A Brief History of Farmers Insurance
One year before the Great Depression, John C. Tyler and Thomas E. Leavey started Farmers Insurance in a small one-room office in downtown Los Angeles. What began as an auto insurance company for farmers has now become a multi-company insurance and financial services group. Now, Farmers serves over 10 million households with more than 19 million individual policies across all the nation.
What States Does Farmers Car Insurance Operate In?
Farmers sells car insurance in 42 states. It is not available in:
Farmers Car Insurance Rates vs. Competitors
Farmers rates tend to be more expensive than other top competitors we analyzed. If you’re shopping for a better rate take a look at our list of the best car insurance companies.
Farmers Car Insurance Cost Comparison for Good Drivers
Farmers has the highest average costs for good drivers among the companies we analyzed. Its average price is well above the national average of $2,026 per year.
| Company | National average annual cost for good drivers |
|---|---|
| $1,364 | |
| $1,436 | |
| $1,521 | |
| $1,597 | |
| $1,642 | |
| $1,826 | |
| $2,025 | |
| $2,896 | |
| Farmers | $3,093 |
| *USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families. | |
Farmers Car Insurance Cost Comparison for Drivers With a Speeding Ticket
Farmers has much higher rates for drivers with a speeding ticket when compared to top competitors. Rates vary significantly from one insurance company to the next, so it’s wise to shop around for car insurance quotes from multiple companies.
| Company | National average annual cost for drivers with a speeding ticket |
|---|---|
| $1,661 | |
| $1,878 | |
| $1,899 | |
| $2,062 | |
| $2,150 | |
| $2,270 | |
| $2,350 | |
| $3,312 | |
| Farmers | $3,951 |
| *USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families. | |
Related: Does a Speeding Ticket affect your insurance
Farmers Car Insurance Cost Comparison for Drivers Who Caused an Accident With Injury
Farmers’ auto insurance costs are higher than average for drivers who have caused an accident that injured someone else. The national average is $3,009 a year based on our analysis of rates from top insurers.
| Company | National average annual cost for drivers causing an accident with injury |
|---|---|
| $1,958 | |
| $2,224 | |
| $2,293 | |
| $2,337 | |
| $2,428 | |
| $2,748 | |
| $2,770 | |
| Farmers | $4,412 |
| $4,545 | |
| *USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families. | |
Related: How much does insurance increase after an accident
Farmers Car Insurance Cost Comparison for Drivers With a DUI
The national average car insurance cost for drivers with a DUI is $3,363 a year and Farmers’ car insurance costs come in about $900 above that.
| Company | National average annual cost for drivers with a DUI conviction |
|---|---|
| $2,307 | |
| $2,604 | |
| $2,610 | |
| $2,665 | |
| $2,716 | |
| $3,083 | |
| $3,723 | |
| Farmers | $4,272 |
| $4,315 | |
| *USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families. | |
Related: DUI auto insurance
Farmers Car Insurance Cost Comparison for Drivers With Poor Credit
Farmers auto insurance average rates for drivers with poor credit are expensive, coming in over $1,000 higher than the national average of $3,847.
Insurance companies say that a credit score correlates with the chances that a person will make insurance claims. For this reason, auto insurers often charge much higher rates to those with poor credit. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan don’t allow insurance companies to use credit history when calculating auto insurance rates.
| Company | National average annual cost for drivers with poor credit |
|---|---|
| $2,051 | |
| $2,450 | |
| $2,482 | |
| $2,699 | |
| $3,221 | |
| $3,701 | |
| $4,531 | |
| Farmers | $4,889 |
| $7,961 | |
| *USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families. | |
Related: Car insurance for poor credit
Farmers Car Insurance Cost Comparison for Adding a Teen Driver
Adding a 16-year-old driver to a parent’s car insurance policy can easily increase rates by an extra $2,000 a year. Our analysis found that the national average cost is $2,359 a year, among the companies we analyzed.
Farmers car insurance cost to add a teen driver is around $460 below the average, at $1,900 a year.
| Company | Increase per year for adding a 16-year-old driver |
|---|---|
| $893 | |
| $1,606 | |
| Farmers | $1,900 |
| $2,062 | |
| $1,982 | |
| $2,466 | |
| $2,643 | |
| $2,622 | |
| $2,728 | |
| *USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families. | |
Related: Car insurance for teens
Farmers Car Insurance Cost Comparison for Young Drivers Ages 18 to 25
Farmers car insurance rates are pretty high for drivers between ages 18 and 25. Its cost is over $1,500 above the national average of $3,704 a year, among insurers we evaluated.
The costs below are for young drivers on their own auto insurance policies. To lower costs, try keeping a young driver on a parent’s policy as long as possible and ask about discounts students can qualify to obtain.
| Company | National average annual cost for young drivers |
|---|---|
| $2,368 | |
| $2,575 | |
| $2,638 | |
| $2,781 | |
| $2,881 | |
| $3,643 | |
| $3,704 | |
| $4,764 | |
| Farmers | $5,225 |
| *USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families. | |
Farmers Car Insurance Cost Comparison for Senior Drivers Ages 65 to 80
Farmers has high car insurance prices for drivers ages 65 to 80 compared to top competitors. The national average is $2,150 a year, based on our analysis of large insurers. Farmers comes in nearly $1,050 a year above the average.
| Company | National average annual cost for senior drivers |
|---|---|
| $1,402 | |
| $1,455 | |
| $1,668 | |
| $1,793 | |
| $1,831 | |
| $1,937 | |
| $2,009 | |
| $2,996 | |
| Farmers | $3,199 |
| *USAA is available only to the military, veterans and their families. | |
Related: Auto insurance for seniors
Auto Insurance Complaints Against Farmers
Farmers has a higher level of auto insurance complaints than the industry average, based on complaints made to state insurance departments across the country.
Its most common auto insurance complaints are related to claim delays, unsatisfactory claim settlement offers, claim denials, cancellations and rates.
Farmers’ Grade From Collision Repair Professionals: C-
In a survey of collision repair professionals by CRASH Network, Farmers got a C- grade.
The survey was based on the opinions of auto body professionals. Their opinions are important because these specialists see whether insurers encourage repair procedures recommended by car makers, if they use lower-quality repair parts and whether the insurers’ claims processes result in quick and satisfactory claims outcomes for customers.
Does Farmers Offer Accident Forgiveness?
Yes, Farmers offers accident forgiveness insurance. Farmers will forgive one at-fault accident for every three years you drive without one, which prevents your auto insurance rates from going up for just one accident.
Does Farmers Offer New Car Replacement?
Yes, Farmers offers new car replacement coverage. Farmers covers the cost to replace a totaled new vehicle with the same make and model. The car must have been within the first two model years of the vehicle and had less than 24,000 miles.
Does Farmers Offer Gap Insurance?
No, Farmers doesn’t offer loan or lease gap insurance. Gap insurance is coverage that handles the gap between what a car was worth and how much you owe if your vehicle is totaled or stolen.
For example, if your car is wrecked or stolen, your insurance company will pay you the actual cash value of your car, which is the value right before the wreck or theft. That amount can be less than your car loan or lease balance. Gap insurance picks up the difference.
Does Farmers Offer a Diminishing Deductible?
No, Farmers doesn’t provide a diminishing deductible option. Other insurers offer programs that reduce a policy’s deductible if there are no collision and comprehensive insurance claims for a specified period of time.
Does Farmers Offer SR-22s?
Yes, Farmers can give you SR-22 insurance. States may require risky drivers, such as someone with multiple traffic offenses, to get an SR-22 certificate to prove that they have the required car insurance coverage needed to drive legally. SR-22 regulations differ by state, including the length of time a driver needs to maintain an SR-22.
Does Farmers Offer Usage-Based Insurance?
Yes, Farmers has a usage-based insurance program called Signal. It tracks a person’s driving through a smartphone app.
Farmers customers get a 5% discount for signing up for Signal, and may be eligible for savings up to 15% at policy renewal if you prove to be a safe driver. Drivers under age 25 who qualify may get an additional “youthful” discount of up to 10%. You can also win monthly awards of up to $100 if you have a good driving score of 80% or higher.
The downside is that if you show risky driving behavior your car insurance rates could increase at your next renewal period.
Does Farmers Offer Pay-Per-Mile Insurance?
No, Farmers doesn’t have a pay-per-mile car insurance program. Some auto insurers have mileage-based insurance programs that charge a base rate and then a per-mile rate. Drivers who don’t use their cars much may benefit from a pay-per-mile insurance program.
More About Farmers Car Insurance
Farmers Insurance sells coverage for cars, off-road vehicles, motorcycles, motorhomes, boats and more. For those who enjoy camping and other excursions, Farmers also offers travel trailer and 5th-wheel trailer insurance. Other available coverage types include:
- Classic car insurance with guaranteed value coverage.
- Customized equipment.
- Glass deductible buyback.
- Full windshield and glass coverage.
- Loss of use.
- Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.
- Rental car reimbursement.
- Spare parts.
- Towing and roadside service.
Farmers Car Insurance Discounts
Farmers Insurance offers many discounts, especially for good drivers, such as:
- Affinity discount: If you’re a member, employee or retiree of certain professional associations, businesses or occupational groups, you can receive a discount.
- Alternative fuel discount: You can save up to 5% on all major coverage types for driving a hybrid or other alternative fuel vehicle.
- Anti-lock brakes discount: A discount may apply if your car has factory-installed anti-lock brakes.
- Anti-theft discount: If you have an anti-theft device, such as an alarm or protective device, on your car, you may be eligible for a discount.
- Daytime running lights discount: You may save if your vehicle is equipped with daytime running lights.
- Defensive driver discount: Also known as a mature driver or senior driver discount in some states, this discount is for drivers over age 55 who have completed a state-approved safe-driver training course in the last three years.
- Distant student discount: You can save if your child is at least 100 miles away at school and doesn’t have access to your vehicles.
- EFT discount: You can obtain a discount if you pay monthly and set up automatic payments.
- ePolicy discount: You can save by enrolling in ePolicy and going paperless.
- Good payer discount: If you have paid on time and not received late fees in the prior 12 months, you can save.
- Good student discount: If you have a full-time high school or college student under age 25 with good grades (3.0 GPA, dean’s list, honor roll or top 20% of class), you could be eligible for reduced rates.
- Homeowner discount: Receive a discount for owning your residence.
- Homing device discount: If you have a Farmers-approved device that can track and locate your car if it’s stolen, you can earn this discount.
- Military discount: An affinity discount can also be available if you’re in the military, including active duty, active reserves, retired or an honorably discharged veteran.
- Multi-car discount: This discount is for insuring more than one vehicle with Farmers.
- Multi-policy discount: Look for this discount when you bundle your home and auto insurance with Farmers. You can also save if you bundle a qualifying life, umbrella, specialty or small business insurance policy with your auto policy.
- On your own discount: If you’re under age 29 and moving out on your own, you can save when buying your own Farmers policy. To earn this discount, you must have been part of a Farmers policy in your previous household (such as being on a parent’s policy) for at least the last 12 months.
- Passive restraint discount: If your car comes with air bags or automatic seatbelts, you may receive a discount.
- Pay in full discount: You can save by paying the full premium at the start of your policy.
- Safe driver discount: Save money by maintaining a clean driving record.
- Shared family car discount: You can save when there is a driver under age 20 and there are more drivers in your household than vehicles.
- VIN etching discount: You can get a discount for having your VIN etched on glass (and other areas Farmers requests) as this can assist if the vehicle is stolen.
- Youthful driver discount: If your policy has been in force for at least 12 months and has drivers under age 25 on it, you may get a youthful driver discount.
Related: Cheap car insurance of 2024
More Insurance from Farmers
Farmers Insurance also offers business insurance, life insurance and umbrella insurance.
In addition to insurance policies, Farmers Insurance sells a variety of financial products such as mutual funds, annuities, IRAs and college savings plans.
Methodology
To identify the best car insurance we evaluated each company on its auto insurance rates, the coverage options offered, complaints against the company and its collision repair process.
Auto insurance rates (50% of score): We used data from Quadrant Information Services to find average rates from each company for good drivers, drivers who have caused an accident, drivers with a speeding ticket, drivers with a DUI, drivers with poor credit, drivers caught without insurance, adding a teen driver, senior drivers and young drivers.
Unless otherwise noted, rates are based on a 40-year-old female driver with a Toyota RAV4 and coverage of:
- $100,000 for injuries to one person, $300,000 for injuries per accident and $100,000 of property damage (known as 100/300/100).
- Uninsured motorist coverage of 100/300.
- Collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible.
Car insurance coverage options (25% of score): Any auto insurance company can provide the basics of liability insurance, collision and comprehensive coverage and other standard offerings. But it’s also important to have access to additional coverage types that can provide greater protection or cost savings. In this category we gave points to companies that offer accident forgiveness, new car replacement, vanishing deductibles, usage-based or pay-per-mile insurance and SR-22s.
Complaints (20% of score): We used complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Each state’s department of insurance is in charge of logging and monitoring complaints against companies operating in their states. Most auto insurance complaints center on claims, including unsatisfactory settlements, delays, and denials. The industry complaint average is 1.00, so companies with a ratio below 1.00 have lower levels of complaints.
Collision repair (5% of score): We incorporated grades of insurance companies from collision repair professionals. We used data provided by CRASH Network, a weekly newsletter covering the collision repair and auto insurance market segments. CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card used grades from more than 1,100 collision repair professionals to gauge auto insurers on the quality of their collision claims service.