Progressive vs State Farm

Verdict

State Farm and Progressive are close to a tie for the top of the U.S. market. In 2025 State Farm wrote $69.16 billion of private passenger auto premium (18.61%) and Progressive $69.01 billion (18.57%). Both are rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best: Progressive affirmed in May 2026, State Farm downgraded to that level from A++ in November 2025. Beyond size they have little in common. State Farm is a policyholder-owned mutual that sells through more than 19,200 captive agent offices. Progressive is a publicly traded company that sells direct online and by phone and through independent agents.

Service scores favor State Farm. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study it beat the regional average in nine of 11 regions; Progressive did so only in California. In the 2025 claims study State Farm scored 716 (tied 8th of 20) and Progressive 673 (18th). Progressive's case rests on flexibility. It sells in every state, writes drivers with tickets or a lapse, and offers comparison shopping tools. Its accident forgiveness is built in.

Price depends on the driver, the car and the state, and neither company is cheaper across the board. Get quotes from both.

Choose Progressive if

• You live in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, where State Farm doesn't write new auto policies.
• You want an independent agent who can quote other companies too, or prefer to buy entirely online.
• You have a less-than-clean record. Progressive writes both standard and nonstandard drivers.
• You want built-in accident forgiveness for claims under $500, and for most claims after five years.
• You live in California, where Progressive beat the 2026 J.D. Power regional average (645 vs. 633) and State Farm scored just below it (632).

Choose State Farm if

• You want one local agent who handles your auto, home and life policies.
• Customer satisfaction matters most: State Farm topped the Northwest and placed second in four other regions in J.D. Power's 2026 study.
• You want a mutual that is returning money: average 10% rate cuts in 40 states and a $5 billion auto dividend in 2026.
• You have a young driver who could earn the Steer Clear or good student (up to 25%) discount.

Key differences

Both telematics programs re-price you at renewal and can raise your rate (see telematics programs from the major insurers compared). Because Progressive's price can vary by channel, compare its online quote with an independent agent's, then ask a State Farm agent for the same limits and deductibles. The car insurance quote comparison worksheet helps keep the comparison like for like.