Is Progressive a reliable car insurance option?

I’ve been with Geico for over a decade and never had an accident. I drive very little (less than 6k miles per year) because I find driving stressful. I’m currently paying $570 for a six-month premium (~$95/month) on a 2022 Honda CRV, but they keep raising the rates by 6-7% every cycle. Recently, they increased it to $661 for six months (~$110/month), a 16% hike!

So I started looking for other quotes, and Progressive offered me $533 for almost the same coverage as Geico. That makes me wonder: Is there a catch? Will they just lure me in with a lower rate and then jack it up after six months? Also, how’s their customer service? I read a 5-year-old thread that was mostly positive, but I want to know if things have changed since then.

Also, why do insurance premiums keep going up by 6-7% every six months, even though the car’s value goes down? I know inflation and liability costs are factors, but it feels like we’re being taken advantage of. Is it worth negotiating with car insurance companies like we do with internet providers?

Geico until May, 2023 Progressive Geico until Nov, 2023
Bodily Injury 300k/500k 250k/500k 250k/500k
Property Damage Liability 100k 100k 100k
Personal Injury Protection/Insured & Relative Basic/1k deductible Basic/1k deductible Basic/1k deductible
Uninsured motorist BI None 250k/500k None
Medical Payments Not offered Offered but minimal Not offered
Comprehensive 1000 deductible 750 deductible 1000 deductible
Collision 1000 deductible 750 deductible 1000 deductible
Rental 35/day; 1050 max 40/day; 1200 max 35/day; 1050 max
Roadside Yes Yes Yes
Loan/Lease Payoff None Yes, up to 25% None
Insurance Premium for 6 Months $570.01 $533.00 $661.44
Monthly Insurance Premium $95.00 $88.83 $110.24

Insurance companies don’t seem to care about keeping customers, just getting new ones. A lot of people just cycle between Progressive and Geico every year to get the best rates for the same coverage.

Oak said:
Insurance companies don’t seem to care about keeping customers, just getting new ones. A lot of people just cycle between Progressive and Geico every year to get the best rates for the same coverage.

I didn’t realize switching every now and then was the norm with car insurance. Based on what you and others are saying, I’ll probably do that. It’s a hassle, but I guess it’s what we need to do to save money.

@Val
You don’t always need to switch every 6-12 months. Sometimes, sticking with one company works. I’ve been with the same company for nearly a decade because no other company has been able to beat their rates for me.

@Harlem
Makes sense. Thanks for the advice!

I used to have Progressive for 5 years. Had a ticket (for going 5 over) and then a claim when someone backed into my parked car. The claims process was great, quick and smooth. But when it came time to renew, my rate jumped by $70 a month, so I left. I get why my rate went up, but I couldn’t justify it.

@Marlowe
Thanks for sharing! Out of curiosity, who did you switch to? I’m considering Progressive but want to keep my options open.

Val said:
@Marlowe
Thanks for sharing! Out of curiosity, who did you switch to? I’m considering Progressive but want to keep my options open.

I switched to State Farm. They’re a bit pricier, but they work for me right now. Good luck!

@Marlowe
Thanks! I’ll keep that in mind if I end up switching again.

@Marlowe
Was the person who hit your car a hit-and-run? Just curious since you had to file the claim with your own insurance.

I usually switch between Progressive, Geico, and State Farm to keep my rates low. I’ve had Progressive for a while now, and when I had a deer hit my car, they handled it well. Odd thing though: when my renewal came up, the price was $70 higher. I used their own comparison tool and ended up getting a new policy for $100 less than the renewal notice! So I’ve stuck with them, for now.

@Ren
That’s interesting! Thanks for sharing. I’ll try the comparison tool if I stick with Progressive and see if I can save at renewal time.

I was with Progressive, but they kept raising my rates even though I didn’t have any accidents or changes. Eventually, I switched to another company. Car insurance is one of those things you need to shop for every few years.

@Shan
Yep, I’m learning that now. Wish I knew earlier! Thanks for sharing your experience with Progressive’s premium hikes.

Xavi said:

Thanks for sharing what you know about them. I live near Miami, so with the expensive cars and higher risk factors around here, we want to make sure we’re covered for worst-case scenarios. I hope that makes sense.

@Val
Smart thinking. Most drivers are severely underinsured.

Nevin said:
@Val
Smart thinking. Most drivers are severely underinsured.

Thanks! I’m generally risk-averse, so it feels like the right move.

I’ve been switching between Progressive, Geico, and State Farm over the last several years to keep my rates down. It’s funny because when I was about to renew with Progressive, they sent me a quote that was $70 more than what I paid previously. I used their comparison tool and somehow got a cheaper quote from them directly, so I renewed at a lower price than before! It’s worth keeping an eye on.

@Ren
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely try using that tool when it comes time for renewal.