AAA vs. Progressive: Which Is the Best? (2025)
Progressive’s cheaper rates earn it a higher IQ Score of 8.7.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Excellent
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
If you’re shopping for car insurance, AAA and Progressive are two insurers you may consider.
While AAA is known for its roadside assistance services, like jump-starts, flat tire replacement, and fuel delivery, it also offers car insurance in select states. AAA’s car insurance products come from CSAA Insurance Group, which serves AAA members in clubs across the country.
Progressive, meanwhile, is the third-largest insurer in the U.S. It offers a variety of car insurance products, as well as home insurance, boat insurance, condo insurance, and other products.
Here’s a closer look at how AAA and Progressive stack up so you can make the best choice for your unique situation and insurance needs.
Quick Facts
While Progressive offers lower rates for most drivers, AAA has more perks for policyholders.
Any driver can purchase an auto insurance policy from Progressive, but you’ll have to join AAA to purchase car insurance from the company.
AAA has a wider selection of discounts than Progressive, but these discounts vary based on location.
AAA vs. Progressive: The verdict
If you’re a member of AAA or plan to become one, you can enjoy plenty of perks along with your auto insurance, like robust roadside coverage, car rental benefits, and identity theft protection. However, these perks come at an extra cost, so you have to determine whether they’re worth it for you.
Progressive, which typically offers lower car insurance rates than AAA, is a large insurance company with a variety of coverage levels and discounts. Through its Name Your Price tool, you can quickly learn about coverage options that align with your budget.
When it comes to financial stability, AM Best gave AAA an A (Excellent) rating and Progressive an A+ (Superior) rating.[?] In a customer satisfaction study by J.D. Power, AAA scored higher than Progressive.[?]
Factor  | AAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 8.5 | 8.7 |
| J.D. Power customer satisfaction score | 820 out of 1,000 | 812 out of 1,000 |
| Average quote: liability only | $125 | $101 |
| Number of discounts | 10 | 13 |
| Number of states where it operates | 24 | 50 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
AAA
The American Automobile Association, or AAA, offers various insurance products through local auto clubs and is well-known for its roadside assistance program and membership perks.
Progressive
Based in Ohio, Progressive Insurance is one of the nation’s largest insurers. It’s most well known for its car insurance and small-business insurance.
Find Cheap Car Insurance
Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 7,669+ reviews
4.8/5
AAA SMARTtrek vs. Progressive Snapshot
AAA and Progressive both offer telematics-based programs to encourage safe driving. If you download the mobile app and participate in AAA’s SMARTtrek, you’ll automatically save 10% on your policy. And if you demonstrate good driving habits, you may save up to 20%. The app will give you feedback on your driving and also provide tips on how to keep yourself safe on the road.
Progressive Snapshot also tracks your driving behavior and may reward you with an automatic discount just for signing up. However, this depends on where you live. While the total discount you can earn depends on factors like speeding and hard braking, Progressive says that good drivers save an average of $231 on their annual premiums.
AAA vs. Progressive: Which is the cheapest?
In general, Progressive offers lower rates and more affordable car insurance coverage than AAA. However, your premium will depend on a variety of factors, such as your ZIP code, location, age, marital status, driving record, credit score, and previous car insurance history.
Progressive: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
Drivers with a clean driving record, free of speeding tickets and DUI violations, can find lower car insurance premiums with Progressive.
Driver Type | AAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $125 | $101 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Progressive: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
Progressive offers cheaper auto insurance coverage for drivers with a speeding ticket.
Driver Type | AAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $156 | $0 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Progressive: Cheapest for teen drivers
Teens and young drivers can lock in cheaper car insurance through Progressive insurance.
Driver Type | AAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $198 | $0 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Progressive: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
Not every state allows insurers to review a driver’s credit history during the underwriting process. However, most states do. In states where this is legal, drivers with poor credit scores generally pay higher rates than drivers with good or excellent credit.
In general, Progressive offers better car insurance rates for drivers with bad credit.
Driver Type | AAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $143 | $0 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Progressive: Cheapest for senior drivers
Senior drivers can enjoy cheaper auto insurance rates with Progressive.
Driver Type | AAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $87 | $0 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Compare coverages: AAA vs. Progressive
AAA and Progressive offer a number of main coverage options. These include bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance.
In addition, both car insurance companies allow customers to choose from a variety of optional insurance policies or add-ons. While AAA is known for its roadside assistance plan, you can find a similar option through Progressive roadside assistance.
Both insurers also offer gap insurance to help you if your car is deemed a total loss and you owe more than it’s worth. Progressive calls this coverage “loan/lease payoff coverage.”
New-car added protection is unique to AAA and can pay to repair or replace your car without depreciation if it gets totaled.
Progressive stands out for its pet injury coverage, which can protect your pet if it sustains an injury and you face medical bills after a car accident.
Finally, keep in mind that AAA’s coverage options vary by location, so it’s a good idea to check with your regional club in your home state to find out what your options are.
Coverage | AAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | Yes | Yes |
| New-car added protection | Yes | No |
| Gap insurance or loan/lease payoff coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Pet injury coverage | No | Yes |
Shop for Car Insurance Online
Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 7,669+ reviews
4.8/5
Compare discounts: AAA vs. Progressive
Discounts can lower your car insurance costs, but remember that not all AAA discounts are available to everyone. You may want to reach out to your local AAA office to determine which discounts members in your area can get.
The table below provides you with an idea of the discounts available from each insurer.
Discount | AAA | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Yes | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | No |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | Yes |
| Low mileage | No | No |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | Yes | Yes |
| New car | No | No |
| Military/affiliation | No | No |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty | Yes | No |
| Auto pay | Yes | Yes |
| Student away at school | Yes | Yes |
| Homeowner | No | Yes |
| Alternative fuel | Yes | No |
AAA vs. Progressive FAQs
Looking for more information to help you decide between AAA and Progressive? Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions about these insurers.
Which is better: AAA or Progressive?
Your unique budget, specific needs, and preferences will determine whether AAA or Progressive is better. AAA may be a better choice if you want membership perks to save on various out-of-pocket costs, while Progressive is your best bet for cheaper rates.
What are the pros and cons of AAA?
AAA offers a variety of car insurance options, as well as a comprehensive roadside assistance program and attractive membership perks. But its rates can be expensive, and you have to become an AAA member to get a policy.
Why is Progressive so cheap?
Progressive offers cheap car insurance coverage due to its large market share and plethora of discounts. Note that your exact rates will depend on your ZIP code, age, driving history, and other factors.
Do you have to be a member of AAA to buy its insurance?
Yes, you must join AAA to take advantage of its auto insurance. AAA membership fees vary by location.
)
Insurance Writer
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)