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Progressive is a car insurance company available in all 50 states with mostly competitive rates, especially if you're an older driver. It has a lot of insurance coverages, including some specialty coverages that other companies don't have. However, it doesn't have a ton of discounts compared to other insurance companies.
USAA is also available nationwide, but it only provides coverage to active military members, veterans, and their families. If that applies to you, USAA is a good car insurance company with lower-than-average prices and high claims satisfaction marks.
For most people comparing USAA and Progressive, Progressive is the best choice since it's available to anyone. However, if you qualify for USAA, I recommend getting a quote and seeing how much you can save.
How we evaluate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
USAA pros and cons
- Premiums generally lower than the national average
- Military-specific discounts available
- High claims satisfaction ratings
- Only available to current military, veterans, and their families
- Drivers may find more discount options with a competitor
- Doesn't have as many coverage options as some companies
Learn more in our USAA review
Progressive pros and cons
- Below average number of complaints on the NAIC's Complaint Index
- Offers loan/lease payoff coverage
- Pricing is generally lower than the national average
- Second-to-last for claims satisfaction from J.D. Power
- Drivers with poor credit may pay more
- Roadside assistance is an add-on expense
Learn more in our Progressive review
Which company is better?
| USAA | Progressive | |
| AM Best | A++ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | 726 out of 1,000 | 672 out of 1,000 |
| BBB | A+ | A+ |
| NAIC complaints (private passenger) | 0.96 (Private Passenger) | 0.97 (Private Passenger) |
Both Progressive and USAA earned A+ ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). AM Best, which measures an insurance company's financial stability and ability to pay claims, gave Progressive an A+ rating and USAA an A++. That means both are financially sound and can pay claims.
However, while Progressive earned a lower-than-average score in the J.D. Power 2024 Claims Satisfaction survey, USAA was well above average. Progressive earned 672 out of 1,000 while USAA was 54 points higher, earning 726. The survey average was 697.
Interestingly, both earned similar scores on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index based on marketwide data. The index is expressed as a score of 1.00, and found that both USAA and Progressive received fewer than expected complaints in 2024. Progressive scored 0.97 in 2024 while USAA just edged past Progressive with a score of 0.96.
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Which company is cheaper?
I compare insurance companies about twice a year and occasionally include Progressive. It generally has higher premiums than my current insurance company, so I typically don't go further than requesting a quote.
Since I'm not part of the military, I can't get a quote from USAA. However, USAA's rates are generally among the lowest available, according to data from Insurify. Although Progressive's rates may be closer to USAA's for senior drivers specifically, USAA is usually significantly cheaper across the board.
Here's a look at how USAA's average rates across driver type:
| Driver type | USAA liability-only monthly premium | USAA full-coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $50 | $99 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $60 | $120 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $62 | $125 |
| DUI on driving record | $72 | $144 |
| Teen driver | $90 | $179 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $38 | $75 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $38 | $76 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
And here are Progressive's for comparison:
| Driver type | Progressive liability-only monthly premium | Progressive full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $105 | $171 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $118 | $170 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $130 | $189 |
| DUI on driving record | $160 | $232 |
| Teen driver | $177 | $257 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $58 | $85 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $59 | $85 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Clean driving record
If you have a clean driving record, USAA customers pay an average of $99 monthly for full coverage, compared to $171 monthly with Progressive. Liability-only coverage with USAA costs a monthly average of $50 while Progressive averages $105 monthly.
Average rate:
Speeding ticket on driving record
If you're wondering how to lower your car insurance, avoiding speeding tickets and other moving violations is a good place to start. Multiple speeding tickets can lead to higher auto insurance prices. Progressive charges an average of $170 a month after a speeding ticket, compared to $120 from USAA. If you only want liability coverage, you can expect to pay an average of $118 a month with Progressive or $60 a month with USAA.
At-fault accident on driving record
Similarly, an accident on your record will likely increase your car insurance premium, no matter which company you select. USAA's liability-only coverage after an accident averages $62 a month and $125 for full coverage. Comparatively, Progressive's liability-only coverage averages $130 a month, and its full coverage car insurance costs, on average, $189 monthly.
DUI on driving record
Driving impaired is not only dangerous, it can be really expensive. With USAA, a DUI conviction will raise your rates to a monthly average of $144 for full coverage and $72 for liability-only.
Progressive is significantly more expensive, charging an average of $232 per month for full coverage and $160 for liability-only with a DUI on your record.
Teen driver
Teen drivers and their parents typically pay more for their insurance than older drivers. However, if you use USAA, you'll likely pay less than Progressive. USAA teen drivers pay an average of $179 monthly for full coverage and $90 a month for liability. Comparatively, Progressive is much higher for teen insurance, averaging $257 and $177 monthly, respectively.
Senior driver
While insurance rates are based on various factors, older drivers typically pay the least for car insurance. With USAA, people in their 60s may pay as little as $38 a month on average for liability-only coverage and $75 for full coverage. On the other hand, senior drivers who use Progressive pay on average $58 for liability-only and $85 for full coverage.
Discounts
If you qualify for USAA coverage, I highly recommend getting a quote since it can be a great way to save money on car insurance.
USAA has many standard discounts and multiple discounts specifically for the military. For instance, you can save up to 15% if you garage your car on base while deployed. You'll also be eligible for USAA perks, which offer discounts and deals on shopping, car repair, car rentals, and travel.
While Progressive has some general discounts, it doesn't have as many as some other insurance companies. For example, unlike USAA, Progressive doesn't offer a military discount or a discount for taking a defensive driving course.
| Discount | Does USAA have it? | Does Progressive have it? |
| Loyalty | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | No | No |
| Anti-lock brakes | No | No |
| Anti-theft | Yes | No |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | No | Yes |
| New car | Yes | No |
| Pay in full | No | Yes |
| Automatic payments | No | Yes |
| GAP insurance | No | No |
| Senior | No | No |
| Military | Yes | No |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | No |
Snapshot vs. SafePilot
Telematics programs offer drivers a potentially lower insurance premium based on their safe driving habits. However, you usually have to let your insurance company monitor your driving through a plug-in device or provide access to your phone through an app running in the background. I worry about privacy with these programs, so I don't participate.
However, if it appeals to you, both Progressive and USAA have telematics programs.
Progressive offers the Snapshot program. Users must install a plug-in device to track their driving habits. In some states, drivers can use a mobile app that runs in the background instead. People with safe driving habits might see savings on their insurance premiums. However, if you frequently drive late at night, brake or accelerate quickly, or drive more than average, your rates might increase instead.
USAA offers the SafePilot program through a phone app. Once downloaded, the app runs in the background of your phone and monitors your driving habits. After you sign up, you're eligible for a 10% discount at first and up to 30% based on your driving metrics at renewal. Tips for better driving metrics include reducing the number of times you touch your phone while driving, enrolling all drivers on your policy, limiting phone calls while driving, and slowing down earlier to reduce harsh braking.
Coverage
When it comes to coverage types, both USAA and Progressive offer typical coverage options like liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. However, Progressive typically offers more specialty coverages than USAA, like rideshare insurance and loan/lease payoff insurance. Progressive also provides insurance for other vehicles like ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, and classic cars.
| Coverage | Does USAA have it? | Does Progressive have it? |
| Liability | Yes | Yes |
| Collision | Yes | Yes |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes |
| Medical Payments coverage (MedPay) | Yes | Yes |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | Yes | Yes |
| Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | In some areas | Yes |
| Rental car reimbursement | In some areas | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | Gap coverage; not available in some areas | Yes |
| Accident Forgiveness | In some areas | Yes |
| Loan/Lease payoff | No, but does offer car replacement coverage | Yes |
FAQs
How do I contact USAA?
USAA members can contact a virtual agent for help by clicking the chat button on the USAA website. You can also call the main number at 1-210-531-USAA (8722) or 1-800-531-USAA (8722). Customers can try the shortcut mobile number #USAA (8722), although it may not work with all carriers.
How do I contact Progressive?
Progressive customer service is available at 1-888-671-4405 or through the Progressive.com chat feature. You can also ask for help through an email form on Progressive's website or by logging into your account through the Progressive app or website.
Does USAA partner with Progressive?
USAA partners with Progressive to offer motorcycle insurance. USAA's website shows that the two companies have worked closely together for over 30 years.
Bottom line
While USAA offers the best pricing and discounts, it's only available to a relatively small population. It also doesn't have as many coverage options as some other carriers. While Progressive is more expensive than USAA, it's available to most people.
No matter the insurance companies you're comparing, getting quotes from at least two other companies is worth it. That way, you ensure you get the best deal and the right coverage. As you look for the best car insurance, read customer reviews and pay attention to policy coverages and limits when comparing quotes.
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