Progressive Snapshot Review: Potentially Reduce Your Premiums

From its easy online quote tools to its ads featuring Flo, Progressive has a major presence in the insurance industry. For those looking to lower their premiums and better understand their driving habits, the Progressive Snapshot program can be appealing; the company says safe drivers could save hundreds of dollars each year.

However, it's not for everyone. Not all drivers will reduce their car insurance rates, and there are some privacy concerns to consider.

In this Progressive Snapshot review, learn about the pros and cons of the program so you can make an informed decision about whether to enroll or not.

Key takeaways

• Progressive Snapshot is a form of usage-based auto insurance that tracks driving habits through a mobile app or plug-in device.
• Progressive Snapshot drivers see average savings of $231 per year.
• There's a participation discount just for signing up.
• Avoiding late-night driving, hard braking and acceleration, and phone use can help maximize your Progressive Snapshot discount.

What is Progressive Snapshot?

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Progressive is the second-largest private passenger auto insurer in the country based on direct premiums written; only State Farm is larger. The company has expanded and grown over the past decade, partly thanks to its innovation and adoption of technology.

Progressive Snapshot is a usage-based insurance (UBI) program. Rather than basing your premiums on factors like your age, gender, or credit history, this telematics program looks at how risky your driving habits are.

If you're trying to find the best rates for car insurance and you tend to drive safely, you could save a significant amount of money by enrolling in a UBI program like Progressive Snapshot. According to Progressive, customers can qualify for a discount averaging $169 just for signing up for the program. After that, the program tracks your driving and recalculates your premiums, and some Progressive Snapshot drivers save hundreds.

How Progressive Snapshot works

As a form of UBI, Progressive Snapshot uses a plug-in telematics device or a mobile app to monitor drivers. The device or app provides continual information about how often you get behind the wheel and how aggressively you drive, giving the insurance company a more accurate idea of how much risk you pose of getting into an accident and filing a claim.

There are three main stages to Progressive's Snapshot.

Enrolling in the program

If you have a traditional Progressive car insurance policy or want to switch insurers, the first step is to contact a Progressive agent or get a quote online and choose to participate in the Progressive Snapshot program.

Depending on where you live, you may have the option of downloading a mobile app or using a plug-in device that Progressive mails to you. In most states, you can qualify for a discount just for enrolling. (The participation discount isn't available in Hawaii or New York.)

[Progressive Snapshot isn't available in all states. Residents of California are ineligible.]

Tracking your driving

Whether you use the Progressive Snapshot plug-in device or the mobile app, the insurance company tracks the following types of driving data.

• The amount of time you spend on the road
• Hard braking, or how often you decrease your speed by about 7 mph per second or faster
• Quick acceleration, or how often you increase your speed by about 9 mph per second or faster
• Your typical driving schedule and the regularity of your routine
• The times of day you drive
• Your mobile phone usage while the car is in motion

Consider these examples.

• Sam has a 15-mile commute to work five days a week, but he lives in a high-traffic area. As a result, he's behind the wheel for about an hour each day — at the same time every day — and he often has to brake hard in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
• Pat also has a 15-mile commute, but he only has to go into the office three days a week, and his office is in a suburb. With less traffic, he spends less time in the car with less hard braking and acceleration.

Even though these drivers have the same commute length, Pat would likely pay less for coverage by joining the Progressive Snapshot program because he has less hard braking and spends less time on the road than Sam does.

Monitoring your progress

With the Progressive app, you can view a log of all your past trips, and each trip will contain details about where you slammed the brakes, accelerated rapidly, or used your phone while driving. Based on your vehicle usage, the insurance company will make recommendations about how to improve your driving (and, consequently, lower your car insurance premiums).

If you have the plug-in device, you can sign in to the Progressive website to view your trip information. Plus, the device provides real-time feedback for hard braking; every time you slam the brakes, the device will beep.

Whether you use the app or device, the Progressive Snapshot program can make you more aware of your driving habits, and you can use that information to become a safer driver.

How much can the program impact car insurance costs?

According to Insurify, the average cost of a full coverage auto insurance policy through Progressive was $149 per month or $1,788 per year. Assuming you paid the average rate for full coverage and qualified for the average $231 Progressive Snapshot discount, your premiums would drop to $1,557 per year — a reduction of around 13%.

However, results and savings will vary by driver. Those who engage in riskier or more aggressive driving behaviors may actually see a rate increase. This happens to 20% of drivers, according to Progressive's data.

Ways to maximize your Progressive Snapshot discount

To get the most value out of the Progressive Snapshot program, follow these tips.

• Avoid hard braking and acceleration: When driving in heavy traffic, keep a good distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you don't have to brake hard to avoid an accident. Also, accelerate gradually and smoothly to get up to speed rather than slam on your gas pedal.
• Stay off your phone: Avoid using your phone so you can reduce the chances of getting into an accident. If you struggle with not using your phone, put it in the trunk or backseat so you can't reach it.
• Drive less at night: Night driving increases the risks of accidents for drivers of all ages. Avoiding driving late, such as between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m., can help you save money.
• Check your habits: Use the app or online portal to view your past trips and review your driving habits. You may be surprised to find that you always slam the brakes at a certain spot or tend to use your phone on your drive home from work. With that feedback, you can make adjustments and address these habits to improve your driving.

What are some drawbacks of enrolling?

Although the Progressive Snapshot program can be a useful way to save money on car insurance, it's not for everyone.

Some drivers will see an increase in rates. If you tend to drive late at night, have a long commute, or know that you often accelerate quickly or brake hard, you may see your premiums go up. In those scenarios, a traditional policy may be a better match.

There are also privacy concerns. Progressive's terms and conditions for the Snapshot program state that the insurer may share your information with third parties. Some of them could market companies' products or services to you.

How to determine if Progressive Snapshot is right for you

Progressive Snapshot can be a good option if you drive fewer-than-average miles, mainly drive during the day, and avoid using your phone while driving. But if you're on the road often for work or you work the night shift, the Progressive Snapshot program may not be the right fit.

Depending on your situation, you might get cheaper premiums by having a traditional policy and taking advantage of multi-policy discounts or accident-free discounts. Certain policy changes, such as raising your deductible or lowering coverage amounts, can also reduce costs. You can learn more about the insurer's options in our Progressive auto insurance review.

FAQs

Bottom line

UBI programs like Progressive Snapshot can be useful ways to reduce your car insurance premiums, freeing up cash for your other expenses or financial goals. With its simple signup process and discount opportunities, Progressive Snapshot can be worth trying if you're a good driver who avoids behaviors that can potentially raise rates.

However, Progressive isn't the only provider offering UBI coverage. As with traditional insurance, it's a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from several car insurance companies to find the best car insurance rates for you and your family.