State Farm vs. Farm Bureau
Choosing between State Farm and Farm Bureau for your insurance involves comparing each provider's offerings, customer satisfaction and specialized benefits to find the best fit for your individual needs.
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Founded in 1922, State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the U.S. by market share. Farm Bureau, founded in 1939, is a smaller company that originally offered insurance products to farmers and agricultural workers in the Midwest, but has expanded to cover most of the country. Both companies offer a range of coverage options and other benefits to policyholders, including multiple discounts and usage-based telematics programs. Both carriers have perks and drawbacks, but the right fit for you will depend on your coverage needs, budget and priorities.
Our verdict
State Farm is much larger than Farm Bureau and offers coverage in more regions. While both have good financial strength ratings from AM Best, State Farm ranked above average in nearly every region of the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study while Farm Bureau only ranked in the Southeast region and Texas, where it ranked above average as well. Both offer standard coverage options, but policyholders have more extensive options with State Farm.
State Farm vs. Farm Bureau comparison
There are several useful ways to compare State Farm vs. Farm Bureau when considering a policy. Below we’ve compiled pros and cons, rate comparisons and more.
Featured
State Farm
4.3
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
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Farm Bureau
3.9
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
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OVERVIEW
Bankrate identified key carrier features, coverage offerings, discounts and more
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Policyholders who value a personalized experience through a local agent, bundling insurance policies with the same company and highly rated customer service might consider State Farm as their company of choice.
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Policyholders who appreciate community-focused insurance with access to specialized agricultural benefits and local support may find Farm Bureau suits their insurance needs well. This provider is known for its dedication to the unique insurance requirements of farmers and rural residents.
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STANDOUT FEATURES
These features are some of the carrier’s most impressive
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Two safe driving programs
Above average J.D. Power score
Local agents available
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Driveology program
High regional J.D. Power scores
Membership benefits available
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AVG FULL COV. AUTO RATE
Average national annual cost of a full coverage auto insurance policy
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$2,910 |
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AVG MIN COV. AUTO RATE
Average national annual cost of a minimum coverage auto insurance policy
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$943 |
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J.D. POWER AUTO SCORE
J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study assesses customer satisfaction with the claims experience on a 1,000-point scale
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Not Scored | |
AM BEST RATING
AM Best ratings assess companies’ financial strength based on historical ability to pay out claims, among other financial obligations
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A(Excellent) |
State Farm pros and cons
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Highly rated apps
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Extensive coverage area
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Ranks well in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study for most regions
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Many discounts available, including savings aimed toward parents with young drivers
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May charge drivers with bad credit more than competitors do
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Coverage options can vary by state
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Does not offer gap insurance
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Does not offer accident forgiveness
Farm Bureau pros and cons
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Offers its Driveology usage-based insurance program
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Offers multiple discounts
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Has a superior financial strength rating from AM Best
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Ranks above average in the regions it is included in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study
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Not available in all states
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May offer fewer endorsements than others
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Requires membership for coverage
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Coverage options and discounts could vary by state-specific Farm Bureaus
Is State Farm cheaper than Farm Bureau?
Comparing the affordability of State Farm and Farm Bureau requires a closer look, as rates can vary based on several factors including location and specific coverage needs. We've utilized data from Quadrant Information Services to directly compare the average rates of State Farm with those of Farm Bureau. This comparison aims to provide a clearer picture of what you might expect to pay, though actual rates could differ based on individual circumstances and state-specific Farm Bureau.
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State Farm avg. full coverage premium
$3,415
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Farm Bureau avg. full coverage premium
$2,577
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State Farm avg. full coverage premium
$2,748
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Farm Bureau avg. full coverage premium
$2,005
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State Farm avg. full coverage premium
$2,910
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Farm Bureau avg. full coverage premium
$2,159
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State Farm avg. full coverage premium
$10,483
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Farm Bureau avg. full coverage premium
$3,979
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State Farm avg. full coverage premium
$3,358
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Farm Bureau avg. full coverage premium
$2,497
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State Farm avg. full coverage premium
$3,706
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Farm Bureau avg. full coverage premium
$3,115
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Bankrate's take
State Farm no longer writes auto insurance coverage for drivers with DUI convictions. For that reason, rates were not provided for this demographic. If you have a DUI on your record, getting a quote from an insurance provider specializing in high-risk auto insurance may be helpful.
State Farm vs. Farm Bureau: discounts
Taking advantage of car insurance discounts can help you save money on your premium for most drivers. State Farm and Farm Bureau both offer savings opportunities for drivers, but the specific discounts available and savings for these providers may vary. This is especially true for Farm Bureau, since each state varies in its offerings, average cost and discount opportunities. Here are some of the most notable discounts from both companies:
Discounts available from both carriers
Both State Farm and Farm Bureau provide several common discounts that could benefit a wide range of drivers. These discounts typically include:
- Multi-policy discounts: You might save if you hold more than one policy with the same company, such as combining auto and home insurance.
- Safe driver discounts: If your driving record is free of accidents and traffic violations, you could be eligible for lower rates.
- Defensive driving course discounts: Completing an approved defensive driving course could lead to savings on your premium.
State Farm discounts
When conducting our State Farm insurance review, we found that it offers several special discounts:
- Vehicle safety savings: Discounts for vehicles with safety features appropriate to the car's make and model.
- Passive restraint discount: Could save up to 40 percent off medical-related coverage for vehicles from 1993 or older with factory-installed airbags or passive restraints.
- Anti-theft discount: Savings for vehicles equipped with an alarm or approved anti-theft device.
Farm Bureau discounts
When comparing State Farm vs. Farm Bureau, we found that Farm Bureau had some discounts unique to the company:
- Low mileage discount: You might be eligible for this discount if you drive your vehicle 7,500 miles or less per year, reflecting lower risk due to reduced road time.
- Discounts for multiple cars: Bundling more than one vehicle on your Farm Bureau Members Choice policy could lead to savings on the rates for each insured car in your household.
- Continued in-force credit: Loyalty pays with Farm Bureau; renewing your Farm Bureau Member's Choice policies could earn you a loyalty credit, recognizing and rewarding your ongoing relationship with the company.
State Farm and Farm Bureau telematics programs
Many car insurance companies now offer usage-based insurance programs. These telematic programs use real-time data about your driving patterns to determine things like how safe and efficiently you drive. Both State Farm and Farm Bureau offer usage-based programs, called Drive Safe & Save and Driveology, respectively.
State Farm Drive Safe & Save | Farm Bureau Driveology | |
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Device | Mobile app or Connected Car feature on new Ford and Lincoln cars | Mobile app or windshield tag |
Can it raise your rate? | No | No |
Availability | Not available in CA, MA, RI | Varies by state |
Discount | Up to 30 percent | 10 percent automatic discount on sign-up and recalculated 91 days later |
What it monitors | Miles driven, acceleration, braking, speed | Speed, distance, vehicle health, braking, accelerating, environmental impact |
State Farm vs. Farm Bureau: customer experience comparison
Customer experience is a key metric when considering an insurance company. J.D. Power evaluates customer satisfaction in different insurance companies, compiling survey results in a report to show those that score the highest. Farm Bureau did not rank in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, but State Farm did and fared well above average. While Farm Bureau was included in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study, it only ranked in the Southeast region and Texas with varying scores depending on the bureau.
For many customers, the ability to manage insurance online is an important factor. Accessing important policy information and reaching customer service online can save a lot of time. State Farm ranked above average in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study. Farm Bureau insurance wasn’t included in the study.
Both companies offer apps for iPhone and Android. However, the Farm Bureau app scores significantly lower based on customer ratings when comparing Farm Bureau insurance vs. State Farm.
State Farm | Farm Bureau | |
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Apple store | 4.8 of 5 | 2.4 of 5 |
Google play | 4.6 of 5 | 2.2 of 5 |
J.D. Power claims satisfaction | 710 / 1,000 | N/A |
Customer complaints
Understanding how a company handles customer complaints can be insightful when exploring insurance options. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index serves as a useful benchmark in this regard. This index is calculated by comparing a company's share of complaints to its share of the market. An index of 1.0 indicates the company has an average number of complaints for its size. Numbers lower than 1.0 suggest fewer complaints than average, while numbers higher than 1.0 may indicate more complaints than average. Essentially, this index offers a snapshot of a company's customer service quality relative to its size, helping you gauge potential customer satisfaction levels.
State Farm auto insurance customer complaints
State Farm's performance in terms of customer complaints is noteworthy, with its NAIC complaint index consistently falling below the 1.0 benchmark. This suggests that, relative to its size, State Farm tends to receive fewer customer complaints than the industry average. Such a trend might indicate a higher level of customer satisfaction and a positive experience with the company's services and support.
Farm Bureau auto insurance customer complaints
Farm Bureau's record on customer complaints, as reflected by the NAIC complaint index, is quite impressive. The indices over the past few years have been significantly lower than 1.0, which generally indicates far fewer complaints than what might be expected for an insurer of its size. This pattern suggests that Farm Bureau could be providing a satisfactory level of service and support to its policyholders, contributing to a positive customer experience.
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
methodologyRates
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze May 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and full coverage limits with bundling and paperless billing discounts applied:

Bodily injury liability
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$50,000 per accidentPersonal injury protection
$100,000 per accidentUninsured motorist bodily injury
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Collision deductible
$500Comprehensive deductible
$500To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.
If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics: