Progressive auto insurance

Overview

Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer in the United States and the biggest one owned by stockholders. It ranked #2 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written, with $69.01 billion and an 18.57% market share, according to NAIC market share data — a fraction of a point behind State Farm. The Progressive Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange (PGR) and is based at 300 North Commons Blvd. in Mayfield Village, Ohio, outside Cleveland. Tricia Griffith has been president and CEO since 2016.

Progressive sells through two channels at once: directly to consumers online, by phone and in its app (as a direct writer), and through independent agents. Prices can differ depending on which channel you buy through. At the end of 2025 it had about 26.8 million personal auto policies in force — 16.0 million sold direct (up 14% in a year) and 10.8 million through agents (up 10%) — and 38.6 million policies across all lines. Auto insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Progressive is also a leading seller of commercial auto, motorcycle and boat insurance and one of the 15 largest homeowners carriers. Since 1993 it has written policies for drivers in both the standard and nonstandard markets.

History

Joseph Lewis and Jack Green founded Progressive in Cleveland in 1937 to offer basic auto insurance that anyone could afford. Peter B. Lewis became CEO in 1965, took the company public in 1971 with a target of a 96 combined ratio (4 cents of underwriting profit per premium dollar) that it still uses, and moved it to Mayfield Village in 1974. Progressive built a reputation for doing things first:

• 1993–1994: first auto insurer to give shoppers comparison rates from competitors and to sell policies by phone, with 24/7 service; Immediate Response claims vehicles hit the road.
• 1995–1997: first auto insurer with a website, and in 1997 the first to let consumers buy an auto policy online in real time.
• 2003: claims Service Centers offering one-stop repair handling.
• 2004–2011: the TripSense usage-based pilot in Minnesota became MyRate in 2008 and was renamed Snapshot in 2011.
• 2009: the Name Your Price tool, which shows coverage options for a budget you set.
• 2014: a controlling stake in homeowners insurer American Strategic Insurance (ASI), the base of its home insurance business.
• 2016: photo estimates through the mobile app; Tricia Griffith succeeded Glenn Renwick as CEO.
• 2021: acquisition of trucking insurer Protective Insurance Corporation, later rebranded Progressive Fleet; companywide policies passed 25 million.

Recent additions include Progressive Vehicle Protection (2024), an add-on that covers newer cars' major systems, and online quoting and buying in Spanish (2025).

Auto insurance coverage

Progressive offers liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, personal injury protection where required, comprehensive and collision. Optional coverages and features include:

• Loan/lease payoff, which covers the gap between what you owe and the car's actual cash value, up to 25% of that value, if the car is totaled or stolen.
• Rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance (towing, lockouts, flat tires, fuel delivery), plus trip interruption of up to $500 when a breakdown happens more than 100 miles from home.
• Custom parts and equipment, typically up to $5,000.
• Rideshare coverage for the period when you are logged into a ride or delivery app waiting for a request.
• Deductible Savings Bank, which takes $50 off your collision or comprehensive deductible for every six-month period without a claim or violation — a form of disappearing deductible.
• Pet injury coverage of up to $1,000 in vet bills, included automatically with collision.
• Progressive Vehicle Protection, for cars under seven years old with full coverage.

Progressive's accident forgiveness is built in: a claim under $500 will not raise your rate, and after five years as a customer it will not raise your rate for any claim in most states.

Discounts and programs

Snapshot is Progressive's usage-based program, and one of the oldest. You choose the mobile app or a plug-in device for the car's OBD-II port. In most states you get a discount just for enrolling, then a personalized rate at renewal based on hard braking, rapid acceleration, phone use, late-night driving and miles driven. Progressive is clear that your rate can go up with high-risk driving; drivers who save average $328 a year, according to the company. See telematics programs from the major insurers compared.

Other discounts on Progressive's discounts page:

• Three-year safe driving, five-year accident-free and five-year claim-free discounts
• Multi-policy (bundling with home, renters, motorcycle, RV or boat) and multi-car (average 12%)
• Online quote (average 7%) and sign online (average 10%), plus paperless
• Pay in full, automatic payment and continuous insurance
• Teen driver (18 or younger), good student (B average, starting at 5%) and distant student (22 or younger, more than 100 miles away)
• Homeowner discount, even if your home is insured elsewhere

A Loyalty Rewards program adds benefits over time, including a lifetime renewal guarantee after 20 years.

Claims

Report a claim online, in the Progressive app or at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (800-776-4737), which also handles roadside assistance. The app can take photos for a damage estimate, and its Accident Response feature, launched in 2024, can detect a likely serious crash and offer help with towing and emergency services. You may use any repair shop, but repairs at Progressive's network shops are guaranteed for as long as you own or lease the vehicle; see choosing a repair shop: direct repair programs and your rights.

Ratings and reputation

Financial strength. AM Best affirmed the A+ (Superior) financial strength rating and "aa" long-term issuer credit rating of Progressive's insurance pool on May 1, 2026, with a stable outlook, citing a balance sheet it rates "strongest."

Results. Progressive earned about $11.3 billion in 2025, up from about $8.5 billion in 2024, on roughly $83.2 billion of net premiums written (up 12%) and an 87.4 combined ratio. Those profits triggered Florida's excess-profit law: Progressive set aside about $950 million to credit more than 2.7 million Florida auto policyholders (roughly $300 each on average), and in January 2026 began notifying customers active on December 31, 2025, with credits applied to 2026 renewals. CFO John Sauerland is retiring on July 3, 2026, succeeded by Andrew Quigg.

Customer satisfaction. Progressive scored 673 in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, 18th of 20 ranked insurers and below the 700 average. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study it beat the regional average only in California (645 vs. 633) and trailed it in the other 10 regions, for example 604 in the Northwest (average 636) and 614 in the Central region (average 640).

Who it suits

Progressive suits people who like to compare and buy on their own, want a choice between a direct relationship and an independent agent, or have a less-than-clean record, since it writes both standard and nonstandard business. Its shopping tools and financial results are strong, but its customer satisfaction scores trail most large rivals.

• Strengths: Sold in every state, online or through independent agents; Snapshot via app or plug-in, with an average $328 saving for drivers who save; built-in small-claim and five-year accident forgiveness; A+ rating affirmed May 2026 and sharply higher 2025 profits.
• Weaknesses: Below-average J.D. Power satisfaction in 10 of 11 regions in 2026 and 18th of 20 for claims in 2025; Snapshot can raise your rate; prices vary by channel, so the same driver may see different quotes online and from an agent.

How to contact Progressive