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Progressive Motorcycle Insurance Review
Not only is Progressive an industry leader when it comes to insurance, but its range of motorcycle coverage is also top-notch. Founded in 1937, the company featured the first drive-in claims office, and it was the first to introduce lowered rates to low-risk drivers.
The Claim
Progressive claims to be the No. 1 motorcycle insurance company, going so far as to state that one in three insured motorcyclists have chosen it. Its claim to fame stems from offering a wide range of coverage with competitive rates. This includes full replacement costs, even on parts that would normally depreciate in value. Damaged front tire with worn treads? The insurer says it will pay the same full cost you paid for that tire when it was new.
Is it true?
Yes. Progressive does offer some fantastic coverage on motorcycles, including full replacement costs on parts that have depreciated in value. Motorcyclists, be they collectors or casual riders, should have no trouble customizing their coverage to specific needs or finding ways to save.
That said, Progressive doesn’t seem to be leading the way when it comes to satisfied customers. In fact, in J.D. Power’s 2019 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, Progressive consistently hovers at or below average, earning a dismal two out of five stars in many regions. In a separate J.D. Power study evaluating claims satisfaction, Progressive also lands near the bottom of the pack.
While auto insurance isn’t exactly the same as motorcycle insurance, it’s worth noting that a company that prides itself as No. 1 with motorcyclists ranks poorly when it comes to car owners.
Product Overview
- In business since: 1937
- A.M. Best financial strength rating: A+
- Moody’s financial strength rating: Aa2
- S&P Global financial strength rating: AA
- Better Business Bureau rating: B-
- Pros: Customizable coverage, good for vintage or custom bikes
- Cons: Low customer satisfaction, expensive add-ons
Features
Insures classic and custom motorcycles
Progressive is ideal for riders with vintage, antique, or custom bikes. For example, the company offers a relatively rare OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts coverage. This guarantees that any part replaced on the bike will come from its original maker — so your Harley stays a Harley, or your Suzuki a Suzuki.
Progressive policies also come with generous custom parts and accessories coverage: up to $3,000 included when you purchase comprehensive and collision. Most companies start at $1,000 included and will charge you extra to up that limit. If you’re looking for coverage beyond the included amount, Progressive allows you to purchase up to $30,000.
“To really make a motorcycle your own, you have to accessorize it. Foot pegs, hand warmers, chrome buttons, you name it, there’s an accessory for that. If you have your bike customized at all, it’s essential that your insurance covers those accessories. Without coverage for your accessories, if you were to wreck and they were damaged, insurance would only pay for the cost of the factory parts, and your investment in your accessories would be lost.”
Melanie Musson Insurance Expert, CarInsuranceComparison.com
Easy quote process
To get your Progressive motorcycle insurance quote, all it takes is a few minutes and a little information about your motorcycle, yourself, and the coverage you are looking for. Then you can get your rate. Throughout the process, the discounts you are eligible for are shown on the page and automatically applied to your quote. You can also speak to a Progressive motorcycle insurance representative at any time if you have questions about your quote or the available coverage options.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Most states are “at-fault” states when it comes to accidents and paying for damages to both vehicles and drivers. In these situations, it’s usually the responsibility of the driver at fault to have the coverage necessary to cover those damages. However, experts say that you can’t always rely on the driver to have adequate coverage:
“Insurance laws vary by state, but one thing is certain — the rider cannot rely on the at-fault driver having adequate insurance in the event of an accident. State law minimum policy limits are $25,000/$50,000 in South Carolina and many other states across the U.S. What this means is that one person can collect up to $25,000 maximum and the policy will pay $50,000 maximum for the whole accident. In the unfortunate event of a motorcycle accident, the emergency room bill alone is going to exceed a minimum policy.”
Justin Lovely Motorcycle Injury Lawyer in South Carolina and President-Elect of the National Academy of Motorcycle Injury Lawyers
This is why we appreciate that Progressive not only offers UM/UIM coverage (a fairly standard coverage offered by most insurers), but that it also advocates for taking on more than the state minimum. It touts the fact that 74% of its drivers take on more than the state minimum — and we appreciate the insurer’s commitment to making the benefits of this policy widely known.
“If I would give one piece of advice to someone purchasing motorcycle insurance, it would be to buy as much underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage as you can afford. You don’t want to rely on the person that hits you to have enough coverage. Make sure you insure yourself!”
Gabriel Levin Personal Injury Lawyer in Center City, Philadelphia
Loyalty rewards
With the Progressive Loyalty Rewards program, you can be automatically enrolled in discounts and accident forgiveness. Additionally, the longer you stay with Progressive, the more benefits you can earn — from larger accident forgiveness to guaranteed lifetime insurance renewal.
Possible drawbacks
Customer satisfaction rating
There’s no denying Progressive’s comparatively low customer satisfaction ratings. Progessive scores below industry average in many regions of J.D. Power’s auto insurance survey and in J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction survey, and its B- rating from the Better Business Bureau is a similarly poor indication of quality. While your experience will vary based on your level of need and the representative you’re dealing with, it’s worth noting that Progressive may be more difficult to work with than other popular insurers.
Coverage upgrades can be pricey
Progressive likes to throw around “$75 per year” when talking about motorcycle insurance pricing. What isn’t quite so prominent is the fact that this only covers a basic liability policy (and isn’t available in all states). Adding things you will likely need (medical, increased liability, etc.) raises that price significantly. In fact, when we gathered sample quotes for our review of the best motorcycle insurance, Progressive turned out to be one of the most expensive providers for expert-recommended coverage levels. Of course, quotes are highly dependent on your personal situation, so we always recommend comparing quotes from multiple companies to see how price shakes out for you.
The Competition
| Progressive | Farmers | Markel | Safeco | |
| Our review | ||||
| A+ | A | A | A | |
| 3/5 | 4/5 | N/A | 3/5 | |
| Fewer complaints than average | Fewer complaints than average | Average number of complaints | More complaints than average | |
| ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates |
*Customer complaints are registered by the NAIC and measured relative to the company’s market share.
Progressive vs. Farmers Insurance
While it’s true that Progressive might not feature as many coverage options as Farmers, it can account for two areas where Farmers comes up short: online quotes and educational materials. With Progressive, you’re actually eligible for a discount when you start a quote online. Progressive also features detailed infographics and posts on its site that can help prospective customers make informed decisions. We appreciated the added touch.
Progressive vs. Markel American
Markel is the only company we saw that offers mechanical breakdown coverage, an optional add-on that pays for the cost of any parts that need to be repaired or replaced on your bike. However, this coverage doesn’t come cheap, and Markel advertises fewer total discounts. That said, we recommend comparing quotes, as your price and coverage options with Progressive and Markel will depend on your location and other personal factors.
Progressive vs. Safeco
Safeco coverage falls short when it comes to covering your vintage or antique bike. It doesn’t offer actual agreed value coverage, which can make getting the correct reimbursement for your classic bike next to impossible. That’s bad news if you’re a collector. Another thing Safeco lacks that Progressive offers is an online quote tool. If you want a quote from Safeco, you’ll have to call the company and speak with an agent. Granted, this will probably get you a more accurate quote — but we appreciate that Progressive makes it easier to shop around without being pressured into signing up for a policy. That said, Safeco does advertise an impressive list of discounts, including a “mature rider” discount that Progressive is missing, so it’s possible that Safeco could net you a cheaper policy.
Progressive Motorcycle Insurance FAQ
The Bottom Line
While some will debate whether or not Progressive is truly No. 1 when it comes to motorcycle insurance, there’s no denying that the company brings quite a bit to the table. Not only does it cover a wide range of motorcycle types, but its list of coverage options is quite large. Just don’t be fooled by the price of $75 per year; as nice as that seems, it doesn’t factor in the added cost of recommended coverage options. Before committing to Progressive, make sure to compare quotes with a variety of other motorcycle insurance providers to make sure you’re getting the best deal on coverage.
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