State Farm is the largest car insurance underwriter on the market, holding over 16 percent of the total market share. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. State Farm has a vast network of nearly 19,000 agents spread across the country. Known for its slogan of being “like a good neighbor,” State Farm offers policyholders a selection of banking products in addition to other insurance lines.

Progressive is the second-largest car insurance underwriter and occupies 14 percent of the total market share. Progressive was founded in 1937 and is based in Mayfield, Ohio. Now, Progressive has more than 38,000 independent agents and sells car insurance in all 50 states. Progressive made its mark in the insurance world back in the mid-1950s by being the first company to write policies for riskier drivers, like those with a DUI or other moving violation, who may have a harder time finding car insurance.

Progressive State Farm
Bankrate score 4.4 4.3
Tier 1 4.2 4.3
Tier 2 5.0 4.0
Tier 3 4.3 4.4
  • Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlight where they fall short.
    • Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
    • Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
    • Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
    Tier scores are unweighted to show the company’s true score in each category out of a possible five points.
Info
Our verdict
Based on our comparison of Progressive vs. State Farm, we found that State Farm may be better suited for more drivers. The company has lower average premiums and higher ratings for overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction.

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Progressive vs. State Farm comparison

Progressive and State Farm are two of the biggest car insurance providers on the market. However, the Progressive and State Farm differences are numerous; these two companies stand apart for their varying coverage options, discounts and average premiums.

Progressive pros and cons

Pros Cons
Wide selection of discounts
Highly rated mobile app
Helpful online tools
Few add-on coverage options
Rated below average for claim satisfaction by J.D. Power
Rated below average for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power in every region

State Farm pros and cons

Pros Cons
Variety of discounts
A++ financial strength rating
Rated above average for claims satisfaction by J.D. Power
Rated above average for customer satisfaction by J.D. Power in all regions
Few add-on coverage options
Doesn’t offer 24/7 customer service
Coverage not sold in every state

Is Progressive cheaper than State Farm?

According to rate data from Quadrant Information Services, State Farm has cheaper average car insurance premiums than Progressive. However, car insurance rates are personalized to each driver based on factors like location, driving record and vehicle type. To find the cheapest provider for your needs, it’s important to compare quotes.

Car insurance company Average annual premium for full coverage Average annual premium for minimum coverage
State Farm $1,480 $464
Progressive $1,642 $553
  • Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2023 rates for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. 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 coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2021 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.

State Farm is more expensive for drivers with poor credit

Drivers who have poor credit typically pay higher car insurance rates, as they are statistically more likely to file an insurance claim. Average premiums for Progressive based on credit score are not available. However, we found that the national average rate for drivers with poor credit is lower than State Farm’s average rate for drivers with poor credit.

In most states, car insurance companies use credit as a rating factor. However, California, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan and Massachusetts don’t allow this practice.

Credit score State Farm National average
Poor $3,813 $3,479
Average $1,712 $2,176
Good $1,480 $2,014
Excellent $1,173 $1,764
  • 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, Maryland, Massachusetts and Michigan.

State Farm is generally cheaper for young drivers

Young drivers who lack experience behind the wheel generally pay expensive car insurance rates. Younger drivers, especially teens, are more likely to be involved in an accident and file a claim — which in turn costs an insurance provider money. To compensate for the added risk of insuring a young driver, most insurance companies (except those in Hawaii and Massachusetts) charge higher rates. If you’re a young driver between State Farm or Progressive, the former may be the most cost-effective option. We found that State Farm tends to be a cheaper option for young drivers; for drivers between the ages of 16–20, State Farm’s average rates are lower than Progressive’s rates.

Age State Farm Progressive
Age 16 $3,139 $3,473
Age 17 $2,874 $3,509
Age 18 $2,689 $3,163
Age 19 $2,489 $2,885
Age 20 $2,361 $2,600
  • The rates displayed reflect the total cost of a 16- through 20-year-old driver added to their parents’ policy.

State Farm is generally cheaper for adult drivers

Car insurance rates typically start to drop around age 25, assuming drivers maintain a clean record and have good credit. When comparing rates for State Farm vs. Progressive, we found that State Farm is a cheaper option, on average, for adult drivers on their own policy.

Age State Farm Progressive
Age 18 $4,066 $7,088
Age 25 $1,742 $2,070
Age 30 $1,522 $1,779
Age 40 $1,480 $1,642
Age 60 $1,363 $1,460
  • Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts due to state regulations.

State Farm is generally cheaper for high-risk drivers

State Farm’s rates are generally less expensive for high-risk drivers. This includes drivers with a speeding ticket or an at-fault accident on their record.

If you have a DUI on your record, you won’t be given the option to choose between State Farm or Progressive. State Farm does not write car insurance policies for drivers with a DUI conviction. Progressive may be able to insure a driver with a DUI, and our research shows that Progressive’s price for a full coverage car insurance policy for a driver with a DUI is about 43 percent cheaper than the national average.

Driving record State Farm Progressive
Clean driving record $1,480 $1,642
Speeding ticket conviction $1,704 $2,140
At-fault accident $1,876 $2,638
DUI conviction N/A $2,156
  • Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket and single DUI conviction.

Progressive vs. State Farm: discounts

Progressive and State Farm both stand out for their generous car insurance discounts. Here are a few discounts that are available from these insurers, but be mindful that not all discounts are available in all states.

Progressive unique discounts

  • Homeowner: If you own a home — even if you don’t insure it with Progressive — you might be able to save money on your auto insurance premium.
  • Name Your Price: Although not technically a discount, this unique feature could save you money. With Name Your Price, you can input your budget amount and Progressive will display coverage options that fall within your requirements.
  • Snapshot: Progressive’s car insurance telematics program is called Snapshot, and it tracks your driving habits and might assign you a personalized discount based on the data.
  • Online quote: If you get a quote online before purchasing a policy, you could save an average of 7 percent on your premium. You may also qualify for the discount if you start a quote online and work with a licensed agent to finish the quote process over the phone.

State Farm unique discounts

  • Steer Clear: Through the Steer Clear program, drivers under the age of 25 in eligible states could qualify for a discount for maintaining a clean driving record, recording their trips on a mobile app and completing a safe driver program that involves quizzes and video tutorials.
  • Good student: You may save if you are a high school or college student with a grade point average equivalent to a “B” or higher.
  • Defensive driving course: Policyholders in certain states may earn a discount for completing a defensive driving course.
  • Drive Safe and Save: The Drive Safe and Save usage-based insurance telematics program may offer drivers a premium discount of up to 30 percent by tracking safe driving habits.

Usage-based insurance comparison: Progressive vs. State Farm

Progressive and State Farm both offer usage-based insurance programs: Progressive Snapshot and State Farm Drive Safe and Save. Both programs use telematics to track your driving behaviors. If you practice safe driving habits, you could qualify for a discount on your car insurance policy.

Progressive Snapshot State Farm Drive Safe & Save
Telematics device Mobile app or plug-in device Mobile app
Monitored driving factors Hard braking, time of day, length of trip, distracted driving Annual mileage and basic driving behaviors
Potential impact on rates Rate can increase or decrease Rate can only decrease, but the discount can change
Potential discount Average of $156 Up to 30 percent
Availability All states except CA All states except CA, MA, and RI

Progressive vs. State Farm: customer experience comparison

In terms of claims satisfaction, State Farm has a better ranking than Progressive. In the 2023 J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, State Farm earned a score of 891 out of 1,000 for overall claims satisfaction, which is above average. Progressive, on the other hand, scored below average with a score of 870. Similarly, in the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, State Farm scored above average in all regions whereas Progressive scored below average in every region.

Like most of the best car insurance companies, Progressive and State Farm both offer mobile apps. The apps have similar capabilities, such as bill pay, filing a claim, downloading ID cards, and contacting roadside assistance. State Farm and Progressive’s mobile apps are both highly rated by users on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Customer satisfaction Progressive State Farm
App Store 4.8 out of 5 4.8 out of 5
Google Play 4.6 out of 5 4.7 out of 5
2023 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Study 870/1,000 891/1,000
2023 J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study 853/1,000 877/1,000

Frequently asked questions

    • Yes; if you are a homeowner, you can insure your home with either Progressive or State Farm. Additionally, both companies offer a bundling discount, where you can save money for purchasing auto insurance and home insurance together.
    • The 2023 average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $2,014 per year for full coverage and $622 per year for minimum coverage. However, car insurance rates depend on your location, age, credit score, claim history, driving record and the car insurance company you choose — to name a few criteria.
    • It’s helpful to refer to J.D. Power ratings to determine how an insurer handles the claims process. In the 2023 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Study, State Farm was rated well above average and landed in the top five insurers overall. Progressive, on the other hand, scored below the study average.