Farm Bureau Auto Insurance Review: Should you buy in 2024?

Whether you’re looking for minimum coverage for your first car or are simply kicking tires to find a cheaper or more comprehensive policy than your current one, you’ve likely come across Farm Bureau car insurance as a potential option. 

Farm Bureau has had a presence in the United States since 1939 and offers a variety of auto insurance coverage types and discount opportunities. Here we’ll explore a brief history of the company, its coverage choices, company-specific discounts and programs, the claims process, and reviews. 

This comprehensive review will help you sort your questions about Farm Bureau auto insurance and guide you toward a more informed decision when it comes to an insurance provider. You can also enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to get more information on the insurance options available to you in your area.

What is Farm Bureau Insurance?

The American Farm Bureau Federation is a nationwide organization centered around the agricultural industry. Their mission includes:

• Policy change advocacy at local, state, and federal levels
• Agricultural education and awareness
• Empowerment for agricultural workers via training and leadership programs

Founded in Iowa in 1939, Farm Bureau financial services grew to offer insurance for agricultural workers and their families, but their current insurance arm, Farm Bureau Financial Services, provides insurance coverage for individuals and businesses in all sectors.

In addition to auto insurance (including car, motorcycle, RV, and boat policies), the company offers home, life, farm/ranch, health, and business insurance coverage. 

Read more: Can auto and motorcycle insurance be bundled?

What does Farm Bureau auto insurance offer?

Before signing on the dotted line, make sure that your policy meets all of your state’s auto coverage requirements. In addition, your car loan company will require you to provide proof of insurance throughout your loan, and lender insurance requirements also vary. 

You should also consider precautionary coverage — policies that aren’t required by your state or lender, but that provide additional peace of mind, like:

• Roadside assistance
• Non-owner insurance, if you expect to rent a car 
• Uninsured motorist insurance

Farm Bureau offers the following coverage options:

• Liability. Pays for damage you deal to another person or their vehicle (but not you or your vehicle)
• Collision. Helps pay for damage to your vehicle incurred during an accident
• Comprehensive. Helps subsidize the cost of repairs for non-accident damage like hail, vandalism, theft, or fire
• Medical or No-Fault. Also commonly called Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and helps pay for injury treatment for you and your passengers
• Uninsured/Underinsured. Provides funds if an uninsured or underinsured driver injuries you or your passengers during an accident

Bundling Options

If you purchase different policies from the same company’s local agent, you can sometimes benefit from bundle insurance discounts. 

Farm Bureau auto insurance can be bundled with any of their other policies in a plan called Farm Bureau Member’s Choice. Customers can bundle any number of policies and pay one monthly or annual premium, as opposed to managing and paying for individual policies from different carriers, which certainly enhances convenience. 

But, before you bundle, ask a local agent about the specifics of bundling discounts, which vary based upon:

• Geographic region or state
• The number of policies bundled
• The types of policies bundled

Potential Discounts

Before you complete the enrollment process for a new policy, drivers should always make sure that they’re taking advantage of all possible discounts to secure the lowest rate.

Like many other mainstream auto insurance companies, Farm Bureau offers a variety of discounts for drivers who meet certain criteria. Those discounts include:

• Driveology and the Driven to Safety Discount. Numerous insurance companies have begun to monitor drivers’ activity via smartphone apps or plug-in devices to determine their driving behaviors and frequency. To participate in the Driveology program and receive the Driven to Safety discount (which can shave up to 30% off drivers’ premiums), Farm Bureau customers simply plug a device into their car. 
• Claim Free Discount. Avoiding accidents and claims for prolonged periods could reward drivers with a discount, but this cost-saving feature isn’t available in every state. 
• Good Student Discount. Student drivers who maintain a B average or higher can receive up to 15% off their premiums. But, proof is required, so make sure to hang onto that report card.
• Safe Young Driver Discount. To receive this benefit, drivers under age 25 must complete a Young Driver Safety course. 
• Low Mileage Discount. If you drive fewer than 7,500 miles per year, you could qualify for up to 22% off your premiums.
• Discounts for multiple cars. Farm Bureau customers who insure more than one car can bundle their policies and save up to 23%. 
• Continued In-Force Credit. For repeat renewals, Farm Bureau customers receive loyalty credits that can be used towards premium or auto insurance deductible discounts. 

You may be eligible for multiple discounts, so make sure to clarify your chosen insurance carrier’s slate of deals before completing sign-up. 

Special Programs

Farm Bureau offers two special programs for their customers:

• SuperCheck
• Preferred Auto Repair Shop

SuperCheck is a yearly program connecting Farm Bureau customers with carrier agents who help determine discount eligibility, modify coverage as needed, and take advantage of promotional savings. While Farm Bureau recommends participating in a SuperCheck annually, customers can access the service anytime to search for potential deals. 

Customers can complete a SuperCheck via phone, in person, or virtually. They even have an online quiz to help drivers determine their eligibility for discounts and coverage. 

The Preferred Auto Shop program provides a variety of potential benefits to Farm Bureau customers:

• It provides drivers with a list of repair shops screened and vetted by Farm Bureau, reducing the amount of time needed to search for qualified mechanics.
• Repairs provided by a Preferred Auto Shop are guaranteed for drivers’ entire vehicle ownership tenure. 
• Using a Preferred Auto Shop simplifies the claims process. Customers only need one quote for repairs, they’re guaranteed expedited service timelines, and Farm Bureau pays the shop directly instead of reimbursing their customers. 

However, this program is currently only available in the following states:

• Arizona
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• South Dakota
• Utah

So, if you live in a state within Farm Bureau’s coverage area, but you require repairs elsewhere, you’ll have to choose a non-participating shop or return your vehicle to your home state. 

How to Process Claims with Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau offers three ways to report an auto claim after an accident or vehicle damage:

• An online claim reporting platform
• Contacting an agent directly
• Calling a 24-hour claims hotline

While Farm Bureau doesn’t offer a smartphone app for claim reporting like many other mainstream auto insurance companies, the company strives to expedite the claims process as much as possible. Clients are asked to have the following information ready no matter which claim reporting method they use:

• Insured customer’s name
• The insured’s home address
• The policy number
• The date of the damage, accident, or injury

Customers can check the status of their claim online by registering for online account access. Farm Bureau customers work with their agent or a claims specialist to take photos, report damages, and arrange deductible payments and compensation. 

When customers use the Preferred Auto Repair Shops program, they can reduce the legwork and time spent on auto repairs, since the Farm Bureau handles the majority of the payment logistics. In addition, customers reporting a glass-related claim can directly contact Safelite Solutions, Farm Bureau’s auto glass repair partner. 

How’s Farm Bureau standing in the industry?

Two major agencies provide ratings for insurance companies and other service providers — A.M. Best Rating Services and S&P Global Ratings. 

A.M. Best, currently providing a rating for Farm Bureau auto insurance, has 13 Financial Strength Ratings (FSRs) for insurance companies ranging from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor). A.M. Best’s FSRs indicate a company’s:

• Financial strength
• Ability to maintain its active insurance policies by
• Disbursing funds for claims
• Providing services like roadside assistance, when applicable
• Paying insurance agents’ salaries
• Expectations of meeting their financial obligations
• Paying the mortgage/rent and utilities for physical facilities
• Complying with regulatory requirements

All three of Farm Bureau’s insurance and underwriting companies are currently rated A and above, and A.M. Best has provided Farm Bureau with a rating for more than 50 years.

In 2021, Farm Bureau was awarded the Demotech Stakeholder Team Accomplishment Recognition (STAR) Award for its sustainable profitability, customer and stakeholder satisfaction, and positive operational results. The STAR Award recognizes the nation’s best property and casualty companies.

In which states is Farm Bureau’s auto insurance available?

Farm Bureau auto insurance coverage isn’t currently available nationwide. In fact, their coverage area is limited mostly to the Midwest. While their other policies – like life, home, or business insurance – are available in other jurisdictions, Farm Bureau currently only offers auto insurance coverage in the following states:

• Arizona
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• South Dakota
• Utah

But, this doesn’t mean that the company won’t provide coverage if you travel by car to a state that’s outside of their service area. While you’ll have to visit a non-Preferred Auto Shop mechanic or transport your vehicle to a state in Farm Bureau’s jurisdiction if you’d like to use the service, you can still file a claim on your policy wherever you go. 

How to Compare Auto Insurance Rates 

As long as you primarily reside in a participating state, Farm Bureau auto insurance coverage could be a good choice for you, your vehicle, or any other bundled properties. 

They offer a variety of options that can meet your state’s minimum requirements and provide peace of mind. They have numerous discounts available, and their programs for policyholders can help ensure optimal cost savings while streamlining the claims and vehicle repair processes. Plus, the claims process is quite straightforward, with numerous digital and analog tools for reporting and tracking, and the company is highly rated by a third-party agency. 

But, if you’re still not sure which auto insurance carrier is right for you, we have the tools you need to find the best coverage and price for you. With our vetted, thorough search tool, you can find a comprehensive, comparative list of auto insurance policies that may be the right fit. 

When searching for auto insurance coverage, let us do the heavy lifting, and low rate hunting, for you.