If you've been with Progressive for 2+ years without shopping around, you're likely overpaying by $500-1,000/year. Here's how to cancel safely and find a better rate.
🚨 Critical Rule: NEVER cancel your current insurance before your new policy is active. Even a single day without coverage can spike your rates for 3-5 years and is illegal in most states.
How to Cancel Progressive
Get your new policy first — have the effective date match or overlap with Progressive's cancellation date
Call 1-800-776-4737 or log into progressive.com
Say: "I want to cancel my policy effective [date]"
They may transfer you to retention — be polite but firm
Provide your new insurance company and policy number if asked
Ask for email confirmation of the cancellation and effective date
If you prepaid, ask about your refund timeline (usually 5-10 business days)
The Loyalty Tax: Why Staying Costs More
Insurance companies use a practice called "price optimization" — gradually raising rates on long-term customers who are less likely to shop around. Here's how it works:
Year 1: Competitive introductory rate to win your business
Year 2-3: Small increases (3-8%) buried in "rate adjustments"
Year 4+: Steady increases that compound — you're now paying 20-40% more than a new customer with the same profile
They count on inertia: Switching feels like a hassle, so most people just pay
The fix: Shop for new quotes every 2-3 years. It takes 30 minutes and typically saves $500-1,000/year.
Where to Get Competing Quotes
The Zebra (thezebra.com): Compares 100+ carriers in one form — no phone calls needed
Policygenius: Independent comparison, also covers home/life/renters
Direct carrier quotes: GEICO, USAA (military), State Farm, Liberty Mutual — each takes 5-10 minutes online
Independent insurance agent: They represent multiple carriers and can find deals you won't see online
Your employer/alumni/membership discounts: Costco, AAA, credit unions often have group rates
💡 Quick Savings Checklist: Before switching, make sure you're getting all available discounts: • Bundle home + auto (10-25% off) • Defensive driving course (5-15% off) • Good credit score discount (varies by state) • Low mileage / usage-based discount (10-30% off) • Paperless billing + autopay (5-10% off) • Higher deductible ($500→$1,000 saves 15-30% on premiums)
Progressive Refund Policy
Paid in full: Pro-rata refund for unused days — no short-rate penalty
Monthly payments: No refund needed — billing simply stops
Refund timeline: 5-10 business days by the same payment method
No cancellation fee: Progressive does not charge a fee to cancel
When NOT to Cancel
You have an active claim being processed — wait until it's resolved
You're within 30 days of an accident — new carriers may not offer the same coverage continuity
Your new quote isn't significantly cheaper — switching for $50/year isn't worth the effort
You have a Snapshot/usage-based discount that's well-established — new carriers start from scratch
📊 Find Hidden Recurring Charges Upload your bank statement to JustCancel — we'll find every subscription and recurring charge, including insurance premiums you might be overpaying.