So, been doing more digging on insurance rates and learned something about Progressive, after more than an hour on the phone with them.
In summary:
1. Their auto rates are much much cheaper than Allstate, but there is a catch....
2. Catch #1, if you also need Homeowners, they shop that out to "HomeSite;" my rate quote was more than twice (yes, >2X) my Allstate actual cost
3. Catch #2, if you also need an Umbrella policy, they shop that out as well; my rate with their "ASI Affiliate" was 30% higher than Allstate
4. Catch #3, if you don't buy #2 and #3, the cost of #1 shoots up through the roof!
My advice: Trust no one's "online tools," unless you want surprises later. This is why I called and spend time working through the details. When I questioned the Progressive practice (low-ball auto and make it up on the other policies), the agent said, "Yes, this isn't the first time I've heard that comment". At that point, the Progressive agent put away that "pricing scanner," that you see in the ads, and thanked me for my time (he knew this wasn't going anywhere). YMMV.