Is State Farm Better Than Progressive? The Honest, No-Drama Comparison

The quick answer (so you can decide faster)

• Choose State Farm if you want a local agent-first experience, top-tier financial strength, broad bundling options, and strong pricing for many good drivers (especially in agent-heavy states). 

• Choose Progressive if you prefer online convenience, highly tuned telematics/usage-based pricing, strong options for high-risk profiles (like recent accidents or SR-22 needs), and competitive full-coverage rates in many regions. 

But insurance is personal. Your state, driving history, credit tier, car, and even how you buy can flip which one is cheaper or feels better to work with. Below, you’ll get a clear, human take—backed by current data—so you can pick with confidence.

How the two companies differ at a glance

Sources: company sites, AM Best, NAIC, and independent rate studies. 

What the latest data says (briefly, without the jargon)

• Customer sentiment & service: J.D. Power’s 2025 auto insurance study shows overall satisfaction slipped industry-wide, with regional winners varying (smaller/regional carriers often top lists). That means your local market matters more than ever—and the difference between State Farm and Progressive can be narrower than the ads imply. 

• Financial safety net: State Farm keeps AM Best A++, the highest tier for financial strength; Progressive sits at A+, which is still excellent. Translation: both are solid at paying claims, but State Farm’s balance sheet is about as strong as it gets. 

• Market leadership: State Farm remains the country’s largest property/casualty and auto insurer; Progressive is also a heavyweight, typically #2 in auto. Scale matters for claims networks, repair partnerships, and pricing stability. 

• Rates in 2025: Industry rate hikes are finally moderating after two tough years, but the cheapest brand depends on your profile and state. Several 2025 comparisons find Progressive cheaper for full coverage on average, while State Farm wins in specific profiles and states (especially for some clean drivers and bundlers). Always quote both. 

Real-world mini-scenarios (so you can see yourself in one)

1) Maya—new car, clean record, loves apps

Maya drives a late-model SUV, commutes daily, and is comfortable with a phone-first experience. She enrolls in a telematics program because she rarely brakes hard. Progressive often shines here: Snapshot’s data-driven pricing can beat traditional rates for safe, predictable driving—and Progressive’s digital quoting is fast. But State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save can also deliver meaningful savings (up to ~30% based on behavior), so Maya should run both quotes and enroll in whichever telematics program models her driving best. 

2) Raj—two tickets last year, needs to save now

Raj had a rough driving year and needs affordable coverage while things cool off. Progressive tends to be more forgiving for some higher-risk profiles and frequently prices full coverage competitively nationwide—especially useful if Raj can’t go liability-only. State Farm may still compete if Raj bundles home + auto or has long tenure with an agent. Verdict: Start quotes at Progressive, then check State Farm with an agent for bundle credits. 

3) Linda & Amit—homeowners who want one point of contact

They value a local professional who can handle home, auto, and umbrella in one conversation. State Farm’s agent network is built for this. If they want to review coverages face-to-face each renewal, State Farm is a natural fit. They’ll still compare Progressive’s price online, but the deciding factor is relationship + bundled protection. 

4) Carlos—rideshare side hustle, pays attention to price

Carlos drives for Uber on weekends and needs rideshare endorsement and fast claims if something happens at 10 p.m. Progressive’s hybrid distribution (online + independent agents) and brand familiarity with commercial/odd-risk niches sometimes produce flexible options. State Farm has competitive endorsements through agents too; a quick call will surface their regional stance. Verdict: Quote both—progressive digital tools vs. a State Farm agent’s local guidance. 

Pricing reality check: who is cheaper in 2025?

Short answer: it depends, and it changes by state.

• Progressive tends to come out cheaper for full coverage on average in multi-state comparisons this year. 

• State Farm still prices very well for many good drivers and can undercut rivals after a single ticket in some analyses—proof that what you pay is ultra-local. Your credit tier (where allowed), age, vehicle, mileage, accident/violation history, and ZIP code swing quotes hundreds of dollars either way. NerdWallet’s 2025 comparison shows Progressive beating State Farm for some profiles and State Farm winning others (e.g., liability-only in that sample). That’s why it’s essential to get both quotes the same day. 

Tip you can act on today: If you’re testing telematics, drive several weeks with no phone handling, gentle acceleration, and no late-night trips (many programs score time of day). Start the program before your renewal to let discounts kick in on the next term. 

Service and claims: what real customers feel

• Customer satisfaction is mixed across regions and fluctuates year-to-year. In the 2025 J.D. Power study, satisfaction dipped slightly industry-wide, and regional leaders often aren’t the biggest brands—so your mileage will vary. State Farm’s local-agent model appeals to people who want a human advocate, while Progressive fans like streamlined digital claims and choice of independent agents. 

• Complaint levels are public via regulators. If you want to check NAIC Complaint Index for your state and product (auto), you can compare recent complaint ratios for each company before you buy. A score below 1.00 is fewer complaints than expected for size. (Run this just before you bind; it’s updated.) 

Coverage options that actually matter (and who does what better)

Liability, comprehensive, collision

Both offer the standard building blocks. The decision comes down to price + claims experience in your area.

Rental car & loss-of-use

Both sell it; look at daily limits and maximum days—they vary by state and can make or break a claims week.

Rideshare coverage

Both provide solutions in many states; ask specifically how coverage bridges the gaps when your rideshare app is on but no passenger is in the car (Period 1).

GAP / loan-lease payoff

Progressive widely offers loan/lease payoff (GAP-like) in many states; State Farm may place GAP through lenders or separate products. If your car is financed with low down payment, ask both how they handle depreciation after a total loss.

SR-22 / filings after violations

Progressive is often a go-to for drivers needing an SR-22 (state-filing form after certain violations), given its pricing breadth for higher-risk tiers. State Farm can file SR-22s in many states too—pricing is case-by-case.

Telematics (where the savings come from)

• State Farm Drive Safe & Save: mobile-based program; up to ~30% potential savings for top-scoring drivers, with a sign-up discount. 

• Progressive Snapshot: app or plug-in device; participants who earned a discount saved about $322 on average at renewal; rates can increase if the data shows risky driving. 

How you buy changes what you pay

• State Farm: Almost everything runs through a dedicated local agent who manages your policies and reviews your coverage. If you like relationships and in-person explanations, this can be worth real money over time (right coverages, right deductibles, fewer surprises). There are ~19,000 agents across the U.S. 

• Progressive: You can buy online, by phone, or via independent agents—and Progressive emphasizes that prices can vary by channel. That flexibility lets bargain-hunters shop multiple companies with a local broker, or go direct if they prefer. 

Price trends to watch in 2025 (and how to outsmart them)

After steep hikes in 2023–2024, many carriers indicate rate increases are slowing in 2025. Some markets are even seeing targeted reductions or flat renewals as loss trends stabilize. That said, rate movement is still state-specific and subject to regulation. Action step: If you saw a big jump last term, requote both companies this renewal—you might catch the turn.

A side-by-side verdict by driver type

Clean-record commuters

Lean State Farm if you value a long-term agent relationship and bundle home/auto; lean Progressive if you’ll fully commit to Snapshot and prefer digital everything. Quote both.

Families with teen drivers

Both are competitive; agent coaching (discount checkups, student away at school, good student discounts) can tilt value toward State Farm in many towns. Progressive’s telematics can still win on price for a careful teen who drives limited miles.

High-risk or recent violations

Progressive often prices this segment aggressively; still quote State Farm because state-level underwriting can surprise you.

Gig-economy drivers

Both offer rideshare endorsements; Progressive’s digital claims experience and independent-agent flexibility can be a tie-breaker if you prioritize speed over a single dedicated agent.

Homeowners wanting one carrier

State Farm has a huge homeowners footprint and agent focus; bundling can simplify your financial life and sometimes beat Progressive’s auto-only price once the home policy is added. 

Two true stories (names changed) that show how this plays out

“I wanted someone to call” — Neha, Phoenix

Neha’s Camry got rear-ended the same week a hailstorm damaged her roof. She had home + auto with State Farm. One text to her agent kicked off both claims, and she liked having one person quarterback the process. Her premiums weren’t the lowest quote she’d ever seen, but the claim week felt simple—and that mattered more to her.

“The app saved me real money” — Alex, Ohio

Alex switched to Progressive after test-driving Snapshot for his 40-mile highway commute. He drives like a metronome: steady speeds, no hard braking. His full-coverage premium dropped meaningfully at renewal thanks to high Snapshot scores—and he didn’t miss visiting an office.

(Your experience will vary by region and profile, but these are common patterns we hear from shoppers and agents.)

How to choose in under 30 minutes (a simple plan)

1. Get two fresh quotes today—one from State Farm (agent) and one from Progressive (online)—using the same coverages and deductibles.

2. Enroll in telematics (both if you’re undecided). Let the programs collect data before your next renewal window. 

3. Check your state’s complaint ratios on the NAIC site for each company’s auto line. You’re looking for an index below 1.00. 

4. Bundle check: If you own a home or condo, run a home + auto bundle illustration with State Farm and a multi-policy setup with Progressive via an independent agent.

5. Decide based on total value, not just price: consider claims access, agent relationship vs. digital preference, telematics outcome, and future life needs (new teen driver, a second car, or a move).

Bottom line

There isn’t a single winner for everyone—but there’s likely a winner for you:

• Pick State Farm if you want a hyper-reliable, agent-led experience, A++ financial strength, and you’re open to bundling to squeeze out long-term value. 

• Pick Progressive if you want fast, flexible online buying, potentially lower full-coverage rates in many states, and you’ll lean into usage-based savings. 

If you’re still torn, don’t overthink it—run both quotes with identical limits and go with the one that makes you feel best protected for the money. Your policy can adapt as your life does.