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Amy Beardsley is a seasoned insurance expert who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. She has more than 12 years of industry knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, commercial, and other insurance products. Amy’s work has been published by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Legal & General, NerdWallet, Robinhood, Insurify, NEXT Insurance, and more.
Amy worked as a court administrator before becoming a content marketing writer. Her legal background has equipped her with the ability to simplify complex technical language into easy-to-understand content.
She graduated magna cum laude from Ferris State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Legal Studies.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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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.
Root and Progressive take very different approaches to helping you save on car insurance. Progressive has decades of experience using traditional rating factors, such as driving history, location, and age, to set rates. Root primarily bases its rates on your driving behavior, using smartphone technology to monitor how you drive.
While Progressive often ranks higher in customer satisfaction, Root may offer cheaper rates to drivers who demonstrate safe driving habits behind the wheel. Progressive provides a wide range of personalized policy options, while Root focuses on simplifying insurance coverage choices.
The best auto insurance company for you depends on several key factors we’ll explore in this article.
Progressive beats Root Insurance by offering more discount opportunities and additional coverage options like gap insurance and vanishing deductibles.
Root requires customers to complete a test-drive period and uses driving behavior as the primary factor for determining rates.
Progressive’s Snapshot program can save you money or increase your premium, depending on your driving performance.
| User Reviews | 3.3 |
|---|---|
| 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 /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. | $93/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. | $151/mo |
Drivers appreciate the quick claim handling and good service but dislike the high rates and lack of pricing transparency.
Drivers appreciate the quick claim handling and good service but dislike the high rates and lack of pricing transparency.
Root flips Progressive’s conventional playbook by making driving behavior the primary rating factor. Every Root insurance customer must complete a test-drive — something Progressive doesn’t require. Your phone tracks your braking patterns, acceleration, and phone usage to help determine your rate.
The company’s model may appeal to safe drivers who might otherwise face higher premiums elsewhere due to poor credit or living in a high-cost area. While Root offers a more streamlined set of coverage options compared to Progressive’s extensive menu, it still provides protection that meets your state’s minimum auto insurance requirements.
Great rates for safe drivers
File a claim in less than 3 minutes[1]
Manage policy from the app
Limited insurance agent network
Few discount options
Must pass initial test-drive phase
| 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. | $101/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. | $173/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, one of the nation’s largest insurers, offers customization and bundling opportunities that Root Insurance can’t match.[2] Its higher customer satisfaction scores and strong financial stability ratings reflect its long-standing presence in the industry.[3]
The company’s Name Your Price tool allows you to set a budget first, then shows you available policies within that range. But drivers with clean records and poor credit may end up paying more with Progressive than with Root’s driving-focused pricing model.
Getting the right policy isn’t just about chasing the cheapest price — it’s also about value. It’s important to consider customer service quality, how easy it is to manage your policy, and whether the company will be there when it’s time to file a claim.
We’ve analyzed dozens of insurers to determine each company’s Compare.com Rating, which looks at everything from pricing competitiveness to industry reputation.
Here’s how Root and Progressive measure up across the five key areas that matter most to drivers.
Category  | Root | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Customer satisfaction | 3/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Policy management | 4.2/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Availability | 2.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Industry reputation | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Overall score | 4.03/5 | 4.5/5 |
Our scoring reveals some interesting patterns between these two auto insurance companies. While Progressive leads in its overall rating, the gap narrows when you look at each company’s strengths.
Root surpasses Progressive in industry reputation, but Progressive has a significant advantage in availability. Customer ratings show both companies have room for improvement, though Progressive has a slight lead in this area.
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.
Car insurance prices can feel mysterious, but they’re not random. Each company uses its own formula to weigh factors like age, location, driving record, and credit history. Even small changes can lead to big differences in your rate.
That’s why comparison shopping matters so much. A company that offers you sky-high premiums might give your friend a great deal simply because their risk profile is different.
To get a clear picture, you must look at real numbers from drivers in similar situations. Below, you’ll see average premiums for full coverage from Root and Progress across different driver profiles. This will give you a clearer sense of where each company’s pricing tends to land, according to our data.
Driver Type | Root | Progressive | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| All drivers | $151 | $173 | $177 |
| Teens | $250 | $301 | $339 |
| Seniors | $125 | $100 | $151 |
| Recent ticket | $209 | $202 | $223 |
| Recent accident | $190 | $220 | $232 |
| DUI conviction | $211 | $243 | $257 |
| Poor credit | $184 | $198 | $215 |
Get quotes from top companies and find the right coverage.
Insurance costs vary dramatically depending on where you live. States with no-fault insurance laws, high crime rates, or frequent severe weather typically have much higher premiums than quieter, rural areas.[6]
Factors like population density, accident frequency, and your state’s legal requirements for coverage all influence what insurers charge in different regions.
Understanding these differences can help you spot whether your premium is in line with typical quotes for your area — or if it’s worth shopping around. Below, you’ll find average rates for Root and Progressive across various states, according to our data.
State | Root | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $147 | $118 |
| Alaska | N/A | N/A |
| Arizona | $175 | $206 |
| Arkansas | $134 | $145 |
| California | $183 | N/A |
| Colorado | $164 | $156 |
| Connecticut | $229 | $198 |
| Delaware | $185 | $186 |
| Florida | $305 | $202 |
| Georgia | $239 | $173 |
| Hawaii | N/A | N/A |
| Idaho | N/A | N/A |
| Illinois | $170 | $116 |
| Indiana | $125 | $123 |
| Iowa | $109 | $135 |
| Kansas | $119 | $125 |
| Kentucky | $189 | $153 |
| Louisiana | $269 | $173 |
| Maine | N/A | N/A |
| Maryland | $311 | $257 |
| Massachusetts | N/A | N/A |
| Michigan | N/A | N/A |
| Minnesota | N/A | N/A |
| Mississippi | $139 | $162 |
| Missouri | $182 | $129 |
| Montana | $144 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $139 | $98 |
| Nevada | $260 | $173 |
| New Hampshire | N/A | N/A |
| New Jersey | N/A | N/A |
| New Mexico | $125 | $188 |
| New York | N/A | N/A |
| North Carolina | N/A | N/A |
| North Dakota | $136 | N/A |
| Ohio | $138 | $103 |
| Oklahoma | $141 | $126 |
| Oregon | $174 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $203 | $150 |
| Rhode Island | N/A | N/A |
| South Carolina | $247 | $170 |
| South Dakota | N/A | N/A |
| Tennessee | $168 | $103 |
| Texas | $210 | $192 |
| Utah | $125 | $142 |
| Vermont | N/A | N/A |
| Virginia | $206 | $136 |
| Washington | N/A | N/A |
| Washington D.C. | $${AUTO_CARRIER_ROOT_FULL_STATE_DC_PRICE} | $280 |
| West Virginia | $144 | $119 |
| Wisconsin | $156 | $93 |
| Wyoming | N/A | N/A |
Auto insurance includes more than basic liability coverage, and drivers can choose from dozens of add-ons. Insurers offer everything from comprehensive insurance for hail damage and collision coverage for car accidents to gap insurance and even pet injury protection for your four-legged passengers.
Every insurer handles state-minimum coverage, but beyond that, the extras vary from company to company. Some insurers focus on essential insurance protections, while others provide a wide menu of add-ons and specialized options.
Here’s how Progressive and Root compare across available coverage levels, according to our research.
Progressive offers a lot more coverage options, while Root keeps things simple with core protections most drivers need. Progressive’s add-ons include specialized policy options like gap insurance, mechanical breakdown coverage, rideshare insurance, and a deductible savings bank you won’t find at Root insurance.
Car insurance discounts work like coupons for your premium. Companies reduce your costs based on behaviors or characteristics that make you less likely to file expensive claims. You might save money for being a good student, bundling insurance products, or setting up automatic payments.
Each company handles discounts differently depending on policy details. Some offer a wide range of savings opportunities, while others offer the basics.
Here’s how Progressive’s and Root’s insurance discount offerings stack up, according to advertised discounts.
Discount Type | Root | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic payments | ✔ | |
| Customer loyalty | ✔ | |
| Good student | ✔ | |
| Homeowner | ✔ | |
| Multi-policy | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-vehicle | ✔ | |
| Paperless billing | ✔ | |
| Paid-in-full | ✔ | ✔ |
| Safe driver | ✔ | ✔ |
| Student away at school | ✔ | |
| Usage-based/telematics | ✔ | ✔ |
Progressive offers way more discount opportunities — 11 available discounts compared to Root’s four. Root’s business model revolves around rewarding good driving, so it focuses heavily on that area.
Progressive takes a “something for everyone” approach, covering nearly every demographic and situation, from homeowners and good students to paperless billing.
Customer reviews give you the unfiltered truth about what it’s really like to work with an insurance company, helping you avoid major headaches in the long run. Whether the company handles accident claims smoothly when you’re stuck on the side of the road or when dealing with the stress of filing a claim.
Below, we highlight recent customer experiences with both Root and Progressive.
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Usage-based insurance tracks your driving through a smartphone app or plug-in device, then adjusts your rates based on how safely you drive. Think of it as getting graded on real-world performance instead of just your past record.
Root built its business around this concept — every customer takes a “test-drive” to get a quote, with telematics monitoring habits like hard braking and phone use while driving. Progressive’s Snapshot program is optional and can save you as much as $322 for signing up and proving you’re a safe driver.
The key difference is that Root uses telematics to set your starting rate and ongoing premiums for each policy term, while Snapshot applies potential discounts on top of traditional pricing.
Root’s pricing algorithm can lower rates for excellent drivers but may raise them if your habits fall short. Progressive gives you the choice to participate, though poor results can mean higher rates.
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Every driver’s situation is unique, so the better choice depends on your specific needs, driving habits, and priorities. We answered common questions about Root and Progressive to help you clarify which company might work best for you.
It depends. Progressive is the better choice for drivers who want lots of coverage options, broader availability, and high customer satisfaction. Root insurance may be a better fit for safe drivers who want to pay according to how they drive rather than traditional factors.
No single company works best for everyone. That said, Progressive offers more policy options and discounts, including accident forgiveness. Root’s pricing model is great for drivers who nail safe driving habits. The best choice depends on your personal situation and what you value most.
It depends on your situation. Root insurance can be way cheaper for excellent drivers, especially those with poor credit or other negative traditional risk factors. But Progressive may beat Root’s rates for average drivers and offer more discount opportunities that can add up to serious savings.
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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Amy Beardsley is a seasoned insurance expert who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. She has more than 12 years of industry knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, commercial, and other insurance products. Amy’s work has been published by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Legal & General, NerdWallet, Robinhood, Insurify, NEXT Insurance, and more.
Amy worked as a court administrator before becoming a content marketing writer. Her legal background has equipped her with the ability to simplify complex technical language into easy-to-understand content.
She graduated magna cum laude from Ferris State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Legal Studies.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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