Why you can trust The Zebra
Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. A licensed insurance agent, she specializes in creating clear, accessible content t…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- Associate in Insurance (AINS)
- Professional Risk Consultant (PRC)
- Associate in Insurance Services (AIS)
Renata joined The Zebra in 2020 as a Customer Experience Agent. Since 2021, she has worked as a licensed insurance professional and content strategis…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- 5 years of experience in the insurance industry
Kristine joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer, with a property and casualty insurance license. Before joining The Ze…
Credentials
- Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
- 6+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry
What's the difference between Progressive and Travelers?
Choosing between Progressive and Travelers can feel like a close call since both insurers score well overall. But when we compared them directly, Travelers pulled ahead. Lower average rates, a strong Zebra review score, and comparable trust and reliability all contributed to its lead.
Compare personalized quotes from these companies and more to find the best rate.
How The Zebra evaluates insurance companies
| Rating | Explanation | Star rating equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Subpar | Lowest ranking, suggesting instability or high risk | 0-1.9 |
| Fair | Somewhat stable but not consistently reliable | 2-2.9 |
| Good | Generally dependable with moderate stability | 3-3.9 |
| Solid | Strong, reliable and dependable with minor risks | 4-4.4 |
| Exceptional | Highest rating, indicating outstanding stability and reliability | 4.5-5 |
Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies
The team of insurance experts at The Zebra evaluates companies by focusing on customer experience first, with an emphasis on service quality, reliability, and ease of interaction. Unlike previous models, pricing is not scored but is instead presented separately as context for comparison.
Each category has been scored using a combination of our internal customer satisfaction survey results and published scores from reputable organizations such as AM Best and J.D. Power.
- Service Accessibility & Support Quality (25%): This category measures how easy it is to get help when needed, evaluating factors such as support channel availability (phone, chat, in-person, app), response times, agent knowledge, service hours, and language accessibility.
- Claims Experience (25%): This category assesses how smoothly the claims process works, considering ease of filing (online, app, or phone), transparency and communication, processing times, and fairness in dispute resolution.
- Digital Experience & Policy Management (25%): This category evaluates the convenience of managing your policy: this includes mobile app usability, website experience, account management, digital document access, self-service options, and platform integrations
- Trust & Reliability (25%): This category looks at a company’s overall reliability, measuring financial strength, market stability, regulatory history, communication transparency, and consistency in policy terms.
Price context: Pricing varies significantly based on individual circumstances and risk factors. Customers can evaluate cost-effectiveness based on their specific situation and the service quality scores provided.
Progressive: Starts strong on savings, stumbles on satisfaction
✅ What customers like:
- Snapshot discount: Progressive's telematic device is well-liked by customers for its ability to lower premiums
- Affordable liability coverage: Progressive's average rate for a liability-only policy ($344) is one of the most affordable in the country.
🚫 What customers don't like:
- Rate hikes after claims: Customers report significant increases post-claim.
- Difficult or poor app experience: Progressive's app scores in the bottom percentile of insurance companies.
Travelers: Reliable agents, but slow claims and limited integration
✅ What customers like:
- Financial Strength Ratings: Strong ratings indicate the carrier can pay claims during major events.
- Agent Knowledge and Helpfulness: Knowledgeable agents resolve issues quickly with accurate information.
🚫 What customers don't like:
- Market Stability and Longevity: Unstable carriers may exit your market or face financial issues.
- Integration with Other Platforms: No integration means managing insurance separately from other accounts.
How much is car insurance with Progressive and Travelers?
Progressive charges $1,083 for a full coverage, 6-month auto policy; Travelers average rate for the same policy is $764.[1]
💡 The national average for a 6-month full coverage car insurance policy is $1,163. For liability-only, it's $406.
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| Company | Full Coverage | Liability | Difference from National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $1,083 | $351 | -2.3% ▼ |
| Travelers | $764 | $294 | -31.1% ▼ |
Source: The Zebra
Fetching your estimate
Here at The Zebra, we make it easy for you to find the right coverage—at the right price. We compare top companies so you can find what works for you.
We can also help you:
Location makes a huge difference in auto insurance costs, down to your ZIP code. Select your state from the drop-down list below to see average rates from Travelers and Progressive.
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| Coverage | Progressive | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| 50/100/50 BI/PD with $500 Deductible | $1,244 | $653 |
| State Minimum Liability Only | $398 | $235 |
Source: The Zebra
In most states, car insurance companies use your credit score to determine risk. Those with a lower credit score are often saddled with higher premiums, while improved credit tiers are rewarded with lower rates.
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Source: The Zebra
California, Hawaii, Michigan, and Massachusetts do not use credit scores in insurance ratings.
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| Age Group | Progressive | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| 16-19 | $2,542 | $2,098 |
| 20s | $1,570 | $1,105 |
| 30s | $1,093 | $719 |
| 40s | $1,093 | $805 |
| 50s | $890 | $684 |
| 60+ | $1,218 | $953 |
Source: The Zebra
Above all, insurance companies care about your driving history. This means accidents, tickets, lapses in coverage, and other violations. Drivers with many accidents pose a greater risk, and pay the price for it.
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Source: The Zebra
Does Progressive or Travelers offer better discounts?
🏆 Winner: Travelers
The gap is small, yet Travelers gains the advantage by offering more discount options and specialized programs that aren’t available through Progressive.
64% of Zebra customers say their insurer fails to proactively identify discounts for which they may be eligible.[2] Since those savings can significantly lower your premium, it’s worth factoring in when choosing a provider.
Take a look at the discount options from both Progressive and Travelers below.
Featured discounts at Progressive:
🚙 Name Your Price tool
🚙 Snapshot (telematics)
🚙 Accident forgiveness
Featured discounts at Travelers:
🚗 Electric Vehicle
🚗 Continuous Insurance
🚗 Good Student
| Discount comparison | Progressive | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Good student | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple policies | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple vehicles | ✓ | ✓ |
| Good driver | ||
| Defensive driver | ✓ | |
| Student away at school | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver training | ✓ | |
| Green vehicles | ✓ | |
| Affinity membership alum | ✓ | |
| Pay in full | ✓ | ✓ |
| Homeowner | ✓ | ✓ |
| Telematics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Military | ||
| Continuous coverage | ✓ | ✓ |
*Availability of discounts can sometimes vary by state. Contact your agent to verify availability and eligibility.
Progressive vs. Travelers additional coverage options
🏆 Winner: Travelers
Travelers includes a slightly broader mix of optional coverages than Progressive, which can make it a better choice for drivers with more specialized insurance needs.
Most insurance providers offer the same standard set of auto insurance coverages— liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments can be expected from Travelers and Progressive. These companies also offer additional, optional coverages to their customers:
| Coverage | Does Progressive offer it? | Does Travelers offer it? |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance |
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| Rideshare insurance |
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| Gap insurance |
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| Custom parts and equipment |
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| Rental car reimbursement |
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| Accident forgiveness |
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| New car replacement |
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Considering Progressive or Travelers?
Is Progressive customer service easy to work with?
What do I do if a tree falls on my car?
Why does Travelers keep telling me about IntelliDrive?
I got in an accident with my mom's car. Will Progressive cover it?
The bottom line: Which company is better for you?
There isn’t a single insurer that works best for every driver—each person has their own needs and priorities, and those factors don’t carry the same weight for everyone.
- For budget-conscious drivers: Travelers
- For drivers with extra coverage needs: Travelers
- For drivers with a history of accidents: Travelers
- For drivers with poor credit history: Travelers
Dive deeper into each company
The experts at The Zebra have thoroughly reviewed major car insurance companies to assist you in choosing a provider. Learn even more about each company from their full reviews.
Progressive Insurance Review
Reviews and ratings for Progressive rate it a solid company with a 4/5 score in 2026. Read Progressive's reviews, complaints and prices before you buy.
Travelers Insurance Review
Get the inside scoop on Travelers before you buy. Expert data analysis and customer reviews give you the full picture on price, coverage, claims, and more.
Frequently asked questions: Progressive vs Travelers
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Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool
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Anonymized User Surveys. The Zebra
Find the best insurance policy for your needs.
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.
