VerdictLab

Progressive vs Allstate

Progressive is the cheaper of these two on the published averages. Whether that makes it the better buy depends on three things the price never tells you.

ProgressiveWinner
Progressive
6.5
Fair
1 of 4 rounds
vs
Allstate
5.8
Weak
1 of 4 rounds

The verdict

Rounds split 1–1; Progressive edges it on total score.

On averages Progressive is cheaper by about $855 a year — but get your own quote from both, because the published averages disagree with each other by nearly as much as they differ from one another.

Choose Progressive if…

  • • You want Progressive's lower average rate
  • • You drive well and will accept being monitored

Choose Allstate if…

  • • You want Allstate's particular strengths
  • • You drive well and will accept being monitored

Round by round

  1. Round 1What you actually payProgressive wins
    Progressive9/10

    $2,060

    average annual full-coverage premium

    • Cheaper on the published averages
    • Figures from independent rate studies
    • Your own quote may differ sharply

    Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies

    Allstate5/10

    $2,915

    average annual full-coverage premium

    • Rates vary widely by driver
    • Figures from independent rate studies
    • About $855/yr more on average

    Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies

    About $855 a year apart — and Progressive is the cheaper one.

  2. Round 2Being tracked for a discountAllstate wins
    Progressive5/10

    30% max

    Snapshot — can increase your rate

    • Advertised up to 30%
    • Opt-in
    • Bad driving can increase your premium
    • Typical real saving is nearer 10%

    Source: https://www.insuremojo.com/telematics-insurance-discount-programs/

    Allstate5/10

    40% max

    Drivewise — can increase your rate

    • Advertised up to 40%
    • Opt-in
    • Bad driving can increase your premium
    • Typical real saving is nearer 10%

    Source: https://www.insuremojo.com/telematics-insurance-discount-programs/

    Both can raise your rate for bad driving. Read that twice.

  3. Round 3What happens when you claimTie
    Progressive6/10

    see note

    undercuts the market on premium but does not reach the top three on claims satisfaction

    • Large enough to have a mature claims operation
    • Not a leader on claims satisfaction

    Source: https://www.jdpower.com/business/insurance/auto-claims-satisfaction-study

    Allstate6/10

    no standout record

    nothing notable in the published studies

    • Large enough to have a mature claims operation
    • Not a leader on claims satisfaction

    Source: https://www.jdpower.com/business/insurance/auto-claims-satisfaction-study

    The cheap ones are rarely the ones you want on the phone after a crash.

  4. Round 4Size, reach and who you deal withTie
    Progressive7/10

    top-three auto insurer by market share

    market position

    • Established national carrier

    Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies

    Allstate7/10

    major national insurer, agent-based

    market position

    • Established national carrier

    Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies

    Both are big enough to pay a claim. That is the floor, not a feature.

ProgressiveProgressive
Allstate

Side by side

Overall score
6.5
Best
5.8
Price
See price
See price
Size, reach and who you deal with
7.0
7.0
Being tracked for a discount
5.0
5.0
What happens when you claim
6.0
6.0
What you actually pay
8.2
5.0
Head-to-head findings
Size, reach and who you deal with
top-three auto insurer by market share
major national insurer, agent-based
Being tracked for a discount
30% max
40% max
What happens when you claim
see note
no standout record
What you actually pay
$2,060
$2,915
Record
Head-to-head record
3–5
0–6
Head-to-heads won
38 %
0 %
Rounds won
23 %
10 %
Pros
  • Rates vary widely by driver
  • Figures from independent rate studies
  • Advertised up to 30%
  • Opt-in
  • Rates vary widely by driver
  • Figures from independent rate studies
  • Advertised up to 40%
  • Opt-in
Cons
  • About $527/yr more on average
  • Bad driving can increase your premium
  • Typical real saving is nearer 10%
  • Not a leader on claims satisfaction
  • About $885/yr more on average
  • Bad driving can increase your premium
  • Typical real saving is nearer 10%
  • About $855/yr more on average
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