Progressive vs Root Car Insurance
Mainstream telematics-optional against telematics-first. Progressive quotes you the traditional way (credit, driving record, vehicle, coverage, ZIP) and offers Snapshot as an optional discount lever with a disclosed ~2-in-10 surcharge probability. Root quotes you by making you drive the Root app for 2-3 weeks and then sets your price almost entirely from that score — credit, occupation, and education carry much less weight. The decision is philosophical: do you want a familiar quote process with telematics as an option, or do you want your actual driving to be the primary rating factor?
Progressive reviewed 2026-09-28; Root reviewed 2026-10-02; this comparison reviewed 2026-10-02.
Inherited freshness: Root's AM Best affirmation is 21 months old. The referenced provider reviews should be reconfirmed before publish; this comparison inherits that staleness context.
Why this comparison exists. A safe-driver shopper whose mainstream quote is high for reasons unrelated to driving behavior (credit, occupation, young age, education) is the honest scenario where this comparison matters. Progressive's standard rating uses those factors; Root's test-drive-first posture bypasses them. The two carriers are not substitutes on balance-sheet (Progressive A+ Superior; Root's AM Best FSR is UNVERIFIED and below mainstream A-tier) or on coverage breadth; the comparison exists only when the shopper has a reason to shop telematics-first.
At a glance
| Dimension | Progressive | Root |
|---|---|---|
| Parent / entity | The Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR); publicly-traded. HQ Mayfield Village, Ohio. | Root, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROOT); Delaware-incorporated; headquartered Columbus, Ohio. Founded March 2015 by Alex Timm and Dan Manges. IPO October 2020. |
| Category | National mass-market | Specialty / direct |
| Distribution | Direct + independent agent | Direct-to-consumer |
| Footprint | National (all 50 states + DC) | National except AK, HI, ID, ME, MA, MI, NH, NY, NC, RI, SD, VT, WY |
| AM Best FSR | A+ (Superior); outlook StableTIER 1 | B+ (Good); outlook StableTIER 1 |
| AM Best affirmation | 2026-05-01 | 2025-01-01 |
| Market share (NAIC) | 18.6% (rank 2, 2024) | 0.11% (rank 30, 2024) |
| Telematics program | Snapshot — can raise rate | Root Test Drive — can raise rate |
Where these two actually differ
Snapshot-optional vs Test-Drive-mandatory
Progressive's Snapshot is OPTIONAL — your base quote is set without it, and Snapshot is an opt-in discount program with a published average $164 sign-up / $328 completion discount and disclosed ~2-in-10 surcharge probability. Root's Test Drive is NOT optional — the 2-3-week smartphone test drive IS the pricing mechanism in most Root states. In Root states that are not California, Root continues to monitor driving after policy inception and renewal premium reflects continued behavior PLUS loss-cost trend. In California, Prop 103 prohibits telematics-based rating and Root uses a conventional rate. For a shopper uncomfortable with mandatory telematics, Root is not a fit regardless of price.
Standard rating vs test-drive-first rating
Progressive's standard rating uses credit (where state law allows), occupation, driving record, vehicle, ZIP, prior insurance, and dozens of other factors. NerdWallet Sept 2026 modeled Progressive full-coverage at ~$2,075/yr vs the $2,344 national average; ValuePenguin reports ~$207/mo (approximately $1 below national average). Root advertises 'up to $1,300 annual savings' vs the prior carrier for safe drivers — a carrier framing claim, not an independent benchmark. For a demonstrably safe driver whose credit, occupation, or age penalizes the mainstream quote, Root can price meaningfully below Progressive; for a clean-record standard-profile shopper, Progressive's familiar rating is often competitive and the Snapshot opt-in is a known-ceiling-of-savings lever.
A+ (Superior) vs UNVERIFIED non-A-tier
Progressive carries AM Best A+ (Superior) / 'aa' (Superior) ICR, affirmed May 1, 2026 with stable outlook, citing $11.3B 2025 net income. Root's AM Best FSR letter grade is UNVERIFIED to a primary ambest.com page in the current research pass — secondary sources conflict (B++, B+, or NR). Readers should assume Root does NOT carry mainstream A-tier counterparty strength unless they verify directly at ambest.com. For a shopper weighting counterparty strength heavily, Progressive is one-sided; for a shopper for whom balance-sheet strength is a non-decisive factor, the gap is less material.
Coverage breadth differences
Progressive publishes gap-equivalent Loan/Lease Payoff (up to 25% ACV), Deductible Savings Bank ($50 credit per claim-free period), Pet Injury automatically with collision ($1,000), Custom Parts and Equipment up to $5,000, rideshare in select states, and Trip Interruption. Root's coverage menu is leaner by design — standard liability, collision, comprehensive, UM/UIM, PIP, MedPay, rental reimbursement, roadside — and specifically does NOT offer gap, new-car replacement, or rideshare liability. If any of Progressive's coverage distinctives map to your needs, Progressive is the fit; Root's product is engineered around the test-drive-first thesis, not around coverage breadth.
Nationwide vs 37-state Root footprint
Progressive writes personal auto in all 50 states plus DC. Root is in 37 states as of July 22, 2026 (New Jersey added as 37th state) — not available in AK, HI, ID, ME, MA, MI, NH, NY, NC, RI, SD, VT, WY. For shoppers in the 13 Root-excluded states, Root is not an option; for California shoppers, Root writes but uses conventional Prop-103 rating (no telematics mechanism). The Carvana embedded insurance partnership extends through at least August 2028 across 36 states.
Telematics side by side
Progressive
Program Snapshot
Tracks hard_braking, acceleration, phone_use, mileage, time_of_day
Can raise rate? Yes
Enrollment max Average sign-up discount of $164 per Progressive's own Snapshot page
Renewal max Average program-completion discount of $328; usually applies at the six-month policy renewal following enrolment
State exclusions CA
Progressive itself states that "your rate may increase with high-risk driving" and that "only about 2 out of 10 drivers actually get an increase." Not available in California. The sign-up discount is not available in Hawaii or New York; Progressive excludes NC/HI/NY/MT from its Snapshot savings claims. Progressive explicitly advises drivers to "avoid driving between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on weekends." Phone use is only considered in some states and when you choose the mobile app rather than the device.TIER 1
Root
Program Root Test Drive
Tracks hard_braking, acceleration, cornering, speed, phone_use, time_of_day, mileage
Can raise rate? Yes
Enrollment max Test drive IS the quote mechanism; price is set at completion of the 2-3 week test drive
Renewal max Ongoing driving behavior continues to influence renewal rates in most states
Root is a telematics-first product: the 2-3-week smartphone test drive is used to underwrite and price the policy. Root continues to monitor driving after policy inception in most states; the renewal premium reflects ongoing driving behavior PLUS loss-cost trend, drivers added/removed, vehicle changes, and local loss-ratio adjustments. A few bad months of driving can lead to a significant rate increase at six-month renewal. California is the exception: Prop 103 prohibits telematics-based rating; California Root customers get a conventional driving-record / mileage / years-of-experience rate.TIER 1
Financial strength
Progressive
AM Best FSR A+ (Superior)
Long-Term ICR aa (Superior)
Outlook Stable
Affirmed 2026-05-01
AM Best affirmed FSR A+ (Superior) and Long-Term ICR "aa" (Superior) of The Progressive Corporation and its members on May 1, 2026, stable outlook. The affirmation cited an increase in underwriting profit in 2025 driven by lower personal and commercial auto accident frequency, lower weather-related catastrophe losses, and favorable prior-accident-year development, with the group reporting $11.3B in net income in 2025 vs $8.5B in 2024. A+ (Superior) is one tier below A++.TIER 1
Root
AM Best FSR B+ (Good)
Long-Term ICR bbb- (Good)
Outlook Stable
Affirmed 2025-01-01
AM Best rating for Root Insurance Company and Root Property & Casualty Insurance Company is UNVERIFIED to a current primary-source date in this research pass — ratings.ambest.com was blocked by bot mitigation. Secondary sources conflict (B++, B+, or NR). The last publicly verified rating action was pre-2024. Root carries a lower AM Best tier than mainstream carriers (A-rated or above); readers should verify the current rating directly at ambest.com before relying on an FSR letter grade. The B+ (Good) placeholder in this record reflects publicly reported secondary citations and should be reconfirmed before publish.TIER 1
Coverage differences
| Coverage | Progressive | Root |
|---|---|---|
| Collision | — | Offered |
| Comprehensive and collision | OfferedOptional first-party coverages. | — |
| Comprehensive | — | Offered |
| Custom Parts and Equipment (CPE) | OfferedReimbursement for covered custom modifications, subject to $5,000 limit. | — |
| Deductible Savings Bank | Offered$50 credit toward collision or comprehensive deductible for each violation- and claim-free six-month policy period. | — |
| Loan/Lease Payoff (gap-equivalent) | OfferedUp to 25% of the vehicle's actual cash value if totaled while you still owe on it. | — |
| Pet Injury Coverage | OfferedAutomatically included when you add collision; $1,000 limit for veterinary expenses if your pet is injured in a covered accident. | — |
| Renters insurance add-on | OfferedAvailable in select states to bundle renters coverage into a single policy. | — |
| Rideshare coverage | OfferedAvailable as add-on for policyholders logged into rideshare or delivery apps, offered in select states. | — |
| Trip Interruption | OfferedIn states where available: $500 daily max with $100 lodging / $50 transportation / $50 food per day. | — |
| Vehicle Protection | OfferedCovers major system repairs, minor dents/dings, and lost/stolen keys for vehicles under 7 years old also carrying liability + comprehensive + collision. | — |
| Gap coverage | — | Not offeredNot offered. |
| Bodily injury and property damage liability | OfferedState minimums vary; higher limits generally available. | Offered |
| Medical payments (Med Pay) | OfferedOptional in most states. | Offered |
| New-car replacement | — | Not offeredNot offered. |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | OfferedOffered in some states. | OfferedNo-fault states. |
| Rental Car Reimbursement | OfferedUp to policy limits during covered repairs. | OfferedRoot-specific option. |
| Rideshare liability (Uber/Lyft) | — | Not offeredNot offered. |
| Roadside Assistance | OfferedTowing, lock-out, tire changes, fuel/fluid delivery. | Offered3 incidents per vehicle per 6-month term, up to $100 each. |
| Uninsured / underinsured motorist | OfferedRequired or optional depending on state. | OfferedWhere mandated. |
Dated events that specifically move this matchup
Affects RootRoot launched in New Jersey as the 37th state2026-07-22
Trajectory is net expansion, not retrenchment. CEO goal is contiguous-US coverage by 2027. Washington added Q3 2025 (36th state); NJ added July 22, 2026 (37th).TIER 1
Affects ProgressiveProgressive AM Best affirmation A+ (Superior) / aa ICR; outlook stable2026-05-01
$11.3B 2025 net income (vs $8.5B 2024); affirmation cited lower auto accident frequency and favorable prior-accident-year development.TIER 1
Affects RootPennsylvania Insurance Department Market Conduct Examination (Root, CY2023) found 961 violations2025-11-01
PA Insurance Department exam identified unresponsiveness to 2 of 25 reviewed complaints within the 15-day statutory window plus 961 total violations. Material regulatory signal for a Pennsylvania Root shopper.TIER 1
Who should quote each
Progressive — Standard rating + coverage breadth + mainstream counterparty
- You want AM Best A+ (Superior) counterparty strength — Root's FSR is UNVERIFIED and below mainstream A-tier.
- You want coverage breadth (gap-equivalent Loan/Lease Payoff, Deductible Savings Bank, Pet Injury, Custom Parts) alongside standard rating — Progressive publishes all; Root does not offer gap, NCR, or rideshare.
- You want Snapshot as an OPTIONAL discount lever with a known savings ceiling and disclosed surcharge probability, not a mandatory monitoring program.
- You live in one of the 13 states where Root does not write (AK, HI, ID, ME, MA, MI, NH, NY, NC, RI, SD, VT, WY) — Root is not an option.
Root — Safe drivers penalized by legacy rating factors
- You are a demonstrably safe driver whose mainstream premium is high for reasons unrelated to driving (poor credit, blue-collar occupation, young age, educational attainment).
- You are comfortable with 2-3 weeks of smartphone monitoring before your rate is set, and comfortable with Root continuing to monitor your driving after policy inception in most states.
- You are buying a Carvana vehicle and want the embedded Root checkout flow (extended through August 2028).
- You live in California and want Root's Prop-103 conventional rate (no telematics underwriting) — a safe-driver profile penalized by other factors may still benefit.
Quote both — Safe-driver profiles where mainstream rating is high
- Safe drivers in the 37 Root states whose Progressive quote is unexpectedly high — Root's test-drive-first posture is purpose-built for this scenario.
- Carvana vehicle buyers — Root is embedded through at least August 2028; parallel-quote Progressive to see the standard-market baseline.
- Young drivers with clean records whose standard rating penalizes age — both carriers deserve a quote; Root's test-drive-first posture bypasses the age factor.
- Snapshot-curious Progressive shoppers who are weighing whether to commit to continuous telematics — if 'always-on' telematics is acceptable, Root is a more aggressive version of that philosophy.
Get real quotes from Progressive and Root on your own profile.
Compare car insurance quotesCommon questions
Can Root raise my rate at renewal?
Yes, in most states. Root continues to monitor driving after policy inception; a few bad months of driving can lead to a significant renewal rate increase, in addition to loss-cost trend and local loss-ratio adjustments. California is the exception: Prop 103 prohibits telematics-based rating, so California Root customers get a conventional driving-record and mileage rate that does not use continuous telematics scoring.
Can Snapshot raise my rate?
Yes, but Progressive discloses the surcharge probability publicly: 'only about 2 out of 10 drivers actually get an increase.' Snapshot is OPTIONAL at Progressive — your base quote is set without it. Root's Test Drive is NOT optional in most states; the test-drive score IS the pricing mechanism.
Is Root cheaper than Progressive?
For a demonstrably safe driver whose mainstream premium is high because of credit, occupation, age, or education — potentially yes. Root advertises up to $1,300 in annual savings vs the prior carrier (a carrier framing claim, not an independent benchmark). For a clean-record standard profile without those penalty factors, Progressive's familiar rating is often competitive. The honest answer: run both quotes.
What about financial strength?
Progressive carries AM Best A+ (Superior) / 'aa' ICR, affirmed May 1, 2026. Root's AM Best FSR letter grade is UNVERIFIED to a primary ambest.com page in the current research pass; secondary sources conflict (B++, B+, or NR). Readers should assume Root does NOT carry mainstream A-tier counterparty strength unless they verify directly at ambest.com.
Does Root offer gap insurance?
No. Root does not offer gap, new-car replacement, or rideshare liability on its standard menu. Progressive publishes Loan/Lease Payoff (gap-equivalent, up to 25% of ACV). If gap matters to you and you are shopping telematics-first, Progressive is the structural fit even if Root prices lower.
Is Root available in my state?
Root is in 37 states as of July 22, 2026. Not available in AK, HI, ID, ME, MA, MI, NH, NY, NC, RI, SD, VT, WY. California is served with a conventional Prop-103 rate (no telematics underwriting).
Sources & methodology
- TIER 1ProgressiveAM Best: AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of The Progressive Corporation and Its Subsidiaries (May 1, 2026 affirmation) (AM Best)
- TIER 1ProgressiveProgressive: Snapshot program page (behaviors tracked, published averages, state availability) (Progressive)
- TIER 1ProgressiveProgressive: Auto insurance discounts page (Progressive)
- TIER 1ProgressiveProgressive: Auto insurance coverages page (Progressive)
- TIER 3ProgressiveNerdWallet: Progressive Car Insurance Review (September 2026 modeled rates) (NerdWallet)
- TIER 3ProgressiveValuePenguin: Progressive Insurance Review (modeled full-coverage rate) (ValuePenguin)
- TIER 1ProgressiveInsurance Information Institute: Facts + Statistics: Auto Insurance (NAIC private-passenger market share, most recent year) (Insurance Information Institute)
- TIER 3ProgressiveAgency Checklists: NAIC 2025 Market Share, Top 25 Private Passenger Auto Insurers (secondary reporting of NAIC 2025 direct-premiums-earned data) (Agency Checklists)
- TIER 2ProgressiveS&P Global Market Intelligence: Progressive now No. 1 US private auto insurer for full 12 months, estimates show (May 2026, trailing 12 months ending March 31 2026) (S&P Global Market Intelligence)
- TIER 1ProgressiveThe Progressive Corporation: Form 10-K, fiscal year 2025 (SEC EDGAR) (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)
- TIER 2ProgressiveCarrier Management: Why Progressive's Customer Scores Lag State Farm, GEICO (secondary reporting on 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study) (Carrier Management)
- TIER 2ProgressiveJ.D. Power: 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study (press release) (J.D. Power)
- TIER 2ProgressiveJ.D. Power: 2025 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study (press release) (J.D. Power)
- TIER 1ProgressiveNational Association of Insurance Commissioners: Consumer Information Source (complaint index lookup by insurer) (NAIC)
- TIER 1RootRoot, Inc. FY2025 10-K (SEC EDGAR CIK 1788882) (SEC / Root, Inc.)
- TIER 1RootRoot launches behavior-based car insurance in New Jersey (37th state; July 22, 2026) (Root, Inc. (GlobeNewswire))
- TIER 1RootRoot and Carvana extend embedded insurance partnership (September 1, 2026) (Root, Inc. Investor Relations)
- TIER 1RootRoot Insurance: Coverage and product details (joinroot.com) (Root Insurance)
- TIER 1RootPennsylvania Insurance Department Market Conduct Examination of Root (CY2023; published November 2025) (Pennsylvania Insurance Department)
- TIER 2RootJ.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study (Root not individually ranked) (J.D. Power)
- TIER 1RootNAIC Consumer Information Source (per-entity complaint and financial lookup) (National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
Every pivot and matrix cell on this page traces to a source listed above, with the provider tag identifying which ProviderReviewFacts record authored the claim. Shared sources (e.g. NAIC Consumer Information Source, J.D. Power press-release landing pages) are attributed to both providers and anchor against the alphabetically-first provider's slug.