Nationwide vs. Progressive: Which Is the Best? (2025)
Progressive’s cheaper car insurance premiums and more discounts give it an edge over Nationwide.
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Nationwide and Progressive are two of the top car insurance companies in the U.S. by market share. Both companies offer various coverages, but Progressive’s car insurance rates are slightly more affordable, according to Insurify data. Also, Progressive serves customers in all 50 states, but Nationwide doesn’t sell car insurance in Alaska, Hawaii, or Louisiana.
Before you choose a car insurance company, make sure you compare rates, customer service, discounts, coverages, financial strength ratings, and more. Here’s what you need to know about Nationwide versus Progressive so you can make an informed decision and choose the right insurance company for your needs.
Quick Facts
The average cost of liability insurance is $96 per month with Nationwide and $101 per month with Progressive.
Nationwide and Progressive offer various coverages, discounts, and telematics driving programs for additional savings.
Nationwide’s rating was higher than Progressive’s in J.D. Power’s 2023 auto claims satisfaction study.[?]
Nationwide vs. Progressive: The verdict
When you compare Nationwide and Progressive, you’ll find that these two auto insurance companies are very similar. They offer the same main coverage levels plus very similar add-ons and discounts.
Both insurers sell optional insurance policies such as gap insurance, roadside assistance, and rental car assistance. Popular discounts from both companies include a loyalty discount, multi-car discount, and good student discount.
Overall, Progressive’s premiums are cheaper than Nationwide’s for various driver profiles. In addition, Progressive has a slightly higher Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and holds a larger market share than Nationwide.
Factor  | Nationwide | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Insurify Quality (IQ) Score | 9.0 | 8.7 |
| Customer satisfaction score | 3.7 | 3.5 |
| Average quote: liability only | $96 | $101 |
| Number of available discounts | 11 | 13 |
| Number of states where it operates | 47 | 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.
Progressive
Progressive is the third-largest car insurance company and holds about 14% of the industry’s total market share.[?] It also scored below average in several regions in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.[?]
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Nationwide SmartRide vs. Progressive Snapshot
Both Nationwide and Progressive offer a discount program for safe drivers. These programs use telematics tools, such as mobile apps and plug-in devices, to track driving behaviors like speeding and phone usage behind the wheel.
With Nationwide SmartRide, you can land a 15% discount just for enrolling and a maximum discount of 40% for proving you’re a safe driver. Unlike many other telematics programs, SmartRide won’t cause your premiums to increase if the mobile app detects dangerous driving behaviors.
Progressive Snapshot lets customers choose between a mobile app or plug-in device that can collect data like aggressive driving, abrupt braking, speeding, phone usage, and late-night driving. Since Snapshot is also a mileage-based program, you can save even more on your car insurance policy if you’re a low-mileage driver.
Unlike SmartRide from Nationwide, Progressive’s Snapshot may increase your rate if it detects unsafe driving behaviors. According to Progressive, Snapshot participants save an average of $231 per year on their auto policy.
Nationwide vs. Progressive: Which is the cheapest?
Car insurance is slightly cheaper with Progressive than Nationwide. But your premiums will depend on various factors like your location, ZIP code, age, marital status, credit score, driving record, and annual mileage. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop around, explore the best car insurance companies, and compare car insurance quotes.
Progressive: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
Your driving record is one of the most important factors that influences your car insurance rates. For people with a clean driving record, Progressive car insurance coverage is slightly cheaper than Nationwide.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $96 | $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.
Nationwide: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
Getting a speeding ticket can signal to insurers that you’re a risky driver, so they may increase your rates to offset that higher risk. Drivers with speeding tickets may find cheaper car insurance rates with Nationwide.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $125 | $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.
Nationwide: Cheapest for teen drivers
Young drivers with minimal experience on the road pay more expensive premiums than older, more experienced drivers. For teen drivers and young adults, Nationwide has cheaper rates than Progressive, on average.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $200 | $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.
Nationwide: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
Many states allow car insurance companies to consider a driver’s credit history when calculating car insurance rates.[?] Drivers with bad credit may find more affordable auto insurance coverage through Nationwide.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $117 | $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
Due to physical impairments like poor vision and slower reflexes, drivers’ rates may increase when they reach their 70s.[?] Compared to Nationwide, Progressive has cheaper average premiums for senior drivers.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $65 | $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: Nationwide vs. Progressive
Nationwide and Progressive are two of the leading car insurance companies in the U.S., offering standard coverage options as well as plenty of add-ons. Both insurers sell state-minimum coverages like liability, collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Keep in mind that the exact coverage options available depend on your location. Nationwide and Progressive also have optional coverages that can provide you with additional protection and peace of mind while driving.
Here’s how Nationwide’s and Progressive’s optional coverages compare.
Coverage | Nationwide | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Gap insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | No | Yes |
| Towing and labor insurance | Yes | No |
| Pet injury assistance | No | Yes |
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.
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Compare discounts: Nationwide vs. Progressive
Nationwide and Progressive advertise similar car insurance discounts that can help you save money on your auto insurance rates. While Nationwide stands out for its low-mileage discount, Progressive has the student-away-at-school discount. Here’s a look at both insurers’ discounts.
Discount | Nationwide | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Yes | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | Yes |
| Low mileage | Yes | 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 | Yes |
| Auto pay | Yes | Yes |
| Student away at school | No | Yes |
| Homeowner | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative fuel | No | No |
Nationwide vs. Progressive FAQs
Use Insurify’s guide to switching car insurance if you want a new policy. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions when considering Nationwide’s coverage versus Progressive’s auto insurance coverage.
Is Nationwide the same as Progressive?
No. While Nationwide and Progressive are similar insurance companies, they’re not the same. Progressive holds a larger market share and has lower premiums.
Is Nationwide good at paying out claims?
Nationwide earned below-average ratings for overall claims satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.[?] But AM Best gave Nationwide an A (Excellent) financial strength rating, indicating it can pay out future policyholder claims.[?]
Is Progressive really cheaper?
Yes. Progressive offers cheaper car insurance and more competitive rates than Nationwide, according to Insurify’s proprietary data. But your auto insurance quotes depend on factors like your location, age, driving history, credit score, vehicle safety features, and coverage needs.
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