Farmers vs. Progressive car insurance

Price: which is cheaper?

Progressive is cheaper than Farmers in every profile NerdWallet priced. A good driver pays about $1,770 less a year for full coverage. After an at-fault accident the gap is about $2,640, after a DUI about $4,420, and with poor credit about $3,930.

These are NerdWallet’s average annual rates for a 35-year-old driver with a 2023 Toyota Camry, 100/300/50 liability limits and $1,000 deductibles. The national average is $2,361 a year for full coverage and $648 for minimum coverage. Rates for one person in one ZIP code can land far from these averages, so treat them as a guide to who tends to be cheaper, not a quote.

Farmers’ incident rates come from NerdWallet’s Farmers review, last updated in December 2025. On the home side, NerdWallet’s sample rates for $400,000 of dwelling coverage are $3,250 a year at Farmers and $2,580 at Progressive, so a bundle does not close the gap on its own.

Claims and customer service

J.D. Power’s 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, released June 9, 2026, put overall industry satisfaction at 644 out of 1,000, unchanged from a year earlier, but company scores are not public. In the 2025 studies (placements as reported by NerdWallet), Farmers placed 11th of 18 for the shopping experience and 17th of 20 for claims, while Progressive placed 14th of 18 and 18th of 20.

Complaints to state regulators tell a similar story from a different angle. NerdWallet’s read of NAIC data shows Farmers with close to expected complaints for its size and Progressive with fewer than expected. On the BBB, Farmers is rated A-, not accredited; 1,562 complaints in 3 years, and Progressive is rated B-, not accredited; 5,262 complaints in 3 years. BBB complaint counts track company size, so compare them with how many policies each insurer writes, not with each other directly.

On financial strength, AM Best rates Farmers A (Excellent) and Progressive A+ (Superior), affirmed April 2025. Both are strong enough to pay claims; the gap matters far less to a driver than claims handling and price.

So Farmers wins on J.D. Power’s customer surveys and its BBB grade, while Progressive wins on complaints to state regulators. Both placed in the bottom quarter of the 2025 claims study.

Driving apps, discounts and accident forgiveness

Farmers Signal gives an initial discount for enrolling, but riskier driving can raise your renewal premium. It is not available in Florida, Hawaii or New York, and the Signal discount is not offered in California.

Progressive Snapshot works through the app or a plug-in device. Progressive says the average discount at sign-up is $164 and that drivers who earn a discount at the end average $328. Your rate can go up with high-risk driving, though Progressive says only about 2 in 10 drivers get an increase. Snapshot is not offered in California.

Accident forgiveness. Farmers sells accident forgiveness as an add-on that forgives one at-fault accident for every three years without one. It is not available in California, Hawaii, North Carolina, New York or South Carolina. Progressive gives new customers in most states Small Accident Forgiveness automatically, so a first claim of $500 or less does not raise the rate, and adds Large Accident Forgiveness after five years with Progressive without accidents or violations.

Both driving programs can raise your rate at renewal. Progressive’s automatic small accident forgiveness gives new customers some protection without paying extra, while Farmers’ version is an add-on.

Agents, availability and how you buy

Farmers sells through exclusive Farmers agents, some independent agents, and online and by phone. Progressive sells online, by phone and through independent agents who can also quote other companies. If you want one agent who knows your household, Farmers fits; if you want to compare prices yourself, Progressive is easier.

Progressive sells in all 50 states and D.C. Farmers stopped selling Farmers-branded auto and home policies in Florida in 2023, and it does not sell in every other state, so check by ZIP code

Progressive helps pay vet bills if your pet is injured in a crash and you have collision coverage, in most states, and offers rideshare coverage. Farmers offers new car replacement, rideshare coverage and more optional home add-ons such as guaranteed replacement cost.

A practical approach: price Progressive online first, then ask a Farmers agent to quote the same limits and deductibles with every discount you qualify for. With a gap of nearly $1,800 a year on average, Farmers has to win on service or extras to be worth it.