Farm Bureau is a membership-based organization that offers a variety of insurance products for consumers and small businesses. You don't need to be a farmer or an agriculture worker to use Farm Bureau insurance, but those in this field of work will benefit most from the coverage.
This is because Farm Bureau offers specialized insurance for farm vehicles alongside your regular auto insurance. Plus, if you work in agriculture, you probably already have the Farm Bureau membership required to gain access to this insurance coverage.
Farm Bureau is also a good choice for young drivers since there are more opportunities for discounts, including its telematics app, Driveology, which rewards discounts for safe driving, and the young driver safety program for those under 25.
How we evaluate products
To create a full review on Farm Bureau, I researched its site and many of its regional sites thoroughly. I looked at the following aspects:
- Ratings: I reviewed how Farm Bureau rated in J.D. Power’s auto survey, as well as its AM Best rating, which measures insurers' financial strength. In the J.D. Power study, select Farm Bureaus ranked above average for the region, while the company did not rank at all for other regions.
- Discounts: Farm Bureau offered more safety-related discounts and tools to establish good driving habits than some of its competitors, but overall, other insurance companies have more discount options to choose from.
- Availability: While the company is technically available nationwide, it is supported by partner companies, such as Nationwide coverage for California, Connecticut, and more. This can mean that services and coverage options vary by state.
Farm Bureau Insurance pros and cons
- A-rated for financial strength from AM Best
- Offers exclusive products and discounts for members
- Has a usage-based insurance program that may provide a lower premium
- Has a fee-based membership
- Has low ratings for its mobile apps
- Online quotes are not available in all states
How much does Farm Bureau cost
While Farm Bureau's average premiums do fall below national averages for most driver types, the yearly Farm Bureau membership fee that policyholders must pay is something to work into your calculations, especially since other competitors might offer even cheaper premiums without an additional fee.
To apply for any Farm Bureau insurance policies, you need to become a member of its organization first. You will sign up with your state but membership costs vary based on your state and whether you are a farmer or non-farmer. For example, in New Jersey or Arizona, non-farmers pay about $60 per year for membership and farmers pay about $142 to $180 per year.
Here's a look at average monthly quotes from Farm Bureau for liability-only car insurance by driver type.
Driver type | Farm Bureau liability-only monthly premium |
Clean driving record | $93 |
Speeding ticket on driving record | $132 |
At-fault accident on driving record | $136 |
DUI on driving record | $155 |
Teen driver | $160 |
Senior driver | $68 |
Data sourced from Insurify |
Check these against the national averages below to get an idea of just how much more expensive Farm Bureau policies are relative to the industry as a whole.
Driver type | National average liability-only monthly premium | National average full coverage monthly premium |
Clean driving record | $105 | $192 |
Speeding ticket on driving record | $141 | $265 |
At-fault accident on driving record | $146 | $274 |
DUI on driving record | $166 | $313 |
Teen driver | $194 | $364 |
Senior driver | $85 | $160 |
Data sourced from Insurify |
Is Farm Bureau car insurance good?
Company ratings:
- AM Best: A
- J.D. Power claims satisfaction: Not ranked
- BBB: A+
- NAIC complaints: 0.15 (private passenger)
Given that Farm Bureau requires membership to purchase insurance — and that Farm Bureau membership comes with a fee — it's perhaps not surprising that Farm Bureau performs quite well on a variety of customer satisfaction metrics, as giving members a reason to stay is vital.
While the company wasn't included in J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Farm Bureau did earn an A+ from the Better Business Bureau and has a 0.15 on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index.
The NAIC complaint index compares insurance providers based on how many complaints they receive relative to a given year's study average across the industry. The NAIC calculates this by dividing the company's share of complaints by the total countrywide.
The national complaint index is set at 1.00, meaning that a company with an index of 2.00 would have twice the expected number of complaints. Farm Bureau's index of 0.15 indicates a notably low number of complaints, likely meaning that you can expect a pretty good customer service experience as a Farm Bureau policyholder.
Discounts
Farm Bureau doesn't offer quite as many discounts as you might find at some of its competing insurers, but membership in the organization does come with a range of benefits and discounts beyond auto insurance. Consequently, if you work in agriculture, you might end up saving more overall.
Here's a closer look at how you can save money on car insurance with Farm Bureau:
Discount | Does Farm Bureau have it? | Liberty Mutual | GEICO |
Loyalty | Yes | No | No |
Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Airbag | No | No | Yes |
Anti-lock brakes | No | No | Yes |
Anti-theft | No | No | Yes |
Safe driver | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Good student | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Away-from-home student | No | Yes | Yes |
New car | No | No | Yes |
Pay in full | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Automatic payments | No | Yes | Yes |
GAP insurance | No | No | No |
Senior | No | No | No |
Military | No | Yes | Yes |
Defensive driving course | No | Yes (select states) | Yes |
Driveology
Driveology is Farm Bureau's telematics discount program, offering discounts for good driving behavior. Policyholders who enroll in the Driveology program will get a 10% discount just for signing up. The program requires drivers to install a windshield tag and download an app, then, every 91 days, savings are recalculated based on driving record. Driving data is also assessed at each annual renewal.
Coverage
Farm Bureau offers several insurance products, including auto insurance policies that are available to members in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. However, you need to connect with a local agent to apply for coverage.
Farm Bureau's Find an Agent tool lets you search for agents quickly and easily. When you get to a local agent's website, you can complete an online form or speak with an agent over the phone to request an insurance quote.
Farm Bureau offers several types of car insurance and policy add-ons, including:
- Liability insurance
- Medical or no-fault coverage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Replacement cost coverage
- Roadside assistance
Coverage limits may vary from state to state, and not all coverage options are available in each area. When you contact your local Farm Bureau office, they'll be able to explain which auto insurance options are available where you live.
Farm Bureau also offers preferred auto repair shops, which can help you save time and money if you get into an accident. Working with one of these preferred shops can result in a more straightforward claims process. Generally, there is only one estimate required, the shop can order parts and schedule repairs immediately, and Farm Bureau pays the shop directly.
Farm Bureau vs. competitors
While auto insurance from Farm Bureau is likely to be cheaper than the national average, it's also possible to find cheaper premiums with other insurers. Your own quote will depend on your personal circumstances and the specifics of your coverage needs, but there are plenty of ways to lower your rate regardless.
Company name | Average monthly full coverage | Average monthly liability-only coverage |
USAA | $99 | $46 |
GEICO | $118 | $55 |
State Farm | $119 | $55 |
Allstate | $132 | $62 |
Progressive | $148 | $101 |
American Family | $157 | $72 |
Nationwide | $181 | $85 |
Travelers | $191 | $90 |
National average | $199 | $105 |
Farmers | $236 | $110 |
Liberty Mutual | $250 | $169 |
Data sourced from Insurify |
Farm Bureau vs. Liberty Mutual
While it may not be quite as well known, Farm Bureau is quite a bit cheaper than Liberty Mutual. While Farm Bureau's average liability-only quote runs $93 monthly, Liberty Mutual averages a comparatively high $171 per month, according to data from Insurify.
Granted, Liberty Mutual does offer a more comprehensive roster of discounts, so it's possible you could get a rate closer to what you'd find with Farm Bureau depending on what discounts you qualify for. And again, remember that you need to be a paying Farm Bureau to get insurance with the company, so that's another cost to keep in mind.
Farm Bureau vs. GEICO
GEICO averages $55 per month for liability-only coverage, according to Insurify — quite a bit cheaper than Farm Bureau's $93 average monthly premium.
Even though it's cheaper, GEICO did register a slightly higher NAIC complaint index, scoring 0.75 against Farm Bureau's 0.15, indicating that Farm Bureau receives fewer complaints. Both companies, however, fell below the base index of 1.00, so you're likely to have a pleasant enough experience with either.
Additional Farm Bureau insurance products
Consumers and small businesses that are members of Farm Bureau can choose to get various risks covered. It offers several insurance products in addition to personal auto coverage, including:
- Motorcycle insurance
- RV insurance
- Farm vehicle insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Life insurance
- Farm and ranch insurance
- Health insurance
- Business insurance
- Residential equipment breakdown
- Emergency roadside assistance
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FAQs
How do you contact Farm Bureau auto insurance?
Policyholders and those interested in a policy can contact Farm Bureau customer service at 866-399-3237. Additionally, you can get personalized service from a Farm Bureau insurance agent by selecting your state and local area on the organization's website.
Is Farm Bureau a good company?
Yes, Farm Bureau has been in business since 1939. It has an A (excellent) rating from AM Best, an independent rating agency that measures insurers' financial strength. Further, over 90% of Farm Bureau auto insurance customers renew their policies, and the company has a claim satisfaction rate of over 90%.
How long does it take to get a policy with Farm Bureau auto insurance?
Unlike other auto insurance companies, you cannot purchase a new Farm Bureau auto insurance policy online. You can get a quote online, but you need to speak with an insurance agent before buying a policy. Additionally, you need to be a Farm Bureau member before you can apply for an auto insurance policy. Depending on the local office, signing up for a Farm Bureau membership can take minutes or days, based on their availability.
What types of coverage does Farm Bureau auto insurance offer?
Drivers can apply for a variety of coverages with Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau offers liability, collision, comprehensive, medical, and uninsured motorists coverage. Newer cars might also be eligible for replacement cost coverage.
Bottom line
Farm Bureau auto insurance could be a good option for drivers who prefer the personal touch of working with a local agent. Although you can get car insurance quotes online, you need to speak with an agent to finalize your coverage. You also need to be a Farm Bureau member to get coverage, but membership also comes with a variety of discounts you may find valuable.
If you prefer to handle your insurance needs online, FinanceBuzz can connect you with the best auto insurance companies so you can shop and compare without speaking to an agent.