Travelers vs. Progressive Auto Insurance: Which should you buy in 2024?

• Teen drivers will find cheaper rates with Progressive
• Those between 25 and 35 will find cheaper rates with Travelers
• Progressive is a better choice for those with a DUI, but not for those with a history of accidents
• Both Travelers and Progressive have reasonable rates for anyone with fair or bad credit

It’s nice to have options in life, and there are so many auto insurance companies to consider.

You probably know the basics now that you have landed here ready to narrow your two best contenders and choose the auto insurance company that will have your back when you need it.

Travelers and Progressive are both on the list of the best auto insurance companies, but how do they stack up when it comes to rates, discounts, consumer satisfaction and complaints, mobile apps, and financial strength?

Enter your ZIP code to start comparing multiple auto insurance companies in your local area.

Is Travelers or Progressive auto insurance cheaper based on age?

Wouldn’t you agree that as we age, we become more experienced? Auto insurance companies believe this, especially when it comes to determining your auto insurance rates. They believe the more years of experience driving we have, the more cautious and safe we are as drivers.

However, many don’t agree that it’s fair to base auto insurance rates on gender and marital status. Some states have outlawed this discriminatory practice, but not all.

Travelers vs Progressive Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Age, Gender, and Marital Status

Auto insurance rates with Progressive for young drivers will be cheaper than Travelers (7 to 25 percent cheaper). Alternatively, Progressive’s rates for drivers 25 to 35 are 11 to 16 percent more expensive than insurance rates with Travelers.

Otherwise, drivers over 35 can choose either Progressive or Travelers and still have a reasonable rate.

Expect to pay lower rates with Progressive if you have a teen driver in your household.

Is Travelers or Progressive auto insurance cheaper based on driving record?

No matter what auto insurance company you select, it’s a widely accepted fact that your auto insurance rates will increase if you get a speeding ticket, cause an accident, or get DUIs. The riskier a driver you are, the higher a liability you are. These two companies are no exception to this pattern.

Travelers vs Progressive Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Progressive tends to be more lenient on drivers that have a speeding ticket; however, Travelers has lower rates if you have an accident on your driving record.

Expect your rates to increase by 24 percent if you get a speeding ticket while with Travelers. They will also increase by 24 percent if you get a speeding ticket while with Progressive.

Travelers views a speeding ticket and an accident as equal offenses; it charges the same rate for both. Progressive, on the other hand, will almost double your rates for an accident.

But, if you have a DUI on your record, Progressive is a better choice initially. If you get a DUI while with Progressive, they increase your rates by only 17 percent. In the same scenario, you can expect your rates to increase by 67 percent with Travelers.

Is Travelers or Progressive auto insurance cheaper based on credit score?

Your credit score reflects your prior ability to manage your finances and make good choices as well as pay your bills on time. Auto insurance companies assume that the more financially responsible you are, the safer a driver you are.

We can all agree that a traumatic financial life event like a divorce or unexpected medical costs is likely to decrease your credit score.

Are those always personal choices? not exactly.

Just the same as gender and marital status, some states have banned auto insurance companies from basing rates on credit history. Let’s take a look at how Travelers and Progressive compare when it comes to rates based on credit score:

Travelers vs Progressive Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Score

No matter what type of credit history you have, Progressive has cheaper rates than Travelers.

Interestingly, though, both companies are fairly easy on drivers with shifting credit scores while insured with them. Most other auto insurance companies will double your rates if you experience a drop in your credit score.

When it’s time to renew your six-month policy,and you notice your rate has gone up, it could be because your credit score dropped.

Use your Travelers or Progressive account to make adjustments to your deductible and coverage levels, temporarily, if needed, to reduce your rate for the next six months while you work to improve your credit score. It’s good practice to check your credit report every six months anyway.

State laws determine much of how you will experience obtaining auto insurance coverage, so where you live is a very influential factor in determining your auto insurance rates.

Be sure to check your state auto insurance guide before judging Travelers and Progressive auto insurance rates by credit score.

Does Travelers or Progressive have better auto insurance discounts?

Every auto insurance company has its brand, and this tends to stem from its history. Similarly, the values and philosophies of an auto insurance company can influence what discounts an auto insurance company will offer.

This is why it pays to shop around. Let’s take a look at Travelers auto insurance discounts and Progressive auto insurance discounts.

Travelers vs Progressive Auto Insurance Discounts

Travelers offers nine more discounts than Progressive, but the two do share a few discounts still.

Whether you choose Travelers or Progressive, both offer a discount for participating in their usage-based auto insurance programs. You would save 30 percent with Travelers and 20 percent with Progressive by using their driving app or device that you install into your car.

But, if you aren’t interested in usage-based auto insurance, you still have excellent options in discounts. For example, with Travelers, you can save from 15 to 23 percent when you have continuous coverage, have been claim-free, are a safe driver, or have made payments on time.

What types of auto insurance coverages are offered by Travelers and Progressive?

Since both Travelers and Progressive are big contenders in terms of market share, they both likely offer the standard six coverages that are listed below in addition to many more.

• Liability auto insurance coverage – bodily injury and property damage
• Comprehensive auto insurance coverage
• Collision auto insurance coverage
• Uninsured/Underinsured auto insurance coverage
• Medical Payments (MedPay) auto insurance coverage – particularly important in states that require no-fault auto insurance
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance coverage

However, be sure to take a closer look at any specialty coverages such as rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, guaranteed auto protection (GAP), mechanical breakdown, and recreational vehicles such as ATVs or boats.

Does Travelers or Progressive have better auto insurance mobile apps?

Most of the top 10 auto insurance companies have mobile apps to make payments, adjust coverage levels, or show electronic verification of auto insurance coverage. However, most auto insurance companies have a separate app that is used for their usage-based auto insurance programs.

Usually, your Travelers insurance login or Progressive insurance login will work with both the general app and the driving app.

Read about Travelers’ IntelliDrive and Progressive’s Snapshot usage-based auto insurance apps in our Travelers company review and our Progressive company review.

Read More: Travelers IntelliDrive Review: Should you buy?

How do Travelers and Progressive compare in financial strength and customer satisfaction?

If auto insurance companies can judge their customers based on gender, marital status, and credit score, then it’s only fair customers get to judge them as well. We list ratings for Travelers and Progressive from the top agencies that judge the credibility of all auto insurance companies.

A.M. Best scores companies based on their ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations such as balancing premiums collected and claims paid. The highest score A.M. Best awards is Superior A++.

Consumer Reports collects annual data from its subscribers regarding customer satisfaction of the claims process, step by step. In their 2017 survey, 27 insurance companies were rated, and scores ranged between 86 to 96.

And the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) calculates a complaint ratio based on the total number of customers against the total number of complaints. In 2017, the national average complaint ratio was 1. The lower the ratio, the better.

Travelers vs Progressive Auto Insurance Ratings

Sadly, we couldn’t locate an A.M. Best financial strength rating for Travelers, but Progressive comes in strongly.

However, Travelers seems to be better at the claims process as evaluated by their customers. Additionally, Travelers has a lower complaint ratio than Progressive.

If you’re still unsure which company to choose, you can always use our free comparison tool to compare affordable auto insurance quotes in your area.