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8+ years writing for major outlets, including MarketWatch and Business Insider
Master’s in Education
Taylor Mlam-Samuel is a personal finance writer and credentialed educator. When she’s not helping readers better save and spend money, she can be found teaching.
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Over 3 years of experience producing content on insurance and personal finance.
Key architect of Insurify's quality score.
Courtney's deep knowledge of personal finance goes beyond insurance and includes credit cards, consumer loans, and banking. She loves creating practical content.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
State Farm and Farmers are both well-known insurance companies with long histories. State Farm stands out with generous discounts and extensive coverage options. Farmers has robust roadside assistance and high customer satisfaction. Neither company offers gap insurance, which might be a dealbreaker for drivers with auto loans.
As you determine the best option between State Farm and Farmers, it’s essential to compare rates, customer service, discounts, and coverage options. Your driving record and ZIP code also matter when choosing between these two auto insurers.
Here’s how to decide whether State Farm or Farmers is a better fit for you.
State Farm has lower average rates in all categories, including for drivers with poor credit and speeding tickets.
Discounts are similar for both insurers, but Farmers stands out with rate deductions for military members.
Coverage options are nearly identical through both Farmers and State Farm.
State Farm vs. Farmers: The verdict
State Farm has more competitive rates and a strong financial strength rating, which indicates a solid outlook for paying out future claims.
Farmers, on the other hand, has more extensive coverage options, including customized equipment coverage and accident forgiveness. But the extra coverage options come at a cost since Farmers’ average rates are nearly double what you can find with State Farm.
Farmers’ car insurance discounts might offset some of the higher prices, but if you want cheaper car insurance rates, State Farm is probably a better fit.
Factor | State Farm | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 9.3 | 8.5 |
| Customer satisfaction score | 4 | 3.5 |
| Average quote: liability only | $56 | $110 |
| Number of discounts | 10 | 22 |
| Number of states where it operates | 50 and Washington, D.C. | 50 and Washington, D.C. |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
State Farm
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $56/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $109/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
State Farm is the largest U.S. auto insurer by market share and has operated for more than 100 years. Available in all 50 states, State Farm stands out for its customer service, extensive discounts, and optional coverages. The insurer ranked fifth for overall customer satisfaction in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Safe drivers can enjoy many State Farm discounts, including ones for young motorists who complete an approved driver training course, for having a vehicle with certain safety equipment, and for going three years or longer without violations or at-fault accidents.
High rates of customer satisfaction
Rideshare insurance available
Savings for bundling auto with home, renters, condo, or life insurance
No gap insurance offering
May not be the cheapest choice for drivers with violations
Accident forgiveness limited to longtime customers with clean driving records
Farmers
| User Reviews | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.5 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $110/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $213/mo |
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and good initial quotes but dislike the consistent rate increases and lack of senior discounts. Some also reported issues with claim handling and communication.
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and good initial quotes but dislike the consistent rate increases and lack of senior discounts. Some also reported issues with claim handling and communication.
Farmers Insurance sells policies in 42 states, and its more than 30 insurance offerings include auto, home, renters, earthquake, life, business, and pet insurance. Farmers has more than 20 auto insurance discount options, providing many ways drivers can save on premiums. Drivers can qualify for discounts by bundling policies, paying in full, being accident-free for five years, installing anti-theft devices, and taking a defensive driving course, among other things. Farmers also receives fewer customer complaints than the market average with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Many auto insurance discounts
Robust roadside assistance program
Offers customized equipment coverage add-on
Lower customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
Tends to have higher premiums than some competitors
Not available in every state
State Farm Drive Safe & Save vs. Farmers Signal
State Farm and Farmers offer optional telematics programs that track driving habits through a mobile app, allowing drivers to earn discounts for driving safely. State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save provides a discount of up to 30%, and drivers must download the Drive Safe & Save app or enroll eligible vehicles in Connected Car. Driving patterns determine the discount amount, but you can also earn a discount for signing up. State Farm calculates rate deductions every six months.[1]
Farmers offer Signal, a similar discount program that rewards safe drivers. Drivers must download the Signal by Farmers app and allow it to track their driving. The discount amount varies depending on your driving habits, but young drivers between 15 and 24 years old can earn an extra discount.[2]
Keep in mind that both of these programs track all your driving habits — not just the positive ones. If you exceed the speed limit, brake suddenly, or take turns too sharply, your rates could increase.
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Keep Reading: How Usage-Based Car Insurance Works
State Farm vs. Farmers: Which is the cheapest?
State Farm’s average rates are significantly cheaper than Farmers’ average rates. However, your chosen insurance company is only one factor that influences your costs. Your location, credit, driving record, and age also affect how much you pay for car insurance.[3]
Here’s how State Farm’s and Farmers’ rates compare among different driver profiles.
State Farm: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
State Farm offers cheaper average rates for drivers with a clean driving record — about half the average monthly cost from Farmers.
Driver Type | State Farm | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $56 | $110 |
State Farm: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
Average insurance rates from State Farm are cheaper than average rates from Farmers for drivers with a speeding ticket.
Driver Type | State Farm | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $70 | $140 |
State Farm: Cheapest for teen drivers
Teenage drivers pay cheaper average rates with State Farm — average rates with Farmers are nearly twice as much.
Driver Type | State Farm | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $114 | $231 |
State Farm: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
Your credit history can affect your car insurance costs, and State Farm has better average rates for drivers with bad credit.
Driver Type | State Farm | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $90 | $134 |
State Farm: Cheapest for senior drivers
Senior drivers can find cheaper average rates with State Farm since average costs from Farmers are nearly twice as much.
Driver Type | State Farm | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $40 | $80 |
Compare coverages: State Farm vs. Farmers
State Farm and Farmers coverage options are nearly the same. Both insurers offer standard coverages like liability insurance, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments, collision, and comprehensive.
Drivers can also get roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and rideshare insurance. Similarly, neither insurer provides gap insurance, which some lenders require. Farmers provides optional customized equipment coverage, which might be a helpful addition for some drivers but doesn’t apply to most.
Here’s how the add-ons for coverage options compare.
Coverage | State Farm | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Gap insurance | No | No |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Travel expense coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Customized equipment coverage | No | Yes |
Compare discounts: State Farm vs. Farmers
State Farm and Farmers have nearly identical discount options. Both insurers offer discounts for good drivers, multi-policies, and good students. At the same time, neither company provides discounts for new cars or low-mileage drivers. However, military members might secure a slightly lower rate with Farmers since the company offers a military discount, which State Farm doesn’t.
Here’s how discount options compare between both car insurance companies.
Discount | State Farm | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Yes | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | Yes |
| Low mileage | No | No |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | Yes | Yes |
| New car | No | No |
| Military/affiliation | No | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty | Yes | Yes |
| Auto pay | No | Yes |
| Student away at school | Yes | Yes |
| Homeowner | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative fuel | No | Yes |
State Farm vs. Farmers FAQs
As you determine the best insurance company for your vehicle coverage, consider the answers to these common questions about State Farm and Farmers.
Is State Farm the same as Farmers?
State Farm and Farmers are separate companies. Both offer auto insurance, but they have different owners and operators.
Who is State Farm’s biggest competitor?
State Farm is one of the most well-known insurance companies in the country, and its competitors include other large insurance companies, like Farmers, GEICO, Allstate, and USAA.
Does State Farm have a bad reputation?
State Farm has a solid reputation as a long-standing and well-known insurance company in the United States. The company has a strong financial rating and a big market share. Based on ratings from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, complaints are lower than average.
What are the main differences between State Farm and Farmers insurance policies?
The primary difference between State Farm and Farmers insurance policies is the average price. State Farm offers cheaper rates that are usually half the price of Farmers, according to Insurify data. If you want the best deal on car insurance, State Farm is probably the better pick.
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Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Reviews: Ratings and Quotes
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GEICO Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
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Farmers Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
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Allstate Insurance Review: 7,574+ User Ratings
Sources
- State Farm. "Drive Safe & Save™ – Safe Driver Discounts."
- Farmers. "Save with Signal®."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
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Taylor Milam-Samuel is a writer and credentialed educator who is fascinated by how people earn, save, and spend their money. When she's not researching financial terms and conditions, she can be found in the classroom teaching.
Taylor has been a contributor at Insurify since February 2023.
)
)
Over 3 years of experience producing content on insurance and personal finance.
Key architect of Insurify's quality score.
Courtney's deep knowledge of personal finance goes beyond insurance and includes credit cards, consumer loans, and banking. She loves creating practical content.
Featured in
)
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
)
)