Progressive vs. Travelers Car Insurance: Which Is Best in 2026?

Progressive offers more policy customization, while Travelers stands out for new car owners.

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Erin Gobler
Writer: Erin GoblerPersonal Finance Writer

Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. With more than five years of experience personal finance experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.

Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time.

Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.

Lequita Westbrooks
Editor: Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Qualifications:
  • 3+ years editing insurance content

  • 10+ years in content creation


Lequita's extensive editorial experience spans insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more.

John Leach
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Expert Reviewer

Qualifications:
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 10+ years editing insurance content

  • NPN: 20461358


A licensed agent for more than four years, John reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com.

Updated

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Progressive and Travelers are among the largest car insurance companies in the nation.[1] Both offer a wide range of coverage options and multiple ways to lower premiums through discounts. But differences in average rates and policy customization make each company a better fit for different types of drivers.

Below, we compare Progressive and Travelers across pricing, coverage options, discounts, and customer experience to help you choose the best insurer for your situation.

Key Takeaways
  • Progressive has lower average rates than Travelers, though your exact premiums vary based on personal factors.

  • Travelers stands out for new-car owners, with features like new-car replacement and a new-car discount.

  • Both Progressive and Travelers receive mixed customer satisfaction reviews, with below-average J.D. Power ratings in many regions but relatively few National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaints.

How Travelers and Progressive Stack Up

Before choosing a car insurance company, be sure to look beyond average premiums. Factors like customer service, ease of managing your policy, and availability in your state all affect your experience.

Below, we compare Progressive and Travelers across key categories to show how each insurer performs overall.

Category
Progressive
Travelers
Cost4.3/54/5
Customer satisfaction3.3/53.7/5
Policy management4.8/54.4/5
Availability5/54.3/5
Industry reputation4.7/54.3/5
Overall Score4.50/54.23/5

Progressive ranks higher in costs, policy management, availability, and overall industry reputation. Travelers earns strong customer satisfaction scores and may appeal to drivers who prefer working with local agents and want an insurer with top-tier financial strength ratings.[2]

How We Determine Our Ratingsexpand/collapse

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 millions 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.

Progressive Auto Insurance Overview

Progressive
J.D. Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
622
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.
$78/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.
$134/mo
Details
How drivers feel about Progressive

Customers appreciate the initial affordability and claim handling but dislike the frequent and unexplained rate increases, as well as the poor customer service.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Compare.com
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 403 Progressive reviews
Leroy
Verified Review
You raise the monthly price whenever you want! I was paying $157, and now you’re charging me $172 for no reason.
You raise the monthly price whenever you want! I was paying $157, and now you’re charging me $172 for no reason.
Peter
Verified Review
Average
Unacceptable premium increase after a claim. Good customer service during the claims process.
Scott
Verified Review
Triple-check your policy
Customer service is terrible, and I was paying for my son for years even though he had his own policy. It felt like a scam.
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.97
AM Best
AM Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+
Why we picked this company

Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer in the United States, falling behind State Farm. The company has generally affordable rates, but where it really shines compared to Travelers is its policy customization.

The insurer offers more optional coverages and policy customization tools, allowing you to better tailor coverage and pricing to your needs. Its Name Your Price tool allows you to choose your target premium, which Progressive uses to build a policy within that budget.

Progressive also places a stronger emphasis on digital policy management, offering more robust online tools for shopping, managing policies, and filing claims.

Pros
  • More affordable premiums

  • More coverage and discount options

  • Stronger digital experience[3]

Cons
  • Limited gap insurance

  • Lower J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores

  • Weaker financial strength rating

Travelers Auto Insurance Overview

Travelers
User Reviews
4.0
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.
$100/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.
$190/mo
Details
4.0
Best choiceBased on 101 verified guest reviews and ratings
Travelers's score
Industry average
Coverage options4.33.2
Customer service4.53.6
Discounts4.32.9
Policy transparency4.13.1
Value4.32.9
How drivers feel about Travelers

Drivers value the reliable coverage but find the policy costs high and the rate increases too frequent. Communication and claim settlement speed also need improvement.

AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Compare.com
Showing recent national reviewsSee all 41 Travelers reviews
Robin
Verified Review
Travelers' Decline in Customer Service
First, Travelers made a mistake with their billing. When I tried to clarify how this affected my payments and my policy, I was given the bureaucratic runaround and terrible customer service over the phone, with a wait time of almost half an hour before I could get someone to pick up.
Suzanne
Verified Review
The cost doesn’t feel fair for those who don’t drive much
I don’t drive much. I have a 2011 car with 25,000 miles, and I feel like my insurance should be cheaper.
Pablo
Verified Review
Average
Too expensive, and I don’t get any discounts. I’m having to look for new insurance.
J.D. Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
616
NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0
AM Best
AM Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A++
Why we picked this company

Travelers falls behind Progressive in rates, discounts, and coverages, but it stands out in several key areas. The company offers new-car replacement coverage and a new-car discount. Progressive offers neither of these, so Travelers may be the better option if you’ve recently bought or plan to buy a new car.

The insurer also has a large network of local insurance agents, which may appeal to drivers who prefer in-person support rather than a fully digital experience. Travelers earns the highest possible financial strength rating from AM Best, giving it an edge over Progressive if you prioritize long-term financial stability.

Pros
  • New-car coverage and discounts

  • Top-rated financial strength

  • Large local agent network

Cons
  • Fewer coverage options

  • Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction

  • Higher average rates

Progressive vs. Travelers: Which Is Cheaper?

You might be surprised to learn just how much car insurance rates can vary from company to company and from driver to driver. Each company uses its own formula to calculate rates, taking into account factors such as your age, driving history, credit history, and more.

Essentially, the cheapest option for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. Because rates vary widely, the easiest way to find the cheapest policy for your situation is to compare quotes from several insurers.

See the table below for average full-coverage rates from Progressive and Travelers for common driver types, alongside the national average, according to Compare.com data.

Driver Type
Progressive
Travelers
Industry Average
All drivers$134$190$185
Teens$0$436$347
Seniors$0$140$161
Recent ticket$0$253$239
Recent accident$0$264$248
DUI conviction$0$271$264
Poor credit$0$213$227
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .

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Average Progressive and Travelers rates by state

In addition to your driving record, car insurance premiums vary by state. Factors like accident rates, state insurance requirements, weather risks, and population density play a role in your final premium.

The table below shows average full-coverage rates from Progressive and Travelers by state, according to Compare.com data.

State
Progressive
Travelers
Alabama$106$132
AlaskaN/AN/A
Arizona$130$218
Arkansas$101$190
CaliforniaN/A$327
Colorado$145$339
Connecticut$212$288
Delaware$183$235
Florida$155$286
Georgia$203N/A
HawaiiN/AN/A
Idaho$89$135
Illinois$133$205
Indiana$87$161
IowaN/A$151
Kansas$127$169
Kentucky$121$246
Louisiana$138N/A
MaineN/A$132
Maryland$259$338
Massachusetts$192$289
Michigan$162$282
Minnesota$104$178
Mississippi$122$161
Missouri$100$322
MontanaN/AN/A
Nebraska$108N/A
Nevada$255$431
New HampshireN/AN/A
New Jersey$268$436
New Mexico$108N/A
New York$392$159
North Carolina$99$116
North DakotaN/AN/A
Ohio$92$166
Oklahoma$97N/A
Oregon$130$291
Pennsylvania$180$151
Rhode Island$230$298
South Carolina$191$215
South DakotaN/AN/A
Tennessee$92$128
Texas$147N/A
Utah$121N/A
VermontN/AN/A
Virginia$148$303
Washington$152$244
Washington, D.C.$325N/A
West Virginia$104N/A
WisconsinN/A$148
WyomingN/AN/A
We sourced this data by analyzing real quotes from Compare.com's 100-plus partner insurance companies alongside rate filings collected and distributed by Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary. Data updated on .

Travelers vs. Progressive: Which Has Better Coverage?

Both Progressive and Travelers offer standard insurance coverages, including liability, comprehensive, collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Each company offers optional add-ons that let you tailor coverage to your needs.

The table below shows the coverage types Progressive and Travelers offer to highlight where the insurers overlap and differ.

Both Progressive and Travelers cover most standard policy needs. But Progressive offers more optional coverages, including vanishing deductibles and pet injury coverage. With Travelers, you can get new-car replacement coverage.

It’s worth noting that while both companies offer gap insurance, Progressive caps coverage at 25% of a vehicle’s cash value, whereas Travelers doesn’t have the same limitation.

Travelers vs. Progressive: Which Has Better Discounts?

Insurance discounts are an excellent way to save money on your premiums. You may be eligible for discounts based on your driving history, personal demographics, vehicle characteristics, and more. In the table below, you can see the discounts that both Progressive and Travelers offer, according to each insurer’s website.

Discount Type
Progressive
Travelers
Affinity✔✔
Alternative energy ✔
Automatic payments✔✔
Continuous insurance✔✔
Defensive driver ✔
Good student✔✔
Early shopper ✔
Homeowner✔✔
Multi-policy✔✔
Multi-vehicle✔✔
New car ✔
Online quote/signup✔ 
Paperless billing✔ 
Paid-in-full✔✔
Safe driver✔✔
Student away at school✔✔
Teen driver✔ 
Usage-based/telematics✔✔
Discount availability and amount can vary by state.

Progressive and Travelers offer a similar range of car insurance discounts — 13 and 15, respectively — with many overlapping options related to bundling, students, safe driving, and payment discounts.

As for differences, Progressive offers additional shopping and policy management discounts, such as online quote or sign-up, paperless billing, and a teen discount. Travelers, on the other hand, offers discounts for new-car owners and defensive drivers.

Notably, neither insurer offers anti-theft or safety equipment discounts, unlike most other companies.

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Travelers vs. Progressive: Which Has Better Reviews?

An important part of shopping for a car insurance policy is reading what others have to say about the company. Feedback from current and former customers can give you key insights into a company’s strengths and weaknesses related to claims, customer service, and overall satisfaction.

Below, you can see recent reviews from Compare.com customers for both Progressive and Travelers, allowing you to compare real policyholder experiences side by side.

Robin
Verified Review
Travelers' Decline in Customer Service
First, Travelers made a mistake with their billing. When I tried to clarify how this affected my payments and my policy, I was given the bureaucratic runaround and terrible customer service over the phone, with a wait time of almost half an hour before I could get someone to pick up.
Suzanne
Verified Review
The cost doesn’t feel fair for those who don’t drive much
I don’t drive much. I have a 2011 car with 25,000 miles, and I feel like my insurance should be cheaper.
Pablo
Verified Review
Average
Too expensive, and I don’t get any discounts. I’m having to look for new insurance.
Edith
Verified Review
Lousy
The website never works. If you want to make changes, it gives you an error message and tells you to call a number, which results in long hold times.
…
Leroy
Verified Review
You raise the monthly price whenever you want! I was paying $157, and now you’re charging me $172 for no reason.
You raise the monthly price whenever you want! I was paying $157, and now you’re charging me $172 for no reason.
Peter
Verified Review
Average
Unacceptable premium increase after a claim. Good customer service during the claims process.
Scott
Verified Review
Triple-check your policy
Customer service is terrible, and I was paying for my son for years even though he had his own policy. It felt like a scam.
Myra
Verified Review
The price is too high for liability-only coverage. I can’t afford full coverage because it’s super expensive, especially for someone who hasn’t had an accident in 3 or 4 years.
The price is too high for liability-only coverage. I can’t afford full coverage because it’s super expensive, especially for someone who hasn’t had an accident in 3 or 4 years.
…

Progressive Snapshot vs. Travelers IntelliDrive

Woman sitting on grass in a park using a laptop, backlit by sunlight. She is relaxed and focused, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Both Progressive and Travelers offer usage-based insurance (UBI) programs that can lower rates for safe drivers but may increase premiums for risky driving.

Progressive’s Snapshot program advertises an average discount of $322 per year. You’ll enroll using a mobile app or plug-in device, which tracks behaviors such as braking, acceleration, late-night driving, driving frequency, and phone use. Keep in mind that while most drivers save money with Snapshot, it’s also possible for your rate to increase if you drive poorly.

Travelers’ IntelliDrive program tracks your speed, acceleration, braking, distractions, and driving time of day over a 90-day period. The company will use your driving score to adjust your premiums. Safe drivers can save an average of about 30%. Like Progressive, your rates may also increase for poor driving habits.

Progressive vs. Travelers FAQs

If you’re considering Progressive and Travelers for your car insurance, the questions below may help you make your decision.

Is Travelers or Progressive better?

No company will be the better choice for every driver. Progressive may be better for drivers seeking lower average rates, more coverage options, and more policy customization. Travelers may be a better fit for drivers with new or electric vehicles or those who prefer working with local agents.

Which car insurance company is the best?

It depends. The best car insurance company varies from driver to driver. Some insurers stand out for more affordable rates, while others offer stronger coverage options or customer service. The best way to decide the best company for you is to shop around and get car insurance quotes from multiple companies.

Is Progressive cheaper than Travelers?

Typically, Progressive has lower average rates than Travelers, but that doesn’t mean it will be cheaper for every driver. Each company has its own method for calculating rates and weighs factors differently.

That means some drivers could end up paying more with Progressive based on their unique circumstances, including their location, driving history, credit profile, and other personal details.

What company is Progressive’s biggest competitor?

State Farm and GEICO are Progressive’s biggest competitors. Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer, while State Farm and GEICO rank first and third, respectively. Each company has different features and benefits that help it stand out to customers.

How do Progressive and Travelers compare in customer satisfaction?

Travelers rates higher than Progressive for customer satisfaction, based on average ratings from Compare.com users. But both companies score below the industry average in most regions for overall satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. That said, Travelers and Progressive have fewer complaints than expected, according to the NAIC.

Sources

  1. III. "Facts + Statistics: Auto insurance."
  2. Ambest.com. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of The Travelers Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries."
  3. Jdpower.com. "2025 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study."

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.

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Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.

Erin Gobler
Writer: Erin GoblerPersonal Finance Writer

Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. With more than five years of experience personal finance experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.

Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time.

Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.

Lequita Westbrooks
Editor: Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Qualifications:
  • 3+ years editing insurance content

  • 10+ years in content creation


Lequita's extensive editorial experience spans insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more.

John Leach
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Insurance Agent and Expert Reviewer

Qualifications:
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 10+ years editing insurance content

  • NPN: 20461358


A licensed agent for more than four years, John reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com.