What Farmers Insurance is and who sells it

Farmers Insurance is a property and casualty insurance company that sells homeowner policies through independent agents rather than directly online or by phone. When you buy from Farmers, you work with a local agent who represents the company in your area — that agent handles your quotes, policy changes, and claims.

Farmers Insurance Group is owned by Zurich Insurance, a Switzerland-based parent company. The Farmers brand itself operates in all 50 states, though the specific policies and prices available to you depend on your state and the individual agent you contact. Some states have separate Farmers entities with their own rules and rates.

Because Farmers uses independent agents rather than company employees, the experience of buying and managing your policy can vary depending on which agent you work with. Some agents operate solo; others work in larger offices. You choose an agent, not the company directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Farmers sells homeowner insurance through independent local agents, not online or through a central phone line, so you contact an agent in your area to get a quote.
  • A standard Farmers homeowner policy covers the structure of your home, personal belongings inside it, liability if someone is injured on your property, and additional living expenses if you cannot stay in your home temporarily.
  • Farmers offers optional add-ons such as replacement cost coverage for belongings, water backup coverage, and earthquake or flood insurance, each with its own cost and deductible.
  • Deductibles — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance pays — typically range from $500 to $2,500 for standard claims, though you can choose higher deductibles to lower your premium.
  • Farmers does not cover damage from floods or earthquakes under a standard homeowner policy; you must buy separate policies for those risks if you want that protection.

What a standard Farmers homeowner policy covers

A basic Farmers homeowner policy has four main parts. The first covers the physical structure of your home — the walls, roof, foundation, built-in appliances, and attached structures like a garage or deck. This is called dwelling coverage. The second covers your personal belongings inside the home — furniture, clothing, electronics, and other items you own. The third covers liability, which means if someone is injured on your property and sues you, the policy pays their medical bills and legal costs up to your coverage limit. The fourth covers additional living expenses, meaning if your home becomes uninhabitable after a covered loss, the policy pays for a hotel, temporary rental, or other housing while repairs happen.

Each of these four parts has a separate coverage limit — the maximum the policy will pay. You choose these limits when you buy the policy. For example, you might choose $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $100,000 in personal property coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage, and $50,000 in additional living expenses. Farmers will suggest limits based on your home's value and your situation, but you decide what to buy.

A standard policy covers losses from fire, theft, wind, hail, lightning, vandalism, and several other named perils. It does not cover damage from floods, earthquakes, wear and tear, or damage you cause intentionally. If a tree falls on your roof during a storm, that is covered. If a tree falls because it was diseased and you ignored it, that may not be.

Deductibles and how they affect your premium

A deductible is the amount you pay toward a claim before Farmers pays the rest. If you have a $1,000 deductible and file a $5,000 claim, you pay $1,000 and Farmers pays $4,000. Farmers typically offers deductibles of $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500, and $2,500 for standard homeowner claims.

Choosing a higher deductible lowers your premium — the amount you pay for the policy each month or year. A $2,500 deductible will cost less per month than a $500 deductible for the same coverage. The trade-off is that if you file a claim, you pay more out of pocket. Some people choose a higher deductible if they have savings set aside and want to lower their monthly cost; others choose a lower deductible if they want to minimize what they pay when a loss happens.

Deductibles for specific perils can differ from your standard deductible. For example, Farmers may explore a separate deductible for wind or hail damage, sometimes expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. A 5% wind deductible on a $300,000 home means you pay $15,000 toward wind damage before the policy pays. This varies by state and by the specific policy form Farmers offers in your area.

Optional coverage add-ons Farmers offers

Beyond the standard four parts of a homeowner policy, Farmers sells several optional add-ons. Replacement cost coverage for personal belongings means Farmers pays what it costs to replace an item new, rather than what it was worth used. Without this add-on, if your five-year-old television is stolen, Farmers pays its depreciated value, not the price of a new one. With replacement cost, you get the new price. This add-on costs more but pays more when you file a claim.

Water backup coverage protects you if water backs up through your drains or sump pump fails during heavy rain. Standard homeowner policies do not cover this. Earthquake insurance and flood insurance are sold as separate policies, not add-ons to your homeowner policy. Farmers can sell you earthquake insurance directly, but flood insurance must come through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer — Farmers can help you buy it, but it is a separate contract.

Other optional add-ons include coverage for valuable items like jewelry or art (usually with a higher limit than the standard personal property coverage), identity theft protection, and coverage for home business equipment. Each add-on has its own cost and may have its own deductible or coverage limit.

How Farmers calculates your premium

Farmers uses several factors to set your homeowner insurance rate. The main ones are the replacement cost of your home (what it would cost to rebuild it from scratch, not its market value), the age and construction type of the home, the location (including local crime rates and weather risk), your claims history, your credit score, and the coverage limits and deductibles you choose.

Two homes of the same size in the same neighborhood can have different rates if one is brick and one is wood, or if one is 50 years old and one is 10 years old. A home in a flood-prone area costs more to insure than one on high ground. A person with multiple past claims pays more than someone with no claims history. Farmers also offers discounts — for example, if you bundle homeowner and auto insurance with them, if you have certain safety features like a security system or fire alarm, or if you have not filed a claim in several years.

Rates vary significantly by state because state insurance regulators set rules about what factors insurers can use and how much they can charge. The same Farmers policy in California may cost twice as much as in another state, or vice versa. You can only find out what Farmers charges you by contacting a local agent and asking for a quote.

How to file a claim with Farmers

If you have damage or a loss covered by your policy, you contact your Farmers agent or call Farmers' claims line to report it. Farmers will assign a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster inspects the damage, reviews your policy, and determines what Farmers will pay. You pay your deductible, and Farmers pays the rest up to your coverage limit.

For small claims, you may be able to handle everything by phone and email. For larger claims — like major fire or storm damage — the adjuster will visit your home in person. You should document the damage with photos and keep receipts for any temporary repairs you make to prevent further damage. Farmers will pay for reasonable emergency repairs, even before the full claim is settled.

The time it takes to settle a claim depends on the complexity. A straightforward theft claim might be resolved in days. A major structural loss might take weeks or months. Your agent or adjuster can tell you what to expect in your specific situation.

What Farmers homeowner insurance does not cover

Standard Farmers homeowner policies exclude several common types of damage. Flood damage — whether from heavy rain, a burst pipe, or a river overflowing — is not covered. You need a separate flood insurance policy for that. Earthquake damage is also excluded from standard policies; you buy earthquake insurance separately if you want it.

Wear and tear is not covered. If your roof leaks because it is old and deteriorating, that is not a covered loss. Damage from poor maintenance is excluded. If you ignored a known plumbing problem and it caused water damage, Farmers may deny the claim. Intentional damage you cause is not covered, nor is damage from war or civil unrest.

Damage from pests, mold, or rot is typically not covered unless it results from a covered peril. For example, if a storm breaks a window and rain causes mold, the mold damage may be covered because it resulted from the storm. If mold grows because of chronic humidity in your basement, it is not covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Farmers homeowner insurance online or by phone?

No. Farmers sells through independent agents only, so you must contact a local agent to get a quote and buy a policy. You can find agents on Farmers' website by entering your zip code, or you can ask for a referral from friends or family.

Does Farmers homeowner insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard Farmers homeowner policies do not cover any flood damage. If you live in a flood-prone area or want flood protection, you must buy a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer. Your Farmers agent can help you purchase it.

What happens if I do not have enough coverage and file a claim?

Farmers pays only up to your coverage limit. If your home is damaged and your dwelling coverage limit is $250,000 but repairs cost $350,000, Farmers pays $250,000 and you pay the remaining $100,000. This is why choosing appropriate coverage limits when you buy the policy is important.

Can I lower my Farmers homeowner insurance premium?

Yes. You can raise your deductible, bundle homeowner and auto insurance, install a security system or fire alarm, improve your home's construction (like upgrading to a metal roof), or maintain a claims-free history. Ask your agent which discounts you may be able to use.

How often can I change my Farmers homeowner policy?

You can usually change your coverage limits, deductibles, or add optional coverage whenever you want during your policy term. Some changes take effect when ready; others take effect on your next renewal. Contact your agent to discuss what changes you want to make.