Progressive vs. AAA
The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
Progressive Insurance is the third-largest car insurance company in the country, with 13.3% market share, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Progressive was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio. The company serves more than 18 million customers around the country through its lineup of personal and business insurance products. Progressive offers a full suite of customer service channels, including 24/7 phone services, email, online and via its mobile app.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare auto insurance rates
Save on auto insurance with quotes from trusted providers like:
Drivers switch & save an average of $750+/year
Are you overpaying for auto insurance?
Safe drivers choose Allstate®
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
The American Automobile Association, better known as AAA, provides insurance benefits through Auto Club Enterprises Insurance Group. It is the eleventh-largest car insurance carrier, with 1% of the total market share. You need to be an AAA member to get AAA insurance, and members qualify for special insurance discounts and get access to other perks. AAA is also well-known for its roadside assistance program, but in addition to this, it offers many of the coverage options and discounts you would expect from any mass auto insurance provider.
Progressive vs. AAA: car insurance rates comparison
Progressive and AAA both have good third-party ratings for financial strength and overall customer satisfaction. In terms of rates, AAA is slightly more expensive than Progressive, but car insurance premiums are personalized for every driver. In the table below, we highlighted the third-party ratings and average annual premiums for Progressive vs. AAA, in addition to each company’s Bankrate Score. The Bankrate Score, which is based on a 5.0 scale, considers third-party customer service and financial strength ratings, coverage options, affordability and the customer digital experience. The higher a company scores across these categories, the higher its overall Bankrate Score.
| Car insurance company | Bankrate Score | AM Best | J.D. Power | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | 4.4 | A+ | 856/1,000 | $582 | $1,509 |
| AAA | 3.8 | A- | 858 / 1,000 | $602 | $1,990 |
Rates by credit score
When you apply for a car insurance policy, it is possible that the insurance company will run a credit check and use your credit score to determine your premium. Insurance companies may assign an insurance score to your profile based on the information collected from the three credit bureaus, and then use this number to determine your risk as a driver. The only exception is if you live in Hawaii, California, Massachusetts or Michigan, where car insurance carriers are no longer allowed to factor your credit score into your rate due to state regulations. Washington may enact a credit factoring ban in the future, but the decision is currently being challenged in the courts.
The table below includes the national average premiums for drivers based on credit score.
| Credit score | Poor | Average | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National average | $3,873 | $1,865 | $1,674 | $1,487 |
Rates by age
Teen drivers typically pay the highest car insurance premiums because they lack experience on the road. Additionally, data shows that young drivers are the most likely to get into accidents. This means age is a big factor in determining rates, except in Massachusetts and Hawaii, where age-based rates in auto insurance are banned. The following table illustrates the average annual premiums for drivers based on age from AAA vs. Progressive.
| Car insurance company | Age 16* | Age 18 | Age 25 | Age 30 | Age 40 | Age 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,955 | $6,287 | $1,796 | $1,668 | $1,509 | $1,302 |
| AAA | $3,210 | $5,446 | $2,317 | $2,034 | $2,025 | $1,157 |
*16 year old cost when added to parents’ policy, 18-year-old renter
Rates by driving record
One of the biggest factors that will impact your car insurance rate is your driving record. Drivers with a history of violations or accidents usually pay the highest rates. In the table below, you can see the average annual full coverage insurance premium from Progressive vs. AAA for drivers with a clean record, one speeding ticket, one accident and one DUI.
| Car insurance company | Clean driving record | Speeding ticket | At-fault accident | DUI conviction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,509 | $1,826 | $2,231 | $1,933 |
| AAA | $2,003 | $2,947 | $3,057 | $5,613 |
Progressive vs. AAA: discounts
If you want to save money on your premium, look for insurance companies that offer car insurance discounts. Progressive and AAA both offer various discounts, but the savings available are unique to each provider. Here are some of the car insurance discounts you may be able to get from Progressive vs. AAA.
Progressive
- Continuous insurance discount — When you switch to Progressive from another company, you could earn a discount based on how long you were insured with your previous provider.
- Homeowner discount — Homeowners can save an average of nearly 10% on their premium simply by owning a home, even if Progressive is not their home insurance provider.
- Snapshot discount — Drivers who enroll in Progressive’s Snapshot safe driver reward program can save an average of $146 on their premium by demonstrating safe skills behind the wheel, which is monitored via the Snapshot mobile app.
- Distant student — If a driver on your policy happens to be a student away at school (at least 100 miles) and doesn’t have a vehicle while at school, then the distant student discount could provide added savings.
AAA
- AAA member discount — Drivers who have an active AAA membership can get a discount on their car insurance policy.
- Vehicle safety features discount — If your vehicle is equipped with advanced safety features, like anti-lock brakes or an anti-theft device, you could qualify for a discount.
- Policy bundling discount — AAA offers discounts for drivers who bundle their auto and home, renters or condo insurance policy.
Progressive vs. AAA: online and mobile experience comparison
When comparing AAA vs. Progressive, we found that Progressive has a better online experience overall. You can get a quote online, access a variety of tools and resources and easily find the information you are looking for.
Because AAA sells insurance through local chapters, you must visit your state’s AAA website to find out what type of policies are available in your area, and to get a quote.
In addition, both Progressive and AAA offer a free mobile app that can be accessed on an Android or iOS device. Progressive’s app is more highly rated, which may be due in part to the AAA app not allowing you to access insurance policy information. Here is a closer look at the AAA vs. Progressive mobile app.
Progressive
- App Store (4.5 stars) — Through Progressive’s iOS app, you can download digital ID cards, report a new claim, track the status of existing claims, request roadside assistance and start a new insurance quote. Although this app does not have a perfect rating, most dissatisfied reviews are from customers speaking about the company itself rather than the app.
- Google Play (4.7 stars) — Progressive’s app for Android devices has all the same features as the iOS app. You can get roadside assistance, report a claim, update your policy and much more. Drivers who are enrolled in the Snapshot program can also track their progress and savings through the Android mobile app.
AAA
- App Store (4.4 stars) — AAA’s iOS app has good ratings, but the app does not have many insurance-related features. You can request roadside assistance, search for hotels and gas stations in your area, book a rental car, access your member card and more. Unlike Progressive’s app, you cannot access your insurance policy, file claims or make policy changes.
- Google Play (4.3 stars) — The AAA app for Android devices also receives good ratings, and it comes with the same features as the iOS app. You will not be able to access your insurance policy information, so this app is better suited for people who want to find nearby hotels, rental cars and gas stations that offer discounts for AAA members.
Frequently asked questions
-
-
The 2021 average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $1,674 per year for a full coverage policy, which includes personal liability, collision and comprehensive coverage. However, keep in mind that you could pay more or less than average based on personal factors like your age, state and credit score.
-
The best car insurance company varies because it is different for everyone. Some providers are known for offering low rates, some have great customer service and others offer generous discounts. The best company for you is the one that can offer the type and amount of coverage you need for the lowest price.
-
Each state has its own minimum car insurance requirements that you must have in order to legally operate your vehicle. Most states require personal liability insurance, but if you live in a no-fault state, you will also likely need to purchase personal injury protection (PIP).
-
To purchase a car insurance policy, you need to provide personal data, including your name, address, birthdate and driver’s license number. This applies to anyone who is included in your policy. You will also need the vehicle identification number (VIN) to obtain a quote. Most major car insurance providers allow you to obtain quotes and purchase a policy online, although some require you to complete the process with a local agent.
-
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Credit-based insurance scores: Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit the use of credit-based insurance scores as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Washington’s ban on factoring credit in premiums is currently on hold in the courts.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. 16-year-old rates were factored as the added cost to their parents’ policy; 18-year-old rates were calculated as drivers who rent their primary residence. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.
Incident: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket conviction, single DUI conviction (BAC of >= .08) and lapse in coverage.
Bankrate Score
Bankrate Scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry-standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience in addition to analysis of quoted annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services, spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C. We know it is important for drivers to be confident their financial protection covers the likeliest risks, is priced competitively and is provided by a financially-sound company with a history of positive customer support.
To determine how well the best car insurance companies satisfy these priorities, third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, S&P, NAIC, and Moody’s had the most impact on the companies’ Bankrate Scores. As price is a common consideration for drivers, we analyzed quoted premiums based on 40-year-old male and female drivers with a 2019 Toyota Camry. This profile, assessed across more than 35,000 ZIP codes in the U.S., provided a basis on which drivers may compare each provider.
While coverage options, insurer availability, affordability and customer experience are often the top priorities, Bankrate also analyzed each insurer’s online and mobile resources for policy management and claims handling. Insurance is rapidly evolving to keep pace with our digital world, so these aspects also carried weight in determining Bankrate Scores.
Related Articles
