Progressive Snapshot Review 2024

Snapshot is Progressive’s usage-based telematics insurance program that can offer you a discount on your premium if you drive safely. Here’s what it tracks:

• Braking and acceleration: Don’t slam on the brakes, and avoid accelerating too quickly
• Night driving: Limit nighttime driving — 12 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on weekends
• Miles driven: The less you drive, the higher your potential discount
• Phone use: Don’t use your phone while your car is in motion

Progressive doesn’t advertise maximum percentage discounts for Snapshot, but it claims that safe drivers using the program save $231 on average when they renew their policy and $94 on average at signup.

One of my coworkers who uses Snapshot is able to save 15 percent on their premium per six-month policy period. The amount you save will depend on where you live. For example, sign-up discounts are not available in Hawaii or New York — you’ll have to complete the program before you see a discount reflected in those states.

It’s also important to keep in mind that Snapshot may actually increase your premium in certain states if the app or plug-in device detects unsafe driving behavior, which is a potential risk to keep in mind if you engage in risky driving. Progressive states that around two in 10 drivers experience a rate increase as a result of using Snapshot. This is something I don’t have to worry about with State Farm, as Drive Safe & Save can only lower your premium.

When Do You Start Earning the Snapshot Discount?

When you enroll in Snapshot, you’ll get a small discount on your initial policy period unless you live in New York or Hawaii (or California, where Snapshot isn’t available at all). Then, you’ll participate in the program for the duration of a policy period, which is either six or 12 months, depending on your policy.

At the next policy renewal, provided that Progressive has collected enough of your driving data, you’ll receive a discount — or a rate increase — based on your driving habits. The way the program works is very state-specific.

In some states, you’ll participate in the program for one policy period, and your driving results will apply for the remainder of the lifetime of your policy. However, the corresponding discount or rate increase may change over time. In other states, you’ll use the program continuously, and your driving results and subsequent rate change will be updated at every renewal.

If you opt out of the program within 45 days of enrolling, your sign-up discount will be removed. If you opt out after 45 days, you may get a surcharge at your next renewal, depending on your state.

Households With Multiple Drivers

Progressive Snapshot works with multiple cars or drivers on your policy, but it doesn’t provide a discount for doing so. This process is also state-dependent: in some states, each driver on the policy will have to choose which car they drive most frequently when they download the app and enroll in the program. Their smartphone will then be associated with that particular car, but they can still drive other cars as well.

In other states, the program simply averages driving data from all smartphones and vehicles. If you have teens or inexperienced drivers on your policy, be particularly prudent about having them sign up since your rates may be most likely to increase.

Enrollment

You can decide to enroll in Snapshot as soon as you purchase your Progressive auto insurance policy or later on by calling Progressive. In certain states, the mobile app option isn’t available, and in others, it’s only available if you sign up when you purchase your policy. If you decide to enroll in the program at a later date, you’ll need to use the plug-in device in these states.

If you live in a state where the mobile app option is available and decide to go that route, all you need to do is download the Progressive app as Snapshot is integrated into it. Below is what the Snapshot home screen within the app looks like, which shows your current score and a driving tip:

Trip Tracking

Snapshot tracks your trips using either the mobile app or a plug-in device, depending on your state and personal preference. Setting up the app is faster since you’ll have to wait seven to 10 days to receive the physical device after you enroll. However, it’s very easy to use once you receive it — you just plug it into the OBD-II port in your car, which is usually under the steering wheel.

Both of my coworkers who use Snapshot use it via the Progressive mobile app and shared that it was easy to set up. Their main complaints are that the app does not differentiate whether they are the driver or the passenger and does not allow them to indicate this upfront — you have to wait until the trip is logged and then go back and edit it, which is easy to forget.

I also looked at app store reviews to gather more robust feedback data. The Progressive mobile app has mostly positive reviews in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores. As with most apps, it has a higher average rating from iPhone users, but only slightly.

The most common complaints about the app include:

• Inaccurately sensing whether someone is the driver or the passenger, echoing my colleagues
• Detects phone use even if a passenger is using the phone or GPS is on
• Inefficient roadside assistance

Most positive reviews are about the app being user-friendly. For Snapshot specifically, users note that it helps them focus on and improve their driving. Many reviewers also enjoy being able to review trip details and driving habits.

Here’s how Snapshot compares to other major insurance companies’ usage-based discounts:

If you prefer not to participate in the Snapshot program, there are other car insurance discounts you can take advantage of with Progressive:

• Bundling: If you have more than one type of policy with Progressive, such as auto and home insurance, you can save on both.
• Good student: Full-time students who maintain a B average or better qualify for savings. Students 22 or under who are away at school without a vehicle also qualify for a discount.
• Homeowner: You can get a discount if you’re a homeowner, even if your home insurance policy is not through Progressive.
• Sign online: Get a small discount just for signing your policy documents online.
• Payment: Setting up automatic payments, paperless billing, and paying in full can get you a discount.
• Continuous insurance: You can get a discount on your first policy renewal based on how long you’ve been continuously insured, even with another insurer.

If you tend to drive carefully, it’s likely worth it to participate in Progressive Snapshot, but there are some factors to consider before you make your decision. You get a discount just for signing up, so you’ll save even before you complete the program. According to Progressive, around 80 percent of drivers earn a discount with the program, so you can expect to save even more at your policy renewal.

The program can also help you improve your driving by flagging areas for improvement and, if you use the app, providing some tips for better driving. If you use the plug-in device, you’ll get real-time alerts when it detects hard braking.

However, the state you live in should be a key factor in your decision. In certain states, Snapshot can actually lead to your rates increasing if it detects risky driving habits. The participation period also depends on your state — you may only participate for one policy period, but your driving data will be set for the remainder of your time with Progressive. This means that if your rate increases as a result of your driving report, you will likely face a higher rate at your following renewals as well (although you have the option of participating in Snapshot again to improve your score). When you sign up for a policy, it’s worth asking a representative how the discount works in your state.

Finally, phone use only impacts your score in some states. Since incorrect and oversensitive phone use tracking is one of the main complaints from Snapshot users, you may have a better experience if you live in a state where it can’t affect your rate.

Be sure to check with your agent about how the program works in your state before enrolling.

In summary:

Snapshot Is Best For You If You:

• Tend to drive safely — specifically, you avoid hard braking, rapid acceleration and phone use while driving
• Want to maximize discounts on your policy
• Live in a state where Progressive won’t raise your premium regardless of your driving data
• Are looking for ways to lower your premium after a rate increase following an accident or driving violation

Snapshot Is Not Best for You If You:

• Tend to engage in risky driving behavior
• Don’t want Progressive to track your data
• Live in California

We use the following methodology to evaluate usage-based insurance discount programs like Progressive Snapshot.

Tracked Behaviors and Data

We assess what data the program uses to determine discounts. Usually, programs track braking, acceleration, speed, cornering, miles driven, phone use while driving and the time of day you’re driving. We give preference to programs that automatically detect trips. Crash detection (sometimes called accident assistance) is a nice extra feature, but we don’t consider it a necessity. Ideally, the insurance company encrypts this data and doesn’t share it with third parties for marketing purposes.

Availability

Not all programs and discounts are available in all states, so we consider where the program is available, as well as whether the discount varies by location and by how much.

Telematics Technology

Programs usually operate through a mobile app, a plug-in or Bluetooth device, or a combination of the two. While mobile apps are more straightforward than plug-in devices, they may drain your phone battery and are more likely to accidentally track trips where you’re a passenger. Plug-in or Bluetooth devices can be more precise. If the program uses an app, we check its ratings on Google Play and the Apple App Stores.

Rates

We prefer programs that offer potential insurance discounts of up to 30 percent or higher, plus discounts just for signing up. Another key feature we consider is whether the program could increase your premium instead of reducing it — we prioritize programs that won’t do this, regardless of driving data.