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State Farm is the largest private passenger auto insurance company based on direct premiums written while Farm Bureau is a smaller membership-based insurance provider. However, Goliath isn't always better than Goliath. In some cases, Farm Bureau may be preferable due to its customer service and cost.
In general, I found that Farm Bureau has better ratings for customer satisfaction, but tends to have higher car insurance rates for drivers with less-than-perfect driving records. By contrast, State Farm is best for those who prefer working with the largest car insurance company and having a broad network of local agents.
Ultimately, you should take into account your coverage needs, budget, and preferences when comparing State Farm and Farm Bureau.
How we evaluate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
State Farm pros and cons
- Large network of around 19,000 agents
- Rideshare insurance options
- Lower-than-average rates for drivers with clean records
- No policies issued in Massachusetts or Rhode Island
- Higher costs for those with driving infractions
- No accident forgiveness program
Learn more in our State Farm review.
Farm Bureau pros and cons
- Lower-than-average liability coverage rates after driving infractions
- Multiple discount programs
- BBB accreditation with an A+ rating
- Varied coverage options based on the state and provider
- Limited digital tools and low-rated mobile apps
- Added membership fee, which can vary by location and agricultural association
Learn more in our Farm Bureau review.
Which company is better?
State Farm is a major insurance company that offers auto insurance policies in most states. Farm Bureau has a different structure since it's an advocacy organization. Through its network of state bureau offices, it offers auto insurance policies in some areas. Available coverage varies by state and insurance provider, but its network of insurers tends to have strong ratings.
Here's how State Farm and Farm Bureau compare in terms of financial stability, customer satisfaction, and claim handling.
| State Farm | Farm Bureau | |
| AM Best | A++ (Superior) | A (Excellent) |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | Ranked 6th out of 21 | Not ranked |
| BBB | F (not accredited) | A+ (accredited) |
| NAIC complaints | 0.84 | 0.15 |
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Financial stability
When shopping for any form of insurance, you want the comfort of knowing the company you choose will be financially able to protect you in the future. One factor to consider is the companies' financial strength rating issued by AM Best, a credit rating agency.
State Farm has the best possible rating of A++. Farm Bureau's A rating is lower than State Farm's, but it's still considered "excellent."
Customer satisfaction and claims
How a company handles claims and how customers view their experiences with an auto insurance company can give you an idea of what to expect if you're in an accident and need help.
In the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, State Farm ranked sixth out of 21 insurers with a score that was above the industry average. As a smaller insurer, Farm Bureau wasn't considered in that auto insurance study.
Both companies, however, receive significantly fewer complaints than expected for companies of their size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint index, with State Farm registering an index of 0.84 to Farm Bureau's 0.15.
Average rate:
Contact
When I research insurance options, I consider how easy a company is to reach and how accessible it is. I prefer companies that offer multiple contact options, particularly a digital claims experience or online chat.
With that in mind, State Farm wins over Farm Bureau for me. Not only does State Farm have a large network of agents you can call or visit in person, but you can also file a claim online or over the phone 24/7.
Farm Bureau is quite different. Accessibility, contact options, and account management tools vary by state and insurance provider. For example, in some states, you can get quotes and purchase coverage online, whereas others require you to speak with an agent.
Which company is cheaper?
Both State Farm and Farm Bureau offer competitive auto insurance rates. However, State Farm tends to be cheaper for full coverage policies — which include comprehensive, collision, and liability insurance — for drivers with clean driving records.
Farm Bureau usually has lower rates for those with driving infractions on their records. However, you should also account for the Farm Bureau membership fee, which can depend on whether you're a farmer and where you live.
Here's a look at State Farm's average premiums across driver type and coverage level:
| Driver type | State Farm liability-only monthly premium | State Farm full-coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $53 | $115 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $63 | $136 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $66 | $143 |
| DUI on driving record | $86 | $186 |
| Teen driver | $98 | $212 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $38 | $83 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $34 | $74 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Compare these numbers to Farm Bureau's averages below (note that full coverage data was not available for Farm Bureau at the time of this writing):
| 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 | |
For a further point of comparison, here are the national averages across insurers and driver types, demonstrating that, while Farm Bureau is generally more expensive than State Farm, it is still more affordable than average:
| 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 | ||
Clean driving record
I'm a cautious driver, so I've never gotten a speeding ticket (yes, my mom is very proud). For drivers like me, State Farm is likely the better choice.
Speeding ticket on driving record
If you've received a speeding ticket, your rates will increase with both insurers, but will jump significantly more with Farm Bureau. Overall, State Farm is cheaper for drivers with a speeding ticket.
At-fault accident on driving record
If you were previously in an accident and were found to be at fault, you'll pay a higher rate for insurance from any provider. However, I found that Farm Bureau is typically more expensive than State Farm.
DUI on driving record
Having a DUI on your record make your insurance more expensive than almost any other factor — besides being a teen driver — and Farm Bureau is significantly more expensive than State Farm if you have a DUI.
Teen driver
Teens usually pay more for coverage, but with State Farm, these young drivers pay significantly less than they do at Farm Bureau's rates for liability-only coverage.
Senior driver
Seniors often pay less for coverage, and that's true for both State Farm and Farm Bureau. However, State Farm is cheaper.
Discounts
Both State Farm and Farm Bureau offer discounts that can help you save money on car insurance. However, there may be some more variation in available discounts from state to state with Farm Bureau as the coverage and discounts depend on the issuing provider.
The discounts below are available from State Farm and Farm Bureau Financial Services, one of the best-known of Farm Bureau's insurance companies.
| Discount | Does State Farm have it? | Does Farm Bureau have it? |
| Loyalty | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | Yes | No |
| Anti-lock brakes | Yes | No |
| Anti-theft | Yes | No |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | Yes | No |
| New car | No | No |
| Pay in full | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic payments | No | No |
| GAP insurance | Payoff Protector only applies to vehicles financed with a loan originated from State Farm Bank | No |
| Senior | No | No |
| Military | Yes (select states) | No |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | No |
State Farm Drive Safe & Save vs. Farm Bureau Driveology
A usage-based insurance (UBI) or telematics policy tracks your driving with a mobile app or device and bases your premiums on your actual vehicle usage. Driving safely can help you lower your car insurance premiums.
If you sign up for State Farm's Drive Safe & Save program, you can qualify for an automatic 10% participation discount and reduce your premiums by up to 30%.
Farm Bureau's Driveology program boasts even higher discounts. You can qualify for a 10% discount by signing up, and the company says drivers can reduce their premiums by as much as 50%.
Coverage
State Farm and Farm Bureau offer multiple coverage options, including comprehensive, collision, and liability protection. And, if you're a vintage car enthusiast like me, you should know that both companies offer coverage for antique or collector cars.
One key form of coverage that State Farm offers that Farm Bureau doesn't is rideshare insurance. If you drive for a service like Uber or Lyft, you may need a rideshare policy to adequately cover your vehicle.
| State Farm | Farm Bureau | |
| Collision | Yes | Yes |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes |
| Liability | Yes | Yes |
| Medical payments | Yes | Yes |
| Uninsured/Underinsured | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare | Yes | No |
| RV insurance | Yes | Yes |
| ATV & off-road vehicle insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Motorcycle insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Antique/collector cars | Yes | Yes |
FAQs
How do I contact State Farm?
You can reach State Farm customer service via phone at 800-782-8332, visit an agent, use the online chat, or get help through the mobile app. If you need to file a claim, you can do so by going online, using the app, or contacting an agent or the claims department (800-732-5246).
How do I contact Farm Bureau?
You can reach out to the customer support staff at Farm Bureau Financial Services at 866-399-3237 or use the website's email form. Other contact options vary by state, so visit your local Farm Bureau site for specific information.
Is Farm Bureau insurance good or bad?
Although specifics vary by state, Farm Bureau is a reputable insurance provider that has excellent coverage options and a strong reputation for customer service.
Is State Farm the most expensive insurance?
Generally, State Farm insurance has competitive rates, though the company tends to be one of the more expensive car insurance carriers for drivers with less-than-perfect driving records.
Bottom line
As you shop for car insurance, State Farm and Farm Bureau should be on your list of companies to consider. They're both reputable and reliable companies with robust coverage options and discount programs. State Farm tends to be the better choice if you have a clean driving record and want the peace of mind that comes with a major insurer while Farm Bureau can make sense if you're looking to save on your insurance using a telematics program.
Getting quotes from several of the best car insurance companies can help you find the best rates for your needs. Be sure to compare equivalent coverage types and coverage limits for policies at different insurance companies.
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