Progressive vs. Allstate car insurance

Price: which is cheaper?

Progressive is cheaper than Allstate in every profile in NerdWallet’s October 2026 rate data. The gap is about $930 a year for a good driver with full coverage, about $1,600 after an at-fault accident and about $1,500 after a DUI. Even with poor credit, Progressive comes in about $1,000 lower.

These are NerdWallet’s annual averages for a 35-year-old driving a 2023 Toyota Camry with 100/300/50 liability limits and $1,000 deductibles, against a national average of $2,361 for full coverage and $648 for minimum. Averages are a guide to who tends to be cheaper; only a quote shows your price.

Allstate’s own discounts, such as Drivewise, bundling and responsible payer savings, can narrow the gap, so a quote is the only way to know your real price.

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), Progressive placed 14th of 18 for the shopping experience and 18th of 20 for claims, while Allstate placed 9th of 18 and 15th of 20.

Complaints to state regulators tell a similar story from a different angle. NerdWallet’s read of NAIC data shows Progressive with fewer than expected complaints for its size and Allstate with close to expected. On the BBB, Progressive is rated B-, not accredited; 5,262 complaints in 3 years, and Allstate is rated A-, not accredited; 3,894 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 Progressive A+ (Superior), affirmed April 2025 and Allstate A+ (Superior), affirmed September 2026. Both are strong enough to pay claims; the gap matters far less to a driver than claims handling and price.

Put simply, Allstate has the edge in J.D. Power’s survey results, while Progressive has the edge in complaints to regulators. Neither is a standout on claims; both ranked in the bottom third of the 2025 claims study.

Driving apps, discounts and accident forgiveness

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.

Allstate Drivewise is the Allstate app’s telematics program: a discount when you enroll (varying by state), then a renewal rate based on 12 months of logged driving, where speeding, hard braking, phone use and late-night driving count against you except in New York. Low-mileage drivers can pick Milewise instead, which bills a daily rate plus a per-mile rate.

Accident forgiveness. 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. Allstate, by contrast, charges for Accident Forgiveness as an optional add-on that stops your rate from rising after an accident, even one you caused.

Both programs can raise your rate if the app logs risky driving, so skip them if you often drive late at night or brake hard in heavy traffic. Progressive’s automatic small accident forgiveness is a plus for new customers, while Allstate makes you pay for its version.

Agents, coverage and how you buy

Allstate sells mainly through its own local agents, as well as online and by phone. Progressive sells online, by phone and through independent agents who also quote other companies. If you value one person who knows your file, Allstate’s model fits better. If you prefer to compare and buy online, Progressive is easier.

Both sell in all 50 states and D.C. and both offer rideshare coverage in many states, according to NerdWallet. Progressive also pays toward vet bills if your pet is hurt in a crash and you carry collision, in most states.

If you ride a motorcycle, the price gap is similar. ValuePenguin’s 2026 sample quotes put Progressive at $23 a month for full motorcycle coverage and Allstate at $37. Progressive includes $3,000 of custom parts coverage, while Allstate includes $1,000 and lets you buy up to $30,000. Allstate also offers a First Accident Waiver once a motorcycle policy is 48 months old.