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Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and Insurify, and she’s been writing for Compare.com since 2024.
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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.
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Root Insurance comes out ahead of Progressive as the cheaper insurance company, with an average rate of $83 per month, but its coverage isn’t available in every state. Plus, not everyone will qualify for coverage — if you don’t pass its driving test, you can’t buy a policy.
Progressive insures more people and has higher customer satisfaction ratings — it could be a better choice if you don’t meet Root’s criteria or are willing to pay more for better service. This review will help you decide whether Progressive or Root is the best insurance company for you.
Root’s average rates are cheaper than Progressive’s for most drivers.
Root isn’t available in all states, and you must take the company’s driving test to sign up for coverage.
Progressive offers more coverage options and discounts than Root.
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Cost is important when you’re looking for affordable car insurance. But it’s not the only thing that matters when choosing an insurance company.
That’s why we’ve researched dozens of insurance companies to determine each one’s Compare.com Rating. We look at factors like price, customer satisfaction, ease of use, availability, and industry reputation to help you find the right auto insurance coverage to meet your needs.
The table below shows how Root and Progressive stack up based on these factors.
Category | Root | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Customer satisfaction | 1/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Ease of use | 4.2/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Availability | 2.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Industry reputation | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Overall Score* | 3.43/5 | 4.73/5 |
Progressive scores higher in all categories and has perfect scores for cost and availability. Still, Root has a solid reputation within the insurance industry. Though Root scores well for cost, it doesn’t offer many discounts, which dings its overall score there. Still, your rates can be lower if you qualify for coverage under Root’s restrictive guidelines.
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Looking at average rates gives you an idea of how much different auto insurance companies charge. But rates vary from driver to driver and can change based on the insurance company’s assessment of how likely you are to file a claim.
Auto insurers consider many factors, like your driving history, ZIP code, marital status, and age, when setting your premiums.
The table below shows Root’s and Progressive’s monthly average rates for common coverages and driver profiles and how each company compares to the national average, according to Compare.com data.
Factor | Root | Progressive | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall average | $83 | $119 | $135 |
| Liability coverage | $67 | $89 | $92 |
| Full coverage | $98 | $148 | $176 |
| At-fault accident | $132 | $160 | $181 |
| DUI | $114 | $184 | $203 |
| Poor credit | $100 | $130 | $162 |
| Teens | $109 | $213 | $232 |
| Seniors | $71 | $70 | $103 |
Even though these averages cover different types of drivers, it’s important to remember they’re just averages. Rates vary widely depending on where you live and the coverage you need. To find the best rates for your personal situation, always get quotes from multiple companies when buying auto insurance coverage.
Age plays an important role in how much you pay for car insurance. Young people tend to be riskier drivers and have less driving experience. That’s why insurance companies charge younger drivers higher rates than other age groups.
The table below shows how much Root and Progressive charge for different age groups, according to Compare.com data.
Age Group | Root | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Teens | $109 | $213 |
| 20s | $98 | $135 |
| 30s | $77 | $113 |
| 40s | $81 | $99 |
| 50s | $75 | $86 |
| 60s | $71 | $74 |
| 70s | $72 | $70 |
Teens are the most expensive age group to insure because they’re more likely than any other age group to get into accidents. Crashes involving teen drivers caused $40.7 billion in losses in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Insurers charge much higher premiums to offset the cost of claims.
Root’s average monthly rate for teens is $109, while Progressive charges $213, according to Compare.com data.
Senior drivers enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates of any age group because they have many years of driving experience and often don’t take many risks. Because of this, companies offer them better rates since they’re less likely to file a claim.
Root charges drivers in their 60s an average premium of $71 per month, and Progressive charges $74, according to our data.
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Your driving record is another important factor when it comes to car insurance costs. If you’re a good driver, insurance companies see you as lower-risk and less likely to file a claim. And you’ll pay cheaper car insurance premiums because of your good driving habits.
But if authorities catch you speeding or driving under the influence (DUI), insurers will see you as a higher risk and charge you more.
The table below shows the average monthly rates Root and Progressive charge based on different driving records, according to Compare.com data.
Driving Record | Root | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $83 | $119 |
| Speeding ticket | $126 | $149 |
| At-fault accident | $132 | $160 |
| DUI | $114 | $184 |
If you’re a good driver, auto insurance companies tend to offer you the best rates for a policy. You’ll pay affordable rates because your safe driving history means you’re less likely to make a claim compared to drivers who have a history of past issues.
Root charges an average of $83 per month for drivers with a clean record. Progressive’s rates for drivers with no past issues average $119 per month, according to our data.
Speeding means you’re more likely to cause an accident, so you can expect insurance companies to charge you more if you get a speeding ticket or other moving violation. On average, drivers with a speeding ticket pay 27% more for coverage nationwide compared to people with a clean driving record, according to Compare.com data.
Root charges drivers with speeding tickets an average of $126 per month, and Progressive charges $149.
If you’ve had a recent at-fault accident, you’ll pay much higher auto insurance premiums because there’s a greater chance you’ll get into another accident. Drivers with a recent at-fault accident pay an average of 34% more nationally, according to Compare.com.
Root’s average monthly premium after an at-fault accident is $132, while Progressive charges $160.
Driving under the influence is one of the most serious driving infractions and leads to higher insurance premiums. We found that auto insurance rates increase nationally by 50% for drivers with a recent DUI.
Root charges an average of $114 per month for drivers with a past DUI, and Progressive’s average monthly rate is $184, according to our data.
While shopping for coverage, you’ll probably notice different types. No matter which company you buy a policy from, you’ll need to understand the coverages to ensure you get the protection you need. But keep in mind that auto insurance coverage varies by company.
All insurance companies offer basic liability insurance and other standard coverages, including collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. But some insurers offer optional coverages that may not be available elsewhere.
The table below shows the coverage options available with Root and Progressive, according to our research.
Progressive offers more coverages than Root. For example, if you drive for a rideshare company or want to make sure you have the money to care for your pet after an accident, Progressive might be the right auto insurance company for you.
Root doesn’t have several coverages that you’ll find with Progressive, including gap insurance. So, it may not be the best choice if you have an auto loan or lease your vehicle and owe more than your car is worth.
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Discounts help you save money when buying auto insurance coverage. Most insurers offer standard discounts, such as opportunities for good drivers or loyal customers to qualify for even lower rates.
Some insurers will reduce your rate if you bundle coverage such as life insurance, homeowners insurance, and renters insurance with your car insurance policy.
The table below shows the types of discounts Progressive and Root offer you to save money.
Discount Type | Root | 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 | ✔ | ✔ |
Progressive offers more discounts than Root — 11 to 3, according to our research. With Root, you can only save if you buy multiple policies, maintain a good driving record, or sign up for usage-based insurance. Root claims to build discounts into your quote so you always get the lowest rates and don’t have to ask for extra price reductions.
Most insurers, including Progressive, offer many more opportunities to reduce premiums. For example, you can lower your rate by paying your premium in full, earning good grades, insuring multiple vehicles, and enrolling in its telematics program.
Progressive receives fewer complaints than expected with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) compared to Root. We looked at reviews on multiple customer review platforms to see how both companies compared across each site.
Progressive received higher reviews on Clearsurance, while Root received better reviews on Trustpilot. Both companies received similar low ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Here’s how Root and Progressive stack up across several popular review sites.
Review Platform | Root | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Clearsurance | 3.59/5 | 4.06/5 |
| BBB | 1.17/5 | 1.08/5 |
| Trustpilot | 4.4/5 | 1.2/5 |
Many customer reviews from Root note problems with how the company handles claims, including the two reviews below from dissatisfied customers. One customer says the process of handling their claim took far too long, and another is unhappy that Root decided to total their car.
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Progressive receives some negative reviews about long hold times and rude customer service representatives. The reviewer below says the customer service staff was unhelpful.
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Both insurers also receive plenty of positive reviews. Many customers report a positive experience filing auto insurance claims with Progressive after a crash. The review below says the claims process was “great.”
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The customer below says Root’s process is “easy” and they received an “amazing” rate.
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If you want to have the best experience with your car insurance company, you need to consider more than prices and customer reviews when buying coverage. Here are a few more details about Progressive and Root to help you decide on the best option for your needs.
Progressive offers different coverages and discounts that not all insurance companies offer, including options like pet coverage and rideshare insurance. Root, on the other hand, focuses on providing insurance only to good drivers. So if you pass its driving test, you’ll get the best rates — often lower than what you’d get with some competitors.
Both Progressive and Root let you file claims using their mobile apps. Root’s website says it takes only three minutes and someone will contact you once you’ve filed a claim in the app.
While Root also allows you to file by phone, you’ll have to do it during its limited business hours. Progressive also lets you file through its website or customer service, which is available 24 hours a day during the week and from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends.
Customer reviews also tend to be more positive for Progressive than for Root when it comes to the claims process — although not all reviews for Progress are positive. Progressive scores below average on the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Root isn’t ranked on the survey, but it receives more NAIC complaints than expected compared to Progressive.
Progressive and Root both offer full-featured mobile apps, but Progressive’s is more user-friendly, according to many users. It receives higher ratings on the iOS App Store and Google Play, with most users reporting that it’s intuitive to navigate and makes it simple to file a claim or access policy information.
Here are a few answers to common questions about Root and Progressive so you can pick the best car insurance company for you.
Root is cheaper than Progressive, with an average premium of $83 per month, according to Compare.com data. On the other hand, Progressive charges an average of $119 per month. But keep in mind that Root insures only good drivers, who generally qualify for lower premiums with any insurance company.
It depends on your coverage needs. Root offers most of the common coverages you can expect from a car insurance company, including state-mandated liability insurance, comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist, and more. But it doesn’t offer the gap insurance or accident forgiveness that some insurers offer.
Root receives an above-average number of complaints for a company of its size with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Many online reviews indicate that Root doesn’t handle claims effectively.
Root Insurance is a usage-based auto insurance company that uses driving behavior to determine car insurance costs. After installing the Root app on your phone, you must take and pass a driving test. If you pass, the company will offer you an auto insurance quote. It only offers coverage to good drivers, who the company rewards with lower insurance 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:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers,” accessed August 15, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “National Complaint Index Report,” accessed August 15, 2024.
Trustpilot, “Root insurance reviews,” accessed August 15, 2024.
Trustpilot, “Progressive insurance reviews,” accessed August 15, 2024.
Clearsurance, “Root Insurance,” accessed August 20, 2024.
Clearsurance, “Progressive Insurance,” accessed August 20, 2024.
Better Business Bureau, “Progressive Insurance Co.,” accessed August 20, 2024.
Better Business Bureau, “Root,” accessed August 20, 2024.
J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study,” accessed August 8, 2024.
App Store, “Progressive,” accessed August 8, 2024.
App Store, “Root,” accessed August 8, 2024.
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.
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.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
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Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and Insurify, and she’s been writing for Compare.com since 2024.
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.
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