel on the same limits, and we tell you plainly which one wins for your situation, even when that is not Progressive. To see every carrier we compare, see our full carrier lineup.
Is Progressive a good auto insurance company?
Yes, for the right driver. Progressive is financially strong (AM Best A+) and is frequently the most competitive carrier for drivers with tickets, at-fault accidents, or SR-22 needs. It is not automatically the cheapest for clean records, so it should be compared against other carriers rather than bought in isolation.
Does Progressive raise rates after the first year?
It can. The most common surprise we see is a competitive first-term premium that rises at the first or second renewal. The fix is to re-shop your policy every year so you stay on the most competitive carrier for your current profile rather than relying on loyalty.
Is Progressive good for high-risk drivers?
Often, yes. Progressive has historically priced well for drivers with speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, coverage lapses, or SR-22 filing requirements, and is frequently the front-runner for non-standard situations among the carriers Dragon writes.
Is it cheaper to buy Progressive through an independent agent?
The premium is the same whether you buy Progressive directly or through an independent agent, because agents are paid by the carrier at bind, not by you. The advantage of an agent is that Dragon quotes Progressive against 30+ other carriers on the same limits so you can confirm it is actually your best rate.
Is Progressive cheaper than Safeco or Liberty Mutual?
It depends on your driver profile. Progressive is typically stronger for drivers with tickets, at-fault accidents, or an SR-22 requirement. Safeco and Liberty Mutual are typically more competitive for clean-record drivers, homeowners who want a single-carrier bundle, and drivers who qualify for a RightTrack telematics discount. Your specific record determines which carrier wins, which is why Dragon compares all three in one call.
How does Progressive compare to GEICO, State Farm, and Allstate?
According to NerdWallet's 2026 rate analysis, a good driver with good credit typically sees Progressive average around $162/month ($1,948/year) for full coverage, below GEICO's $172/month ($2,058/year), State Farm's $177/month ($2,124/year), and Allstate's $264/month ($3,164/year). State Farm and Allstate are captive carriers Dragon does not sell; Progressive and GEICO are both on Dragon's panel and are quoted side by side for our clients.
Who should not use Progressive auto insurance?
Drivers with a clean record and excellent credit who want the guaranteed lowest rate, drivers who will not re-shop at renewal, and drivers who weigh overall customer service heavily should compare carefully first. J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study scored Progressive 621 out of 1,000 for overall satisfaction, the lowest among the largest national carriers and below State Farm (650) and GEICO (645).
Does Progressive offer accident forgiveness?
Yes. Progressive offers an accident forgiveness add-on in most states that prevents your first at-fault accident from raising your premium. It is not automatic or available in every state, so confirm eligibility and cost with your Dragon agent when you get a quote.
What discounts does Progressive offer?
Progressive offers discounts for multi-policy bundling, multi-car households, paying in full, automatic payments, continuous prior coverage, and safe driving through Snapshot telematics. The exact discounts you qualify for depend on your state and profile, which is why Dragon compares your discounted Progressive rate against other carriers before you decide.
Want to see if Progressive is your best rate?
Dragon Insurance shops Progressive against 30+ carriers across PA, TX, VA, MD, OH, TN, and KY. Get your quote online or call us at 717-229-5115. English, Nepali, and Hindi spoken.
Ratings referenced (AM Best, J.D. Power, BBB) are independent third-party assessments and can change over time. Coverage availability, discounts, and pricing vary by state, vehicle, and driver profile. This review reflects Dragon Insurance's independent quoting experience and is not endorsed by Progressive.
Related reading: How to Compare Auto Insurance Quotes, Cheap Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania, The General Auto Insurance Review, and, for the full carrier lineup, our best auto insurance companies of 2026 ranking.
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About the Author
Bimal GurungCEO, Agency Principal & Licensed Insurance Agent
Bimal Gurung is CEO and Agency Principal of Dragon Insurance Services, an independent agency in Camp Hill, PA that compares 30+ carriers for clients across Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
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