What Progressive Does and How to Get a Quote

Progressive is an auto insurance company that sells policies directly to drivers through its website, phone line, and mobile app. You can get a quote without talking to an agent, and the company is known for letting you customize coverage options and compare rates from other insurers side by side on the same screen.

To get a quote, you visit Progressive.com or call 1-800-776-4737 and answer questions about your driving history, the vehicle you want to insure, and the coverage limits you need. Progressive then shows you its own rates and rates from competitors like Geico, Allstate, and others. The whole process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. You do not have to buy anything — a quote is free and does not affect your credit score.

Progressive has been in business since 1937 and is regulated by state insurance departments, the same way all auto insurers are. The company is publicly traded and headquartered in Ohio. It operates in all 50 states, though some coverage options and discounts vary by state.

Key Takeaways

  • Progressive quotes are free and show you rates from other insurers on the same page, so you can compare without shopping around separately.
  • You can buy a policy online, by phone, or through the mobile app, and coverage can start as soon as the same day.
  • The company offers discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, paying in full upfront, and using its Snapshot device or mobile app to track your driving.
  • If you have an accident or need to file a claim, you can do it through the app, by phone, or online, and Progressive has local adjusters in most areas.
  • Your rate can change when your policy renews, usually every six or twelve months depending on your state.

Types of Coverage Progressive Offers

Progressive sells the same basic types of auto insurance that every state requires or allows. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else — this is required in every state. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your car if you hit another vehicle or object. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal. Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and car damage if you are hit by a driver who has no insurance.

You choose the dollar limits for each type of coverage. For liability, most states set a minimum (often $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident), but you can buy more. For collision and comprehensive, you choose a deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. A higher deductible lowers your monthly premium, and a lower deductible raises it.

Progressive also offers add-ons like roadside information (towing, lockout service, fuel delivery), rental car reimbursement, and gap insurance (which covers the difference between what you owe on a car loan and what the car is worth if it is totaled). These cost extra but are optional.

How Discounts Work at Progressive

Progressive offers several discounts that can lower your premium. The most common are bundling (buying home and auto insurance together), paying your full premium upfront instead of monthly, and being a safe driver with no accidents or violations. You may also get a discount for completing a defensive driving course.

Progressive's Snapshot program is a device you plug into your car's diagnostic port, or a mobile app you read, that tracks how safely you drive. The company monitors your speed, hard braking, and time of day you drive. If you drive safely, you can save 10 to 30 percent on your premium — but if you drive recklessly, your rate could stay the same or go up. You control whether to use Snapshot; it is not required to get a quote or buy a policy.

Discounts vary by state and by your personal situation. When you get a quote, Progressive shows you which discounts you may be may be able to access for based on the information you provide. The company does not stack all discounts on top of each other — it applies the ones that save you the most money.

How to Buy a Policy and What Happens Next

Once you decide to buy, you complete the purchase online, by phone, or through the app. You choose your coverage types, deductibles, and add-ons, then enter payment information. Progressive accepts credit cards, debit cards, and bank account transfers. You can pay monthly, every six months, or annually — paying in full usually costs less overall.

After you buy, Progressive sends you a policy document by email and mail that lists your coverage, limits, deductible, premium, and renewal date. You also get a digital ID card through the app that you can show to a police officer if you are pulled over. Your coverage can start when ready — sometimes the same day you buy — depending on what time you purchase and your state's rules.

Your policy renews on a set date, usually every six or twelve months. Before it renews, Progressive sends you a notice with your new rate. If the rate goes up, you can shop around and switch to another insurer without penalty. If you want to make changes — add a driver, remove a vehicle, or adjust coverage — you can do that anytime through the app or by calling customer service.

Filing a Claim and Getting Your Car Repaired

If you have an accident, you can report it to Progressive through the mobile app, online, or by calling 1-800-776-4737. The app lets you take photos of the damage and upload them right away. You will need your policy number and details about what happened — where, when, who was involved, and whether police responded.

Progressive assigns an adjuster to your claim. The adjuster inspects the damage, reviews your policy, and decides what the company will pay. This usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks. Once approved, Progressive can either send you a check, pay the repair shop directly, or arrange for you to use one of its network repair shops (where you may pay a lower deductible).

If your car is totaled — meaning the cost to repair it exceeds a certain percentage of its value — Progressive pays you the actual cash value of the car minus your deductible. You then own the vehicle as salvage, and Progressive may buy it from you for scrap value. If you still owe money on a car loan, gap insurance (if you bought it) covers the difference between what Progressive pays and what you owe the lender.

How Progressive Rates Change and What Affects Your Premium

Your rate is based on several factors: your age and driving history, the type of car you drive, where you live, how much you drive, and your coverage choices. Progressive uses this information to predict how likely you are to file a claim. Younger drivers, drivers with accidents or violations, and drivers in urban areas typically pay more. Drivers with clean records, older drivers, and drivers in rural areas typically pay less.

Your rate can change when your policy renews. If you have an accident or violation during the policy period, your rate will likely go up at renewal. If you have a clean driving record, your rate may stay the same or go down. Some states limit how much an insurer can raise your rate after an accident, but the limits vary. Progressive is required to tell you why your rate changed before you renew.

You can also lower your rate by increasing your deductible, bundling with home insurance, using Snapshot, or taking a defensive driving course. Shopping around every year or two is one of the best ways to make sure you are not overpaying — rates change, and other companies may offer you a better deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my Progressive policy anytime?

Yes. You can cancel online, through the app, or by calling customer service. Most states do not charge a cancellation fee, but a few do — Progressive will tell you if yours does. Your cancellation takes effect on the date you request, and Progressive refunds any unused premium if you paid in advance.

What if I get into an accident that is not my fault?

You still report it to Progressive the same way. If the other driver is found to be at fault, their insurance should pay for your repairs. Progressive can help you pursue a claim against their policy. You may still have to pay your deductible upfront, but some states allow Progressive to waive it if the other driver is clearly at fault and their insurance confirms it.

Does Progressive cover rental cars while mine is being repaired?

Only if you bought rental car reimbursement coverage as an add-on. If you did, Progressive pays up to a daily limit (often $30 to $50 per day) for a rental car while yours is in the shop. You have to arrange the rental yourself and keep your receipt to submit for reimbursement.

What happens if I move to a different state?

You can update your address through the app or by calling customer service. Your rate may change because insurance rules and risk vary by state. Progressive will show you your new rate, and you can accept it or shop around before your policy renews.

How do I know if Progressive is available in my state?

Progressive operates in all 50 states, but some coverage options and discounts vary by location. The easiest way to find out what is available to you is to get a quote on Progressive.com — if the company cannot insure you in your state, it will tell you during the quote process.