When seeking out a car insurance provider, two of the qualities you may find attractive are being innovative and offering high-touch customer service. These characteristics embody Progressive and The Hartford, respectively, which is why they’re among the most popular choices for auto insurance on the country. Choosing one vs. the other isn’t so easy, but we’ll provide some facts and insights to help make your decision a little easier.

Why Compare The Hartford vs. Progressive?

The Hartford and Progressive are both deeply rooted and successful American car insurance companies. You can’t make a bad choice between the two, as millions of customers and policies can attest to. But you should be able to find one provider with the right discount or who went above and beyond to help a friend or relative, so that you’re more drawn to that provider vs. the other.

About The Hartford Auto Insurance

The Hartford dates back to 1810 when it was founded in – you guessed it, Hartford, Connecticut – by a group of local merchants with beginning working capital of just $15,000. Today the publically traded, Fortune 500 company (NYSE: HIG) boasts annual revenues of $26 billion, an independent agent network of 8,000, and the distinction of being the 12^th largest property and casualty insurance company in the country. Having established itself as the direct auto and home insurance writer for the AARP for a quarter century, The Hartford also offers business insurance, employee benefits, mutual funds, as well as other products and services.

Advantages of The Hartford Auto Insurance

The Hartford built a reputation on stellar customer service; the car insurance engages in more than 155 million customer interactions annually. Bolstering this commitment to service are a 24/7 claims hotline, lifetime assurance on any work completed within The Hartford’s network of more than 1,600 reputable auto repair shops, as well as a New Car Replacement benefit. Through this unique customer perk, The Hartford will pay for a new replacement vehicle for drivers who experience total loss of a new car within 15 months or 15,000 miles of purchasing the auto. Also, the company has a big heart. In addition to being named as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, The Hartford is also a founding partner of the U.S. Paralympics.

The Hartford’s Top Discounts

The Hartford’s competitive rates include both attractive premiums and generous driver discounts. Be sure to take both into account when weighing auto insurance companies’ rates against one another. The Hartford’s top discounts include:

• Bundle Discount – Up to 5% discount for bundling auto insurance and up to 20% for bundling home/condo/renters insurance
• Anti-Theft Device Discount – Up to 15% discount for car features including alarms and tracking devices
• Air Bag Discount – Up to 3% discount
• Defensive Driver Discount – Save up to 5% for successfully completing an approved defensive driving course
• Good Student Discount – Up to 15% discount

About Progressive Auto Insurance

Progressive is a public car insurance company (NYSE: PGR) headquartered in Mayfield Village, Ohio that was founded in 1937. Progressive is more than just a name for this company boasting a workforce of nearly 30,000 employees and $17 billion in annual revenue. That’s because the company has always operated on the cutting edge, a position supported by both its No. 1 rated website and its sponsorship of the Automotive X Prize, a competition to construct the first vehicle to make to reach 100 mpg fuel efficiency.

Advantages of Progressive

How does accident forgiveness sound? With Progressive’s Auto Insurance Loyalty Rewards program, drivers receive this and a number of other “red carpet” benefits, such as expedited claims and customer service, for their loyalty. Progressive also gives customers the opportunity to pay their true rate. The Snapshot Program has drivers plug a small device into their vehicle that records driving data over 30 days to determine if they’re eligible for driving discounts that can save customers up to 30% on policies. And if you’re a Cleveland Indians fan – the baseball franchise famously lampooned in the “Major League” movies – you may have one more reason to look at Progressive as the company is the naming sponsor to Progressive Field, formerly Jacobs Field, in Cleveland.

Progressive’s Top Discounts

Progressive may not advertise specific amounts saved for each discount, but its offers a wide range of deep discounts worth at least exploring. These discounts include:

• Name Your Price – A pricing program during which Progressive matches its best policy to your budget
• Good Student Discount
• Online Discount – Save simply by enrolling online for Progressive auto insurance
• Add a Property Discount – save up to 10%
• Multiple Policies Discount

The Hartford vs. Progressive: Which One Works for You?

If you’re tech savvy and forward thinking, then perhaps you’re taking a second look at Progressive. If you’re an AARP member or put customer service above all else, maybe you‘re leaning toward The Hartford. But there are so many different angles and pieces of information to consider, that it’s tough to make the right selection until you you’ve done your homework.

Ready to Compare Car Insurance?

When it’s time to make a decision, we’re confident you will to choose wisely. Remember: when you compare auto insurance quotes, be sure to take all the factors into account to get a holistic look at your next car insurance provider, whether it’s The Hartford, Progressive or another company.