Why Farmers can be more expensive
Insurance companies don't use identical pricing models. Even with the same driver, vehicle and coverage, Farmers and Progressive can assign different prices based on their own claims experience, repair-cost assumptions, territory, mileage, discounts and other California-permitted rating factors.
California auto insurance prices generally have also risen substantially. The Los Angeles Times reported in March 2026 that California's largest insurers received approval for average increases of about 13% in 2023, 15.4% in 2024 and another 6% in 2025, with rising vehicle/parts/repair costs among the factors.
California also raised its minimum liability requirements beginning January 1, 2025, from the old 15/30/5 minimum to 30/60/15, which can raise premiums for people who previously carried lower limits.
Farmers specifically
Independent 2026 pricing data also finds Farmers relatively expensive. Insure.com's national comparison puts average Farmers full coverage around $257/month, compared with approximately $223/month for Progressive. These are averages—not what any particular driver will pay—but they line up directionally with your quotes.
There are also public comments that sound very similar to your situation. A California Farmers customer wrote in May 2026 that they had been happy with Farmers for years but were shopping because they needed a better price. Another recent reviewer complained about repeated price increases.
On Reddit, one California driver reported Farmers jumping to about $3,600 at renewal while Progressive quoted about $2,100 for similar coverage. Another Bay Area Farmers customer said their insurance cost had roughly doubled over several years. These are individual experiences rather than statistical evidence, but they show you're definitely not the only person seeing a large Farmers/Progressive price gap.
One interesting point about your quotes
Your Progressive quote isn't cheaper simply because you're buying much worse coverage:
Farmers: $1,472
Progressive: $1,131
Savings: $341/6 months = $682/year
And Progressive gives you $50k/$100k uninsured/underinsured bodily-injury coverage, compared with $30k/$60k at Farmers.
Farmers does have the advantage of a $750 comprehensive deductible instead of Progressive's $1,000, plus some differences in glass/declining-deductible benefits.
One thing I would watch carefully is Progressive's renewal price. A low initial quote doesn't guarantee that the same $1,131 price will continue at the next six-month renewal.
If you want, I can also check current California customer experiences with Progressive—especially whether people report big increases after the first 6-month policy. That would be useful before you switch.
Yes. I checked recent 2026 reviews plus California Department of Insurance information, and there are definitely reports of Progressive premiums increasing at renewal. But I wouldn't assume your $1,131 quote will automatically jump dramatically after six months.
What I found
Recent Progressive customers have reported renewal increases even without an accident. For example, an August 2026 reviewer said their premium increased $152 after the first six-month period, despite reporting no accidents or claims. Another May 2026 reviewer reported about a 25% increase after six months, attributing part of it to an introductory/e-sign discount ending. These are individual customer reports, not representative averages.
There are similar discussions on Reddit. Some longtime Progressive customers report increases at successive renewals even without claims, while others point out that insurance rates can change because of broader underwriting and claims-cost changes rather than something the individual driver did. Again, these are anecdotes rather than evidence that your rate will rise by the same amount.
Importantly, I didn't find evidence showing that Progressive has announced a universal large California renewal increase for everyone in 2026. California's Department of Insurance provides a public database where Progressive's actual rate filings can be checked.
California's 2026 complaint study also lists both companies. Farmers Insurance Exchange had 35 justified complaints on approximately 944,456 exposures, while Progressive Select had 15 on approximately 337,462 exposures. Because their customer exposure differs substantially, the raw complaint counts shouldn't be compared by themselves; CDI reports complaint ratios for that reason.
What this means for your $1,131 quote
Your current numbers are:
Farmers: $1,472 / 6 months
Progressive: $1,131 / 6 months
Immediate difference: $341
Suppose Progressive increased your next renewal:
| Hypothetical Progressive renewal | 6-month premium | Compared with current Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| No increase | $1,131 | $341 lower |
| +10% | $1,244 | $228 lower |
| +20% | $1,357 | $115 lower |
| +25% | $1,414 | $58 lower |
| +30% | $1,470 | About the same |
So Progressive would have to rise roughly 30% from your current quote before reaching Farmers' current $1,472 price.
Also remember that your Progressive coverage is not simply lower across the board: you showed $50k/$100k uninsured/underinsured BI, versus Farmers' $30k/$60k. Farmers does have the better $750 comprehensive deductible, versus Progressive's $1,000.
One thing I'd specifically ask Progressive before purchasing is: “Which discounts included in my $1,131 premium are new-customer or first-policy-term discounts that will disappear at my first renewal?” That can help you understand whether part of the $341 difference is temporary.
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