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Progressive Commercial vs Great West Casualty Insurance

84Very Good

Progressive Commercial

Average Score

VS
77Good

Great West Casualty

Average Score

Winner: Progressive Commercial

Category Breakdown

Premium Pricing

Progressive Commercial wins
Progressive Commercial80
Great West Casualty72

Progressive generally offers more competitive premiums, especially for newer carriers and owner-operators with clean driving records. Their online quoting system makes it easy to compare options quickly. Great West Casualty's premiums are higher but they argue their coverage is more comprehensive. For cost-conscious carriers, Progressive typically wins on monthly premium.

Claims Process

Great West Casualty wins
Progressive Commercial82
Great West Casualty88

Great West Casualty excels in claims handling with dedicated trucking claims adjusters who understand the industry. Their claims team is known for faster resolution and more driver-friendly outcomes. Progressive's claims process is efficient but uses general adjusters who may not understand trucking-specific situations, which can sometimes lead to delays or disputes.

Coverage Options

Progressive Commercial wins
Progressive Commercial85
Great West Casualty80

Progressive offers a wider variety of coverage options and endorsements, making it easier to customize your policy. Their package policies for owner-operators are well-designed with bundling discounts. Great West focuses on core trucking coverages and does them well, but offers fewer specialty add-ons for niche operations.

New Authority

Progressive Commercial wins
Progressive Commercial78
Great West Casualty70

Getting insured as a new authority carrier is challenging with any company, but Progressive is more willing to write policies for new MC numbers. Great West Casualty is more selective and often requires at least 1-2 years of operating history. For brand-new carriers, Progressive is frequently the more accessible option.

Online Tools

Progressive Commercial wins
Progressive Commercial88
Great West Casualty65

Progressive dominates in digital tools with online quoting, policy management, claims filing, and certificate of insurance generation. Great West Casualty's online presence is dated by comparison, requiring more phone calls and paperwork. For tech-savvy operators who want to manage everything digitally, Progressive is significantly more convenient.

Financial Stability

Progressive Commercial wins
Progressive Commercial90
Great West Casualty85

Both companies are financially strong with excellent AM Best ratings. Progressive is one of the largest insurers in the U.S. with massive reserves. Great West Casualty is smaller but has been specializing in trucking insurance for decades with a strong balance sheet. Neither company poses a solvency risk, but Progressive's size provides an extra layer of confidence.

Score Summary

CategoryProgressive CommercialGreat West CasualtyLeader
Premium Pricing8072Progressive Commercial
Claims Process8288Great West Casualty
Coverage Options8580Progressive Commercial
New Authority7870Progressive Commercial
Online Tools8865Progressive Commercial
Financial Stability9085Progressive Commercial
Overall Average8477Progressive Commercial

Our Verdict

Progressive Commercial takes this comparison as the better overall choice for most owner-operators and small fleets. Its competitive pricing, wider coverage options, better digital tools, and willingness to insure new authority carriers give it the edge in accessibility and convenience.

However, this is not a clear-cut win in every scenario. Great West Casualty has built a reputation as a trucking insurance specialist, and their claims handling process reflects that expertise. If you have been in the industry for several years and value having claims adjusters who truly understand trucking, Great West's higher premiums may be worth paying for the peace of mind during a claim.

For new carriers getting their first policy, Progressive is often the practical choice simply because they are more willing to provide coverage. Many carriers start with Progressive and switch to Great West or another specialty insurer once they have 2-3 years of clean operating history and can negotiate better rates.

The online tools difference is worth emphasizing. In 2026, being able to generate certificates of insurance, file claims, and manage your policy from your phone is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Progressive's digital platform is years ahead of Great West's, and for owner-operators who are constantly on the road, that convenience matters.

We recommend getting quotes from both companies and comparing total annual costs including deductibles, not just monthly premiums.

Frequently Asked Questions

New authority trucking insurance typically costs $12,000-25,000 per year for a single truck depending on your operation type, cargo, and radius. Progressive tends to be on the lower end of this range. Rates drop significantly after 2 years of clean operation. Expect to pay more for hazmat or long-haul operations.
Federal law requires primary liability insurance ($750,000 minimum for general freight, $1,000,000 for hazmat, $5,000,000 for household goods). Cargo insurance and physical damage coverage are not federally mandated but are often required by brokers and shippers. Workers compensation requirements vary by state.
Yes, you can switch trucking insurance at any time. Most policies allow cancellation with 30 days notice and will refund the unused premium pro-rata. The new insurer will need your current policy details, loss runs, and FMCSA filing information. There should be no coverage gap during the transition.
Yes, both Progressive and Great West review your CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores as part of underwriting. High BASICs scores in Unsafe Driving or Crash Indicator can significantly increase your premiums or result in coverage denial. Maintaining clean CSA scores is one of the best ways to keep insurance costs down.

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Published March 6, 2026