Progressive vs Travelers: Which is Better for You?

Read on to see which company is best for you.

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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Credentials
  • 4+ years in the Insurance Industry

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

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Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 4+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

Progressive vs Travelers: Which company is best for you?

As two of the most recognizable names in insurance, both Progressive and Travelers have a variety of coverage options available. To find out more about each company's unique traits and customer satisfaction scores, take a look at our in-depth comparison below.

Progressive car insurance

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Progressive has grown substantially in recent years, becoming one of the largest and most recognizable names in car insurance. The company's policy offerings are wide-ranging and its large selection of discounts means will be appealing to drivers looking for reasonably affordable rates. The company has also become one of the top companies for commercial auto insurance coverage.

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4 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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Pros Cons
  • Lots of discount options
  • Affordable rates
  • Offers a good online experience (apps and website)
  • Below-average scores for claims satisfaction
  • Below-average scores for overall customer satisfaction                                 

 


Travelers car insurance

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

As one of the oldest insurers in the United States, Travelers provides a number of popular coverage and bundling options. Available coverage types are on par with those offered by most other major insurance companies, and should be suitable for the needs of most drivers. They also offer a wide variety of discount options. However, customers looking for the best customer service may be somewhat disappointed, as Travelers scores lower than competitors for overall customer satisfaction.

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4 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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Pros Cons
  • Affordable rates for most drivers
  • Wide-ranging coverage options
  • Plentiful discounts
  • Lower customer satisfaction scores overall

Which company comes out on top?

Progressive


Both companies have great coverage options and reasonable rates, though Progressive wins out for overall customer satisfaction.


Progressive vs. Travelers: car insurance rate comparison

Progressive and Travelers are often seen as relatively affordable car insurance options. However, your unique driver profile will likely mean that your car insurance quotes will be different from the average rates. There are a number of rating factors that go into determining your car insurance rate. For that reason, our advice is to get quotes from each company to see which best fits your budget.

To help simplify the insurance-shopping process, we pulled average rates for both Progressive and Travelers. These rates look into account rates based on credit score, driving record, and age. Compare the rates below to help guide you to an affordable policy.

Affordability medal
Cheapest average rates

Travelers is generally cheaper across multiple categories, though Progressive's average rate of $104 per month certainly isn't too expensive.


Progressive vs. Travelers: pricing by credit score

If you have extremely bad credit, Travelers could be a slightly better option. On average, Travelers is somewhat cheaper than Progressive for drivers with credit scores of less than 580. Drivers with exceptional credit — a score of 800 or better — should likewise consider Travelers. Below you'll find average insurance rates by credit level for companies.

 

CREDIT SCORE INSURANCE RATE COMPARISON: PROGRESSIVE VS. TRAVELERS
Credit level Progressive avg. annual premium Travelers avg. annual premium
Very Poor (300-579) $3,602 $3,224
Fair (580-669) $2,127 $1,773
Good (670-739) $1,708 $1,375
Very Good (740-799) $1,453 $1,182
Exceptional (800-850) $1,320 $1,069

The Zebra’s auto insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

Progressive vs. Travelers: rates for high-risk drivers

If you have a DUI or reckless driving citation in your recent history, Travelers could be a better option than Progress. Remember that every car insurance company rates driving offenses differently, so compare quotes from a number of insurers to discover which best suits you.

 

RATES BY VIOLATION: PROGRESSIVE VS. TRAVELERS
Citation Progressive avg. annual premium Travelers avg. annual premium
At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) $2,720 n/a
At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) $2,245 n/a
DUI/DWI $2,201 $2,004
Reckless driving $2,457 n/a
Speeding ticket $2,091 $1,752

Progressive vs. Travelers: rates by age bracket

Car insurance companies rely on age to estimate risk, pricing policies accordingly. Because of their inexperience behind the wheel, auto insurers tend to charge much for young drivers, especially when compared to older drivers. Because every insurance company prices age tiers in a different way, it's wise to compare rates and find a suitable policy.

In general, teen drivers should choose Travelers over Progressive, with the potential to save an average of over $4,600 per year.

 

COMPARING AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY AGE: PROGRESSIVE VS. TRAVELERS
Age Progressive avg. annual premium Travelers avg. annual premium
Teens $8,248 $3,622
20s $2,287 $1,645
30s $1,646 $1,348
40s $1,644 $1,237
50s $1,542 $1,167
60s $1,403 $1,165

 

Affordability aside, both Progressive and Travelers have their pros and cons. These can include discounts, additional coverages, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Make sure to do your comparisons before making your final decision.

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Ratings comparison: Progressive vs. Travelers

When looking for a new car insurance policy, it's important to look beyond price alone. Cheaper companies may not always provide the greatest customer service or may suffer from poor coverage options. To help you narrow down your search, we've compiled ratings from some of the most trusted sources in insurance, including The Zebra, to help you get a better picture of how Progressive and Travelers compare. See ratings for these two companies below.

Progressive vs. Travelers
Ratings comparison Progressive Travelers
Financial strength (A.M. Best) Superior Superior
JD Power (claims satisfaction) Below Average Average
JD Power (customer satisfaction) Below Average Below average
NAIC rating Good Good
The Zebra's editorial review score 4/5 4/5
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey 4.3/5 4.3/5

Which company scores best?

Tie


The two companies are reasonably close in most ratings, meaning that either would likely offer a reasonably good experience.


The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey

To get a better sense of how customers viewed the level of service they received from their insurance companies, The Zebra surveyed the best car insurance companies across a wide range of topics. Below you can see how customers viewed their experiences with both Progressive and Travelers.

Survey logo
Progressive

Progressive car insurance placed among the top five companies overall with a score of 4.3, signifying that customers are generally pleased with the level of service they receive from the company. The company place in the top three for online satisfaction, indicating that Progressive's website and app selection are considered quite valuable by its customers.

  • Top five overall for car insurance
  • Top three for online satisfaction
  • Among the top five companies for home and auto bundling
survey logo
Travelers

Travelers auto insurance came in sixth place overall (out of 15 carriers) with a score of 4.3. The company scored well in most categories. See highlights below.

  • Scored well in Online Satisfaction (4.4)
  • In the top 5 for Claims and Customer Service Satisfaction

The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey methodology

Methodology:

These results are based on a survey of 2,722 U.S. insurance policyholders assessing satisfaction with their car and homeowners insurance providers. The survey was conducted using Survey Monkey and designed by our in-house team. It aimed to collect detailed insights from a census-balanced sample reflecting age, gender, and region.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire included demographic questions about age and gender identification and detailed inquiries into insurance experiences. Key topics:

  • Duration with insurance provider and coverage specifics, including teen drivers.
  • Claim filing experiences and satisfaction with claims handling.
  • Customer service interactions, trust in providers, and likelihood of recommending their insurance.
  • Use and satisfaction with digital tools and usage-based insurance programs.

Respondents rated their satisfaction on a Likert scale from 1 to 10 and provided qualitative feedback.

Data Analysis

Data were analyzed focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics to identify satisfaction trends and demographic impacts. Data cleaning and weighting were applied to ensure accuracy, alongside strict confidentiality protocols to protect data security.


Progressive vs. Travelers: discount comparison

A good way to save money on your car insurance premiums is to consider auto insurance discounts. Take a look at the discount options from both Progressive and Travelers in the table below.

Progressive vs. Travelers: discount comparison
Discount comparison Progressive Travelers
Good student ✓ ✓
Multiple policies ✓ ✓
Multiple vehicles ✓ ✓
Anti-theft device(s)
Anti-lock brake system
Air bags
Good driver ✓
Defensive driver
Student away at school ✓ ✓
Driver training ✓
Green vehicles ✓
Affinity membership alum ✓
Advanced purchase ✓
Pay in full ✓ ✓
Home owner ✓ ✓
eSign or ePay
Telematics ✓ ✓
New Vehicle ✓
Annual Mileage ✓
Military
Continuous coverage ✓

Telematics options: Progressive vs. Travelers

Telematics programs offer safe drivers the chance to lower their premiums by having their driving habits monitored by their insurer. This helps the insurance company better determine the level of risk that a driver poses, which could in turn bring your rates down. Both Progressive and Travelers offer telematics options that are worth considering. Compare each company's telematics programs below.

Progressive telematics logo
Progressive Snapshot

Snapshot is Progressive's telematics option. The app tracks drivers' behavior while behind the wheel (including hard braking, speeding, and more) to give a more accurate level of risk. Good drivers stand to save an average of $145 on their premium according to the company.

Travelers IntelliDrive® logo
Travelers IntelliDrive®

Travelers IntelliDrive offers safe drivers the opportunity to save up to 20%. Participating policyholders must download a mobile app that tracks your driving habits for 90 days, after which time you might see savings. Bear in mind that this program is not available in all states.

Zebra tip: Consider telematics offerings from both companies


The telematics options from both Progressive and Travlers could offer safe drivers a way to save money.


Roadside assistance: Progressive vs. Travelers

No one wants to be stranded on the side of the road after a breakdown. If you are, however, you'll definitely appreciate a good roadside assistance program. Compare the different optional programs provided by both Progressive and Travelers below.

Progressive

Progressive partners with a company called Agero to provide roadside assistance. These services can be used for your car, boat, motorcycle or RV. When added to your policy, Progressive's roadside assistance program offers the following:

  • Fuel delivery
  • Flat-tire changes
  • Battery jump-start
  • Battery recharge for EVs
  • Lock-out services
  • On-scene labor
  • Winching services

 

Travelers

Travelers offers two tiers of Roadside assistance, both available 24-hours a day. Have a look at how each package compares below:

Plan features Basic plan Premier Roadside Assistance
Towing

Yes (up to 15 miles)                            

Yes (up to 100 miles)
Jump starts

Yes

Yes
Fuel Delivery

Yes

Yes
Flat tire change

Yes

Yes
Lockout services

Yes

Yes
Winching services

Yes

Yes
Trip interruption coverage*

No

Yes
Personal property coverage**

No

Yes

 

*Covers up to $200 per day, up to a maximum of $600

** Provides $500 of coverage for personal property damaged or stolen

tow truck

Progressive vs. Travelers: home insurance

Progressive and Travelers both offer homeowners insurance. Customers can purchase stand-alone policies or bundle coverage together with auto or other insurance products types. In general, Progressive has a much larger presence in the auto insurance space than it does homeowners, and some policyholders may find its policy options lacking. Travelers has long been popular in home insurance and offers robust options that most homeowners will find sufficient.

Progressive homeowners insurance review

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Progressive offers homeowners insurance in all 50 states plus Washington D.C. While the company provides basic coverage options, homeowners looking for more robust policies might find Progressive's options lacking. 

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3.5 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
Get a Quote at Progressive
  • The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey – 4.1/5: While a rating above 4 stars is sufficient, Progressive home ranked last overall among the 15 carriers surveyed.
  • J.D. Power Rating – Below average: J.D. Power rates Progressive auto insurance as below-average in overall customer satisfaction. 
  • Financial Strength – Superior: A "Superior" financial strength rating from AM Best shows Progressive has a solid ability to pay out claims.
  • NAIC Rating– Poor: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received significantly more customer complaints than average regarding Progressive homeowners insurance in 2020.

Travelers homeowners review

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Similar to its auto coverage, Travelers has a large footprint in the home insurance space. The company has a variety of coverage options, discounts and add-ons, and boasts reasonable rates overall. However, the company's homeowners offering didn't do quite as well in The Zebra Customers Satisfaction Survey. Find out more about the company and its ratings below.

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3.5 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
Learn more
  • The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.3/5: Travelers received a 4.3 out of 5 in The Zebra's survey of customer satisfaction, 14th out of 15 companies.
  • Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Average: In J.D. Power's most recent property claims satisfaction report, Travelers came in just below the industry average.
  • Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: Travelers fell below the industry average in J.D. Power's customer satisfaction study.
  • Financial strength — Excellent: According to AM Best, Travelers has strong financials and will be able to handle your claims.
  • NAIC Rating — Good: Fewer complaints were logged by the NAIC in regards to Travelers' homeowners insurance, falling just below the national complaint index.

Which company comes out on top?

Tie


While Progressive may not offer the most robust coverage, Travelers' low customer satisfaction scores do little to set it apart. Still, customers may find that either company could be sufficient for their homeowners insurance needs and should seek quotes from each.


Progressive vs. Travelers: home insurance rate comparison

Homeowners insurance rates can vary depending on your location, your claims history, and the company that you choose. Progressive's average yearly home insurance rate is $1,355, breaking down to just under $113 per month. Travelers comes in somewhat higher with an average of $1,500 per year.

Remember that while cost is an important factor when shopping for homeowners insurance, it's most important to have good coverage from an insurer that you can trust.

Dollar sign medal
Cheapest average rates

Progressive is the cheaper home insurance option with an average rate of $113 per month.

The Zebra’s homeowners insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.


Progressive vs. Travelers: homeowners discount comparison

For eligible policyholders, home insurance discounts can be a great way to save your home insurance coverage. Both Progressive and Travelers offer homeowners discounts to eligible policyholders. See how they compare below.

PROGRESSIVE VS. TRAVELERS: HOMEOWNERS DISCOUNT COMPARISON
Discount comparison Progressive Travelers
Claims free ✓
Recent home buyer ✓ ✓
Multi-policy ✓ ✓
Newer/more durable roof
Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) ✓ ✓
Paid in full ✓
Auto pay ✓
New home consturction ✓
Gated community
Home renovation
Green home ✓

Other insurance products and bundling options

Both Progressive and Travelers have options for bundling policy types. Have a look at the different product offerings available from each company to see if they could meet all of your insurance needs.

Progressive vs. Travelers: Other insurance products
Other products Progressive Travelers
Boat insurance ✓ ✓
Condo insurance ✓ ✓
Life insurance ✓
Homeowners insurance ✓ ✓
Travel trailer insurance ✓
Renters insurance ✓ ✓
RV insurance ✓
Motorcycle insurance ✓ ✓
Mobile home insurance ✓
Umbrella ✓ ✓
ATV insurance ✓ ✓
Pet insurance ✓ ✓
Commercial insurance ✓

In general, both Progressive and Travelers offer a wide selection of additional coverages. Progressive is a major carrier for many types of commercial insurance, including for both automobiles and small businesses. For those who use their vehicles for commercial purposes (delivery or rideshare drivers), Progressive could be the better option.

Find the best insurance policy for your needs.

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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.