Auto Insurance · Head-to-head
Progressive vs Nationwide: Which auto insurance wins?
Side-by-side comparison of Progressive and Nationwide auto insurance — average premiums, coverage strength, claims & support, and editorial verdict.
Progressive
Industry-leading underwriting for high-risk profiles — DUI, multiple accidents, lapsed coverage. The Snapshot telematics program rewards safe driving with 10–30% discounts after 6 months. Premiums for clean records are middling but the high-risk niche is best-in-class.
Nationwide
SmartMiles pay-per-mile policy is the most aggressive pay-as-you-drive program among the top-10 carriers — under 8,000 miles/year drivers can save 30-50% vs. flat-rate competitors. Vanishing Deductible rider knocks $100/year off your deductible for each clean-driving year (up to $500).
In plain English
Progressive runs $7 less per year on average for full coverage ($1,633 vs $1,640/yr). Nationwide can still be the better fit when low mileage matter more — see the verdicts below.
Side-by-side breakdown
| Feature | Progressive | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Avg full-coverage premium | $1,633/yr | $1,640/yr |
| Avg liability-only premium | $632/yr | $590/yr |
| A.M. Best financial strength | — | — |
| Best for | high risk · dui | low mileage · bundling |
| Overall rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Price & savings score (40%) | 4.3 | 4.2 |
| Coverage strength score (25%) | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Quote & buy experience (20%) | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Claims & support score (15%) | 4.3 | 4.4 |
Avg full-coverage premium
Progressive
$1,633/yr
Nationwide
$1,640/yr
Avg liability-only premium
Progressive
$632/yr
Nationwide
$590/yr
A.M. Best financial strength
Progressive
—
Nationwide
—
Best for
Progressive
high risk · dui
Nationwide
low mileage · bundling
Overall rating
Progressive
4.4/5
Nationwide
4.3/5
Price & savings score (40%)
Progressive
4.3
Nationwide
4.2
Coverage strength score (25%)
Progressive
4.5
Nationwide
4.4
Quote & buy experience (20%)
Progressive
4.4
Nationwide
4.3
Claims & support score (15%)
Progressive
4.3
Nationwide
4.4
Editor verdicts
Why we rate Progressive 4.4/5
Industry-leading underwriting for high-risk profiles — DUI, multiple accidents, lapsed coverage. The Snapshot telematics program rewards safe driving with 10–30% discounts after 6 months. Premiums for clean records are middling but the high-risk niche is best-in-class.
Read the full Progressive reviewWhy we rate Nationwide 4.3/5
SmartMiles pay-per-mile policy is the most aggressive pay-as-you-drive program among the top-10 carriers — under 8,000 miles/year drivers can save 30-50% vs. flat-rate competitors. Vanishing Deductible rider knocks $100/year off your deductible for each clean-driving year (up to $500).
Read the full Nationwide reviewWho should pick which?
Pick Progressive if…
- You want the lowest annual premium — Progressive averages $1,633/yr for full coverage, $7 less than Nationwide.
- You want a smooth quote-and-buy flow with minimal phone follow-up.
- Your driver profile leans high risk — Progressive's underwriting is best-in-class there.
Pick Nationwide if…
- You value claims responsiveness — Nationwide scores higher on claims & support.
- Your driver profile leans low mileage — Nationwide's underwriting is best-in-class there.