Progressive Snapshot vs. Drivewise: Which is Best?

Which of these popular usage-based car insurance programs offers the most accurate tracking and best discounts?
Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Why you can trust The Zebra

The Zebra partners with some of the companies we write about. However, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of editors and licensed agents. Reference our data methodology and learn more about how we make money.

Author profile picture

Ava Lynch

Insurance Analyst

Credentials
  • 7+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

Ava joined The Zebra as a writer and licensed insurance agent in 2016. She now works as a senior insurance contributor, providing insights and data a…

Author profile picture

Renata Balasco

Senior Content Strategist

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as licensed insurance professional and content strategist.…

Progressive Snapshot vs. Drivewise from Allstate

Snapshot and Drivewise are optional usage-based insurance options from Progressive and Allstate, respectively, that use your driving behavior to price your policy. These programs attempt to price auto insurance for the way you drive, rather than who you are in a demographic sense. Despite their similar intention, these programs do vary. Let’s take a look at the differentiating factors.


Allstate Drivewise review and summary

Allstate’s program works through the Drivewise app, which provides personal feedback based on how you drive. Through the mobile app, you can view your trips, your driving habits, and any corresponding rewards. You can earn rewards — discounts on your insurance policy — for exhibiting safe driving habits. With Drivewise, all "earnings" are retroactive. The more safely you drive, the more you’ll be rewarded at the end of your policy period (usually six months).

Drivewise calculates good driving behaviors based on:

  • Safe speeds: to earn maximum credit, keep your speeds under 80 miles per hour
  • Safe hours: avoid late-night trips, as these are considered riskier
  • Safe stopping: hard braking is penalized
 

While your potential for savings depends on your individual driving score, Allstate advertises:

  • Up to 10% off insurance rates for signing up
  • Up to 25% cash back after each six-month policy period
  • Allstate Rewards points
allstate logo
Allstate Drivewise telematics program: Average Monthly Premiums
Average Premium Average Premium with Telematics
$115 $83-$100

The Allstate Rewards program is a points system connected to Drivewise. The more safely drive, the more points you earn. These points can be used to save on everyday items and to enter sweepstakes.

For more information on Allstate, see our Allstate insurance guide. To learn more about Drivewise from Allstate, see our summary of telematics auto insurance.


How Progressive's Snapshot program work?

Using a mobile app or in-car Snapshot device supplied by Progressive, your driving habits are analyzed and used to generate a new insurance premium. Using this data, Progressive determines your premium based on:

  • Sudden changes in speed (hard braking and rapid accelerations)
  • Mileage
  • Mobile phone use (varies by state)
snapshot logo

Your discount will depend on how you drive. If you’re a good driver, you should see some insurance savings. Progressive advertises an automatic $25 sign up bonus and average savings of $130 per six-month policy for participation.

Progressive Snapshot: Average monthly premium
Average Premium Average Premium with Snapshot
$648 $518

For more information on Snapshot from Progressive, see our review of it here.


Progressive Snapshot vs. Allstate Drivewise: which is best?

That depends what you're looking for. The discount you get will depend on your driving habits, no matter which telematics provider you choose. There are some key differentiators worth considering when shopping for a usage-based insurance policy.

question
Do you want cash back or a discounted premium?

Drivewise from Allstate provides cash back discounts. Would you prefer cash back to a discounted monthly premium pricing model (Progressive Snapshot)?

question
Are you an existing customer?

Progressive Snapshot requires you carry an existing insurance policy with Progressive prior to participation, while Allstate Drivewise does not. If you’re interested in a trial experience, Allstate’s Drivewise might be an easier option.

Make an informed decision: compare insurance rates today.

Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Other usage-based insurance policies

At the end of the day, the decision is up to you. If you’re interested learning more about usage-based insurance and telematics, see our additional articles below. If you're ready to start saving on car insurance, enter your ZIP code above to receive personalized quotes so you can decide the best insurance company for you.

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.