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Based out of Ohio, Progressive is probably most well-known for its quirky spokeswoman (Flo) and her team of insurance enthusiasts seeking to get the best prices for policyholders.
For insured individuals who have faced bad faith tactics with Progressive auto insurance accident claims, Flo represents everything that’s wrong about seeking rightful compensation under an auto insurance policy.
In one particularly egregious case, Progressive actively participated for the opposing side after its own policyholder died in an accident. As her brother stated, the company paid for the victim’s killer’s defense.
However, you do have rights as a policyholder, and an attorney can help you protect them. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, our Ohio insurance claims lawyers refuse to let companies take advantage of consumers. You pay your premiums in full and on time, so you’re entitled to fair treatment when filing auto insurance accident claims. Please contact our office at 1-800-HURT-NOW to set up a free consultation, and read up on what to expect when you are dealing with a Progressive car accident claim in Ohio.
About Progressive Insurance
Founded in 1937, Progressive took a different approach than what other insurance companies were doing at the time. Instead of focusing on statistically safer drivers and those in rural areas, Progressive targeted riskier motorists.
The company grew quickly over the next few decades, partially through innovation. The company was the first auto insurer to have a website and has dedicated significant effort to mobile apps.
Progressive’s Size and Presence in Ohio
Progressive is one of the largest auto insurers in the United States and one of the most common carriers on Ohio roads. With millions of policies in force, there is a strong chance that either you or the other driver in a collision carries Progressive coverage. The company built much of its growth around data and pricing, including its Snapshot telematics program, which tracks driving habits through a plug-in device or a mobile app and uses that information to set rates.
That same focus on data carries into how Progressive handles claims. Adjusters are encouraged to resolve files quickly, and the company has a reputation for pushing fast settlements that are often well below what an injury claim is actually worth. Progressive maintains claims operations that serve drivers throughout Ohio, so a local crash is typically reviewed by an adjuster working from the company’s standard playbook rather than from your best interests.
Progressive’s Reputation in Claims Disputes
Besides the case noted above, Progressive has also faced allegations of deceiving policyholders, spying on them, invasion of privacy, and fraud.
The company was also the defendant in a class action case brought by its own customers, who accused the company of misconduct in diminished value claims. For accident victims, the lesson is simple: a polite adjuster and a quick offer do not always mean the company is treating your claim fairly.
Common Tactics Progressive Uses to Reduce Your Payout
Progressive is a business, and every dollar it pays out on a claim is a dollar off its bottom line. Adjusters are trained to settle files for as little as possible, and several of their methods are predictable once you know what to look for.
Pressure to Give a Recorded Statement
Soon after a crash, a Progressive adjuster will often ask for a recorded statement. The request sounds routine, but the goal is to get you talking before you understand the full extent of your injuries. A stray comment about feeling “fine” or being partly at fault can be used later to reduce or deny your claim.
Quick, Lowball Settlement Offers
Progressive frequently extends a settlement offer within days of an accident, before you know how long your recovery will take or what your medical bills will total. These early numbers are almost always low. If you want to see how these lowball settlement tactics work and how to respond, it pays to talk with an attorney before signing anything.
Disputing Your Medical Treatment
A common cost-cutting move is to label your care as “excessive” or “unrelated” to the crash. Progressive may argue that you treated for too long, saw too many providers, or had a pre-existing condition, all in an effort to chip away at the medical portion of your claim.
Steering You Toward Preferred Repair Shops
Progressive may push you to use one of its preferred body shops or direct-repair facilities. These shops have agreements with the insurer that can favor cheaper parts and faster, lower-cost repairs over a complete fix. You generally have the right to choose your own shop.
Using Snapshot and Telematics Data
If you participate in Snapshot, Progressive collects detailed data about your speed, braking, and time on the road. After a crash, the company can look to that data to question how the collision happened or to suggest you were driving carelessly.
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