2024 Farmers Car Insurance Review

2024 Farmers Car Insurance Review
2024 Farmers Car Insurance Review

Since 1928, Farmers has been providing car insurance and offers numerous discounts to lower rates. They also provide rideshare and non-owner insurance, among other policies.

We appreciate that despite the large number of Farmers agents across the U.S., we offer the convenience of buying and filing claims online.

Farmers car insurance pros and cons

Pros

  • Wide range of coverage, including accident forgiveness and rideshare insurance
  • Numerous discounts available
  • Can buy policies and file claims online
  • Non-owner insurance available

Cons

  • Higher-than-average rates
  • Safe-driver discount may result in rates going up
  • Gap insurance not available

Types of Farmers auto insurance

In July 2023, Farmers announced that it would not offer new auto insurance in Florida, but there would be no impact on 70% of current policies in the state.

Basic coverage

If you leased or financed your car, full coverage car insurance is usually required.

  • In most states, the minimum amount of coverage required for liability insurance is what it pays for damages to others if you are involved in an accident.
  • Collision: Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident.
  • Comprehensive insurance covers damages or losses not resulting from a collision, such as theft, weather damage, or hitting an animal.

Additional coverage

In some states, in addition to full coverage, certain policies are mandatory. Farmers does not provide gap insurance.

  • No-fault insurance, also known as personal injury protection insurance, provides coverage for medical bills, lost wages, child care, and even funeral costs.
  • Medical payments insurance: Protects you, your passengers, and pedestrians from financial burden due to medical bills, irrespective of fault.
  • If you're involved in an accident with a driver who has minimal or no insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance will cover your repair and medical expenses.

Add-ons

Optional features offered by Farmers.

  • Accident forgiveness: Farmers won't increase your rates for one at-fault accident after every three years of being accident-free.
  • Customized equipment: Covers aftermarket modifications and accessories for cars with full coverage.
  • Your car repair includes transportation coverage, which covers public transit, rideshares, or rental car expenses.
  • New car replacement coverage: If your car is less than two years old and has less than 24,000 miles, Farmers will replace it with the same model or a newer one if it's totaled or stolen.
  • Liability coverage for injuries or damages caused while driving without owning a car is provided by non-owner insurance.
  • If your car is being repaired, up to 30 days of rental car costs can be reimbursed.
  • Rideshare insurance: While rideshare companies typically provide coverage only when a ride request is accepted, this add-on extends coverage to any time you're logged on to the rideshare app, including waiting for a request.
  • Help with jump starts, fuel delivery, lockouts, flat tires, towing, and winching is available through roadside service.
  • It's worth repairing or replacing your car's glass if it's damaged.

Farmers auto insurance rates

The cost of a 12-month policy with Farmers varies, with full coverage costing $2,970 and minimum coverage costing $1,010, compared to the national average of $2,299 for full coverage and $637 for minimum coverage. Your quote may differ based on your location, age, driving history, and other factors.

Farmers auto insurance discounts

Almost no auto insurance provider offers more discounts than Farmers, but not all discounts are available in every state, and some cannot be combined.

  • Eligibility: Certain organizations, businesses, and professional associations may offer discounts to their members, employees, or retirees.
  • In California, discounts could be applied to alternative fuel vehicles such as EVs, hybrids, and non-gas-powered vehicles.
  • Purchase your home and auto insurance from Farmers and receive a discount of up to 10%. Additionally, they offer life insurance, umbrella insurance, and other policies.
  • Full-time student living more than 100 miles away and leaving their vehicle at home may result in a discount on your policy.
  • Automatic monthly payments for ETF savings.
  • ePolicy discount: Save when you go paperless.
  • Good payer: Get rewarded for paying your bill on time.
  • Students with a 3.0 or better GPA or equivalent academic standards are eligible to be considered good students.
  • You could obtain a lower rate for your home, regardless of whether you have a Farmers homeowners policy or not.
  • Safe-driver training could help mature drivers save.
  • Eligible individuals for savings may include those who have served in the military in an active duty, reserve, retired, or honorably discharged capacity.
  • Multi-car: Save when you insure more than one vehicle with Farmers.
  • If you have purchased your own policy after being previously insured on your parent's policy, you are eligible for coverage.
  • You could receive a discount of up to 35% for being responsible behind the wheel if Farmers monitor your driving behavior.
  • If you want to keep your insurance premiums low, avoid filing any bodily injury claims.
  • Having multiple drivers on a shared family car can lower your insurance premium.
  • Paying the full amount upfront at the beginning of your term may result in a lower rate.
  • If you have safety features such as antilock brakes, daytime running lights, or passive restraints, your rates may decrease.
  • Anti-theft systems, homing devices, and etched VIN numbers are security features that can help protect your vehicle.
  • A discount may be available if you have a young driver on your policy for at least a year.

Shop for the best car insurance

Farmers car insurance customer satisfaction

J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study ranked farmers below average in all regions except one for customer service, which includes price, ease of doing business, level of trust, product offerings, problem resolution, and digital channels.

In the 2023 survey on the claims process, the company ranked 12th out of 23, while in the 2024 insurance shopping study, it ranked 11th out of 17.

Despite receiving a typical number of complaints for its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the Better Business Bureau gave Farmers an F due to numerous complaints that were not resolved.

Other Farmers insurance

You can also get the following insurance through Farmers:

  • Pet health insurance through Pets Best

How does Farmers compare to other auto insurance?

Here's how Farmers auto insurance stacks up to other auto insurance competition.

Farmers vs. Erie

Erie came in below average for online service in J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study, while Farmers scored above average.

In contrast to Erie, which has policies in only 12 states and Washington, DC., 42 states also have farmers' policies.

Erie offers a 12-month full-coverage policy at an average cost of $1,703, which is lower than the industry average of $2,299 and Farmers' average cost of $2,907. Although Erie provides fewer discounts than Farmers, these discounts could help offset some of the difference.

Erie outperformed Farmers in customer service, earning first place in J.D. Power's auto insurance survey for claims satisfaction and a second-place ranking overall.

Farmers vs. Travelers

Another option for affordability is Travelers, with average full coverage rates of $1,565 per year, in contrast to Farmers' rates of $2,907 per year.

While both companies offer strong discounts, Farmers provides additional rate reductions for specific groups, including older drivers, military members, and those who share a family car.

Despite outperforming Travelers in claims satisfaction, both Farmers and Travelers fell short of the average in most regions in the 2024 U.S. auto industry study.

How do I buy car insurance from Farmers?

To purchase auto insurance, visit the Farmers website.

  • Answer questions about your car, including its make, model and year.
  • Share details about your driving history, including any accidents
  • Choose your policy, deductible and coverage limits to get a quote

You can contact a Farmers representative at 888-327-6335 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. CT on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT on weekends for assistance with rates, claims, and other topics. Additionally, you can receive answers to your questions through online chat or email.

You can pay bills, file a claim, obtain proof of insurance, and request roadside assistance through the Farmers mobile app.

Is Farmers auto insurance right for me?

The farmers' extensive coverage options, user-friendly website, and ease of use make it the ideal choice for you.

Although premiums from Farmers are higher than many competitors, they offer more discounts than almost any insurer we've reviewed, including for teenagers, seniors, military personnel, and various driver categories. This makes them one of our top picks for bundling discounts.

It's wise to quote from multiple companies before making a purchase decision.

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by Liz Knueven

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