Accident Response FAQ

There is no charge for downloading the app or using the Accident Response feature. The cost for provided services such as ambulance or tow are subject to the coverage you purchased under your policy. Regardless of policy coverage, we will always contact 911 on your behalf when you request dispatch of an ambulance. We will send a tow when requested, but customers without comprehensive or collision coverage on the vehicle will need to pay out of pocket for that service at time of request.

Yes, this service is only offered to Progressive customers.

Not yet. This service is currently available only to the first person listed on your policy (the "Named Insured"). But stay tuned – we're working on making this service available to all drivers on your policy.

Visit the Apple App Store® or Google Play® store to download the Progressive app. If you're the named insured, you'll need to create a user profile to utilize the app and its features. Log in, select "Accident Response" and follow the onscreen instructions to turn it on — the app will take it from there.

This feature is intended to work within the United States only. While accidents may be detected in Canada and Mexico, we are unable to offer assistance or dispatch emergency services outside the U.S.

Check to make sure you have the most recent version of the Progressive app. Update the app if possible, and you should see Accident Response among the features.

Accident Response is a safety feature within the Progressive mobile app designed to detect major accidents (called "Events" in the Terms and Conditions). If an accident is detected, the app contacts you to make sure you're OK, sends help if needed, and will even start a claim for you if ambulance or tow services are deployed.

If Accident Response detects a major accident, it will send a push notification to see if you're OK. If we don't hear that you're OK and the accident appears severe, we'll dispatch local emergency services to the location. You can request an ambulance or tow truck through the app or with a live agent. If you request an ambulance or a tow, we'll automatically submit a claim on your behalf.

The app utilizes existing sensors and GPS in your mobile phone to detect a major accident. To get more information on what is being collected and how your information is used, please refer to the Privacy Statement.

Accident Response is designed to detect major accidents that result in severe impact to the vehicle. The app may not detect all accidents, and may incorrectly identify some non-accidents as collisions. For more information about why an accident may not be detected, see "Why didn't Progressive detect my accident?"

The Accident Response feature will notify 911 if you request emergency assistance through the app or with an agent.

If we don't hear that you're OK and the accident appears severe, we'll dispatch local emergency services to the location.

It’s possible that Accident Response may detect an accident when one didn’t occur. The feature is most likely to inaccurately detect an accident when you’re driving and suddenly brake hard. Whenever an accident is detected the app will send you a push notification, an automated call and then a live call. You can respond “No” to indicate you weren’t in an accident at any of these touch points.

It’s possible that Accident Response may detect an accident when one didn’t occur. The feature is most likely to inaccurately detect an accident when you’re driving and suddenly brake hard.

• An Accident Response detection is not considered when determining your rate.
• If you confirm an accident occurred and a claim is filed against your policy, it won't impact your current rate, but may increase your rate when your policy renews. Any claim, even those where you're not found to be at fault, may cause your rate to increase. There are some exceptions:
  • A claim that's closed without payment won't impact your rate.
  • A claim with a payment of less than $500 typically doesn't cause a rate increase.
• If you're a Snapshot customer, your rate is calculated based on your driving behaviors.

Accident Response was designed to identify real-world car crashes and can typically detect the difference between a dropped phone and an accident. It is possible that a dropped phone or hard brake could trigger a detection. However, when an accident is detected the app will send you a push notification, an automated call, and then a live call. You can respond "No" to indicate you weren't in an accident at any of these touch points.

There are many reasons we may not be able to detect an accident — here are some of the most common:

• The app may miss accidents that occur shortly after you've started driving.
• The app is disabled, uninstalled, or paused.
• Data is turned-off or there is no cell signal available to transmit data.
• App is not set to "Always On."
• Location services are disabled in the app.
• Your phone's battery level is less than 20%.
• Accident was not severe enough to trigger the feature.
• For full technical requirements, please see "What settings/permissions are required?"

If an accident is detected we will send you a push notification to verify if you were in an accident. If you do not respond within 60 seconds, we'll attempt to call you several times. You will have the opportunity to request emergency services (ambulance or tow) using the app or by speaking to a live representative. If we don't hear that you're OK and the accident appears severe, we'll dispatch local emergency services to the location.

No, Accident Response won't automatically notify friends or family that you were involved in an accident. Using the feature allows you to easily notify a contact via text and provide your location.

No, Accident Response won’t automatically notify you that someone on your policy was involved in an accident. Accident Response will only send a notification to the phone number associated with the detected accident.

If you're a passenger in a vehicle not insured by Progressive, and an accident is detected, you may use the feature to request emergency assistance. We can also assist in dispatching a tow, but the vehicle owner/driver will need to pay for service out of pocket at time of dispatch.

Call 911 if immediate assistance is needed. To report a claim you can download and use the Progressive app or call us at 1-800-776-4737.

Accident Response will work with the majority of Apple iPhones and Android smart phones. For any questions about the feature, please call 1-800-776-4737.

For the best experience, we recommend you enable push notifications for the Progressive app.

iOS/iPhones

The following settings and permissions are required for the feature 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 Progressive app at all times. This setting can be found in the Settings app under General > Background App Refresh.
• Location Services: 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 detect a car crash 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. The app will need access to the following permissions:

• Location: For the app to work properly, Location Services must be enabled at all times. This setting can be found in Settings > Location > Mode and 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 state and identity: Required to detect distraction-free driving.
• App Running: In order for the app to detect a car crash do not delete or close the app. It's okay for the app to be running in the background.

The app uses 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. To preserve battery, the app will stop collecting data, and the feature will not work, if your battery has 20% or less power.

The app requires the use of data and may impact your data plan.

To preserve battery the app will stop collecting data, and the feature will not work, if your battery has 20% or less power.

The app and the feature will not work if there is not either a cellular or WiFi signal.

To turn off Accident Response, navigate to the Accident Response Overview screen. From there, you'll either see a toggle or an unenroll button. Both will disable Accident Response.

To turn on the Accident Response feature, customers who are eligible will see an Accident Response offer after logging in. Tapping the offer will guide you through the steps to set up your device.

No. As long as the app is installed on your phone and your phone is on, the app is running in the background.

The app collects information such as your speed, location, and phone usage while you're driving. We're committed to keeping your driving information secure. The data associated with the detection may be useful in determining the cause of an accident. For more information on what data is collected to make the feature work, please see the Accident Response Terms and Conditions.

If your data is potentially relevant to an insurance claim with us, you agree we may use Accident Response Data to assist in resolving the claim. This may include, but is not necessarily limited to, validating the circumstances of the Accident, such as date and time of loss and crash location; making liability and coverage determinations; conducting investigations of policy and/or claims fraud and material misrepresentation, including verifying information you’ve previously provided to us; and any potential subrogation or litigation involving the claim.

Please refer to our privacy statement.