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Highlights
Highlights
Snapshot by Progressive is a usage-based insurance program that tracks your driving behaviors, such as speeding, hard braking, phone use while driving and the time of day you drive. Safe drivers could earn a discount, but if you have risky driving behaviors you might get hit with a cost increase at policy renewal time.
Pros
- You’ll get a discount for enrolling in the Snapshot program.
- You could lower your car insurance costs if you practice safe driving behaviors.
- You can select either a mobile app or a plug-in device to track your driving.
Cons
- Your rates could increase if you practice risky driving behaviors.
- Your rates could increase if you opt out of the program after 45 days.
- You may be able to find better usage-based insurance discounts at other insurance companies.
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Table of Contents
- What Is Progressive Snapshot?
- How Does Snapshot by Progressive Work?
- Progressive Snapshot vs. Competitors
- How Much Can Drivers Save With Progressive Snapshot?
- Alternative Ways to Lower Car Insurance Rates
- Progressive Snapshot Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Show more
What Is Progressive Snapshot?
Progressive Snapshot is a type of car insurance policy from Progressive that tracks your driving behavior and adjusts your car insurance costs based on your safe driving habits. For example, you may be able to get a lower rate if you avoid speeding or hard braking.
Many of the best car insurance companies offer this type of program, also known as usage-based car insurance (UBI).
How Does Snapshot by Progressive Work?
When you buy a Progressive car insurance policy, your rates will be determined by factors such as your driving history, age, location and the type of car you drive. You may be able to obtain cheaper car insurance costs by participating in the Snapshot program, which tracks driving habits.
You’ll get an immediate discount for participating in the program (except in Hawaii and New York). Upon completing the program, you could earn a discount when your policy renews, depending on your driving habits.
You can choose to have your driving tracked either through a mobile app or a plug-in device. Snapshot by Progressive will track driving behaviors such as:
- Sudden changes in speed
- Rapid acceleration
- Hard braking
- Time of day you drive
- The amount you drive
- How you use your mobile phone while driving
You’ll get emails that show your progress during the Snapshot program. Your car insurance costs will be adjusted at your first policy renewal after you sign up for the program. If you practice safe driving habits, you should see lower rates. But if you practice high-risk driving habits like speeding or using your phone while driving, you could see your rates increase.
Progressive Snapshot vs. Competitors
Several other companies offer similar usage-based insurance (UBI) programs. Most insurers offer a discount when you enroll in a UBI program and your annual discount is applied upon policy renewal (depending on your driving habits).
Before you sign up for a UBI program, make sure you understand the program’s rules. You’ll want to know:
- What driving behaviors are being tracked?
- Could your rates increase if your driving score turns out to be low? Some companies, such as Progressive and Travelers, will increase your car insurance rates at renewal if you score poorly due to risky driving habits such as speeding.
Progressive Snapshot vs. Competitors At-a-Glance
| Company | Discount for signing up? | Discount after completing the program |
|---|---|---|
AAA AAADrive | Up to 5%; up to 10% if you enroll all the family members on your policy | Up to 25% |
Allstate Drivewise | Yes | Up to 40% |
American Family Insurance KnowYourDrive | 10% | Up to 20% |
Farmers Signal | Yes; higher enrollment discounts for young drivers | Yes and you’re eligible to win monthly rewards in gift cards up to $100 |
Geico DriveEasy | Yes | Varies by state |
Liberty Mutual RightTrack | 10% | Up to 30% |
Mercury MercuryGO | 5%; up to 10% for teen drivers in program | Up to 40% |
MetLife My Journey | Up to 25% | Up to 30% |
Nationwide SmartRide | 15% | Up to 40% |
Progressive Snapshot | Yes | Yes |
Safeco RightTrack | 10% | Up to 30% |
State Farm Safe and Save | Up to 10% | Up to 30% |
Travelers Intellidrive | Yes | Up to 30%; up to 40% in Nevada; up to 25% in New Jersey |
USAA SafePilot | Up to 10% | Up to 30% |
Westfield MissionSafe | 10% | Up to 40% |
How Much Can Drivers Save With Progressive Snapshot?
Progressive Snapshot drivers save an average of $231 a year, according to the company’s website. Your savings will depend on your results from the Snapshot program.
Your rates could increase with high-risk driving. For example, if you speed, use your phone while driving or frequently drive between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on the weekends, you could see your costs go up. Progressive says about 20% of drivers using Snapshot see an increase.
Alternative Ways to Lower Car Insurance Rates
If you’re not interested in a usage-based insurance program such as Snapshot from Progressive, here are some other ways you can lower your car insurance rates.
- Compare car insurance quotes. The best way to find a good price is to compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurers. You can often get free quotes on an insurer’s website or you can contact an independent insurance agent to speak to someone who will compare rates for you.
- Look for car insurance discounts. Ask your insurance agent to review the available car insurance discounts. For example, bundling auto and home insurance is one of the best ways you can save, usually between 5% to 25%.
- Increase your deductible. If you buy collision and comprehensive insurance, one way to lower costs is by increasing your car insurance deductible. A higher deductible means you’re assuming more of the costs if you file a car insurance claim, which results in cheaper car insurance.
- Drop coverage you don’t need. You may not need certain optional coverage types. For example, if your car is older and doesn’t have a lot of value, you may want to consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage.
Progressive Snapshot Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can my rates go up if I use Progressive Snapshot?
Yes, your rates can go up if you use Progressive Snapshot. If you have risky driving behaviors like speeding, driving late at night and using your phone while driving, your car insurance costs could increase when your policy renews.
How can I keep my car insurance rates down using Snapshot?
You can keep your car insurance rates down by practicing safe driving habits while using Snapshot from Progressive.
For example, if you avoid speeding, rapid acceleration, hard braking and do not use your phone while driving, you should see your rates go down when your policy renews. You can also help lower your rates by avoiding driving between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on the weekends.
Is Progressive Snapshot only available to Progressive customers?
Progressive Snapshot is only available to Progressive customers, but if you’re interested in the Snapshot program, you can take the Snapshot Road Test (if it’s available in your state). You can download the Snapshot app and register for the program for free. After 30 days of driving, you’ll find out if Snapshot would save you money.
If you’re not a Progressive customer but interested in a usage-based insurance (UBI) program similar to Snapshot, check with your insurer. Many of the best car insurance companies offer UBI programs.
Is Progressive Snapshot worth it?
Whether Progressive Snapshot is worth it depends on your driving habits and if you’d be considered a safe or risky driver. Safe drivers can receive a decent discount when their Progressive policy renews, while those deemed to be riskier drivers can see an increase in car insurance costs.
You can take the Snapshot Road Test to find out how well your driving might score. You can stay with your current insurance company and try the Snapshot Road Test for 30 days to see how it rates your driving performance and if you’d save money with Snapshot.
Does Progressive Snapshot track your speed?
Yes, Progressive Snapshot tracks speed and rapid acceleration.
Other driving tracked by Progressive Snapshot includes hard braking, the amount you drive, using your phone while driving and the time of day you drive.
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