Which is cheaper, Progressive or Root Insurance?

Root Insurance is typically cheaper, averaging around $1,462/yr nationally vs $1,598/yr. Rates vary by ZIP, credit score, and driver profile — enter your ZIP above to see actual ranked rates for your area.

Is Progressive or Root Insurance better for young drivers?

Root Insurance is better for young drivers. Progressive adds +4% for drivers 18-24 while Root Insurance adds -4%. The difference compounds quickly on young-driver surcharges.

Which has a better complaint record, Progressive or Root Insurance?

Root Insurance has fewer complaints — an NAIC ratio of 0.68 vs 0.71. An NAIC ratio below 1.0 means fewer complaints than the industry average.

Progressive vs Root Insurance: which should I choose?

Choose Progressive if you value high-risk drivers, sr-22, and young drivers. Choose Root Insurance if you value safe drivers penalized by traditional pricing. Enter your ZIP above to compare actual ranked rates for your specific location and driver profile.

Progressive vs. Root Insurance (2026) — Which Is Cheaper?

Overall verdict

Progressive wins 5–4 categories

Progressive leads on more rate factors. Root Insurance may still win for specific profiles — see the table below.

Side-by-side comparison

Feature	Progressive	Root Insurance	Winner
Avg annual rate	~$1,598/yr	~$1,462/yr	✓ Root Insurance
NAIC complaint ratiolower = fewer complaints vs. industry avg	0.71 — good	0.68 — excellent	✓ Root Insurance
Credit: excellentrate change for excellent credit	-11%	-2%	✓ Progressive
Credit: fair / poorrate change for fair credit	+25%	+8%	✓ Root Insurance
Young drivers · 18–24surcharge vs 35–54 baseline	+4%	-4%	✓ Root Insurance
Drivers 55+discount vs 35–54 baseline	-4%	+3%	✓ Progressive
Homeowner discount	-3%	No change	✓ Progressive
Multi-policy discount	-4%	-2%	✓ Progressive
Lapsed coverage penaltysurcharge for coverage gap	+5%	+20%	✓ Progressive
How to buy	Online + agent	Online / phone only	—
Telematics program	Snapshot	Root App (required)	—

Who wins by driver profile

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About Progressive

Accepts the widest driver profile range. Minimal age sensitivity makes it the top pick for under-25 drivers. In this comparison, Progressive has the advantage on excellent-credit rate, 55+ rate, homeowner discount. Best for: High-risk drivers, SR-22, and young drivers.

→ Full Progressive review

About Root Insurance

Telematics-only carrier — your rate is based on how you drive, not your age or credit. Available in ~35 states. In this comparison, Root Insurance has the advantage on avg rate, complaints, fair-credit rate. Best for: Safe drivers penalized by traditional pricing.

→ Full Root Insurance review

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