Author Topic: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?  (Read 16900 times)

eil

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 246
Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« on: January 19, 2015, 10:19:23 PM »
There was a thread recently where someone asked whether Geico was a sham or what. In that thread, there were lots of responses from happy MMMers. This thread asks a similar question: are you happy with Progressive? Do you know, second-hand, of any horror stories? Do they actually pay out claims without giving you the run around? Do they jack up your rates if you file a claim for an incident in which you're not at fault?

My situation is that I'm paying crazy money to insure two cars, neither of which are new or high-value. (Approx $225/month, if anyone's handing out free facepunches today.) I spent the evening pricing out quotes online from various insurers. All of them beat my current insurance by a long shot but when I adjust the silders and numbers for a low-coverage, high-deductible plan I get even better deals.

Progressive blows the rest out the water, though. Completely minimal coverage would be $74/month but when I add in some high-deductible collision to the wifemobile, that brings it up to a very fair $83/month. (USAA is a close second with $94/month for the same thing. Geico apparently doesn't even operate in my state so I couldn't get a quote from them.) Almost reeks of too good to be true. Or they're just the only insurance company handing out reasonable premiums. Thoughts?

suburbandad

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2015, 05:16:41 AM »
I originally switched from Liberty Mutual to Progressive to cut my rates in half for the same coverage, then I switched again from Progressive to Geico again for another ~30% savings. I've never had any issue with either, but I also never had to file a claim.
 I had a friend with Progressive who got in a wreck and said the claims process takes a bit longer since you don't have a personal agent to immediately contact and take care of everything, but that it wasn't unreasonably long to get the claim paid out (didn't take longer than his rental coverage lasted, at least). But it was paid in full without any problems.

It was a no-brainer for me at least, save $1000 a year for the risk of having to drive a rental car for an extra week or two.

gecko10x

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 418
    • SawyerPF
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2015, 06:43:54 AM »
I'm pretty sure we had a hell of a time getting a payout from Progressive when someone hit us. That was about 10 years ago though.

In the hole

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 10
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2015, 07:02:18 AM »
I did not have a claim, so I can't comment on that, but progressive did raise my rates for $100/6 months when it came time to renew. I called and asked what gives, they said the first six months had been an introductory rate, so I politely canceled and went back to state farm.

FunkyStickman

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 525
  • Age: 49
  • Location: Louisiana
    • Living Outside the Box
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2015, 07:08:09 AM »
I have nothing but god things to say about it. I was hit on my bike, they took one look at me and immediately went to work to get my medical bills paid for. They have done right by me. Plus they cost 1/2 of what State Farm does.

Angie55

  • Guest
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2015, 07:13:18 AM »
I've never had them had to pay out. But up until this year they were the cheapest by a long shot. Years ago when DH got a DUI we switched to Progressive and the rates were cheaper than our other policy before the DUI. Crazy.

It is a $50 discount for the first 6 months. But at the end of your period you can re-quote using the opposite spouse as the primary driver (whichever person you enter first). Switch to that policy and you will get the $50 off again. They don't count it as switching providers either.

I had an awful time with the Snapshot. Apparently you need to keep it on for 30-60 driving days, not calendar days. They kept calling me saying I didn't plug it in when really it was because my car was parked because I was biking! Had it in almost 3 months and never got any discount.

Jack

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4725
  • Location: Atlanta, GA
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #6 on: January 20, 2015, 07:22:48 AM »
I have Progressive and have never had a problem.

Their "Snapshot" Orwellian tracking device is evil, though. Don't use it!

Eric

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4057
  • Location: On my bike
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2015, 10:10:16 AM »
I had Progressive for a number of years.  I had no problems dealing with them for an at-fault accident that my wife was in.  Later they jacked up our rates to ridiculous levels and we switched to Geico, but that can be expected.

catccc

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1906
  • Location: SE PA
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2015, 10:18:16 AM »
I've been happily insured with progressive for many years.  I think since the late 90s.  I haven't had any problems getting claims paid.  I once had a brand new car get vandalized (completely totaled) with 75 miles or so on the odometer.  Kinda heartbreaking (what a waste!).  But they paid out MSRP, and I pocketed about $2K from the whole ordeal, since I didn't pay MSRP for it.

RyanAtTanagra

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1316
  • Location: Sierra Mountains
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2015, 11:18:46 AM »
I've also had Progressive since the 90s.  Good customer service.  No complaints but I've only had one accident which wasn't my fault.  They didn't raise my rates for it, but I also didn't get my deductible back, though not really by any fault of theirs.  My car got hit with a forklift in a junk yard parking lot and the owner supposedly had high deductible business insurance and refused to pay progressive, so we both lost out.  My car got fixed, $2k bill, but I was out my $500 deductible.  I have no ill will for Progressive about it.

tarheeldan

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 907
  • Location: Plano, TX
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2015, 11:30:24 AM »
I've had Progressive for 3 or 4 years, had a claim a couple of years ago and they paid out no problem. It was a quick and painless phone call. There were no other drivers involved, I was being a bonehead, so it was a pretty simple one though.

2Birds1Stone

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7890
  • Age: 1
  • Location: Earth
  • K Thnx Bye
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2015, 11:52:26 AM »
Have progressive for my motorcycle insurance, have been a happy customer for nearly 4 years.

eil

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 246
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2015, 12:19:51 PM »
Thanks for the responses so far. I have Progressive for my motorcycle, but it's a liability-only policy. (Although it's a great bike, it's old and just not very valuable so insuring it for any value would be silly.) So I know that they're online stuff is easy to use at least.

I figure I'll give Progressive a try and if I encounter any unpleasantness (jacked-up rates, etc), USAA seems like an okay second choice.


arebelspy

  • Administrator
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *****
  • Posts: 28444
  • Age: -997
  • Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2015, 12:44:24 PM »
Another +1 Progressive payer here (but never had to make claims).
I am a former teacher who accumulated a bunch of real estate, retired at 29, spent some time traveling the world full time and am now settled with three kids.
If you want to know more about me, this Business Insider profile tells the story pretty well.
I (rarely) blog at AdventuringAlong.com. Check out the Now page to see what I'm up to currently.

Shortbus

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2015, 12:49:03 PM »
We've had Progressive for quite a few years now too, probably 10 or so. Have had a few payouts over the years, mostly windshield claims from rocks but also one minor accident when my wife backed into someone. No issues with them at all for any of the claims. Anytime I've gotten a quote from another company it's always considerably more expensive so I stick with them.

JetBlast

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 496
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #15 on: January 20, 2015, 02:47:53 PM »
About a month ago a Progressive driver left his car on a sloped driveway without the parking brake set. It rolled across the street into the concrete block wall surrounding by brother's back yard. Progressive came out the next day, took a look at the damage, and told my brother to get a quote for the repairs when he had a chance and send them a copy. He got that done and a few days later had a check for the full amount, no questions asked.

pagoconcheques

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 190
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #16 on: January 20, 2015, 04:11:39 PM »
. . . . since you don't have a personal agent to immediately contact and take care of everything . . .

We actually insure with GEICO, not Progressive, but trust me when I say that in 25 years and 7 claims (only one at fault) we have never missed having a "personal" agent. 

Rural

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5051
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #17 on: January 20, 2015, 05:26:50 PM »
. . . . since you don't have a personal agent to immediately contact and take care of everything . . .

We actually insure with GEICO, not Progressive, but trust me when I say that in 25 years and 7 claims (only one at fault) we have never missed having a "personal" agent.


Try living in an area with a low population. We went to Progressive a number of years ago from the State Farm agent my husband had been with for 25 years. Now I have to avoid meeting her eyes at the grocery store. :-)

Editing to get back on topic: no problems with Progressive, though no at fault accidents either.

lakemom

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 401
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #18 on: January 20, 2015, 06:19:34 PM »
We've had progressive for years and been very happy with them.  We've had a number of claims that all paid out promptly and when each of my older boys had at fault accidents they paid those claims out promptly as well.  Our rates did go up after the second accident (I don't think they did after the first but its been a while) but really, they should have so we weren't distressed by it and after shopping it around they were still significantly cheaper than anyone else.  Although we originally signed up online, we use a local agent now.

shuffler

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 571
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #19 on: January 20, 2015, 07:22:18 PM »
I'm pretty sure we had a hell of a time getting a payout from Progressive when someone hit us. That was about 10 years ago though.
Can we trust a gecko to have an unbiased opinion?   ;^)

arebelspy

  • Administrator
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *****
  • Posts: 28444
  • Age: -997
  • Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #20 on: January 20, 2015, 09:08:45 PM »
I'm pretty sure we had a hell of a time getting a payout from Progressive when someone hit us. That was about 10 years ago though.
Can we trust a gecko to have an unbiased opinion?   ;^)

I am a former teacher who accumulated a bunch of real estate, retired at 29, spent some time traveling the world full time and am now settled with three kids.
If you want to know more about me, this Business Insider profile tells the story pretty well.
I (rarely) blog at AdventuringAlong.com. Check out the Now page to see what I'm up to currently.

Decalin

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 9
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #21 on: January 22, 2015, 05:40:50 PM »
I had a damage claim with Progressive (A deer hit my car and took out my drivers side mirror) and they were very prompt about things. Honestly they were more pestery about getting things fixed than I was, due to life reasons. Paid out full body work minus deductible.

AH013

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 272
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #22 on: January 22, 2015, 07:05:06 PM »
FWIW, I have Progressive.  I've also had State Farm & Geico.  They're all pretty similar in service.  The only accident I've ever had was with Geico when another Geico-covered driver hit me (they were 100% at fault) while I was in a rental.  They were full of service for as long as it took to confirm I had no physical injuries I might try to sue for.  After that, Geico was so disorganized they "couldn't track down" the other Geico driver even with the police report, the driver's license number, and their car's license plate, all while the rental car agency was hounding me for payment because Geico refused to pay (seeing as they couldn't find the "at fault party" and the damage was less than my deductible).  It took my identifying that the rental car agency had an entirely different Geico claim number...the one the other driver filed!  Geico couldn't put the two pieces together until I told them case A & B were the two halves of the accident equation -- which finally put the matter to bed.  It isn't any surprise to me that an insurance agency didn't want to track down one of their own policyholders to pay a claim, when they could have just jerked me around and hope I'd pay the ~$300 in damages just to resolve the matter.  But FWIW, I didn't switch because of the incident...Progressive just happened to be cheaper in recent years.

JLee

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7509
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #23 on: January 23, 2015, 08:29:46 AM »
I've been with Progressive for about ten years now. I have yet to find a cheaper insurance company, and their customer service is, in my experience, on par with Amazon. I love them and have no reason to leave.

I'm pretty sure we had a hell of a time getting a payout from Progressive when someone hit us. That was about 10 years ago though.
Why was Progressive paying out if someone else hit you?

I have Progressive and have never had a problem.

Their "Snapshot" Orwellian tracking device is evil, though. Don't use it!
Snapshot is saving me 15% on one vehicle and 18% on another.

frugalnacho

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5055
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Metro Detroit
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #24 on: January 23, 2015, 08:35:42 AM »
Another progressive customer here.  We pay about $1500/year to insure 2 vehicles (one full coverage worth about $13k, one not worth about $11k).  Have used the chip repair and windshield replacement several times.  Wife got rear ended a couple years ago (obviously not at fault), and we had no issues getting it taken care of.  Rates didn't go up because of it.

Angie55

  • Guest
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #25 on: January 23, 2015, 08:38:56 AM »

Their "Snapshot" Orwellian tracking device is evil, though. Don't use it!
[/quote]
Snapshot is saving me 15% on one vehicle and 18% on another.
[/quote]

Curious as to how long it took them to register any savings. Do you drive daily (maybe not commute but drive somewhere)? I thought I was the perfect candidate for it as I only used the car off peak, for pleasure, and <5000miles a year. But apparently I couldn't drive it enough to get the damn thing to register enough data points. I had it on 3+ months and all I got was phone calls saying I unplugged it (when really I wasn't driving!). I gave up when it was winter and I knew I would be driving to work more often.

JLee

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7509
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #26 on: January 23, 2015, 08:49:19 AM »
First savings were after 30 days, then they estimated what my discount would be and gave me a partial refund on my (6mo prepaid) policy. I have it on two vehicles, but didn't have them both monitored at the same time so what I did was try to leave one parked most of the time while I drove the unmonitored one. :P

I think the total amount of time before they requested the devices back and gave me my permanent discount was 4-6 months. The discount stays with you forever, as long as you don't cancel that policy (i.e. if you get a different vehicle, you need to "replace vehicle" instead of remove/add) and it is OBDII (1996+).

arebelspy

  • Administrator
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *****
  • Posts: 28444
  • Age: -997
  • Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #27 on: January 23, 2015, 09:26:51 AM »
I'm pretty sure we had a hell of a time getting a payout from Progressive when someone hit us. That was about 10 years ago though.
Why was Progressive paying out if someone else hit you?

I'm assuming they're saying the other driver was at fault and had Progressive.
I am a former teacher who accumulated a bunch of real estate, retired at 29, spent some time traveling the world full time and am now settled with three kids.
If you want to know more about me, this Business Insider profile tells the story pretty well.
I (rarely) blog at AdventuringAlong.com. Check out the Now page to see what I'm up to currently.

frugalnacho

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5055
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Metro Detroit
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #28 on: January 23, 2015, 09:46:35 AM »
I'm pretty sure we had a hell of a time getting a payout from Progressive when someone hit us. That was about 10 years ago though.
Why was Progressive paying out if someone else hit you?

I'm assuming they're saying the other driver was at fault and had Progressive.

I think it depends on what the insurance laws are in your state.  Michigan is a no fault state.  Under no circumstances will the other person's insurance pay for my car, even if the other party is 100% at fault.  Your own insurance pays for your own car, period.  I believe other states are different, maybe that is where the confusion lies.

JLee

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7509
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #29 on: January 23, 2015, 10:20:10 AM »
I'm pretty sure we had a hell of a time getting a payout from Progressive when someone hit us. That was about 10 years ago though.
Why was Progressive paying out if someone else hit you?

I'm assuming they're saying the other driver was at fault and had Progressive.

I think it depends on what the insurance laws are in your state.  Michigan is a no fault state.  Under no circumstances will the other person's insurance pay for my car, even if the other party is 100% at fault.  Your own insurance pays for your own car, period.  I believe other states are different, maybe that is where the confusion lies.
Oh wow, that's pretty shitty.

Jack

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4725
  • Location: Atlanta, GA
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #30 on: January 23, 2015, 11:22:48 AM »
I have Progressive and have never had a problem.

Their "Snapshot" Orwellian tracking device is evil, though. Don't use it!
Snapshot is saving me 15% on one vehicle and 18% on another.

So, your price for helping to sell us all out to an Orwellian future is 15 to 18% of your car insurance premium. Thanks for that. : /

jzb11

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 137
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #31 on: January 23, 2015, 11:24:33 AM »
Had progressive, was in an accident (my fault), they paid the claim no issues.

JLee

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7509
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #32 on: January 23, 2015, 11:31:23 AM »
I have Progressive and have never had a problem.

Their "Snapshot" Orwellian tracking device is evil, though. Don't use it!
Snapshot is saving me 15% on one vehicle and 18% on another.

So, your price for helping to sell us all out to an Orwellian future is 15 to 18% of your car insurance premium. Thanks for that. : /
If you'll pay 18% of my car insurance premiums for the rest of my life, I'll cancel it.

You do realize that you send the device back after a few months and you're no longer monitored, right?

frugalnacho

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5055
  • Age: 41
  • Location: Metro Detroit
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #33 on: January 23, 2015, 11:45:18 AM »
I have Progressive and have never had a problem.

Their "Snapshot" Orwellian tracking device is evil, though. Don't use it!
Snapshot is saving me 15% on one vehicle and 18% on another.

So, your price for helping to sell us all out to an Orwellian future is 15 to 18% of your car insurance premium. Thanks for that. : /
If you'll pay 18% of my car insurance premiums for the rest of my life, I'll cancel it.

You do realize that you send the device back after a few months and you're no longer monitored, right?

I should check into this.  I have progressive, and my car is probably going to mostly sit in the driveway from march through december. 

MrFrugalChicago

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 340
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #34 on: January 23, 2015, 11:53:11 AM »
Had it for a few years. x-wife crashed a lot. They got stuff fixed fine.

I do not use any tracking device. Seems a bad idea. Allstate tried to do that to me, and I NOPed it out of there.

MountainGal

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 756
Re: Progressive auto insurance... Legit?
« Reply #35 on: January 23, 2015, 12:43:26 PM »
Insurance agent in business for nearly 12 years here.  One of the companies I sell is Progressive.  They have really competitive rates, and their claims handling is second to none about 99% of the time.