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Founded in 1928, Farmers is the 7th largest car insurance company based on market share. It operates in 44 states and offers various insurance policies, including car, homeowners, renters, motorcycle, RV, business, life, and pet insurance.
Business Insider compared Farmers car insurance to similar car insurance competitors and found it to be a standout offering, earning a place in our guide to the best car insurance companies for its wide array of discount opportunities.
Farmers Auto Insurance Review
Farmers Auto Insurance is an excellent choice for its extensive car insurance options, catering to drivers that fit various profiles. Farmers may be a good choice if you:
- Own a high-value or luxury car
- Have younger drivers on your policy
- Are a senior driver
- Are a homeowners
- Drive for a rideshare company
Farmers’ rates are higher than average, so it won’t fit everyone’s budget. But they offer many discounts to lower your price.
In addition to price, the company struggles with customer service. It received below-average customer satisfaction rating from JD Power in all regions except the Southeast.
Farmers Auto Insurance Pros and Cons
Farmers Auto Insurance Pros
- Wide array of coverage options
- Lots of discount opportunities
- One of the largest car insurance companies by market share
Farmers Auto Insurance FCons
- Expensive premiums
- Several negative customer reviews
- Below-average JD Power ratings for customer satisfaction
Farmers Auto Insurance Plans Available
Farmers offer the following standard car insurance policies:
- Comprehensive coverage: Repairs your vehicle from non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
- Collision coverage: Repairs your vehicle after an accident with other cars or objects.
- Liability insurance: Covers other people’s medical expenses and property damage for accidents you cause. It can also cover legal expenses if you’re sued.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Pays for you and your passenger’s medical care and property repairs if an uninsured or underinsured driver causes an accident.
- Medical payments: Pays for you and your passenger’s medical expenses after a car accident, regardless of fault.
- Personal Injury Protection: Pays for you and your passenger’s medical expenses after a car accident, regardless of fault. It can also cover lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and funeral expenses.
Check your state’s requirements to determine how much insurance you must carry. This information can be found on your state’s DMV or insurance regulatory site. If you have a car loan, your lender may require you to carry full-coverage insurance.
Additional Coverage Options (Riders) offered by Farmers Auto Insurance
Farmers is an excellent choice for those with specific car insurance needs. You’ll find lots of options to customize your policy, including:
- Roadside assistance: Pays for emergency services like towing, battery replacement, and locksmith services if your car breaks down.
- Rental car reimbursement: Covers the cost of a rental car while your car receives repairs.
- Loss of use: Pays a stipend for alternative transportation expenses, like public transportation or ridesharing services, while your car is at the repair shop.
- Original equipment manufacturer: Covers repairs to factory parts after a covered accident.
- Accident forgiveness: Keeps premiums from increasing after an at-fault accident.
- Rideshare insurance and food delivery: Provides coverage for those who drive for rideshare companies like Uber and food delivery companies like Grubhub.
- New car replacement: Replaces your car with a new or newer car after a total loss.
- Customized equipment: Covers cost of repairs to aftermarket parts
- Glass deductible buyback: Waives or reduces your deductible for windshield or glass repairs.
- Gap insurance: Covers the difference between your outstanding auto loan and your car’s depreciated value.
How Much Does Farmers Auto Insurance Cost?
Farmers is more expensive than the average car insurance. But, the extra premium may be worth it — especially if you have specific coverage needs. Plus, Farmers has a wide selection of discounts to lower your costs. For example, you can save 10% or more by bundling policies and insuring multiple vehicles.
The table below depicts Farmers average premiums for different coverage amounts.
Source: Policygenius
Note: Policygenius used Quadrant data to obtain the average cost of a full coverage policy from Farmers. The sample includes 50/100/50 coverage limits and $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage for single drivers aged 30, 35, and 45 driving a 2017 Toyota Camry LE about 10,000 miles per year.
Farmers Auto Insurance Discounts
Here are a list of potential discounts you can qualify for with Farmers car insurance:
Bundle and save: Bundling other Farmers policies, like home insurance or multiple cars, can save you 10% or more on your premiums.
Loyalty discount: Policyholders who stick with Farmers for multiple years can qualify for discounts as long as they have no more than one at-fault, chargeable accident in the 12 months before the renewal date.
ePolicy discount: Enrolling in an ePolicy with paperless terms and conditions can save you money.
Good payer: Policyholders with no late billing fees for 12 months can qualify for a discount when their policy is renewed.
Youthful driver: Young drivers (under 25) living in a household with parents or grandparents who are Farmers policyholders can get a discount.
On your own: Drivers under 29 can qualify for this discount if they were an active driver on a Farmers car insurance policy in their prior household and have moved.
Save with the Signal app: Policyholders can receive a discount for using Signal, Farmers’ mobile app.
Auto Pay/EFT: Policyholders who set up automatic monthly payments.
Safe driver: Drivers with zero charageable accidents or citations for three years can qualify for this discount.
Good student: Full-time students under 25 can qualify for discounts for academic achievements. Qualifications include a 3.0 GPA or better, dean’s list, honor roll, top 20% of their class, or top 20% on standardized testing for home-schooled students.
Distant student: This discount applies to student drivers under 23 who attend school at least 100 miles away from home without a vehicle.
Five-year accident free: Drivers who go 60 months without an at-fault accident can qualify for a discount.
Shared family car: Family vehicles are eligible for a discount. Family vehicles are defined by a car driven by a single driver 20 or younger in addition to other active drivers in the household.
Mature driver/defensive driver/senior driver: Drivers over 55 can get a discount for completing state-approved safe driver training in the past three years.
Homeowner: Policyholders can receive a discount for owning a residence, even if it isn’t insured by Farmers.
Pay in full: Drivers can receive a discountby simply paying for their policy in full as opposed to regular installments.
Anti-theft: Discount applies to cars with protective devices, like vehicle tracking.
Car insurance discounts by state: Depending on the state you live in, you may qualify for additional discounts.
How to Purchase and Manage a Farmers Auto Insurance Policy
Drivers can purchase a policy online at Farmers.com or dialing 1-800-515-1896 to phone an agent. Keeping the following information (for you and any drivers) on hand can expedite the process:
- Personal information (Name, date of birth, gender, marital status, etc.)
- ZIP code and home address
- VIN or vehicle’s year, make, and model
- Vehicle’s ownership status
- Car’s parked location
- Vehicle use (business or personal)
- Driving history
- Homeowner status
- Desired start date
You can manage your account via your Farmers online account or mobile app and complete tasks such as:
- Paying your bill
- Retrieving your proof of insurance
- Viewing policy documents
- Starting a claim
- Requesting roadside assistance
- Updating your information
How to File a Claim with Farmers Auto Insurance
Farmers customers can file a claim through their online account or mobile app. If you’re not a customer, complete a claims form or call claims service at 800-435-7764. Before you file a claim, you’ll want to have the following information nearby:
- Your policy number
- The date and time of the accident
- A detailed description of the accident
- Names and contact information of all drivers and witnesses involved
- Photos and videos of the damage to your vehicle
- Police report (if applicable)
How long your claim takes depends on the incident and your insurance company. A minor bender can take a couple of weeks, while a multi-car accident can take months. Luckily, you can manage and track the status of your claim through your Farmers digital account.
Once your claim is approved, you can receive payment for repairs via direct deposit or check by mail. Farmers can also pay the repair shop directly; all you cover is the deductible.
What if Farmers Denies My Claim?
Dealing with a claim denial or a low settlement can be frustrating. If you’d like a reevaluation of your case, you can file an appeal with your insurance company. Check your insurance policy or speak to your insurance agent for appeal instructions. Farmers may request additional evidence or conduct another inspection as part of the process.
If you’re still dissatisfied, you can file a complaint with your state’s insurance commissioner or hire an experienced car accident attorney for further investigation.
Farmers Auto Insurance Customer Reviews and Ratings
Farmers received a high volume of negative customer ratings. Policyholders expressed dissatisfaction with its claims department, citing lower-than-expected settlements and unresponsiveness. Take a look at Farmers’ ratings from various sites:
- Better Business Bureau: 1.12 out of 5
- Trustpilot: 1.3 out of 5
- Consumer Affairs: 3.6 out of 5
- Wallethub: 2.9 out of 5
For customer ratings, Farmers stands out for having a low complaint index ratio and strong financial ratings. It also ranks highly for customer satisfaction in the Southeast region. But it scored low in nearly all other regions.
Farmers Auto Insurance vs. Its Competitors
Farmers vs. State Farm
State Farm Auto Insurance is the largest car insurance company in the US based on market share — and it’s no surprise why. The company offers affordable premiums and scores highly for customer service based on JD Power surveys. Consider State Farm if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option and exemplary customer service.
If you want a company with a full suite of coverage options, you may prefer Farmers. But you’ll have to shell out more than you would with State Farm. State Farm costs about $1,141 per year for a $50,000/$100,000 full-coverage policy.
Take a look at State Farm’s key features vs. Farmers:
Read our State Farm auto insurance review.
Farmers vs. GEICO
GEICO Auto Insurance is another major insurance company. Known for its cheap rates, the average GEICO full-coverage policy costs $1,192 per year. And with a wide range of discount options, you can lower your price even more.
Compared to GEICO, Farmers is more expensive. But it offers customizability, with a wider menu of coverage offerings. Farmers also does better than GEICO in the claims department.
Another difference is that Farmers employs independent agents, while GEICO doesn’t. GEICO works with agents that only sell its products. An independent agent can sell insurance with different companies. So a Farmers agent may recommend a different policy that better suits your needs — even if not with the company.
GEICO may be your best bet if you’re looking for cheap, no-frills insurance. If your priority is customization and potentially better claims service, choose Farmers.
Read our GEICO auto insurance review.
Farmers Auto Insurance FAQ
Farmers is good for auto insurance if you have specific needs and are looking for a company with lots of coverage options. If affordable coverage is a priority, you may have better luck with another insurer. Comparing quotes can help you find the coverage you need at the best price.
Farmers insurance has higher rates because it targets drivers willing to pay a premium for specialized coverage, such as for high-value or luxury cars. Rates vary widely based on factors like ZIP code, age, gender, and driving history, so you may still find competitive rates, especially if you qualify for discounts.
Farmers auto insurance is available in 44 states. It does not offer coverage in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Some coverages and discounts may not be available in all states.
You can reach Farmers Customer Care at 888-327-6335, available Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. CST, and Saturday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. CST. Claims Services can be reached at 800-435-7764 (Spanish: 877-732-5266) and is available 24/7.
Why You Should Trust Us: What Went into Our Farmers Auto Insurance Review
All states require drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage. However, meeting the legal requirements is one piece of a much larger pie. When evaluating insurance competitors, our insurance rating methodology factors in:
- The breadth of coverage: The standard auto insurance company offers comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage. As an insurance customer, you want your insurance company to have various policy options to meet your driving needs. We look at what carriers offer outside the standard options, such as gap insurance, new car replacement, and rideshare insurance.
- Prices: Policy costs vary significantly with each applicant. We assess the affordability of an insurance company by comparing the cost of the typical policy for an 18 to 70-year-old male or female policyholder by the national average. Particularly if you have a DUI, teen driver, etc., there may be more competitive options than the most popular insurers.
- Customer service: Having a reliable and smooth claims process is essential, which can be accomplished by quality agents delivering superior customer service. To evaluate a provider’s quality of customer service, we look at JD Power’s Auto Insurance Study to see how each provider ranks amongst its competitors.
- Financial stability: An insurance company’s financial health indicates an insurer’s longevity and ability to meet its financial obligation. While exceedingly rare, an insurance company’s bankruptcy can jeopardize your policy. So, we use AM Best to determine a company’s ability to withstand economic downturns and reliably pay claims.
Read more about how Business Insider rates auto insurance here.
Based in New York, Stephen Freeman is a Senior Editor at Trending Insurance News. Previously he has worked for Forbes and The Huffington Post. Steven is a graduate of Risk Management at the University of New York.