Talking to a Progressive adjuster?
Before you sign anything or give a recorded statement, call (312) 222-0202 or start a free case review. You will speak with an attorney, not a call center.
Who you actually sue when Progressive is involved
When Progressive insures the driver who hit you, the lawsuit is generally filed against that driver, and Progressive defends and pays on their behalf. That's how Illinois injury cases work, but the insurer is still the one making the decisions about settlement.
When Progressive is your own insurer, as in an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim, the claim runs under your policy, and Illinois uninsured motorist coverage typically sends disputes to arbitration (215 ILCS 5/143a). If your own insurer's delay is vexatious and unreasonable, Section 155 of the Insurance Code may allow added penalties and attorney fees.
Snapshot data, telematics, and surveillance: what can be used in your claim
Snapshot is Progressive's usage-based program. It records driving data such as braking, time of day, and mileage through an app or plug-in device. If either vehicle in your crash had telematics enabled, that data may become evidence. Depending on what it shows, it can help or hurt either side, and in a lawsuit both sides can ask for it in discovery.
Insurers defending injury claims also routinely review public social media, and some hire investigators to observe claimants. A single photo from a family party can be presented as proof that you aren't really hurt.
- Assume anything you post publicly may be seen by the insurer
- Don't delete posts after a crash. Ask a lawyer about privacy settings instead
- Follow your doctors' activity restrictions
- Tell your lawyer if you or the other driver used Snapshot or a similar program
Dealing with treatment reviews and “independent” medical exams
Insurers often question whether your treatment was necessary: too many therapy visits, an injection that wasn't “indicated,” a gap in care. Those arguments are used to cut the medical bills they're willing to count.
If your case goes to suit, the defense can ask for a physical examination by a doctor it chooses under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 215. These exams are often called “independent,” but the doctor is selected and paid by the defense. We prepare you for the exam and make sure your own treating doctors' opinions are documented in your records.
- Your treating doctors decide your care, not an adjuster
- Avoid long gaps in treatment. If you have to pause, document why
- Bring a list of your symptoms and limitations to every appointment
Why preparing every case for trial matters when negotiating with Progressive
Insurers value a claim partly on what they expect a jury would award, and partly on whether they believe the injured person's lawyer will actually go to trial. A file with organized medical proof, preserved evidence, and witnesses ready to testify carries more weight at the negotiating table than a demand letter and a stack of bills.
At LawMachine, Attorney Voss Skoullos personally handles the cases the firm takes, and we prepare each one as if it will be tried. No lawyer can promise a particular result, but that preparation is what gives a demand for fair compensation its leverage.
Frequently asked questions — Progressive claims
Can I sue Progressive directly after a Chicago car accident?
Usually not. In Illinois, you generally sue the at-fault driver, and Progressive defends and pays on their behalf. Claims under your own Progressive policy, such as uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, follow your policy terms and often go to arbitration.
Can Progressive use Snapshot data in my injury claim?
Telematics data from a vehicle involved in the crash may be requested as evidence in litigation. Whether it helps or hurts depends on what it shows, so tell your attorney if either car used Snapshot or a similar program.
Sources
LawMachine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Progressive. Progressive is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the insurer. This page is general information, not legal advice, and every case is different.