Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive: Which Insurer Is Better for You?

Progressive comes out ahead of Liberty Mutual as the cheaper car insurance company, with an average monthly rate of $119 compared to Liberty Mutual’s $146. Progressive also offers more coverage options and scores higher in affordability and industry reputation. But Liberty Mutual takes the lead in available discounts and ease of use with its user-friendly online tools and resources.

In this head-to-head match, we compare each company’s prices, policy options, perks, claims processing, and more. Let’s see how Liberty Mutual and Progressive stack up to help you decide the best auto insurance company for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Liberty Mutual and Progressive earn high Compare.com Ratings, but Progressive’s overall rating is slightly higher.
• Progressive offers more affordable prices than Liberty Mutual for every driver demographic.
• Liberty Mutual offers more discounts, but Progressive has more customizable coverage options.

How Progressive and Liberty Mutual Stack Up

You’ve got to look at more than just price when comparing auto insurance giants like Progressive and Liberty Mutual. That’s why we’ve analyzed dozens of insurers to calculate each company’s Compare.com Rating. We look at factors like affordability, customer satisfaction, ease of use, availability, and industry reputation.

The table below shows how Progressive and Liberty Mutual score across these key areas.

Both insurers score well overall, but Progressive edges out Liberty Mutual with a slightly higher rating. Progressive earns high marks for cheap car insurance and a stronger reputation, while Liberty Mutual scores better in the “ease of use” category.

Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive: Breaking Down Average Rates

Car insurance rates vary from driver to driver. Your premiums can be higher or lower depending on things like where you live, your driving history, your coverage levels, your age, and even your credit history.

The table below shows Liberty Mutual’s and Progressive’s average rates for common coverages and different driver types. It also shows how the companies compare to the industry average.

Though these are specific averages for different driver types, keep in mind they’re just averages. Your rates could fluctuate widely based on where you live. It’s important to shop around and compare quotes from different companies to get the best price — an insurance-comparison site can make the process easier.

Progressive vs. Liberty Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Car insurance premiums can vary from one state to the next. Each state has its own auto insurance requirements and risks that affect how much you pay. Plus, population density, accident rates, and even weather trends are top factors that can cause prices to spike or dip.

To give you a better idea, the table below shows the average rates for Progressive and Liberty Mutual in different states. It’s a quick way to see average costs where you live.

We found that Progressive tends to have lower average premiums than Liberty Mutual in most states, but Liberty Mutual is still the cheaper option in 12 states.

But the state you live in isn’t the only factor that affects your rates. Next, let’s look at how your age and driving record affect costs.

Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive: Average Rates by Age

Age is another major factor that affects how much you’ll shell out for car insurance. That’s because young drivers — especially teens — tend to get into more accidents. In fact, drivers under age 20 have the highest rate of fatal accidents per mile driven, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Here’s how Liberty Mutual’s and Progressive’s average monthly rates compare for different age groups, according to Compare.com data.

Cheaper for teens: Progressive:

Auto insurance companies charge teens higher rates than any age group because they tend to get into more accidents. It might seem unfair, but those sky-high rates reflect the increased risk insurers take on when covering teen drivers.

Teens pay an average of $236 per month with Liberty Mutual and $213 with Progressive, according to our data.

Cheaper for seniors: Progressive

Seniors usually catch a break on car insurance rates thanks to having safer driving habits. With decades of driving experience under their belts, seniors tend to have fewer accidents.

We found Liberty Mutual charges an average monthly rate of $118 to drivers in their 60s, while Progressive charges $74.

Progressive vs. Liberty Mutual: Average Rates by Driving Record

Your driving record is another important factor that insurers consider when setting your rates. It’s like a report card that insurers use to predict how risky you’ll be to insure.

If you have a clean driving record, insurers view you as lower-risk — and you’ll likely score better rates. But expect to pay more if you’ve got some dings like speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction. These infractions are red flags that signal your higher likelihood of filing a claim down the road.

Let’s compare Liberty Mutual’s and Progressive’s average rates for different driving records.

Cheaper for good drivers: Progressive

If you have a squeaky clean driving record, pat yourself on the back. Not only are you safer on the road, but you’re likely to enjoy the lowest car insurance premiums.

Liberty Mutual’s average monthly rate is $146 for drivers with a clean record, but Progressive charges $119 per month, according to our data.

Cheaper after a ticket: Progressive

Speeding has been a factor in more than 30% of fatal accidents over the past two decades, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Getting caught with a lead foot causes rates to jump by an average of 27% nationally, according to Compare.com data.

Liberty Mutual charges drivers with a ticket an average of $196 per month, compared to $149 with Progressive.

Cheaper after an accident: Progressive

Accidents happen, but when you’re at fault, they can really put a dent in your wallet. An at-fault accident spikes premiums by an average of 34% nationally, according to our analysis.

If you cause an accident, you’ll pay an average monthly rate of $209 with Liberty Mutual and $160 with Progressive.

Cheaper after a DUI: Progressive

A DUI conviction is no joke. Getting a DUI causes car insurance rates to skyrocket by 50% nationally, according to our data. But your exact rate increase will depend on your insurer.

A policy with Liberty Mutual after a DUI costs an average of $226 per month, according to Compare.com data. Progressive’s average monthly rate for the same driver is $184.

Comparing Progressive and Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Coverages

Most drivers are familiar with basic liability coverage, but many coverage types are available beyond this. While all insurers offer standard liability protection, the availability of other coverages, like gap insurance, rideshare coverage, and accident forgiveness, can depend on the company.

The table below highlights the car insurance coverages offered by Progressive and Liberty Mutual.

Both companies offer a range of coverages, but Progressive offers more coverage options to customize your policy. It also offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) and protection for your pet to help with vet bills if a car accident injures your furry friend. But Liberty Mutual offers new car replacement, which you won’t find with Progressive.

Comparing Progressive and Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Discounts

Car insurance discounts are a great way to save money on your premiums. Insurers offer various types of discounts to reward safe driving, customer loyalty, and other factors that make you a lower risk to insure.

We reviewed the discounts available from Progressive and Liberty Mutual. The table below lists the discounts each insurer offers.

Liberty Mutual offers more discounts overall — 18 compared to Progressive’s 13. You’ll find affinity discounts at Liberty Mutual, as well as savings for alternative energy vehicles, shopping early, military members, and teachers — all of which Progressive doesn’t offer.

Comparing Liberty Mutual and Progressive Customer Satisfaction

Online reviews provide valuable insights into policyholders’ real-world customer experiences. They can uncover an insurer’s strengths and weaknesses in customer service, claims handling, and overall value.

Here’s a summary of how Liberty Mutual and Progressive stack up on popular review platforms.

Both companies have low ratings on Trustpilot and the BBB. The two also have similar ratings on Clearsurance, although Progressive’s is slightly higher. The only notable difference is from ConsumerAffairs: Liberty Mutual earned a higher rating of 3.0 compared to Progressive’s 1.17.

A common issue that stands out for both companies is how each handles claims. The Liberty Mutual reviewer below said the company only gave them a rental car for two days despite having rental car reimbursement on their policy.

Progressive customers also complained about the claims process. The reviewer below said they had to do a lot of the legwork to get their claim started. In the end, the customer was unhappy because Progressive wouldn’t cover the estimated vehicle repair costs.

More About Progressive and Liberty Mutual

Price and customer reviews are important when choosing between Progressive and Liberty Mutual, but a few other aspects shouldn’t go unnoticed. Let’s take a closer look at some additional points of comparison.

Company perks

Progressive and Liberty Mutual offer usage-based insurance programs — Snapshot and RightTrack, respectively. These programs can help you save when you practice good driving habits.

Liberty Mutual provides better car replacement coverage if an accident damages your vehicle beyond repair. But Progressive offers loyalty rewards, and its PerkShare program lets you score free perks.

Claims processing

Progressive beat Liberty Mutual by just four points in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Liberty Mutual advertises that you can file a car insurance claim in five to 10 minutes. Progressive lets you choose between fixing your car after filing a claim or receiving a payment.

Mobile apps

To manage your car insurance on the go, Progressive and Liberty Mutual both have solid mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can pay bills, file claims, and pull up your ID cards with either one. Liberty Mutual’s app lets you tweak your insurance policy, while Progressive’s has a “tap for roadside assistance” feature.

Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive FAQs

If you’re trying to decide between Liberty Mutual and Progressive for your car insurance, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to a few of the most common questions to help you decide.

What are the best car insurance companies?

It depends. The best car insurer isn’t the same for everyone. Some of the top car insurance companies are GEICO, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Allstate, and USAA (if you’re a military member). Ultimately, the right choice for you depends on your coverage needs and driving history.

Is Liberty Mutual or Progressive better car insurance?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Progressive tends to have lower average rates overall, especially for drivers with a speeding ticket or accident on their record. But Liberty Mutual offers more discounts, which could help you reduce your car insurance bill.

Which company is Liberty Mutual’s biggest competitor?

State Farm is one of Liberty Mutual’s biggest competitors. It’s the largest car insurer in the U.S., with more than 18% of the market share, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Other big rivals include GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate.

Why is Liberty Mutual so cheap?

Liberty Mutual is cheap because it offers a wide range of discounts that can help lower your premium. Bundling policies, insuring multiple cars, and signing up for the company’s RightTrack safe driving program are a few ways to save on your auto premiums.

Data Methodology:

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.

Rating Methodology:

Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions about their personal finances. Our editorial staff has crafted a proprietary, objective rating formula — the Compare.com Rating — to make it easier for our readers to analyze and compare many of the industry’s most well-known insurers. The score you see referenced in this article is based on several factors, including:

• Cost: How the insurer’s average rates compare to its direct competitors and the industry as a whole. This includes available savings opportunities, such as discounts and other factors.
• Customer satisfaction: How satisfied existing customers are with the service they receive. This includes the insurer’s scores among various third-party studies, such as the J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping and Claims Satisfaction studies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, among others.
• Ease of use: How easy it is for policyholders to utilize their policies. This includes mobile app availability, customer service availability, payment flexibility, and other related factors.
• Availability: The overall scope of the company’s insurance offerings. This includes available coverage types, national footprint, and other related factors.
• Industry reputation: A measure of the insurer’s overall standing within the industry. This includes its AM Best Financial Strength rating, BBB accreditation, and other related factors.

Sources:

1. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Fatality Facts 2022 Teenagers,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Speeding,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
3. Trustpilot, “Liberty Mutual,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
4. Clearsurance, “Liberty Mutual Insurance,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
5. ConsumerAffairs, “Liberty Mutual – Auto Reviews,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
6. Better Business Bureau, “Liberty Mutual Group,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
7. Trustpilot, “Progressive,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
8. Clearsurance, “Progressive Insurance,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
9. ConsumerAffairs, “Progressive Auto Insurance Reviews,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
10. Better Business Bureau, “Progressive Corporation,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
11. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study,” last accessed July 17, 2024.
12. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “2023 Top 25 Groups and Companies by Countrywide Premium,” last accessed July 17, 2024.