- Progressive is a reputable insurance provider known for offering an array of coverage options to drivers.
- USAA is one of the most affordable car insurance providers in the industry, though it only offers coverage for military members, veterans, and their families
- Read our comparison between these two providers to make the best choice for your auto insurance needs.
Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products in this article.
Each car insurance company has its share of pros and cons. If you’re considering USAA vs. Progressive for a new auto insurance policy, you’re already on the right track. USAA and Progressive are two of the highest-rated companies in our review of the nation’s best car insurance, each offering a variety of choices for insurance coverage at a reasonable price. But when you compare Progressive vs. USAA, which is right for you?
Below, we’ll see how USAA and Progressive stack up against one another. Because every driver is unique, we recommend getting auto insurance quotes from both and comparing results. In addition to the insurer you choose, factors like your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect the price you pay.
USAA vs. Progressive Highlights
USAA and Progressive are two of the biggest insurers in the industry for a reason. We found USAA to be the best car insurance for veterans, active military personnel, and their families, while Progressive car insurance is a great option for high-risk drivers and drivers in their 20s.
| USAA | Progressive | |
| Superlative | Best for Military | Best for Accident-Prone Drivers |
| Overall Rating | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Coverage | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Affordability | 4.8 | 3.9 |
| Customer Service | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Availability | For military members, available in 50 states | No restrictions, available in 50 states |
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A++ | A+ |
| J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction | 890/1,000 | 870/1,000 |
| Mobile App Google Play Rating | 4.0 | 4.6 |
USAA vs. Progressive: Coverage
USAA and Progressive both offer standard coverage and more. When you’re deciding how much car insurance you need, consider the minimum requirements in your state and your own driving history.
You can get the standard types of auto insurance with either USAA or Progressive. Here’s a quick look at what standard coverage encompasses:
- Liability auto insurance: Bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) liability insurance cover other motorists after you cause an accident. Unless you live in New Hampshire or Virginia, a certain amount of liability insurance is required to drive legally in your state.
- Collision insurance: This type of protection covers the damages your car sustains in an accident, no matter which party is at fault.
- Comprehensive car insurance: This type of coverage protects you when your vehicle is damaged by a non-collision event like hazardous weather, animals, vandalism, or theft.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): PIP covers your medical expenses and those of your passengers after an accident. It can also take care of lost wages and funeral expenses.
- Medical payments (MedPay): MedPay covers your medical expenses and those of your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): This type of insurance protects you in the case that you get into an accident with a motorist who doesn’t have sufficient insurance and consequently can’t cover your expenses.
USAA vs. Progressive: Additional Coverage
Both providers also offer add-ons, which can be purchased in addition to the standard coverage mentioned above. Here are a few extra coverage options offered by USAA vs. Progressive:
| USAA | Progressive | |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside Assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Towing Services | Yes | Yes |
| Rental Car Reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Accident Forgiveness | Yes | Yes |
| Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Insurance | Yes | |
| Custom Parts and Equipment Value | Yes | |
| Deductible Savings Bank | Yes |
USAA vs. Progressive: Cost
Our research shows that USAA tends to be more affordable than Progressive. According to our rate estimates, drivers with a good credit score and clean driving record pay an average of $1,179 per year for a full coverage policy with USAA compared with $1,528 per year with Progressive.
However, your car insurance costs will vary based on your individual situation. The quickest way to find out how much you will pay for USAA or Progressive car insurance is to get quotes for both. This is because quotes vary depending on a number of factors beyond the auto insurance provider you choose.
USAA vs. Progressive Car Insurance Discounts
If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, both USAA and Progressive have long lists of discounts that you could qualify for to get a better rate. Let’s take a closer look at discounts from USAA vs. Progressive:
| USAA | Progressive | |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Policy | Yes | Yes |
| Good Student | Yes | Yes |
| Safe Driver | Yes | Yes |
| Military Discount | Yes | |
| Anti-Theft | Yes | |
| Continuous Insurance | Yes | |
| Teen Driver | Yes | |
| Student Away at School | Yes | |
| Homeowner | Yes | |
| Online Quote | Yes | |
| Sign Online | Yes | |
| Paperless | Yes | |
| Pay in Full | Yes | |
| Automatic Payment | Yes | |
| Defensive Driving | Yes | |
| Driver Training | Yes | |
| New Vehicle | Yes | |
| Annual Mileage | Yes | |
| Vehicle Storage | Yes | |
| Military Installation | Yes | |
| Family Discount | Yes | |
| Length of Membership Savings | Yes |
Comparing Progressive vs. USAA, both companies have usage-based insurance programs that work through mobile apps. Progressive’s Snapshot and USAA’s SafePilotTM monitor your driving habits, including how hard you brake and how quickly you accelerate. Safe driving will get you discounts with either insurer.
USAA vs. Progressive: Quotes And Claims
To get a quote from USAA or Progressive, you can visit their websites or call to speak with your local insurance agent.
Progressive has some top-of-the-line tools to help you in the quotes process, including a quotes comparison tool that lets you see how Progressive’s rates compare to other auto insurance companies. There’s also the signature Name Your Price? tool. Just input how much you would like to pay for car insurance, and Progressive will show you plans that fit within your budget.
Comparing Progressive vs. USAA, USAA does not have any comparable tools. However, the provider did perform higher in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study?. The study measured customer satisfaction in terms of price, distribution channel, and policy offerings during the quotes process. USAA received a score of 875 out of a possible 1,000 points, while Progressive earned 859.
When it comes to claims, it’s important to look into each company’s processing speed and customer service reviews, because when you’re involved in an auto accident, the last thing you want to worry about is your insurance not being cooperative.
If you are already a USAA or Progressive policyholder, you can file a claim online or over the phone.
| USAA Claims Services: | 800-531-8669 |
| Progressive Claims Services: | 800-776-4737 |
USAA vs. Progressive: Ratings And Reviews
USAA and Progressive both have their fair share of positive customer reviews. But before we see what customers have to say, let’s compare industry ratings for Progressive vs. USAA.
| USAA | Progressive | |
|---|---|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating | A+ | A+ |
| BBB Complaints Closed in Last Year | 1,350 | 1,902 |
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A++ (Superior) | A+ (Superior) |
USAA Customer Reviews
Positive customer reviews from USAA mention excellent customer service experiences that go above and beyond customers’ expectations. As with most car insurance companies, there are some negative comments as well. Several dissatisfied customers have had trouble with USAA’s claims process.
“They have always [done] the right thing by me, even when it wasn’t in [USAA’s] best interest. I have long said that if you have to be in an accident, pray the other driver has USAA insurance.”
– Matt H. via BBB
“I filed [an] accident claim where the USAA insurer was at fault. Upon providing multiple [forms of] evidence, they still denied the claim saying they couldn’t contact the insurer. Feels very shady either by the company or both.”
– Anand via BBB
Progressive Customer Reviews
When you compare USAA vs. Progressive in terms of reviews, the auto insurance companies are in a tight race. It’s not hard to find positive remarks about Progressive, like how representatives have helped drivers through the claims process. On the other hand, negative reviews mention unexpected rate increases.
“The day I put my claim in, [the agent] called back within a half hour… She got an adjuster out to me the very next day I arrived home. Outstanding customer service so far in regards to a situation that would have left my family and me heartbroken otherwise. Well done.”
– Rena B. via BBB
“Rates will go up monthly, even with a spotless driving record. If you cancel your policy, getting a refund is like pulling teeth. I would never recommend this company to my greatest enemy. Buyer beware.”
– Mariah W. via BBB
Our Take On USAA vs. Progressive
USAA and Progressive are both top-level auto insurance providers that offer reliable coverage and many discount opportunities. While USAA stands out in terms of cost and customer satisfaction, it is only available to military members and their families. Progressive is a good alternative for those who don’t qualify for a USAA policy.
Progressive has comprehensive coverage and an extensive list of discounts that can save you money on car insurance. Plus, we found Progressive to be a great option for drivers in their 20s and high-risk drivers, who may have a speeding ticket or DUI on record.
If you qualify, we recommend getting car insurance quotes for both USAA and Progressive. Learn more about the insurers in our complete USAA insurance review and Progressive insurance review.
Other Top Car Insurance Companies
When looking for a new car insurance provider, it’s smart to shop around and compare quotes from multiple sources before committing to a car insurance policy. Rounding out our top four auto insurers with USAA and Progressive are household names Geico and State Farm.
Why You Should Consider Geico
When we researched more than 30 major car insurance companies across the nation, Geico auto insurance emerged as one of the best overall. Geico offers standard coverage, plus roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance.
You can get great discounts with Geico, too. Here are a few ways to save:
- Safe driver discount
- Student driver discount
- Military discount
- Discount for drivers with an accident-free driving record
- Loyal customer discount
- And more
For more information, check out our Geico review.
Why You Should Consider State Farm
The largest auto insurance company in the nation, State Farm is one of our top choices for car insurance for its variety of coverage options and a high number of discounts for students. State Farm offers standard auto insurance, as well as roadside assistance, rental and travel expense coverage, and rideshare insurance.
With State Farm’s Drive Safe And Save™ program, you can get a discount when State Farm monitors your safe driving habits via a mobile app. There’s also the Steer Clear® app that helps drivers under 25 years old drive safely and save on auto insurance.
For more information, check out our State Farm insurance review.
USAA vs. Progressive: FAQ
Is USAA better than Progressive?
Our research shows USAA offers great service for military members and their families, but the company has strict standards for eligibility. Progressive may be able to provide similar pricing and help save you money depending on the level of coverage and claims history.
Is Progressive insurance cheaper than USAA?
We rate Progressive as the best insurance company for high-risk drivers, and the provider can be a smart choice if you’ve been in an at-fault accident. That said, the price of an insurance policy will depend on the vehicle, driver, location, and discounts.
Is USAA owned by Progressive?
The financial services company Charles Schwab acquired USAA in 2019, according to CNBC.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best car insurance providers.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team considers auto insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services and discount opportunities when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car insurance company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, financial strength, and years in business when giving this score.
- Availability: Auto insurers with greater state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Customer Service: Reputable car insurance providers operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We consider complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), J.D. Power claims servicing scores, and customer feedback.
- Online Experience: Insurers with easy-to-use websites and highly rated mobile apps scored best in this category.
