Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive: Which Insurer Is Better for You?

Progressive offers most drivers lower average rates and more opportunities to customize coverage. But Liberty Mutual offers more discounts, which could make it cheaper for some.

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Excellent
Been here before? Get your quotes back.
State farm LogoProgressive LogoAllstate LogoLiberty Mutual LogoFarmers LogoThe General Logo+120 more
Amy Beardsley
Written byAmy Beardsley
Amy Beardsley
Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer

Amy Beardsley is a seasoned insurance expert who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. She has more than 12 years of industry knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, commercial, and other insurance products. Amy’s work has been published by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Legal & General, NerdWallet, Robinhood, Insurify, NEXT Insurance, and more.

Amy worked as a court administrator before becoming a content marketing writer. Her legal background has equipped her with the ability to simplify complex technical language into easy-to-understand content.

She graduated magna cum laude from Ferris State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Legal Studies.

Lequita Westbrooks
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.

Updated

Why You Can Trust Compare.com: At Compare.com, it’s our mission to find simple ways to help our customers save money on the things they need. While we partner with some of the companies and brands we talk about in our articles, all of our content is written and reviewed by our independent editorial team and never influenced by our partnerships. Learn about how we make money, review our editorial standards, and reference our data methodology to learn more about why you can trust Compare.com.
Advertiser Disclosure

At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.

While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.

Progressive comes out ahead of Liberty Mutual as the cheaper car insurance company, with an average monthly rate of $119 compared to Liberty Mutual’s $146. Progressive also offers more coverage options and scores higher in affordability and industry reputation. But Liberty Mutual takes the lead in available discounts and ease of use with its user-friendly online tools and resources.
In this head-to-head match, we compare each company’s prices, policy options, perks, claims processing, and more. Let’s see how Liberty Mutual and Progressive stack up to help you decide the best auto insurance company for you.

Key Takeaways
  • Liberty Mutual and Progressive earn high Compare.com Ratings, but Progressive’s overall rating is slightly higher.

  • Progressive offers more affordable prices than Liberty Mutual for every driver demographic.

  • Liberty Mutual offers more discounts, but Progressive has more customizable coverage options.

How Progressive and Liberty Mutual Stack Up

Young white man driving car


You’ve got to look at more than just price when comparing auto insurance giants like Progressive and Liberty Mutual. That’s why we’ve analyzed dozens of insurers to calculate each company’s Compare.com Rating. We look at factors like affordability, customer satisfaction, ease of use, availability, and industry reputation.
The table below shows how Progressive and Liberty Mutual score across these key areas.

Category
Liberty Mutual
Progressive
Cost4.7/55/5
Customer satisfaction3.3/53.3/5
Ease of use5/54.8/5
Availability5/55/5
Industry reputation3.7/54.7/5
Overall Score*4.62/54.73/5
*Company ratings for each category are determined using our proprietary, objective rating formula. You can find more information on our <a href="#methodology">unique scoring methodology</a> at the bottom of this article.

Both insurers score well overall, but Progressive edges out Liberty Mutual with a slightly higher rating. Progressive earns high marks for cheap car insurance and a stronger reputation, while Liberty Mutual scores better in the “ease of use” category.

Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive: Breaking Down Average Rates

Car insurance rates vary from driver to driver. Your premiums can be higher or lower depending on things like where you live, your driving history, your coverage levels, your age, and even your credit history.
The table below shows Liberty Mutual’s and Progressive’s average rates for common coverages and different driver types. It also shows how the companies compare to the industry average.

Factor
Liberty Mutual
Progressive
Industry Average
Overall average$146$119$158
Liability coverage$95$89$106
Full coverage$197$148$210
At-fault accident$209$160$181
DUI$226$184$203
Poor credit$179$130$162
Teens$236$213$232
Seniors$112$70$103

Though these are specific averages for different driver types, keep in mind they’re just averages. Your rates could fluctuate widely based on where you live. It’s important to shop around and compare quotes from different companies to get the best price — an insurance-comparison site can make the process easier.

Find the Best Company for You in Minutes

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 1395+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Progressive vs. Liberty Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Car insurance premiums can vary from one state to the next. Each state has its own auto insurance requirements and risks that affect how much you pay. Plus, population density, accident rates, and even weather trends are top factors that can cause prices to spike or dip.
To give you a better idea, the table below shows the average rates for Progressive and Liberty Mutual in different states. It’s a quick way to see average costs where you live.

State
Liberty Mutual
Progressive
Alabama$143$99
Arizona$171$143
Arkansas$139$107
Colorado$183$130
Connecticut$153$156
Delaware$209$198
Florida$202$227
Georgia$178$126
Idaho$82$81
Indiana$127$82
Iowa$119$84
Kentucky$166$158
Louisiana$234$198
Maine$78$68
Maryland$181$207
Michigan$236$169
Minnesota$114$131
Mississippi$142$92
Missouri$147$110
Nebraska$138$87
Nevada$236$235
New Hampshire$76$82
New Jersey$205$302
New Mexico$154$100
New York$244$305
North Carolina$83$70
Ohio$104$98
Oklahoma$157$114
Pennsylvania$124$129
Rhode Island$157$204
South Carolina$192$146
Tennessee$121$97
Texas$187$139
Utah$128$125
Vermont$72$96
Virginia$123$125
Washington, D.C.$173$226
West Virginia$108$100
Wisconsin$97$85

We found that Progressive tends to have lower average premiums than Liberty Mutual in most states, but Liberty Mutual is still the cheaper option in 12 states.
But the state you live in isn’t the only factor that affects your rates. Next, let’s look at how your age and driving record affect costs.

Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive: Average Rates by Age


Age is another major factor that affects how much you’ll shell out for car insurance. That’s because young drivers — especially teens — tend to get into more accidents. In fact, drivers under age 20 have the highest rate of fatal accidents per mile driven, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Here’s how Liberty Mutual’s and Progressive’s average monthly rates compare for different age groups, according to Compare.com data.

Age Group
Liberty Mutual
Progressive
Teens$236$213
20s$154$135
30s$150$113
40s$165$99
50s$148$86
60s$118$74
70s$112$70

Cheaper for teens: Progressive:

Auto insurance companies charge teens higher rates than any age group because they tend to get into more accidents. It might seem unfair, but those sky-high rates reflect the increased risk insurers take on when covering teen drivers.
Teens pay an average of $236 per month with Liberty Mutual and $213 with Progressive, according to our data.

Cheaper for seniors: Progressive

Seniors usually catch a break on car insurance rates thanks to having safer driving habits. With decades of driving experience under their belts, seniors tend to have fewer accidents.
We found Liberty Mutual charges an average monthly rate of $118 to drivers in their 60s, while Progressive charges $74.

Progressive vs. Liberty Mutual: Average Rates by Driving Record

Your driving record is another important factor that insurers consider when setting your rates. It’s like a report card that insurers use to predict how risky you’ll be to insure.
If you have a clean driving record, insurers view you as lower-risk — and you’ll likely score better rates. But expect to pay more if you’ve got some dings like speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction. These infractions are red flags that signal your higher likelihood of filing a claim down the road.
Let’s compare Liberty Mutual’s and Progressive’s average rates for different driving records.

Driving Record
Liberty Mutual
Progressive
Clean record$146$119
Speeding ticket$196$149
At-fault accident$209$160
DUI$226$184

Cheaper for good drivers: Progressive

If you have a squeaky clean driving record, pat yourself on the back. Not only are you safer on the road, but you’re likely to enjoy the lowest car insurance premiums.
Liberty Mutual’s average monthly rate is $146 for drivers with a clean record, but Progressive charges $119 per month, according to our data.

Cheaper after a ticket: Progressive

Speeding has been a factor in more than 30% of fatal accidents over the past two decades, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Getting caught with a lead foot causes rates to jump by an average of 27% nationally, according to Compare.com data.
Liberty Mutual charges drivers with a ticket an average of $196 per month, compared to $149 with Progressive.

Cheaper after an accident: Progressive

Accidents happen, but when you’re at fault, they can really put a dent in your wallet. An at-fault accident spikes premiums by an average of 34% nationally, according to our analysis.
If you cause an accident, you’ll pay an average monthly rate of $209 with Liberty Mutual and $160 with Progressive.

Cheaper after a DUI: Progressive

A DUI conviction is no joke. Getting a DUI causes car insurance rates to skyrocket by 50% nationally, according to our data. But your exact rate increase will depend on your insurer.
A policy with Liberty Mutual after a DUI costs an average of $226 per month, according to Compare.com data. Progressive’s average monthly rate for the same driver is $184.

Find the Cheapest Rates, Regardless of Your Driving Record

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 1395+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Comparing Progressive and Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Coverages


Most drivers are familiar with basic liability coverage, but many coverage types are available beyond this. While all insurers offer standard liability protection, the availability of other coverages, like gap insurance, rideshare coverage, and accident forgiveness, can depend on the company.
The table below highlights the car insurance coverages offered by Progressive and Liberty Mutual.

Both companies offer a range of coverages, but Progressive offers more coverage options to customize your policy. It also offers mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) and protection for your pet to help with vet bills if a car accident injures your furry friend. But Liberty Mutual offers new car replacement, which you won’t find with Progressive.

Comparing Progressive and Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Discounts

Car insurance discounts are a great way to save money on your premiums. Insurers offer various types of discounts to reward safe driving, customer loyalty, and other factors that make you a lower risk to insure.
We reviewed the discounts available from Progressive and Liberty Mutual. The table below lists the discounts each insurer offers.

Discount Type
Liberty Mutual
Progressive
Affinity
Alternative energy
Anti-theft
Automatic payments
Customer loyalty
Defensive driver
Good student
Early shopper
Federal employee
Homeowner
Low mileage
Military
Multi-policy
Multi-vehicle
New car
Paperless billing
Pay-in-full
Safe driver
Safety equipment
Student away at school
Teacher
Usage-based/telematics

Liberty Mutual offers more discounts overall — 18 compared to Progressive’s 13. You’ll find affinity discounts at Liberty Mutual, as well as savings for alternative energy vehicles, shopping early, military members, and teachers — all of which Progressive doesn’t offer.

Comparing Liberty Mutual and Progressive Customer Satisfaction

Online reviews provide valuable insights into policyholders’ real-world customer experiences. They can uncover an insurer’s strengths and weaknesses in customer service, claims handling, and overall value.
Here’s a summary of how Liberty Mutual and Progressive stack up on popular review platforms.

Review Platform
Liberty Mutual
Progressive
Winner
Trustpilot1.1/51.2/5Progressive
Clearsurance3.95/54.06/5Progressive
ConsumerAffairs3.0/51.17/5Liberty Mutual
Better Business Bureau (BBB)1.09/51.07/5Liberty Mutual

Both companies have low ratings on Trustpilot and the BBB. The two also have similar ratings on Clearsurance, although Progressive’s is slightly higher. The only notable difference is from ConsumerAffairs: Liberty Mutual earned a higher rating of 3.0 compared to Progressive’s 1.17.
A common issue that stands out for both companies is how each handles claims. The Liberty Mutual reviewer below said the company only gave them a rental car for two days despite having rental car reimbursement on their policy.

Liberty Mutual 1-star review

Progressive customers also complained about the claims process. The reviewer below said they had to do a lot of the legwork to get their claim started. In the end, the customer was unhappy because Progressive wouldn’t cover the estimated vehicle repair costs.

Progressive 1-star review

More About Progressive and Liberty Mutual

Price and customer reviews are important when choosing between Progressive and Liberty Mutual, but a few other aspects shouldn’t go unnoticed. Let’s take a closer look at some additional points of comparison.

Company perks

Progressive and Liberty Mutual offer usage-based insurance programs — Snapshot and RightTrack, respectively. These programs can help you save when you practice good driving habits.
Liberty Mutual provides better car replacement coverage if an accident damages your vehicle beyond repair. But Progressive offers loyalty rewards, and its PerkShare program lets you score free perks.

Claims processing

Progressive beat Liberty Mutual by just four points in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Liberty Mutual advertises that you can file a car insurance claim in five to 10 minutes. Progressive lets you choose between fixing your car after filing a claim or receiving a payment.

Mobile apps

To manage your car insurance on the go, Progressive and Liberty Mutual both have solid mobile apps for iOS and Android. You can pay bills, file claims, and pull up your ID cards with either one. Liberty Mutual’s app lets you tweak your insurance policy, while Progressive’s has a “tap for roadside assistance” feature.

Find Your Best Rates in Minutes

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 1395+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate

Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive FAQs

If you’re trying to decide between Liberty Mutual and Progressive for your car insurance, you probably have some questions. Here are answers to a few of the most common questions to help you decide.

  • What are the best car insurance companies?

    It depends. The best car insurer isn’t the same for everyone. Some of the top car insurance companies are GEICO, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, Allstate, and USAA (if you’re a military member). Ultimately, the right choice for you depends on your coverage needs and driving history.

  • Is Liberty Mutual or Progressive better car insurance?

    It depends on what you’re looking for. Progressive tends to have lower average rates overall, especially for drivers with a speeding ticket or accident on their record. But Liberty Mutual offers more discounts, which could help you reduce your car insurance bill.

  • Which company is Liberty Mutual’s biggest competitor?

    State Farm is one of Liberty Mutual’s biggest competitors. It’s the largest car insurer in the U.S., with more than 18% of the market share, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Other big rivals include GEICO, Progressive, and Allstate.

  • Why is Liberty Mutual so cheap?

    Liberty Mutual is cheap because it offers a wide range of discounts that can help lower your premium. Bundling policies, insuring multiple cars, and signing up for the company’s RightTrack safe driving program are a few ways to save on your auto premiums.

Rating Methodology:
Compare.com’s mission is to help our readers make more informed decisions about their personal finances. Our editorial staff has crafted a proprietary, objective rating formula — the Compare.com Rating — to make it easier for our readers to analyze and compare many of the industry’s most well-known insurers. The score you see referenced in this article is based on several factors, including:

  • Cost: How the insurer’s average rates compare to its direct competitors and the industry as a whole. This includes available savings opportunities, such as discounts and other factors.

  • Customer satisfaction: How satisfied existing customers are with the service they receive. This includes the insurer’s scores among various third-party studies, such as the J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Shopping and Claims Satisfaction studies, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index, among others.

  • Ease of use: How easy it is for policyholders to utilize their policies. This includes mobile app availability, customer service availability, payment flexibility, and other related factors.

  • Availability: The overall scope of the company’s insurance offerings. This includes available coverage types, national footprint, and other related factors.

  • Industry reputation: A measure of the insurer’s overall standing within the industry. This includes its AM Best Financial Strength rating, BBB accreditation, and other related factors.

Sources:

  1. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, “Fatality Facts 2022 Teenagers,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Speeding,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  3. Trustpilot, “Liberty Mutual,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  4. Clearsurance, “Liberty Mutual Insurance,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  5. ConsumerAffairs, “Liberty Mutual - Auto Reviews,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  6. Better Business Bureau, “Liberty Mutual Group,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  7. Trustpilot, “Progressive,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  8. Clearsurance, “Progressive Insurance,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  9. ConsumerAffairs, “Progressive Auto Insurance Reviews,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  10. Better Business Bureau, “Progressive Corporation,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  11. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

  12. National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “2023 Top 25 Groups and Companies by Countrywide Premium,” last accessed July 17, 2024.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

About Compare.com

Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.

  • All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
  • None of Compare.com's content is ever influenced by the companies and brands we partner with.
  • Compare.com's editorial team operates independently of any of the company's partnership or business development interests. We publish unbiased information strictly for the benefit of our readers.
  • All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.

Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.

Amy Beardsley
Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer

Amy Beardsley is a seasoned insurance expert who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. She has more than 12 years of industry knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, commercial, and other insurance products. Amy’s work has been published by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Legal & General, NerdWallet, Robinhood, Insurify, NEXT Insurance, and more.

Amy worked as a court administrator before becoming a content marketing writer. Her legal background has equipped her with the ability to simplify complex technical language into easy-to-understand content.

She graduated magna cum laude from Ferris State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Legal Studies.

Lequita Westbrooks
Edited byLequita WestbrooksSenior Editor
Lequita Westbrooks
Lequita WestbrooksSenior Editor

Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly

Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 1395+ reviews
4.8/5
Shopper Approved
ProgressiveLiberty MutualAllstate