First Chicago vs. Progressive: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for auto insurance, First Chicago offers more affordable rates than Progressive
• First Chicago offers less expensive average prices for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record
• Progressive has more affordable rates for drivers with a DUI charge on their record

First Chicago vs. Progressive: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed it down to First Chicago or Progressive, but between the two, which company will save you the most?

As you can see, First Chicago is about $24 per month less expensive than Progressive when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

However, that doesn't mean First Chicago will necessarily be cheaper than Progressive for every driver. Auto insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like where you live, how good your credit score is, how clean your driving record is, how old you are, and a ton of other factors, so prices will change quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of First Chicago or Progressive is really the best for you, keep reading to see average premiums for each carrier broken down by lots of different rate factors.

First Chicago or Progressive: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

First Chicago and Progressive only compete against each other in Illinois, where Progressive offers the cheaper average rates. For Illinois residents, Progressive offers car insurance for $155 a month on average. First Chicago's average prices come out to be more expensive, at $156 per month.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your insurance bill than just the state you live in. Continue reading to learn more about how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- generally pay a lot for car insurance compared to older drivers. Typically, that's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high rates, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have First Chicago for their auto insurance pay more than $100 less than those who use Progressive.

But both carriers will offer you dramatically lower premiums once you turn 25. For example, average prices for First Chicago policyholders decrease nearly 60% and Progressive's rates reduce almost 70% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the cheapest prices you can find.

So, which company offers the best premiums to retired drivers? First Chicago gets the edge here, with average rates coming in at around $114 monthly compared to Progressive's $131.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Single drivers tend to get offered slightly more expensive car insurance prices than married couples. This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one car on their policy -- something a lot of insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, First Chicago is the clear winner for those who are single, with premiums about $38 a month less expensive than Progressive, on average. It's not quite so glaring for married policyholders, where drivers who use First Chicago save around $6 per month.

First Chicago vs. Progressive: Average Rates by Gender

Women usually to pay less for auto insurance than men. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get speeding tickets and get into collisions, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher rates.

Typically, women see premiums over $10 a month cheaper with First Chicago, and about $5 cheaper with Progressive when compared to their male counterparts.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, First Chicago offers the lowest average prices for both men and women. On average, women save about $28 per month and men save around $21 with First Chicago compared to the average Progressive policyholder.

First Chicago or Progressive: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

It's no secret that car insurance can be pretty complicated. There are so many different coverages and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and their passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, First Chicago normally offers significantly more affordable premiums of $73 compared to Progressive's $111. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, First Chicago again has the edge, with policies about $10 a month less expensive than Progressive, on average.

Is First Chicago or Progressive Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

It's no secret secret that at-fault accidents and tickets lead to higher prices, but which company -- First Chicago or Progressive -- has the most affordable rates for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

First Chicago policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $35 per month if they get a ticket, while Progressive typically raises rates around $31 a month, on average.

That being said, First Chicago is generally the cheaper option for drivers both with a speeding ticket and with a clean record -- their rates are around 27% more affordable for drivers with clean records and 20% cheaper for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

First Chicago drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums increase by over $35, while those who have insurance through Progressive will see about a $65 increase.

Overall, the more affordable prices come from First Chicago, with monthly rates averaging $146 compared to Progressive's $214.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single collision or ticket when it comes to your auto insurance bill. First Chicago drivers usually see a 52% increase in their car insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Progressive will usually climb rates by around 16%.

How does Credit Score Impact First Chicago and Progressive Rates?

In many cases, your credit score can be used as one of the variables to calculate your monthly auto insurance premiums. This isn't always the case (for example, Michigan and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for many policyholders.

The reasoning insurance carriers use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so normally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with less expensive prices.

Looking at First Chicago and Progressive specifically, which one has the best premiums for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is First Chicago or Progressive Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

Did you know that the amount of time you spend in your car have a sizable impact on your monthly auto insurance payment? Generally, those who drive less will end up with more affordable rates since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

In this case, neither First Chicago or Progressive report increasing prices for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. Still, First Chicago comes out as the cheapest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car each year, with average rates of $156 per month for both.

First Chicago vs. Progressive: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can play a pretty big role in how much you pay for insurance. Typically, if you live in an urban area with more cars on the road, you'll pay a little more for car insurance, while the opposite is true for people in rural areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, First Chicago usually comes out as the most affordable option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

In urban areas, First Chicago Insurance's average premiums are about $11 less than Progressive. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around $51 less with First Chicago compared to Progressive. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about $9 with First Chicago compared to Progressive.

First Chicago vs. Progressive Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be challenging to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you're eligible for.

Below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by First Chicago and Progressive so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Progressive knocks First Chicago out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 34 different discounts to First Chicago's 34.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Progressive also offers advanced safety feature discounts, agency transfer discounts, continuous insurance discounts, and more that First Chicago does not.

On the flip side, First Chicago has a unique discount of its own -- a driver training discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is First Chicago or Progressive Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your car insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, at the end of the day, is First Chicago or Progressive the right carrier for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

First Chicago might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing auto insurance by yourself.
• You live in an suburban area.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.

Progressive might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national insurance company.
• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You're looking for the carrier with the most discounts.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare First Chicago and Progressive and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just First Chicago and Progressive. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

First Chicago vs. Progressive FAQs

Is First Chicago or Progressive cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, First Chicago is the cheaper of the two carriers, offering average rates of $156 a month compared to $180 for Progressive. Even so, First Chicago won't necessarily be the lowest company for every driver, since there are a bunch of different variables that are considered when it comes to your auto insurance cost.

Who is better, First Chicago or Progressive?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". No one carrier is "better" for each driver -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like. For example, Progressive offers less expensive premiums for drivers with a recent DUI, while First Chicago is cheaper for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do First Chicago and Progressive offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at several different factors when calculating the rates they charge drivers. Things like where you call home, gender, where you park your vehicle, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both First Chicago and Progressive use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different carriers.

How do I know if First Chicago or Progressive is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable price. And who knows, the best company for you might not be First Chicago or Progressive at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.