- Farmers Car Insurance Overview: Established in 1928 and backed by Zurich Insurance Group, Farmers offers customizable coverage options and nationwide agents, but has higher premiums and mixed customer satisfaction ratings.
- Ideal Customers for Farmers: Farmers is best for drivers needing flexible coverage, specialty add-ons, or those who value customer service and local agent support, especially if they qualify for multiple discounts.
- Cost and Discounts at Farmers: Farmers’ average full coverage premium is higher than the national average, but discounts like bundling and telematics can help reduce costs significantly.
- Coverage Options and Reliability: Farmers provides a wide range of coverage options including unique add-ons like new car replacement and rideshare coverage, backed by strong financial stability and low complaint volumes.
- Customer Service and Claims Process: Farmers offers multiple support channels, with generally high claims satisfaction, though online reviews are mixed and the claims process can vary in duration depending on case complexity.
Farmers Car Insurance Overview
So you’re shopping around for car insurance, and Farmers keeps popping up. Makes sense. They’ve been around since 1928 and insure over 10 million households nationwide. But here’s the real question: are they actually worth your money in 2025?
Farmers has built a solid reputation over nearly a century in business, and the financial muscle of Zurich Insurance Group, a global Swiss company, backs them. They’ve got nationwide agents scattered across the U.S., so finding someone local to chat with isn’t hard. But before you commit, let’s dig into what actually matters.
Farmers scored just under what was needed to make the list of the best car insurance companies, but read on and learn if it is right for you.
Who is Farmers Car Insurance Best For?
Farmers shines brightest for drivers who prioritize coverage flexibility over rock-bottom prices. Farmers is best for people looking for specialty coverage and add-ons, as well as for drivers who value customer service. If you’ve got a modified car, drive for Uber or Lyft, or simply want a policy tailored to your exact situation, Farmers delivers. Bundlers who wish to combine auto with home or renters insurance can also unlock meaningful savings. And if you’ve got a clean driving record, their Signal telematics program could knock up to 30% off your premium.
Key Strengths
The financial muscle of Zurich Insurance Group, a global Swiss company, backs them, making it a standout choice if you want to customize your policy. Their roster includes everything from rideshare coverage for gig drivers to custom parts protection for tricked-out rides. The company maintains an incredibly low volume of complaints compared to competitors, which speaks volumes about their service quality. They also score above average in claims satisfaction according to J.D. Power studies, and their NAIC rating is 0.71, indicating Farmers has received fewer complaints than the average car insurance provider, adjusted for size.
Key Weaknesses
The elephant in the room? Cost. Farmers’ average annual car insurance rate is $3,113, which is more than $1,000 above the national average of $2,012. That’s a significant chunk of change. In J.D. Power’s 2025 Insurance Shopping Study, Farmers scored below average, likely due to their higher-than-average premiums and more involved quote process. They’re also not available everywhere.
Farmers Car Insurance Affordability
Let’s talk dollars and cents on how much car insurance costs, because that’s what you care about most.
Farmers’ car insurance costs an average of $3,900 per year for full coverage, compared to the national average of $2,300. For basic liability-only coverage, you’re looking at roughly $100 per month, which is still slightly below the national average of around $115. So if you’re just trying to meet your state’s minimum requirements, Farmers becomes more competitive.
The reality is that Farmers tends to be pricier across most driver profiles. Farmers offers the highest average annual premium for high-mileage drivers among all insurers analyzed in significant studies. Teen drivers feel the pinch too, with rates running about 86-91% higher than national averages, depending on gender.
But here’s where things get interesting. Farmers offers roughly 18-20 different discounts that can significantly reduce your premium. The multi-policy discount for bundling home and auto can save you around 20%. The Signal telematics program lets you save up to 30% by allowing Farmers to track their driving habits, including distracted driving, braking, and speed. Other discounts include good student (3.0+ GPA required), safe driver, homeowner, pay-in-full, anti-theft device, alternative fuel vehicle (up to 10% in California), and defensive driving course completion for those 55 and older.
Bottom line: without discounts, Farmers will likely cost you more than competitors like GEICO or State Farm. But stack enough discounts and the gap narrows considerably.
Farmers Car Insurance Coverage Options
Where Farmers truly earns its keep is coverage variety. This isn’t a bare-bones insurer. They want you to build the policy you need precisely.
Starting with the basics, you’ll find all the standard coverage types: liability (required by most states), collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, medical payments, and personal injury protection, where applicable.
The precision comes from their extensive add-on menu. New car replacement may replace your totaled car with a brand-new one if it’s under two years old and has fewer than 24,000 miles. Accident forgiveness means Farmers won’t raise your rate after one at-fault accident as long as you’ve had a clean record for three years. Their diminishing deductible program reduces your collision deductible by $50 each year you avoid accidents, up to a total of $500.
Rideshare and delivery coverage fills the coverage gap for Uber, Lyft, and delivery drivers between personal and company insurance. For car enthusiasts, custom parts and equipment coverage protects custom additions, such as permanently installed upgraded wheels, stereos, or lighting.
Other notable options include gap insurance that covers the difference between your car’s value and what you owe (up to 25% of vehicle value), OEM parts coverage ensuring original manufacturer parts are used for repairs, glass deductible buyback lowering your glass repair costs, and non-owner insurance for people who drive but don’t own a vehicle.
Rental reimbursement, roadside assistance (Standard covers 20 miles of towing and Enhanced covers 100 miles), and loss-of-use coverage round out the offerings. Term lengths and coverage limits are customizable when you work with an agent, giving you flexibility to match your budget and risk tolerance.
Farmers Car Insurance Reliability
When you’re paying for insurance, you need to know the company will actually be there when something goes wrong. Farmers check the financial stability boxes.
AM Best has assigned a rating of A to members of Farmers Insurance Group, with a stable outlook. This rating reflects strong risk-adjusted capitalization and adequate operating performance. S&P Global has given Farmers an “A” level financial strength rating, while Moody’s rates the company at A3. These marks from independent agencies indicate that Farmers can reliably pay claims even during harsh economic conditions.
Farmers’ NAIC complaint index of 0.36 indicates the company is doing right by its customers, as it’s one of the lowest indices recorded among major insurers. The national baseline is 1.00, so anything below that means fewer complaints than expected for an insurer of that size. That’s a genuinely impressive number, suggesting most policyholders have a smooth experience.
Farmers opened for business on March 28, 1928, in downtown Los Angeles. Nearly 97 years of continuous operation through depressions, natural disasters, and market upheavals speaks to organizational resilience. They weathered the 1989 San Francisco earthquake, 1991 Oakland fire, and 1994 Northridge earthquake, events that challenged many insurers. Today, they’re managed by Farmers Group, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group.
Farmers Car Insurance Customer Service
Getting help when you need it matters. Farmers offers multiple channels to reach actual humans.
Phone Support: For claims, call 1-800-435-7764 (available 24/7). For all other matters, call 1-888-327-6335, available Monday through Friday 7 am to 11 pm CST and Saturday through Sunday 8 am to 8 pm CST. Those are generous hours compared to some competitors that close shop earlier on weekends.
Eighty-eight percent of Farmers’ customers said they were satisfied with its customer service in recent surveys. However, in the 2025 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, Farmers scored below average in every region it was evaluated in, except Florida.
Digital Support: The mobile app situation is actually quite strong. The Farmers app earns 4.8 out of 5 stars in the iOS App Store with over 21,000 ratings. On Google Play, it holds 4.7 stars based on nearly 10,000 reviews. Through the app, you can pay bills, access digital ID cards, file claims, track claim status, and request roadside assistance. The website offers online chat support and email options as well.
Third-Party Ratings: Farmers is not currently BBB-accredited and has a B+ rating, though it was previously accredited in 1951. On Trustpilot, Farmers is rated 1.2 out of 5 stars with 257 reviews, which is notably low, though Trustpilot tends to attract more complaints than compliments for insurance companies across the board. J.D. Power rates Farmers at 3.1 out of 5.
Looking at Reddit communities like r/insurance and r/personalfinance, sentiment is mixed. Some users praise their local agents and claim handling, while others express frustration with premium increases and slow communication during complex claims. The experience is often tied to the quality of your specific local agent.
Farmers Car Insurance Claims Process
Filing a claim shouldn’t require a law degree. Farmers offers several ways to report an incident.
You can start a claim through the mobile app (probably the quickest method), online at farmers.com, by calling 1-800-435-7764, or through your local agent. You’ll be guided through a series of questions to gather essential details about your case. Having your policy number, photos of damage, other driver information, and any police reports handy speeds things up.
Farmers ranks above average when it comes to claims, according to the J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Study, which evaluates communication, digital channels, ease of claim resolution, ease of starting a claim, and fairness of settlements. Farmers’ customers gave the company high marks for claims handling, with 90% satisfaction rates in some surveys.
To ensure accurate resolution, claim evaluation can take anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on complexity. Straightforward fender benders wrap up faster than total loss situations or injuries. Farmers Insurance generally aims to complete total-loss settlements within 2 to 4 weeks, though this may vary by case.
CRASH Network gave Farmers a C- grade for how well the insurer works with body shops, which falls right in the middle among the 10 largest auto insurance companies. If you want guaranteed quality repairs, consider asking whether the shop is part of Farmers’ affiliated network.
Farmers Car Insurance Application Process
Getting a quote from Farmers is pretty straightforward, whether you prefer to click or call.
To receive a quote, you can either call 888-327-6335 or visit Farmers’ homepage. You will need to provide your ZIP code, contact information, and details about your vehicle and its drivers. Once completed, the system will generate your quote, automatically including any eligible discounts.
Online quotes are available, and you can purchase a policy directly through the website. However, Farmers also maintains a massive network of over 48,000 agents, so if you’d rather talk through your options face-to-face or over the phone, that’s easy to arrange. Many people appreciate having a dedicated local agent who knows their situation.
Digital tools include coverage calculators to help estimate how much protection you need, and the quote process automatically factors in potential discounts. If you’re switching from another insurer, Farmers can help coordinate timing to avoid a coverage gap.
Pros & Cons of Farmers Car Insurance
Before making your final call, here’s the quick rundown.
Pros
Farmers offers more add-on coverage options than any other company in major rankings, making customization a breeze. They maintain an incredibly low complaint volume compared to competitors, suggesting most customers have positive experiences. Claims satisfaction scores above the industry average mean you’ll likely be treated fairly when something goes wrong. With more than 48,000 agents nationwide, finding local, personalized service is simple. Their robust discount program (18+ options) can substantially offset higher base rates if you qualify for several of them.
Cons
Premiums are more than $1,000 above the national average for full coverage, making them among the priciest mainstream options. Coverage isn’t available in Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, or West Virginia, limiting access for some drivers. J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores fell below average in most regions evaluated, suggesting room for improvement. Trustpilot ratings sit at a dismal 1.2 out of 5, though online reviews skew negative for most insurers. Teen and young driver rates are significantly higher than competitors’.
Our Verdict & Rating for Farmers Car Insurance
Farmers occupies an interesting space in the auto insurance market. They’re not trying to be the cheapest option, and honestly, they’re not even close. What they are trying to be is comprehensive, flexible, and reliable when it counts.
If your goal is to find the absolute lowest premium, Farmers isn’t your match. Companies like GEICO, Progressive, or State Farm will likely beat them on price for most driver profiles. But if you want an insurer that lets you build a truly customized policy with specialty coverages like rideshare protection, custom equipment, or OEM parts guarantees, Farmers offers options you won’t find elsewhere.
The combination of strong financial ratings, low complaint volumes, and above-average claims handling suggests that when you actually need to use your insurance, Farmers tends to come through. That peace of mind has value, even if it costs a bit more upfront.
Who Should Consider This Company?
- Drivers who want extensive coverage customization options and don’t mind paying extra for them.
- Car enthusiasts with modifications who need custom parts and equipment protection.
- Gig economy workers driving for Uber, Lyft, or delivery services who need rideshare gap coverage.
- Bundlers who can combine auto with home or renters insurance for significant multi-policy discounts.
- Those who qualify for multiple discounts and can narrow the price gap (Signal telematics users, good students, homeowners, safe drivers). People who value having a local agent rather than purely digital interactions.
Who Should Consider Another Provider?
- Budget-conscious drivers prioritize the lowest possible premium – consider Geico car insurance
- Teen drivers or parents insuring young drivers who would face steep surcharges – consider State Farm car insurance
- Residents of states where Farmers doesn’t operate (Alaska, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia) – consider Amica car insurance
- Drivers with violations or accidents need a company that is more forgiving of rate increases. Anyone who prefers quick, entirely online transactions without agent involvement – consider Progressive car insurance
Frequently asked questions
Answers to your questions about Farmers car insurance.
Farmers Car Insurance is a good choice for drivers looking for extensive coverage options, customization, and specialty add-ons, especially those who value customer service and local agent support, and can take advantage of multiple discounts.
Farmers’ average annual premium is higher than the national average, largely because of their pricing structure; however, they offer numerous discounts that can help offset the higher base rates if you qualify.
Farmers provides standard coverage such as liability, collision, and comprehensive, along with a wide range of add-ons like new car replacement, accident forgiveness, rideshare coverage, custom parts protection, gap insurance, and roadside assistance, allowing for tailored policies.
Farmers is backed by strong financial ratings from agencies like AM Best and S&P Global, indicating reliability in paying claims, and they maintain a low complaint volume, suggesting good customer support when needed.
You can file a claim through their mobile app, website, or by calling their claims line. Farmers’ claims process is generally rated above average, with high customer satisfaction for claims handling, although resolution times can vary depending on the case.
