+120 more)
Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.
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Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
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At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Auto-Owners and Progressive offer a full suite of auto, home, life, and business insurance products. While both offer affordable rates, Auto-Owners’ average car insurance premiums are usually cheaper than Progressive’s, according to our data.
Auto-Owners also excels in customer and claims satisfaction and offers more discounts than Progressive. But Progressive offers more coverage options, better online and mobile policy management, and a telematics program for safe drivers. Plus, it operates nationwide, while Auto-Owners offers policies in just 26 states.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know in the battle of Auto-Owners vs. Progressive auto insurance.
Auto-Owners offers cheaper average rates and more car insurance discounts than Progressive.
Progressive has more coverage options and is available in more states than Auto-Owners.
Progressive scores higher than Auto-Owners in policy management and industry reputation.
| User Reviews | 4.3 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.1 /5 |
| 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. | $43/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. | $73/mo |
Drivers value the excellent customer service and coverage but feel the prices, especially for homeowners, can be high.
Drivers value the excellent customer service and coverage but feel the prices, especially for homeowners, can be high.
Despite being available in only about half the country, Auto-Owners ranks 11th in the nation by market share for auto insurance.[1] It earns above-average ratings in customer service and claims satisfaction from J.D. Power and has fewer customer complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) than similar-sized companies.[2]
But Auto-Owners doesn’t offer online quotes. You can get quotes and buy insurance only from independent agents. That said, we’ve found that Auto-Owners offers below-average rates to most drivers compared to Progressive, including people with less-than-perfect driving records.
Cheaper average rates than Progressive
Offers more discounts than Progressive
Better customer and claims satisfaction ratings
Available in only 26 states
Fewer optional coverages than Progressive
Progressive offers a better digital experience
| User Reviews | 3.2 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.3 /5 |
| 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. | $102/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. | $176/mo |
Customers appreciate the initial affordability and claim handling but dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, as well as the poor customer service.
Customers appreciate the initial affordability and claim handling but dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, as well as the poor customer service.
Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer in the country by market share, but it falls behind Auto-Owners in customer and claims satisfaction. Its average rates are also higher than Auto-Owners’ for most drivers, though it may be an affordable option in states Auto-Owners doesn’t cover.
While Progressive offers more coverage options to customize your policy, it has fewer discounts than Auto-Owners.
If you prefer to manage your policy and claims online, Progressive may be a good fit. It offers more ways to do so and has a highly rated mobile app, which Auto-Owners lacks.
Available nationwide
Offers mechanical breakdown and pet injury coverage
Highly rated telematics program
Higher average rates than Auto-Owners
Doesn’t offer safety features discount
Poor customer service scores compared to Auto-Owners
When comparing car insurance companies like Auto-Owners and Progressive, there’s more to consider than just price. We analyzed dozens of companies and rated them on various factors, including average rates, customer satisfaction, ease of use, availability, and industry reputation.
The table below compares Auto-Owners vs. Progressive across these categories to help you determine which fits your needs better.
Category  | Auto-Owners | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Customer satisfaction | 4.3/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Policy management | 3/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Availability | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Industry reputation | 4.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Overall Score | 4.43/5 | 4.5/5 |
Progressive edges out Auto-Owners overall, thanks to its top-tier online tools and wider availability. But Auto-Owners excels in affordability and customer satisfaction, making it a strong contender if you live somewhere it’s available and prefer more personalized service.
Check quotes from 100+ top insurance companies.
Our editorial team analyzes and grades each insurer based on factors like its average rates, customer reviews, policy management features, availability, industry standing, and more. This includes countless hours of research and in-depth analysis of thousands of auto insurance quotes from real Compare.com customers.
We grade each factor on a weighted five-point scale to determine an insurer’s proprietary Compare.com Rating, which highlights its overall standing among the industry’s best companies.
Auto insurance premiums can vary widely, both between insurers and from driver to driver. Companies use their own unique formulas to assess risks and set rates, factoring in personal characteristics like your age, driving record, credit score, and location.
That’s why it’s so important to comparison shop to find the coverage you need at the lowest price. Looking at average rates for drivers similar to you can help you get a better idea of what to expect so you don’t overpay for coverage.
Check out the table below to see Auto-Owners’ and Progressive’s average full-coverage rates for different driver types, according to Compare.com data.
Driver Type | Auto-Owners | Progressive | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| All drivers | $73 | $176 | $180 |
| Teens | $143 | $301 | $346 |
| Seniors | $55 | $100 | $155 |
| Recent ticket | $92 | $202 | $225 |
| Recent accident | $91 | $220 | $234 |
| DUI conviction | $110 | $243 | $272 |
| Poor credit | $122 | $198 | $219 |
Varying weather patterns, traffic density, insurance laws, accident rates, and repair costs affect premiums in each state. Rates can even differ by neighborhood and ZIP code. The more people and the more urbanized the area, the more likely you are to pay higher car insurance rates.[3]
Take a look at the table below to see how Auto-Owners’ and Progressive’s average full-coverage rates compare by state, according to Compare.com data.
State | Auto-Owners | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $93 | $120 |
| Alaska | N/A | N/A |
| Arizona | $107 | $204 |
| Arkansas | $140 | $132 |
| California | N/A | N/A |
| Colorado | $190 | $144 |
| Connecticut | N/A | $195 |
| Delaware | N/A | $186 |
| Florida | N/A | $216 |
| Georgia | $133 | $168 |
| Hawaii | N/A | N/A |
| Idaho | $46 | $101 |
| Illinois | $75 | $116 |
| Indiana | $75 | $111 |
| Iowa | $68 | $171 |
| Kansas | $117 | $125 |
| Kentucky | $149 | $166 |
| Louisiana | N/A | $207 |
| Maine | N/A | $80 |
| Maryland | N/A | $252 |
| Massachusetts | N/A | N/A |
| Michigan | $105 | $247 |
| Minnesota | $98 | $122 |
| Mississippi | N/A | $133 |
| Missouri | $269 | $129 |
| Montana | N/A | N/A |
| Nebraska | $73 | $98 |
| Nevada | N/A | $173 |
| New Hampshire | N/A | N/A |
| New Jersey | N/A | $351 |
| New Mexico | N/A | $188 |
| New York | N/A | $448 |
| North Carolina | N/A | $99 |
| North Dakota | $37 | N/A |
| Ohio | $82 | $106 |
| Oklahoma | N/A | $135 |
| Oregon | N/A | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $96 | $155 |
| Rhode Island | N/A | $253 |
| South Carolina | $111 | $168 |
| South Dakota | $104 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $115 | $121 |
| Texas | N/A | $190 |
| Utah | $104 | $142 |
| Vermont | N/A | $141 |
| Virginia | $96 | $146 |
| Washington | N/A | $323 |
| Washington, D.C. | N/A | $279 |
| West Virginia | N/A | $119 |
| Wisconsin | $61 | $111 |
| Wyoming | N/A | N/A |
All car insurance companies offer basic liability coverage, but optional add-ons vary by insurer. For example, you can usually add comprehensive and collision coverage, roadside assistance, and uninsured motorist coverage to most policies. But some companies offer extras like gap insurance, accident forgiveness, and rental reimbursement.
We break down Progressive’s and Auto-Owners’ available coverages in the table below, based on publicly advertised information.
Coverage Type | Auto-Owners | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | ✔ | ✔ |
| Collision | ✔ | ✔ |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roadside assistance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rental reimbursement | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gap insurance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accident forgiveness | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mechanical breakdown | ✔ | |
| Rideshare endorsement | ✔ | |
| Vanishing deductibles | ✔ | ✔ |
| New car replacement | ✔ | |
| Pet injury | ✔ |
While both companies offer a solid range of coverage options, Progressive stands out for extras like mechanical breakdown insurance, rideshare coverage, and pet injury protection. Auto-Owners, on the other hand, offers new car replacement, something Progressive doesn’t.
Car insurance discounts can help lower your premium based on a variety of factors, like your driving habits and how you manage your policy. Discounts can vary widely between companies, but common ones reward things like bundling policies, safe driving habits, paying your bill in full, or going paperless.
The table below shows which discounts are available from Progressive and Auto-Owners, based on each company’s publicly advertised savings.
Discount Type | Auto-Owners | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Affinity | ✔ | |
| Alternative energy | ||
| Anti-theft | ✔ | |
| Automatic payments | ✔ | |
| Customer loyalty | ✔ | |
| Defensive driver | ||
| Good student | ✔ | ✔ |
| Early shopper | ✔ | |
| Federal employee | ||
| Homeowner | ✔ | |
| Low mileage | ||
| Military | ||
| Multi-policy | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-vehicle | ✔ | ✔ |
| New car | ||
| Paperless billing | ✔ | ✔ |
| Pay-in-full | ✔ | ✔ |
| Safe driver | ✔ | ✔ |
| Safety equipment | ✔ | |
| Student away at school | ✔ | ✔ |
| Teacher | ||
| Usage-based/telematics | ✔ | ✔ |
Auto-Owners offers 13 of the discounts listed, while Progressive offers only 10.
Auto-Owners comes out slightly ahead in total discounts, providing more vehicle-based and student discounts. Progressive, meanwhile, focuses more on policy management.
Before choosing a car insurance company, it’s smart to check what real people are saying. Reviews from current and former customers can give you insight into how the insurer handles claims, customer service, and billing — things you don’t always find in ads or fine print.
Below, we’ve included real reviews from recent Compare.com customers to help you get a better feel for what it’s like to have insurance with Auto-Owners and Progressive.
Compare quotes from leading insurers.
Below, we answered some common questions people ask about Auto-Owners and Progressive car insurance.
Progressive earned a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from Compare.com, slightly higher than Auto-Owners’ rating of 4.33. That said, the best company for you depends on how important factors like price, claims handling, customer service, and financial strength are to you.
It depends. The best car insurance company for you depends on your budget, driving record, vehicle type, coverage needs, and where you live. Look at more than just the cost of insurance. Check things like customer complaints and claims satisfaction to determine which company is right for you.
Auto-Owners is typically cheaper than Progressive. But Auto-Owners is available in only 26 states, while Progressive is available nationwide. Plus, your personal rate depends on factors like your age, driving record, vehicle, coverage needs, and ZIP code.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.
Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
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