15 years of placement experience. Here's what we've learned about Progressive — America's #2 auto insurer, the best in the market for recreational lines, and where they still have room to grow.
Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer in the United States, briefly overtaking State Farm as number one in 2024. Founded in 1937, Progressive has grown into one of the most innovative carriers in the industry — the first to offer comparison rates from competitors, the first to pioneer usage-based insurance with its Snapshot program, and consistently among the leaders in digital experience for both agents and policyholders. They write over 25 million policies and operate in all 50 states plus D.C.
We've placed clients with Progressive for 15 years, primarily across personal auto and recreational lines. Their appetite for "toys" is genuinely unmatched in the standard market — motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, RVs, ice houses, e-bikes, and compact tractors. If it moves and Minnesota residents ride or drive it for recreation, Progressive probably insures it. Their auto product is best-in-class for the mass market, with competitive rates and a technology experience that clients actually appreciate.
Progressive sells through both independent agents like Options Insurance and directly to consumers online. When you work with us, you get an advocate who can compare Progressive against our 38 other carriers — not a direct-to-consumer channel that only shows you one option.
After 15 years of placement, here's what consistently stands out — grounded in real client outcomes, not carrier marketing copy.
In our experience, Progressive is the best standard market carrier for personal auto — full stop. Their rating variables, underwriting appetite, and pricing are consistently competitive for the broadest range of client profiles. They write preferred drivers, standard drivers, and many non-standard situations that other carriers won't touch at standard rates.
No carrier in our 39-carrier portfolio matches Progressive's appetite for recreational vehicles. Motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, personal watercraft, RVs, ice houses, e-bikes, and compact tractors — all under one carrier. For Minnesota households with a garage full of toys, Progressive is almost always the first call.
Progressive has earned its reputation as a technology leader. Their agent platform is among the easiest we use day-to-day. The client-facing app is highly rated and genuinely useful — digital ID cards, bill payment, claim filing, and Snapshot tracking. J.D. Power ranked Progressive #1 in digital experience in their service segment.
Progressive's full-coverage rates run roughly 8–12% below the national average. Their Snapshot telematics program rewards safe drivers with an average additional savings of $322 at renewal. For clients who want to manage their premium actively, Progressive offers real tools to do it.
Progressive posted a combined ratio of 87.4% in 2025 — meaning they're collecting more in premium than they're paying in claims. That reflects disciplined underwriting and smart rate management. Clients benefit from a carrier that isn't chasing market share at the expense of financial stability. They're the #2 auto insurer in the U.S. by design, not luck.
Progressive now offers e-bike and compact tractor insurance — two products most clients don't even know exist until they're placed with Progressive. In Minnesota, where hobby farms and acreage properties are common, compact tractor coverage fills a real gap that homeowners policies don't address. It's a detail that surprises clients and solves a real problem.
This is where Progressive genuinely stands apart from every other carrier in our portfolio. If your clients have toys, Progressive is the answer.
All types — cruisers, sport bikes, touring, and more. Competitive rates with accessory coverage and total loss protection available.
Four-wheelers, UTVs, side-by-sides. Covers trail riding and recreational use across Minnesota's extensive off-road trail system.
A Minnesota essential. Progressive covers collision, comprehensive, and liability — including trail riding and off-trail use.
Fishing boats, pontoons, personal watercraft, and more. On-water towing, fuel spill liability, and fishing equipment coverage available.
Motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers. Full-timer coverage available for those who live in their RV part of the year.
A uniquely Minnesota need — Progressive covers portable and permanent ice fishing shelters, including while on the ice and in storage.
Coverage for electric bicycles — theft, damage, and liability. Most homeowners policies exclude or severely limit e-bike coverage.
For hobby farms and acreage properties — compact tractor insurance fills a gap that standard homeowners policies don't cover.
No carrier is perfect. These are areas where, in our experience and based on third-party data, Progressive has room to improve.
Progressive's homeowners product has not kept pace with the innovation their auto product shows. In Minnesota specifically, their loss assessment coverage limits are often insufficient for condo and townhome owners whose master policies have increased association deductibles significantly. We regularly steer condo and townhome clients elsewhere for this reason.
Progressive ranks below average in nearly every region in J.D. Power's 2025 Auto Insurance Study, and their auto claims satisfaction score of 673/1,000 sits below the 700 industry average. Their NAIC complaint index for auto is actually favorable at ~0.97 — below average complaints for their size. In our experience, the J.D. Power gap is likely broader than what clients placed through an independent agent actually encounter. A significant portion of Progressive's book is direct-to-consumer — policyholders who bought online without agent guidance, navigate claims on their own, and have no advocate when things get complicated. Those experiences pull the satisfaction average down in ways that don't reflect what our clients experience when they have Options Insurance in their corner.
Progressive's Snapshot telematics program saves safe drivers an average of $322 at renewal — but roughly 20% of users see a rate increase. The program tracks hard braking, acceleration, mileage, and time of day. Clients who commute late at night or have stop-and-go driving patterns may find Snapshot works against them. We always set expectations before enrollment.
Progressive's homeowners underwriting is selective about certain risk factors. Trampolines and homes with older roofs or deferred maintenance are often declined or surcharged significantly. For clients with those property characteristics, we look to other carriers in our portfolio with more flexibility on those specific items.
After placing hundreds of clients with Progressive, here's an honest picture of who thrives with them and who we typically steer elsewhere.
If you're comparing Progressive to the two most common direct alternatives, here's what the public data shows. We don't represent State Farm or GEICO, so this is based entirely on third-party data — not our placement experience.
| Category | Progressive via Options Insurance |
State Farm | GEICO |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM Best Rating | A+ Superior | A+ Superior | A+ Superior |
| J.D. Power Auto Claims (2025) | 673 / 1,000 (Avg: 700) | ~710 / 1,000 | ~685 / 1,000 |
| NAIC Complaint Index (Auto) | ~0.97 — below avg complaints | 2.46 — above average | Near average |
| Digital Experience (J.D. Power) | #1 ranked in service segment | Capable | Capable |
| Recreational Vehicle Lines | Best in market — motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, RVs, ice houses, e-bikes, tractors | Limited | Limited |
| Distribution Model | Direct to consumer + independent agents — your agent compares 39 carriers | Captive agents only | Primarily direct/online |
| Usage-Based Insurance | Snapshot — avg $322 savings for safe drivers | Drive Safe & Save | DriveEasy |
| U.S. Market Rank (Auto) | #2 — briefly #1 in 2024 | #1 | #3 |
"We place clients with Progressive when they want competitive rates, great claims service, stability, and ease of use. For clients with cars and toys — and especially for Minnesota households with snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, and ice houses — Progressive is almost always the first call. They are so easy to work with, and my clients love the convenience they build into the experience for them. The app, the billing options, the digital ID cards — it all just works. After 15 years of placing with them, they remain one of our most-reached-for carriers for auto and recreational lines."
— Tippy Sourignavong, Personal Lines Agent, Options Insurance
Already a Progressive client through Options Insurance? Here are the resources you need.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can also file online at progressive.com/claims or through the Progressive app.
Policy changes, billing questions, and general service. Available 24/7. For changes to your policy, your Options Insurance agent is often the fastest route.
Make payments, view policy details, file claims, print ID cards, and manage your Snapshot enrollment — all online.
Download on the App Store or Google Play. Digital ID cards, bill payment, claim filing with photo upload, roadside assistance requests, and Snapshot tracking. Highly rated by policyholders.
Tippy is Options Insurance's lead agent for Progressive placements across auto and recreational lines. She has a natural talent for matching clients with the right coverage across Minnesota's wide range of recreational vehicles — from snowmobiles and ATVs to boats, ice houses, and e-bikes. "They are so easy to work with and my clients love the convenience they build in to the experience for them."
Tell us a little about what you need. One of our agents will follow up — usually same business day.
No obligation. We'll compare Progressive against our other top carriers and give you an honest recommendation.
We'll compare Progressive against our other top carriers and find the right fit for your auto, recreational vehicles, and more.
Start Your Free Quote →The opinions expressed on this page reflect the experience of Options Insurance agents based on policies placed and client feedback received over 15 years. Individual results may vary. Options Insurance has a commercial relationship with Progressive as an appointed independent agent. This review is not sponsored, approved, or endorsed by Progressive. AM Best, J.D. Power, and NAIC data are sourced from publicly available reports and are cited for informational purposes. Ratings are subject to change. Options Insurance also represents other carriers and does not represent State Farm or Allstate. Comparison data is based on publicly available third-party research. Coverage availability and terms vary by state, risk profile, and underwriting criteria. This page does not constitute a coverage guarantee or binding commitment.