Progressive vs. Travelers: Which Is the Best? (2024)

Though its average rates are higher than Progressive’s rates, Travelers has more coverage options and discounts, earning it an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 4.3 out of 5.

Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken
  • Plutus Award winner

  • 12+ years writing about insurance and personal finance

Emily is a widely recognized expert on personal finance and has authored several personal finance books. She’s a frequent guest on national and regional media.

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Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 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.

Updated March 14, 2024

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Progressive and Travelers are among the 10 largest U.S. car insurance companies by market share.[1] Both companies offer a robust selection of add-on coverages. Travelers has higher average rates, but it has a much lower National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index score compared to Progressive.

So how do you determine if Progressive or Travelers is the better choice for your specific needs? Comparing car insurance companies on everything from rates and discounts to customer service and coverage options can help you make an informed decision.

Quick Facts
  • The average cost of liability insurance is $90 per month with Travelers and $82 per month with Progressive.

  • Travelers offers new-car replacement coverage, which Progressive doesn’t.

  • Both auto insurance companies scored below average in J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction study.[2]

Progressive vs. Travelers: The verdict

Progressive offers cheaper average car insurance rates compared to Travelers, according to Insurify’s proprietary data.

These companies are similar in many ways. Both scored below average in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study across all regions. Progressive scored above-average only in the usage-based insurance section of J.D. Power’s study.[3] They also offer similar coverages, discounts, and programs to help you save on your car insurance policies.

Progressive stands out with its Name Your Price Tool, with which the company customizes coverage according to what you’re willing to pay for insurance.

FactorProgressiveTravelers
Insurify Quality (IQ) Score3.94.3
Customer satisfaction score3.53.7
Average quote: liability only$82$90
Number of available discounts1314
Number of states where it operates5050
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

Progressive

With lower prices and a highly rated mobile app, Progressive is a good fit if you want to save money and handle your insurance policies on the go.

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
819
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.
$82/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.
$146/mo

Although its founding in 1937 makes Progressive comparatively young, it is among the largest car insurers in the U.S. The company offers car, home, renters, commercial, and other types of insurance. Progressive customers can enjoy savings by bundling their car insurance with another type of Progressive policy – typically homeowners or renters. Available discounts range from multi-policy and multi-car discounts, to the Snapshot save driver discount. Progressive has an A.M. Best rating of A+ for financial stability. However, the company has a slightly higher-than-expected number of complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.

Pros
  • Rewards for good drivers

  • Numerous coverage options and discounts available

Cons
  • Higher-than-expected amount of complaints

  • Ranked 11 out of 15 companies in the J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking

Help lower my cost.

Reine - December 4, 2023
Verified

Excellent customer service.

Cheryl - December 3, 2023
Verified

Best overall insurance cost with options to easily change as needed.

Jeffrey - December 3, 2023
Verified
Read our Progressive review

Travelers

Though Travelers has higher average rates, you can customize your insurance coverage with the company’s robust list of add-on coverage options.

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
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.
$90/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.
$198/mo

Travelers has been in business for more than 165 years. Today, the company sells auto insurance, homeowners, renters, flood, pet, and other types of insurance. In addition to liability and full-coverage car insurance, Travelers offers gap insurance, rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, new car replacement coverage, and more. Policyholders can save with a number of discounts, including for bundling multiple policies, safe driving, paying in full, student discounts, and more. Travelers has fewer complaints than expected with the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index. A.M. Best gives the company an A++ for financial strength.

Pros
  • Accident forgiveness available

  • Robust coverage selections and discount offerings

Cons
  • Rideshare coverage only available in Colorado and Illinois

  • High number of negative customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau

Superior customer service.

Susan - November 25, 2023
Verified

They are the best.

David - November 15, 2023
Verified

I have no tickets and no accidents, yet my premiums keep going up every year.

Deborah - October 26, 2023
Verified
Read our Travelers review

Progressive Snapshot vs. Travelers IntelliDrive

You can potentially lower your rates with Progressive or Travelers by participating in their telematics programs.

The Progressive Snapshot program, available as a plug-in telematics device or through the mobile app, rewards the following behaviors:

  • Limiting hard braking

  • Limiting rapid acceleration

  • Driving less overall

  • Not driving between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on weekends

  • Not using your phone while driving

You can get an automatic discount for signing up for Progressive Snapshot and may receive another discount based on your driving behavior, although risky driving may increase your rates. 

Travelers IntelliDrive program may also save you up to 10% just for enrolling (depending on your state). With IntelliDrive, you’ll download a mobile app that will monitor your driving behavior for 90 days. Travelers will determine your discount rate when it’s time to renew your policy. You can save up to 30% with safe driving behavior, but risky behavior could result in you paying a high premium at renewal.

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Progressive vs. Travelers: Which is the cheapest?

The cheapest car insurance company won’t be the same for every driver. Insurers use various factors to determine policy premiums, including your age, home ZIP code, marital status, credit score, annual mileage, and driving history. As insurers give these factors different weight, the best way to find the best option for your situation is to shop around.

Here’s what you need to know how the rates for Progressive and Travelers compare for every type of driver, including high-risk drivers.

Progressive: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record

If you have a clean driving record — meaning no speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, DUIs, or other traffic violations — you can get the cheapest rates with your insurance company. Whether you’re purchasing liability-only coverage or full coverage, Progressive has lower rates for drivers with clean records than Travelers.

Driver TypeProgressiveTravelers
Clean driving record$82$90
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Progressive: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket

One or more speeding tickets on your driving record will increase your auto insurance premiums. Even if you didn’t cause an accident, speeding tickets show insurers that you’re a risky driver. Progressive has slightly cheaper rates for drivers with a speeding ticket compared to Travelers.

Driver TypeProgressiveTravelers
Drivers with a speeding ticket$102$107
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Progressive: Cheapest for teen drivers

Young drivers pay the highest rates for auto insurance because they’re inexperienced behind the wheel and more likely to take risks on the road.[4] Progressive’s auto insurance rates for teen drivers are cheaper than Travelers’ rates.

Driver TypeProgressiveTravelers
18-year-old$146$164
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Progressive: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit

In states where credit-based insurance scores are allowed, insurance companies can use your credit history when setting rates. Insurance companies believe drivers with excellent credit are less likely to file a car insurance claim than drivers with bad credit.[5] If you have bad credit, you may pay more for car insurance.

Progressive beats Travelers in this category as well, with cheaper rates for drivers with poor credit.

Driver TypeProgressiveTravelers
Drivers with bad credit$90$99
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Progressive: Cheapest for senior drivers

Senior drivers can have age-related conditions that may affect their driving skills, which is why you may see your car insurance rates increase around age 70.[6] Progressive’s prices for senior drivers are cheaper than Travelers’ rates.

Driver TypeProgressiveTravelers
Senior drivers$51$68
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Compare coverages: Progressive vs. Travelers

Progressive and Travelers sell auto insurance that meets state requirements, which can include liability coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. These types of coverage may be mandatory or optional, depending on your state’s insurance laws.

In addition, drivers can also buy collision coverage, which pays for damage to your car if you cause an accident, and comprehensive coverage, which pays for damage to your vehicle from non-collision incidents. While state law doesn’t require these coverages, your lender or lessor may require it if you finance or lease your vehicle.

Here are some of other optional coverages available from Progressive and Travelers that can help you create a robust auto insurance policy.

CoverageProgressiveTravelers
Gap insuranceYesYes
Rental coverageYesYes
Roadside assistanceYesYes
New-car replacementNoYes
Accident forgivenessYesYes
Rideshare coverageYes (not in all states)Yes (in CO and IL only)
Pet injury coverageYesNo
Custom parts and equipment coverageYesNo
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Compare discounts: Progressive vs. Travelers

Although Progressive offers cheaper average rates for insurance premiums, Travelers has slightly more discounts.

These include discounts for taking defensive driving courses, installing an anti-theft device, having a new car, or using alternative fuel. These discounts may make up for the difference in the average cost of Progressive and Travelers.

DiscountProgressiveTravelers
Clean driving recordYesYes
Defensive driving courseNoYes
Multi-policyYesYes
Multi-carYesYes
Low mileageNoNo
Anti-theft deviceNoYes
New carNoYes
Military/affiliationNoYes
Good studentYesYes
LoyaltyYesYes
Auto payYesYes
Student away at schoolYesYes
HomeownerYesYes
Alternative fuelNoYes
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Progressive vs. Travelers FAQs

For drivers deciding between Progressive and Travelers for their auto insurance, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about these insurers.

  • Is Progressive car insurance really cheaper?

    Progressive offers cheaper average rates for insurance premiums compared to Travelers, according to Insurify data. The average cost of liability insurance is $90 per month with Travelers and $82 per month with Progressive.

  • Is Travelers a reputable company?

    Yes. Travelers is a reputable insurance company. It has an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), which means the company has the highest possible financial stability.[7]

  • What are the major differences between Progressive and Travelers?

    Progressive offers cheaper average rates than Travelers for many driver profiles. But Travelers offers a few more discounts than Progressive, which means it could be the cheaper option for people who qualify for multiple discounts.

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 50+ 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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • 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.

Sources

  1. NAIC. "2022 Property and Casualty Market Share." Accessed February 22, 2024
  2. J.D. Power. "2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study." Accessed February 22, 2024
  3. J.D. Power. "2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study." Accessed February 22, 2024
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts." Accessed February 22, 2024
  5. NAIC. "Use of Insurance Credit Scores in Underwriting." Accessed February 22, 2024
  6. III. "Senior driving safety and insurance tips." Accessed February 22, 2024
  7. AM Best. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of The Travelers Companies, Inc. and Most Subsidiaries." Accessed February 22, 2024
Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken

Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.

Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.

She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.

Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.

Courtney Mikulski
Edited byCourtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
Courtney Mikulski
Courtney MikulskiSenior Editor, Auto
  • 3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content

  • Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score

Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 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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