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Anyone here using Progressive Auto Insurance?

Alkali Ike

Alkali Ike

Gold Supporting Member
Jan 1, 2011
2,854
15,665
Pacific Northwest
www.xdrguy.com
Disclosures
I never actually learned to play very well
#1
I've been with Farmers forever. Their latest renewal quote seems insanely high, so have been getting other quotes. Same or better coverage, so apples to apples. Progressive comes in 58% lower than Farmers. Allstate is about 48% lower than Farmers. Even the highest quote (State Farm) is substantially lower than Farmers.

Anyone here have any experience with Progressive? Any problem getting them to pay legitimate claims?
 
#3
I had them. The coverage isn't bad vs. cost, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE. I never filed any claims with them, so I'm not familiar with the claims resolution side of it. However when I moved to PA from OH, my insurance prices almost doubled, for the same coverage. Mind you, I did start noticing my rates going up with progressive even before the move, despite a flawless driving record.

Look into Allied. They're a division of nationwide ins. Better coverages than progressive, but price will be dependent on driving history, location, and creditworthiness which can make it either higher or lower. But hey, roadside assist and glass repair/replace, which progressive didn't have.
 
#4
Are any of your direct progenitors (ex)military? If so do they have USAA insurance? I joined them last year (Grandfather was a WWII vet) and we are saving good $$ on auto insurance.

Oh, and regrading Progressive. My wife and I were members for years. Once accident later (hi honey!) they cancelled us.. but that's likely SOP for most insurance companies.
 
#5
We've been with them for a few years. I've had two claims. It's been great dealing with them! The only thing I would do over again is getting a homeowners policy through another company. They don't underwrite those policies, so they're from a third party.

-Neil
 
#6
I use Progressive for both my car and motorcycle and find their rates highly competitive.

I saved 35% by switching from State Farm.

Just keep in mind that insurance varies from state to state, and are all based on an algorithm to determine your rate. Some companies may have a more favorable algorithm to your specific circumstances.
 
#8
I talked to my Farmers agent. They want to rerun my credit score to see if it helps. My credit score is very good and hasn't changed in many years. I have no tickets, accidents, or any other claims since 1991. Looks like I'm switching. Even if Progressive or Allstate raises my rates 5%-10% a year it would take years to get to what Farmers is extorting from me now.

Buhbye Farmers.
 
#9
Switched to Progressive, all done online. Just for the record, Progressive's new policy quote is discounted substantially from their "regular" rate, 15%-20%. They don't tell you that until you seal the deal. They tack on $10 for getting policy stuff by snail mail instead of email.

Still, I'll be way ahead of Farmers for a long time and the first six months is a bargain.
 
#10
OldDog52 said:
I talked to my Farmers agent. They want to rerun my credit score to see if it helps. My credit score is very good and hasn't changed in many years. I have no tickets, accidents, or any other claims since 1991. Looks like I'm switching. Even if Progressive or Allstate raises my rates 5%-10% a year it would take years to get to what Farmers is extorting from me now.

Buhbye Farmers.
Click to expand...

I had Progressive for years and my rate never went up. It went down a little every year by a few bucks until I had an accident.

I don't understand why Farmers would run your credit score or why that would/should effect your rate. That sound like it could even be illegal.
 
#11
I had Progressive myself for years, then after a gap went back to them for both me and my wife (duh since we share one vehicle). I buy the minimum I am required to carry in my state to cover my old minivan and Progressive gives a far better rate on that than anybody else, never mind the lack of an agent trying to tell me I should carry more.
 
#12
matante said:
I had Progressive for years and my rate never went up. It went down a little every year by a few bucks until I had an accident.

I don't understand why Farmers would run your credit score or why that would/should effect your rate. That sound like it could even be illegal.
Click to expand...

They wanted me to sign a special release form so they could run my credit score. Apparently credit scores factor heavily in determining driver risk: Low credit score = Higher risk. Nuts to Farmers.
 
#13
I am in the process of owning an insurance agency with a huge national company. Rates vary and are contingent on many factors (including recent driving history and claims). Make sure you are doing a direct coverage and history comparison between companies for all vehicles and drivers in the household. I used to sell for two other major companies and service is of the utmost importance as well as making sure you have proper coverage in case you are at fault for an accident.
 
#14
Richland123 said:
I am in the process of owning an insurance agency with a huge national company. Rates vary and are contingent on many factors (including recent driving history and claims). Make sure you are doing a direct coverage and history comparison between companies for all vehicles and drivers in the household. I used to sell for two other major companies and service is of the utmost importance as well as making sure you have proper coverage in case you are at fault for an accident.
Click to expand...

Comparisons were apples to apples: Same or better coverage than I had with Farmers from all companies I got quotes from. Same deductibles. I'm the only driver in the household, no tickets, accidents, or claims in 20 years except for a rock-busted windshield 4-5 years ago.

My coverage limits might be a little low, will review that. :)
 
#15
OldDog52 said:
Comparisons were apples to apples: Same or better coverage than I had with Farmers from all companies I got quotes from. Same deductibles. I'm the only driver in the household, no tickets, accidents, or claims in 20 years except for a rock-busted windshield 4-5 years ago.

My coverage limits might be a little low, will review that. :)
Click to expand...

If you were in Pennsylvania, I would love to have you for a customer.
 
#16
Hey all- Insurance Agent here. At the moment, the industry average renewal increase is anywhere between 10-15 % at renewal. It's actually a good idea to ask you agent to run your credit score as this could bring your premium down. The Farmers, Travelers, Hartfords, etc of the world tend to have great coverage but you will pay for it. IME companies like Progressive, Geico, State Farm are excellent when it comes to auto insurance. It's what they do well. However, things get ugly if you have a homeowners claim. They tend to deny claims, pay lessor amounts then drop you like a hot rock. For example, a few years back, a huge storm rolled through doing damage to my roof and siding. I made a claim, got a completely new roof and all new siding, no cost to me but the deductible. My next door neighbor had State Farm. Claim was completely denied. The adjuster couldn't find any damage. After my neighbor pressed the issue State Farm agreed to pay for 20% of his roof and none of the siding.

Any insurance contract will only allow claims for the damaged portion. It's just how they work. However, a good company will realize that you can't replace only 20% of your roof and take care of the whole thing. Unfortunately, in this case you get what you pay for.
 
#17
UncleJimmy said:
Hey all- Insurance Agent here. At the moment, the industry average renewal increase is anywhere between 10-15 % at renewal. It's actually a good idea to ask you agent to run your credit score as this could bring your premium down.
Click to expand...

I have to ask.
What the heck does a persons credit score have to do with their driving?

I think that is the biggest scam out there.

So what if a person skips a credit card payment so they can pay their insurance payment.
 
#18
hdracer said:
I have to ask.
What the heck does a persons credit score have to do with their driving?

I think that is the biggest scam out there.

So what if a person skips a credit card payment so they can pay their insurance payment.
Click to expand...

It's a rating basis generally used more for homeowners than auto. The underwriters and actuaries assume that folks with better credit will be less likely to make excessive or fraudulent claims.

I know, I know.....just because I know how this stuff works certainly doesn't mean I agree with it. When dealing with insurance it's best to toss common sense out the window.
 
#19
hdracer said:
I have to ask.
What the heck does a persons credit score have to do with their driving?

I think that is the biggest scam out there.

So what if a person skips a credit card payment so they can pay their insurance payment.
Click to expand...

I know for a fact that their is a strong correlation between claim frequency and credit score (I work as an actuary in the property/casualty industry). No one really understands why, but a company would be at a significant disadvantage if they didn't use it in their rating.

Here is a rather lengthy paper on the subject. If you skip to the graphs on page 127 of the PDF is shows claim frequency by credit score. Pretty strong correlation.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#20
msact said:
I know for a fact that their is a strong correlation between claim frequency and credit score (I work as an actuary in the property/casualty industry). No one really understands why, but a company would be at a significant disadvantage if they didn't use it in their rating.

Here is a rather lengthy paper on the subject. If you skip to the graphs on page 127 of the PDF is shows claim frequency by credit score. Pretty strong correlation.

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

And there you have it. At the end of the day folks it does not matter if you understand why or agree with it. This is the way it is. Ask for your credit to be run. Let the system work for you.

Us insurance geeks must have nothing better to do than post on Talkbass in the middle of a workday huh?
 

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