Kemper vs Progressive

Verdict

Progressive and Kemper both insure drivers who may struggle to get standard coverage, but at very different scales. Progressive, publicly traded and the second-largest U.S. auto insurer, wrote $69.01 billion of private passenger auto premium in 2025 (18.57%). It sells in all 50 states and D.C., direct and through independent agents, and has written both standard and nonstandard business since 1993. Kemper, a Chicago-based public company, wrote $2.98 billion (0.80%), concentrated in nonstandard auto. Kemper Auto sells through independent agents in 10 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas. Its Infinity brand sells through Spanish-bilingual agents.

The financial picture favors Progressive. AM Best affirmed Progressive at A+ (Superior) in May 2026, and it reported record 2025 profits. In September 2026 AM Best affirmed Kemper at A- (Excellent) but moved the outlook to negative. It cited weaker earnings and heavy exposure to California, where the state's 2025 minimum-limit increase raised claim costs for Kemper's mostly minimum-limits customers. Satisfaction scores in California, Kemper's largest market, also differ. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study Progressive scored 645 (above the 633 average) and Kemper 541 (tied 14th of 16).

Kemper's case is specialized. It accepts a Matrícula Consular, a foreign or international license, or a passport in some states, and offers bilingual service through Infinity. If that fits your situation, get quotes from both.

Choose Kemper if

• You don't have a U.S. driver's license and want an insurer that accepts a Matrícula Consular or foreign license (see getting car insurance with a foreign or new license).
• You want to work with a Spanish-bilingual agent through Infinity.
• You need a liability-only policy or an SR-22 filing in one of Kemper's 10 states.
• You also need a small commercial auto policy from the same company.

Choose Progressive if

• You live outside Kemper's 10 states.
• You want the stronger AM Best rating (A+, stable) over Kemper's A- with a negative outlook.
• You want to buy online without an agent.
• You'd like built-in small-claim accident forgiveness or the Deductible Savings Bank.
• You want a broader menu of coverages and bundles (home, renters, motorcycle and boat).

Key differences

If you carry minimum limits, check what your state now requires and whether higher limits are affordable; nonstandard auto insurers: who they serve and what to watch explains what to watch with specialist insurers. Compare the same coverage on the car insurance quote comparison worksheet.