Progressive vs. USAA Auto Insurance (2024)

When looking at USAA vs. Progressive, USAA offers cheaper rates and has better customer service ratings but sells only to military and veteran drivers and their families.

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Brad Larson

Licensed Insurance Agent

Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual...

Licensed Insurance Agent

Jeffrey Manola

Licensed Insurance Agent

Jeffrey Manola is an experienced insurance agent who founded TopQuoteLifeInsurance.com and NoMedicalExamQuotes.com. His mission when creating these sites was to provide online consumers searching for insurance with the most affordable rates available. Not only does he strive to provide consumers with the best prices for insurance coverage, but he also wants those on the market for insurance to ...

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Feb 14, 2024

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Things to Remember

  • On average, USAA has cheaper rates than Progressive for auto insurance policies 
  • USAA is only available to military members and veterans, as well as their families 
  • Both insurance companies offer a great range of discounts and a safe driving program

USAA and Progressive are some of the best auto insurance companies, but which is better depends on your auto insurance coverage needs and budget. While USAA is generally cheaper than Progressive, it is only for military members and their families, whereas Progressive sells insurance to non-military drivers. 

Read on for more detail about the pros and cons of USAA and Progressive insurance. We will cover everything from USAA and Progressive’s average auto insurance rates to their customer service reviews. 

USAA vs. Progressive Car Insurance Rates

Car insurance rates are important when choosing a car insurance company, as you may end up overpaying for car insurance if you don’t pick the right company. While you will see in our analysis of average rates that Progressive has higher rates than USAA, remember that not all drivers can qualify for USAA, making Progressive the only choice of the two if the driver is not military. 

Credit Score Insurance Rates 

Only a few states ban car insurance companies from using credit scores to charge drivers more, so in most states, you will see your rates go up at Progressive and USAA if you have a bad credit score. Below, you can see the average rates for a bad credit score at Progressive vs. USAA. 

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Credit Score
Insurance CompanyBad CreditFair CreditGood Credit
American Family$203$136$116
Farmers$269$160$140
Geico$148$99$82
Liberty Mutual$355$226$177
Nationwide$166$133$120
Progressive$206$138$109
State Farm$200$117$91
Travelers$194$128$107
Allstate$296$197$176
U.S. Average$226$148$123

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USAA auto insurance offers cheaper rates on average for a bad credit score. So if you have a bad credit score and are military, USAA will be the better choice over Progressive. Saving money by choosing a cheaper car insurance company for bad credit scores will also help you get your credit score back on track and further lower your insurance rates. 

Driver Age Insurance Rates 

Age is another factor affecting how much you pay at different auto insurance companies. Auto insurance costs more for young drivers due to their inexperience on the road, which makes them more likely to crash and file a claim. Below, we’ve listed average car insurance rates by age for USAA and Progressive customers. 

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by Age and Gender
Insurance Company18-Year-Old Male18-Year-Old Female30-Year-Old Male30-Year-Old Female45-Year-Old Male45-Year-Old Female55-Year-Old Male55-Year-Old Female65-Year-Old Male65-Year-Old Female
AAA$378$328$103$99$86$88$81$83$84$86
Allstate$203$180$79$74$59$59$56$56$57$58
American Family$414$305$137$116$117$115$111$109$114$113
Farmers$629$597$167$160$139$139$131$132$136$136
Geico$254$220$87$90$80$80$76$76$78$78
Hartford$469$407$133$126$113$115$107$109$109$112
Liberty Mutual$626$626$200$174$174$171$165$162$170$96
Nationwide$387$303$136$124$115$113$109$107$114$113
Progressive$662$591$136$131$105$112$100$106$103$109
State Farm$284$229$103$94$86$86$82$82$84$84
Travelers$740$530$108$99$99$98$94$93$97$96
U.S. Average$501$416$139$128$119$119$113$113$117$117

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USAA consistently has lower rates than Progressive for drivers, regardless of age. We also want to note that younger drivers will find cheaper rates by joining their parent’s policy rather than purchasing their own at whatever insurance provider they pick. Keeping a clean driving record as a young driver will also help keep rates low. 

Driving Record Insurance Rates 

Auto insurance companies check driving records to determine how risky a driver is to insure. DUIs, at-fault accidents and traffic tickets will all raise driver rates. Below, you can see how USAA and Progressive compare. 

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Monthly Rates: One Ticket vs. Clean Record
Insurance CompanyOne TicketClean Record
AAA$108$180
Allstate$188$166
American Family$136$116
Farmers$173$140
Geico$106$95
Hartford$136$175
Liberty Mutual$212$177
Nationwide$137$140
Progressive$140$120
State Farm$96$105
Travelers$134$160
U.S. Average$147$123

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USAA has lower rates on average for drivers with traffic tickets and at-fault accidents. However, Progressive is very similar to USAA in offering lower rates for DUI drivers. So if you have a DUI, Progressive may be worth looking into if you don’t qualify for USAA. 

If you have found that your rates have gone up due to driving infractions, you can work to reduce your auto insurance rates by keeping a clean record in the future. You can also apply for auto insurance discounts, which we cover in the next section. 

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USAA vs. Progressive Auto Insurance Discounts 

Discounts are a great way to reduce auto insurance rates; most drivers can qualify for at least a few.

USAA and Progressive auto insurance have safe driving programs that offer significant discounts to drivers who perform well in the program. As you can see, there is a lot of overlap between the two companies, with both offering similar benefits to drivers. In the next sections, we’ve outlined some of the best auto insurance discounts from each company. 

USAA Discounts 

One of USAA’s biggest discounts for drivers is its USAA SafePilot program for safe drivers. It also has discounts specific to the company, such as the following:  

  • Vehicle storage discount. If you are deployed overseas and store your vehicle, you could earn over half off of your policy with a vehicle storage discount. 
  • Family discount. Young drivers can get discounts on their auto insurance as long as their parents are USAA members. 

Plenty of other discounts, such as bundling discounts and good student discounts, are also designed to save drivers a large sum of money. 

Progressive Discounts 

Like USAA, Progressive has some great discounts. One of its biggest discounts is its Snapshot safe driving program and its bundling discounts. You can also find savings with some other popular discounts, such as the following: 

  • Homeowner discount. You can get up to 10% off your auto insurance policy at Progressive if you are a homeowner. 
  • Sign online discount. If you sign all your paperwork online, Progressive offers a discount of up to 9% off your policy. 

Progressive doesn’t offer a storage discount to drivers like USAA does, but it has a good selection of discounts to save on a policy. If you don’t qualify for USAA auto insurance, you may still find a comparable rate at Progressive by applying for as many discounts as possible. 

USAA vs. Progressive Roadside Assistance 

Both USAA and Progressive offer roadside assistance, which is coverage you can add to your auto insurance policy. If you break down on the side of the road, roadside assistance can help you drive again by fixing your car or towing it to a nearby shop.

Both roadside assistance programs will help if you lock yourself out of the vehicle, need a tow, fuel delivery, flat tire change, and more. Progressive will also tow you to the nearest charging station if your electric battery runs out of juice, which is a nice perk for electric vehicle owners. All in all, the company’s roadside assistance programs are comparable, with only a few minor differences. 

USAA vs. Progressive Online and Mobile Apps 

A company’s website and mobile app are more important than most customers realize. Confusing layouts and glitchy apps can frustrate customers into choosing a different company. Both Progressive and USAA have easy-to-navigate, user-friendly websites. Look at the sections below to learn about the companies’ mobile apps. 

USAA Mobile Experience 

USAA has good ratings for its mobile app. Take a look at them below:

  • Google Play: 4.2 out of five stars from over 195 thousand reviews. 
  • Apple Store: 4.8 out of five stars from over 1.5 million reviews. 

USAA received better ratings for its app on the Apple Store, but it also got decent reviews on Google Play. Customers are generally happy with how the app works; they can pay bills, check their coverages, and more with the USAA insurance app. 

Progressive Mobile Experience

Progressive received the following ratings for its mobile app: 

  • Google Play: 4.6 out of five stars from over 70 thousand reviews. 
  • Apple Store: 4.8 out of five stars from over 72 thousand reviews. 

Progressive did rank slightly higher than USAA on Google Play, but remember that USAA has many more reviews of its app. Regarding popularity, USAA’s app is downloaded and reviewed more often than Progressive’s app. However, both apps are solid choices for whichever company you choose. 

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USAA vs. Progressive Quotes and Claims 

USAA and Progressive make it easy to get quotes and file car insurance claims. You can get a quote from either company through their website online quote tool or by calling an agent that works with the company. 

Getting quotes from both companies is simple and quick and gives you a good idea of whether you want to go with the company. The process of filing claims is also similar at both companies, although USAA received better scores from the customer satisfaction study by J.D. Power on claims. So while both companies handle claims well and most customers are satisfied with the companies’ claim service, USAA performs slightly better than Progressive. 

USAA vs. Progressive Reviews and Ratings 

Looking at ratings and reviews of both companies is a great way to see which is better for customer service, their financial strength, and more.

There will always be negative customer reviews and complaints about companies, but both companies did fairly well in customer service. They also have good financial ratings, meaning they won’t go bankrupt anytime soon, paying off claims. However, you will notice that USAA does rank better than Progressive in most categories. So while the two companies are comparable, USAA comes out slightly ahead. 

The Final Word on USAA vs. Progressive 

When comparing USAA and Progressive, USAA is the better choice for most drivers. It is because it has consistently cheaper rates and good customer service reviews. However, USAA is only available for military families and veterans, so if you don’t qualify for USAA, Progressive is one of the next best choices. 

We recommend getting some auto insurance quotes from different companies to ensure you get the best auto insurance rate. In addition, you can use our free quote comparison tool to find your area’s best auto insurance rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Progressive worse than USAA?

No, Progressive isn’t necessarily worse than USAA. USAA is better regarding rates and customer service, but it is only offered to select drivers. So if you aren’t military or a veteran, Progressive is a comparable car insurance option.

Is USAA insurance cheaper than Progressive insurance?

USAA’s average insurance rates are cheaper than Progressive’s average insurance rates. However, whether USAA is cheaper depends on your driving record, vehicle, area, and other important factors.

Does Progressive own USAA insurance?

No, Progressive does not own USAA insurance. So you can’t get USAA insurance through Progressive.

What is the difference between Progressive and USAA Auto Insurance?

Progressive and USAA are both auto insurance providers, but there are some key differences between them. Progressive is a widely available insurance company that caters to the general public, while USAA primarily serves members of the military and their families. USAA is known for its exceptional customer service and exclusive benefits for military members, while Progressive is recognized for its competitive rates, user-friendly online tools, and extensive coverage options. It’s important to compare their policies, coverage offerings, and customer reviews to determine which company aligns best with your needs.

How can I contact Progressive and USAA Auto Insurance?

You can contact Progressive Auto Insurance by visiting their website, using their mobile app, or calling their customer service. They provide a customer service phone number and email support. USAA Auto Insurance can be contacted by visiting their website, using their mobile app, or calling their customer service. USAA also offers additional support through their dedicated member services for military members and their families.

What types of coverage do Progressive and USAA Auto Insurance offer?

Both Progressive and USAA Auto Insurance offer a wide range of coverage options. These typically include liability coverage, comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), and more. However, specific coverage options and policy details may vary between the two companies, so it’s important to review their policies or contact their customer service for accurate information.

How do I file a claim with Progressive or USAA Auto Insurance?

To file a claim with Progressive or USAA Auto Insurance, you should contact their claims department as soon as possible after an incident. They will guide you through the process and provide you with the necessary forms and information required to file your claim. It’s important to have all the relevant details, such as the date, time, and location of the incident, as well as any relevant photos or documentation.

Can I manage my Progressive or USAA Auto Insurance policy online?

Yes, both Progressive and USAA Auto Insurance typically offer online platforms or customer portals where you can manage your policy. These portals allow you to make payments, view policy details, access digital ID cards, initiate changes to your coverage, and sometimes even file claims. Check their websites or contact their customer service for more information about their online policy management options.

What factors can affect the cost of my auto insurance with Progressive and USAA?

Several factors can influence the cost of your auto insurance policy with both Progressive and USAA. Common factors include your driving record, the type of vehicle you drive, your age and gender, your location, your credit history, and the coverage options you select. Each insurance company has its own rating system and underwriting guidelines, so it’s recommended to obtain quotes from both companies to compare prices based on your specific circumstances.

Do Progressive and USAA Auto Insurance offer discounts?

Both Progressive and USAA Auto Insurance offer discounts to eligible customers. The specific discounts available may vary between the companies, but common types of discounts include safe driver discounts, multi-policy discounts, good student discounts, and discounts for certain vehicle safety features. Contact Progressive and USAA directly to find out which discounts you may qualify for.

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