Snapshot FAQ

Typically, car insurance rates are based on a variety of factors related to your driving history or the histories of drivers who are similar to you. Snapshot prices your insurance differently and personalizes your insurance rate based on your actual driving (called usage-based car insurance). The better you drive, the more you can save.

With Snapshot, we measure a variety of factors related to your driving, including things such as the time of day you drive, sudden changes in speed (hard brakes and rapid accelerations), the amount you drive, and, for customers using the mobile app in some states, how you're using your mobile phone while driving.

Most Snapshot customers earn a discount based on their safe driving. However, riskier driving based on these factors indicate a greater likelihood of being in an accident and may result in a higher rate at renewal — depending on the state you live in and when you signed up for Snapshot.

See our state details page for more information.

The mobile app and the plug-in device experience are very similar. For both, you get a participation discount just for signing up. The participation discount* remains on your policy for the first policy term and is replaced at renewal by your personalized rate. The mobile app and the plug-in device use similar variables to evaluate your driving and provide a personalized rate. In addition to the variables in common between the plug-in device and the mobile app, the app considers handheld phone use behind the wheel. The mobile app gives you convenient access to driving data and feedback on your mobile phone. Additionally, there is no need to wait for the device to arrive in the mail, or to plug it in.

*Participation discount not available in Hawaii and New York.

Snapshot collects information about how you drive, how much you drive, and when you drive. If you're using the mobile app, details about your handheld phone use behind the wheel will also be collected. While location data is collected as well, it doesn't impact the Snapshot results you earn, but may be used for underwriting purposes. We're committed to keeping your driving information secure.

Look for regular email updates showing your progress during the Snapshot program. You can also log in to your policy at any time to see how you're doing. At your first renewal after you enroll, you'll get an email with your Snapshot results and your personalized renewal rate.

Sure. If you decide Snapshot isn't right for you, you can opt out at any time. You can do so by logging in to your account or calling 1-877-329-7283. In some states, you may have to call to opt out, depending on how long ago you enrolled in Snapshot.

If you received a Snapshot participation discount when you purchased your policy, you lose that discount when you opt out of the program. In some states and situations, if you opt out more than 45 days after enrollment, you may receive a surcharge to your policy at the next renewal, and if you’ve already shared your driving data with us it may impact your renewal rate.

Visit the details page to see specifics for your state.

You can enroll in the Snapshot program at the time you purchase your policy or by calling Progressive at 1-877-329-7283.

Absolutely. Depending on your state, you may be able to participate using the mobile app or the plug-in device. In other states, you need to use the plug-in device if you want to participate again. You can check out your Snapshot options by logging in to your policy or using our Progressive servicing app. See our state details page for more information.

No. The mobile app will not impact your ability to use any of your phone's regular features while driving or otherwise.

The mobile app uses GPS to calculate your speed over time, mileage, and driving behaviors such as hard braking. Location data is used to provide trip information on the phone. It may also be used for underwriting purposes but is not used in determining your personalized rate.

The app uses Wi-Fi to send us your trip information. The app also uses Wi-Fi to more accurately determine when a trip begins and to complement GPS location data.

The mobile app is a good fit if all drivers on the policy have an Android™ phone or iPhone^® smartphone.

Also, if any drivers on your policy regularly drive vehicles not on the policy, the mobile program may not be a good fit. Some examples of this include delivery drivers and people driving a company car.

Each driver on the policy downloads the mobile app on their smartphone. In some states, during registration of the app, each driver chooses the vehicle that they drive most often and each smartphone will then be associated with a vehicle. In other states, we average the driving data from all smartphones across all vehicles on the policy. In either case, the smartphone shows that driver's driving data and it doesn't matter if they sometimes drive a car on the policy other than the one associated with their phone.

If two drivers from the household are in a car together (for example, husband and wife), the mobile app should be able to determine who is the driver and only collect trip data for that person. However, in the instance that the phone app registers the trip for both individuals, we provide the opportunity, in the app, to correct the trip information.

See our state details page for more information.

If you cannot see the app in the App Store, it's because your phone isn't supported. If you already signed up for the mobile program, please call us at 1-877-329-7283 to switch to the plug-in device.

Yes, you can switch to a plug-in device by calling us at 1-877-329-7283. In some states, if you do choose to switch to the plug-in device, we will ask the other drivers on your policy to switch as well.

Contact your mobile carrier to discuss your plan and international implications.

No. Snapshot collects phone usage only while you're driving, and does not know who you're calling or otherwise contacting.

The mobile app is available free of charge to Progressive Snapshot mobile customers. Simply follow the link we provide you in your welcome email to download. From there, you can follow the instructions for registration.

For people that download the app and are not Progressive Snapshot customers — you're not able to register and use the mobile app. In some states, the mobile app is only available for new customers at the time they purchase their policy. If you live in one of those states, are a Progressive customer and would like to try Snapshot, you can call us or log in to enroll in Snapshot with a plug-in device.

For people who are Snapshot customers using the mobile app — give us a call at 1-877-329-7283 for help with registration.

See our state details page for more information.

Sharing cars is fine. The program won't be affected if cars on the policy are shared among Snapshot participants. Each driver only sees their own driving data on their mobile phone.

iOS/iPhones

The following settings and permissions are required for your app to function properly:

• Background App Refresh: This enables the app to record driving data while it's running in the background on your phone. For best results, this setting must be enabled for the Snapshot Mobile app at all times. This setting can be found in the Settings app under General>Background App Refresh.
• Location Services: Location services are used to calculate driving behaviors such as hard braking, mileage, and may be used for underwriting purposes. For the app to work properly, Location Services must be enabled at all times. This setting can be found in the Settings app under Privacy> Location Services:
• Wi-Fi: The app uses Wi-Fi to send us your trip information. The app also uses Wi-Fi to more accurately determine when a trip begins and to complement the GPS location data.
• App Running: In order for the app to properly record safe driving, please do not delete or close the app. It's okay for the app to be running in the background.

Android

The app should work on most Android phones without any special configuration. Upon installation, the app will request access to the following:

• Location: Location services are used to calculate driving behaviors such as hard braking, mileage, and may be used for underwriting purposes. On newer versions of Android, in Settings>Location>Mode needs to be set to "High Accuracy" or the app can't use GPS (just cellular). On older Android versions, Settings>Location needs to have all Locations Service source options enabled. Examples include GPS satellites, Location Services, and Google Location Services (or Google Wi-Fi Location Information).
• Wi-Fi: The app uses Wi-Fi to send us your trip information. The app also uses Wi-Fi to more accurately determine when a trip begins and to complement GPS location data.
• Modify or delete the contents of your SD card: Google Maps, used for displaying your trips in the app, requires this setting to cache map data. We don't modify or delete any of your existing SD card content
• Read phone status and identity: Required to detect distraction-free driving.
• App Running: In order for the app to properly record safe driving, please do not delete or close the app. It's okay for the app to be running in the background.

Yes. As long as the app is installed on your phone and your phone is on during trips, it collects your driving data (unless it's paused).

The app uses very minimal data. Battery use is also low when not driving. When driving, the battery use is comparable to other driving and navigation apps. If you take long car trips, we recommend charging the phone while driving.

As long as the app is installed on your phone, and the phone is on, you don't need to do anything when you get in the car. The app detects the start of your trip and begins collecting information on its own.

The mobile app detects movement of a certain speed and distance to determine when a trip starts. No action is necessary on the part of the user.

You can see driving reports and Snapshot performance in the mobile app. You can also view performances for all vehicles and drivers on the policy by logging in to your account.

We need to hear from your device regularly for your participation in the Snapshot program to continue.

If we're not hearing from your app often enough, we'll send you an email with instructions to re-install the app or switch to a plug-in device to continue participation in the Snapshot program.

It's normal to occasionally notice that the app doesn't collect every trip or in some cases only captures part of a trip. There are certain situations — like low battery, sparse cell towers, etc. — that can cause incomplete or missing trips. If you find that this is happening on the majority of your trips, please call us at 1-877-329-7283 for assistance.

If you notice that we miscategorized a trip, you have an opportunity in the app to correct it.

In some states, the mobile app experience is only available for customers at the time they purchase their policy. If this is the case and you would like to try Snapshot, you can call us at 1-877-329-7283 or log in to participate in the Snapshot program with the plug-in device. You can check out your Snapshot options by logging in to your policy or using our Progressive servicing app. See our state details page for more information.

Yes, if you regularly drive a vehicle that is not on your policy, the mobile app is not a good fit for you. However, the Snapshot plug-in device will allow you to participate in Snapshot and earn your personalized rate.

You will receive your device in the mail within seven to 10 days of when you signed up for Snapshot.

After starting your car, simply look for a blinking light in the device. If you don't see one, unplug the device, review installation details, and then plug it back in. If you still don't see a blinking light, please call us at 1-877-329-7283.

We need to hear from your device regularly for your participation in the Snapshot program to continue.

If your device stops working or comes unplugged and we haven't heard from it in a while, you'll get an email with details on what to do next.

The Snapshot plug-in device beeps when you make a hard brake. Getting this instant feedback can help you improve your driving and maximize your potential savings.

If you are enrolled in a Snapshot program that does not include ongoing participation, you'll get an email when it's time to unplug and return the device. If you are enrolled in a Snapshot program that does include ongoing participation, there’s no need to return the device unless you choose to opt-out of the program. If you do choose to opt-out, you’ll get an email reminding you to return the device.

Call us at 1-877-329-7283, so we can send you a new one. Unfortunately, the $30 charge for an unreturned device still applies.