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Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content
Contributor to Nasdaq and USA Today
Daria is a licensed Realtor and resort property manager specializing in personal finance, real estate, and insurance topics. In her spare time, she practices photography.
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15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
Esurance is an Allstate company that operates 100% online. Licensed to sell car insurance in 43 U.S. states, Esurance’s technology helps drivers buy and manage their policies quickly and with little fuss. That said, Allstate actually writes Esurance policies — and Esurance no longer sells new policies.
Progressive operates in all 50 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C., and is America’s third-largest property and casualty insurance company.[1] While Progressive has an extensive selection of coverages, its chatbot isn’t very intuitive, and live customer service can be difficult to reach.
Read on to learn more about each of these insurers to determine if either is the right fit for you.
On average, Progressive offers lower liability-only quotes than Esurance.
Progressive offers policies in all 50 U.S. states, whereas Esurance — which used to offer policies in 43 states — no longer writes new policies.
Progressive offers more insurance coverages than Esurance — including pet insurance, through its partner Pets Best.
Esurance vs. Progressive: The verdict
Esurance policies are underwritten by Allstate and are generally cheaper than Progressive policies. But Esurance doesn’t actively seek new business, and Progressive offers more discounts and policy options. Progressive has an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 8.7 out of 10, compared to Esurance’s score of 8.9.
The average rate for full coverage from Progressive is $173 per month. The average rate for liability coverage is $101. Esurance’s policies are written by Allstate, and the average rate for full-coverage insurance from Allstate is $139. The average rate for liability coverage is $74 per month.
Esurance coverage is relatively basic, but the company also offers gap coverage. Progressive’s loan/lease payoff coverage is less comprehensive than gap coverage, but it has a wider range of options, including rental car reimbursement.
Progressive also has better discounts, and more of them than Esurance, which only offers bundling discounts with renters insurance and discounts for using its telemetrics program.
Progressive has those plus a long list of additional discounts.
Progressive also ranked 19th in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Survey, but Allstate, which writes Esurance’s policies, ranked eighth.[2]
Factor | Esurance | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 8.9 (Allstate) | 8.7 |
| Customer satisfaction score | 882 (Allstate) | 870 |
| Average quote: liability only | $74 (Allstate) | $101 |
| Number of available discounts | 5 | 13 |
| Number of states where it operates | 43 | 50 |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Esurance
Esurance doesn’t have its own listing in market-share data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), nor does it rank for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power surveys, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives it a B+.[3]
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.9 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $74/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $139/mo |
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service and efficient claims processing, but many find the rates too high and experience unexpected price increases. Some also report poor communication from agents.
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service and efficient claims processing, but many find the rates too high and experience unexpected price increases. Some also report poor communication from agents.
The fourth-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share, Allstate is available in all 50 states. The company has been in business for more than 90 years and also sells home, renters, and condo policies — so it’s a good option for those who want to save by bundling auto with another type of policy. Allstate also offers helpful optional auto coverages, like gap insurance and accident forgiveness. AM Best gives the company a high rating for financial strength, but Allstate has a higher-than-average number of complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Consumer Complaint Index.
Ample opportunities for bundling discount
Offers a pay-per-mile option
A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best
Low customer satisfaction
Rates are merely average compared to other insurers
Below-average rank for customer satisfaction in many regions, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
Progressive
Progressive is the second-largest writer of private passenger policies in the U.S. While it’s not a top performer in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction surveys overall, it does rank in the top 10 or 11 companies in most regions of the U.S. and the top 20 nationwide.
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 622 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.7 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $101/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $173/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
Progressive is the second-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share. The company offers more than 30 insurance products, including auto, home, renters, motorcycle, life, and more. Progressive customers can save through numerous discounts, including ones for bundling auto with a Progressive home or renters policy, for good students or students away at school, enrolling in automatic payments, and more. The insurer’s optional coverages are robust, from loan/lease payoff coverage to providing up to $1,000 for veterinary bills if your pet is injured while riding in your car with you.
Rewards for good drivers
Numerous coverage options and discounts available
Optional coverage for pet injuries
Much lower-than-average overall customer satisfaction ranking in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
Trustpilot rating of 1.1 stars (out of 5) from more than 1,000 reviews
Rates trend higher than rates from many competitors
Esurance DriveSense vs. Progressive Snapshot
DriveSense and Snapshot are telematics programs that record data about your driving habits. If the data shows you to be a safe driver, you can earn discounts on your car insurance policy.
DriveSense is an app-based technology available in 35 of the 43 states where Esurance is available. Esurance will enroll you automatically when you start a rate quote and send you a link to download the app. You’ll get a discount for enrolling, but after that, you must record at least 50 trips per term to earn ongoing discounts.
To participate in Progressive’s Snapshot program, first request a quote. You can then enroll and choose to use either the mobile app or plug-in dongle. You’ll receive an average discount of $94 for signing up and a discount of $231 upon completion of the program, which usually lasts six months. But you should know that about 20% of drivers get a rate increase because of their high-risk driving.
Esurance vs. Progressive: Which is the cheapest?
Allstate, which writes policies for Esurance, offers cheaper rates than Progressive, on average. But your unique situation can affect your car insurance rates dramatically.
Car insurance companies look at a wide range of factors to determine your premiums, including your age, gender, marital status, driving record, and more. This is why it’s important to compare quotes from several insurers to find the best policy for you.
Esurance: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
Drivers without any incidents, like speeding tickets or at-fault accidents, typically pay lower rates for Esurance policies written by Allstate. Below, you can see how liability-only rates compare for drivers with a clean record.
Driver Type | Esurance (Written by Allstate) | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $74 | $101 |
Esurance: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
A speeding ticket on your record will negatively affect your insurance rates. If you have a ticket on your record, Esurance policies, written by Allstate, tend to be lower for liability coverage.
Driver Type | Esurance (Written by Allstate) | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $97 | $128 |
Esurance: Cheapest for teen drivers
Teen drivers pay some of the highest rates in the marketplace, but Esurance policies, written by Allstate, tend to be more affordable than Progressive.
Driver Type | Esurance | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $158 | $192 |
Esurance: Cheapest for senior drivers
Esurance offers cheaper rates for senior drivers than Progressive. Here, you can see the average rates below.
Driver Type | Esurance | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $57 | $64 |
Esurance: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
Most states allow insurers to review your credit history during the underwriting process, and this means drivers with poor credit histories tend to pay more for car insurance than drivers with strong credit histories.
If you have a poor credit history, an Esurance policy, written by Allstate, tends to be more affordable than one written by Progressive.
Driver Type | Esurance | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $90 | $126 |
Compare coverages: Esurance vs. Progressive
Both Progressive and Esurance offer standard coverage options, like bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, collision, and comprehensive coverage.
But there are some differences in each company’s extra coverage options. For example, Esurance offers rideshare coverage in only a few states, while Progressive has a wider offering. Esurance also offers conventional gap insurance, while Progressive offers loan/lease payoff coverage.
The table below breaks down some of the optional coverages available from either insurer.
Coverage | Esurance | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Gap insurance | Yes | Offers loan/lease payoff |
| Rideshare insurance | Yes (in some states) | Yes |
| Emergency road service coverage | Yes | No |
| Rental car reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Custom parts and equipment | Yes | Yes |
Compare discounts: Esurance vs. Progressive
Both Esurance and Progressive offer a range of discounts to drivers.
But Progressive drivers have access to more discounts than Esurance drivers. While both insurance companies offer a bundling discount, Progressive offers many more policy types than Esurance.
For example, Progressive goes beyond renters insurance, homeowners insurance, and motorcycle insurance to offer boat insurance, business insurance, ATV insurance, pet insurance, flood insurance, life insurance, and more.
The table below illustrates which discounts are available to you through each insurance company.
Discount | Esurance | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Yes | No |
| Defensive driving course | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | Yes |
| Low mileage | No | No |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | Yes | No |
| New car | No | No |
| Military/affiliation | No | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
Esurance vs. Progressive FAQs
If you’re still trying to decide whether Esurance or Progressive is the right insurer for you, consult the answers below.
Is Progressive or Esurance better for you?
It depends on what’s more important to you. Esurance no longer writes new policies, but you can seek coverage through its parent company, Allstate. Allstate rates are generally lower than Progressive. But Progressive offers more coverage options and discounts than Esurance.
Is Esurance good at paying claims?
Allstate, which owns Esurance, has an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior), which means the company is able to reliably pay out claims.
In addition, 69% of Esurance customers who file a photo claim see their claim approved for payment in just one day, according to the company.
Does Progressive or Esurance offer better auto insurance discounts?
“Better” depends on the number of discounts applicable to you, but it’s important to note that Progressive offers more discounts than Esurance.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Allstate Car Insurance Review: Ratings and Quotes - Insurify
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Insurance company rankings."
- J.D. Power. "Auto Insurers Manage Customer Expectations as Repair Cycle Times Double in Two Years, J.D. Power Finds."
- Better Business Bureau. "Esurance, Inc.."
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Daria Uhlig is a freelance writer and editor with over a decade of experience creating personal finance content. Her work appears on USA Today, Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, GOBankingRates and AOL. As a licensed Realtor and resort property manager, she specializes in real estate topics, including landlord, homeowners and renters insurance. In her spare time, Daria can be found photographing people and places on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Daria has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
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15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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