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Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive: Which Car Insurance Company Is Right for You?

Younis Shuaib

Liberty Mutual and Progressive are two insurance companies renowned in the industry, and many consumers compare their services when shopping for coverage. From coverage options to customer service ratings, here's what you need to know about Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive..

Key Differences Between Liberty Mutual and Progressive

  • Liberty Mutual stands out for its New Car Replacement add-on, which protects the value of your vehicle in its first year.
  • Progressive's Vehicle Protection serves as an extensive warranty. Adding this coverage can help you minimize out-of-pocket repair costs.
  • Both companies rank similarly for customer service.

Coverage Options and Add-Ons Compared

Crashed car with front-end damage

Liberty Mutual and Progressive offer the standard types of insurance you'd expect from a provider, including:

  • Liability car insurance: Pays for repairs, medical expenses, and lost wages for others in an accident you're responsible for.
  • Collision and comprehensive insurance: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident or unforeseen event.
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: Compensates you for property damage and bodily injuries if someone with insufficient or no insurance coverage hits you.
  • Medical payments: Covers medical and funeral expenses for you and your passengers in an accident.
  • Personal injury protection: Similar to medical payments coverage, it may also compensate you for lost wages and household services.

Aside from the standard coverage offerings, Liberty Mutual and Progressive have several add-ons that customers appreciate.

Coverage Type:Liberty Mutual:Progressive:
Gap insuranceYes, no limit specifiedYes, up to 25% of the car's cash value
Rental car reimbursementYesYes
Roadside assistanceYesYes

Progressive offers a unique Vehicle Protection program that covers system failures after your car's warranty has expired. It covers issues such as engine failure, transmission problems, and malfunctions with the AC/heating system. It's similar to an extended warranty, but instead of paying a hefty bill upfront, Progressive builds the cost into your insurance premiums.

Another notable feature from Progressive is its Name Your Price tool. With it, you can tell Progressive what you can afford for car insurance. You'll receive a list of coverage options that fit within your budget.

Liberty Mutual's extra coverages include New Car Replacement insurance, which guards against depreciation that reduces your car's value. If you total your vehicle within the first year of ownership, Liberty Mutual compensates you for the value of a new car of the same make and model. A similar program, Better Car Replacement, pays covered individuals the value of a vehicle that's one year newer if it's deemed a total loss.

When you sign up for Liberty Mutual's Accident Forgiveness, rates won't go up after your first collision. It's available for drivers with a five-year history of accident-free driving. Progressive offers a comparable program at no extra cost. Consumers can also purchase Progressive Accident Forgiveness coverage that forgives one accident per policy period.

Discount Programs and Usage-Based Insurance

Insurance companies offer qualified drivers extra savings through their discount programs. Here's a comparison of policy discounts available from Liberty Mutual Insurance vs. Progressive.

Discount Type:Liberty Mutual:Progressive:
Multi-policy (bundling)YesYes
MilitaryYesNo
Good studentYesYes
Distant student/student away from homeYesYes
Automatic payment enrollmentYesYes
Paperless policy enrollmentYesYes
Pay in fullNoYes

Usage-based insurance is a relatively new discount offered by many insurers. It bases your premiums on your actual driving habits, as measured by a dedicated app or device that you plug into your vehicle. Liberty Mutual and Progressive offer usage-based insurance through their RightTrack and Snapshot programs.

Liberty Mutual's RightTrack gives drivers an automatic 10% discount for enrolling. Drivers who complete the program may save up to 30%.

Progressive advertises an average discount of $169 for enrolling in Snapshot. At the six-month point, drivers save an average of $231.

Keep in mind that actual savings vary, and premiums can go up for drivers who engage in risky behaviors.

Pricing for Different Types of Drivers

Insurance premiums are highly dependent on personal factors, such as your driving and claims history, vehicle type, and age. Even your zip code can influence your rates.

To compare rates between Progressive vs. Liberty Mutual, use a service like EverQuote, which provides custom quotes based on your information, so you can see which one's a better fit for your budget.

Handling High-Risk Drivers

Drivers with certain infractions, such as reckless driving or driving while intoxicated (DWI), may need to purchase coverage that includes a Certificate of Financial Responsibility. In most states, that's an SR-22, though Virginia and Florida refer to it as an FR-44.

Progressive and Liberty Mutual cover drivers who require a court-ordered SR-22 or FR-44. However, you may need to pay extra for coverage since you fall into a high-risk category.

Customer Experience and Digital Tools

Insurance is there to help you when the unexpected happens. In those moments, you want an insurance company that won't let you down. How does Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive auto insurance stack up when it comes to customer service? We looked at several review sites to find out.

Site:Liberty Mutual:Progressive:
J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, Mid-Atlantic Customer Satisfaction Index634 624
Google Play Store app ranking4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars
Apple Play Store app ranking4.8 out of 5 stars4.8 out of 5 stars

Which Is Better for You? Factors To Consider

Is Liberty Mutual better than Progressive? Or vice versa?

Ultimately, there's no clear-cut answer to that question. It all depends on your situation. A few factors that can influence your decision include:

  • Coverage needs
  • Policy costs
  • Discount eligibility
  • Customer service

Get Personalized Car Insurance Quotes Today

If you're undecided about the choice between Liberty Mutual vs. Progressive car insurance, consider requesting a quote from both. EverQuote's free tool gives you a custom comparison across major insurance providers.

Use it today and discover how much you can save!

FAQs

What is better, Liberty Mutual or Progressive?
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Both companies offer the products you'd expect from a car insurer — liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. A custom quote can help you distinguish which fits your budget and insurance requirements.
Who is Liberty Mutual's biggest competitor?
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Progressive is a major competitor of Liberty Mutual. It's available in the same markets and offers similar coverage.
Is Liberty Mutual a good insurance company?
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Liberty Mutual is a well-established car insurance provider throughout the United States.
Who is Progressive's biggest competitor?
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Liberty Mutual is one of Progressive's biggest competitors