Root vs Progressive
Last updated September 2026
Root Insurance
Fair rates based on how you drive
Advantages
- Driving score is the primary rating factor, big savings for safe drivers
- App-first experience with digital ID cards and in-app claims
- No high-pressure sales or agent phone calls
- Consistent pricing regardless of demographic factors like age or ZIP
- Roadside assistance available as an affordable add-on
- Behavior-based rate access is also available through partner platforms such as Jerry
- The Zebra integration can deliver personalized quotes and let eligible shoppers bind in as little as three minutes
- Hugo partnership offers flexible payments to eligible drivers in 16 states
- Florida rates are down an average of 15%, saving about $21 million annually for more than 52,000 policyholders
Drawbacks
- Available in 37 states, including New Jersey, covering more than 80% of the U.S. population
- Requires 2-3 week driving test before quoting
- Higher-risk drivers get quotes that aren't competitive
Progressive
Name Your Price and drive on
Advantages
- Snapshot telematics can reduce rates without becoming the whole rate
- Name Your Price tool matches coverage to a target budget
- Strong for drivers with tickets or accidents
- Available in all 50 states with fast online quoting
- Multi-policy discount extends across auto, home, boat, RV, and more
Drawbacks
- Snapshot can raise rates for drivers with rough braking or late-night driving
- Customer satisfaction ratings trail industry leaders in several regions
- Bundling savings smaller than full-line competitors
Root and Progressive both use telematics to price your policy, but they weigh driving behavior very differently. Root makes your driving score the primary foundation of your rate, while Progressive Snapshot layers on traditional risk factors like age and credit. Score-based or discount pricing decides it.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Root Insurance | Progressive |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Monthly Cost | Varies by driving score; avg $80-$140/mo | Avg $115-$170/mo; competitive for high-risk drivers |
| Quote Process | The Zebra comparison search can bind eligible policies in as little as 3 minutes; the app remains the path for behavior-based pricing | Online, phone, or independent agent |
| Available Discounts | Safe driving, multi-policy, homeowner | Snapshot, multi-policy, homeowner, continuous insurance |
| Claims Experience | In-app filing, digital estimates | 24/7 online, app, or phone with photo estimate |
| Customer Support | In-app chat, phone, email | Phone, chat, app, independent agents |
| Coverage Options | Liability, comprehensive, collision, roadside | Liability, collision, comprehensive, rideshare, custom parts |
| Mobile App Quality | Excellent, core product is app-first | Very good, Snapshot, claims, ID cards, payments |
| Bundling Options | Renters only | Auto, home, renters, boat, RV, motorcycle |
| Current Availability | Available in 37 states, including New Jersey, covering more than 80% of the U.S. population | -- |
| Partner Distribution | Jerry behavior-based rates; The Zebra personalized quote integration | -- |
| Flexible Payment Option | Hugo partnership for eligible drivers in 16 states | -- |
| Florida Rate Update | Average rate reduction of 15%; about $21M annualized savings for 52,000+ policyholders | -- |
Root Insurance Wins
Root wins for demonstrably safe drivers in the states it operates. Progressive is the better default everywhere else.
If you're the kind of driver who accelerates smoothly, brakes gently, and doesn't drive late at night, Root will beat Progressive on price, often by 20-30%. But you have to earn it through the driving test. For the average driver, Progressive's Snapshot delivers similar telematics savings without the eligibility bottleneck and offers coverage in all 50 states. Root now operates in 37 states, including New Jersey, reaching more than 80% of the U.S. population.
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