Kemper vs Progressive: which is better for car insurance in 2026?
Across our six scoring categories, Kemper comes out ahead in 0, Progressive in 5, with 1 too close to call. Progressive edges the weighted overall score by 1.3 of a point, on the strength of price, complaint record, financial strength, discounts, digital experience. That is not a reason to skip Kemper: it scores higher on none of our categories, though it may still quote you less, and a quote that comes in lower beats a review that scores higher. Progressive is the safer default; Kemper is worth a quote if you are among drivers turned down elsewhere because of their record or credit.
Kemper vs Progressive, side by side
Sources: average premiums from NerdWallet's August 2026 rate analysis (Quadrant Information Services), for a 35-year-old driver with a clean record and good credit in a 2023 Toyota Camry LE at 12,000 miles a year, 100/300/50 limits with $1,000 deductibles — national average $2,356. Claims satisfaction from the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study (segment average 700). Complaint record from NerdWallet's analysis of NAIC complaint data, 2022–2024. Financial strength from AM Best. Discounts and app data from each carrier's published pages and the Apple App Store / Google Play, retrieved August 2026. Updated August 2026.
Category by category
Price
Progressive aheadProgressive averages $2,062/yr for full coverage against Kemper's $2,422/yr — about $360 a year, or 30 dollars a month, in Progressive's favor for this profile.
$2,422 a year for full coverage on our standard benchmark, 3% above the national average — but Kemper's actual customers are drivers who would pay far more, or be refused outright, almost anywhere else.
$2,062 a year for full coverage, about 13% under the national average and effectively tied with State Farm. Progressive's real pricing story is the discount stack rather than the base rate.
Claims satisfaction
Too close to callNeither pulls ahead on claims satisfaction: Kemper posts Not rated and Progressive 673/1,000, a difference too small to choose on.
Not in the J.D. Power claims study, which samples only the largest insurers.
673 out of 1,000 is the weakest claims score in this review — 27 points below the segment average and 70 behind Erie. This is Progressive's clearest weakness.
Complaint record
Progressive aheadProgressive takes complaint record on Fewer than expected against Kemper's Far more than expected.
Far more complaints than expected for its size. Non-standard carriers tend to run high on this measure, which is context rather than an excuse.
Fewer complaints than expected for its size, which sits oddly alongside the claims score and suggests the friction shows up in satisfaction rather than in formal complaints.
Financial strength
Progressive aheadProgressive takes financial strength on A+ against Kemper's A-.
AM Best A- (Excellent). Parent Kemper Corporation is publicly traded.
AM Best A+ (Superior). No concerns about its ability to pay.
Discounts
Progressive aheadProgressive takes discounts on 16 published against Kemper's 6 published.
A shorter list than standard-market carriers, plus Kemper Co-Pilot telematics with a 10% signup discount.
Sixteen published discounts, more than almost anyone — and unusually, Progressive publishes the average value of most of them rather than hiding behind 'varies'.
Digital experience
Progressive aheadProgressive takes digital experience on 4.83 iOS / 4.6 Android against Kemper's 2.44 iOS / 3.6 Android.
2.44 on the App Store and 3.6 on Google Play. The current app relaunched in mid-2026, so those scores reflect a new listing rather than a settled one.
4.83 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play. Progressive was built direct-to-consumer and the digital experience shows it.
So which one?
Pick Kemper if…
- You are among drivers turned down elsewhere because of their record or credit.
- Availability fits: 38 states, specialising in non-standard auto.
Pick Progressive if…
- You are among price shoppers willing to trade some claims experience for a lower premium.
- Price is your first filter — Progressive averages $2,062/yr for full coverage on our benchmark profile.
- You want the lower complaint record — Progressive sits at Fewer than expected.
- Financial strength is a priority; Progressive holds A+ from AM Best.
Kemper vs Progressive, answered
The questions people ask before switching between these two.
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