What Farmers Insurance is and who sells it
Farmers Insurance is a property and casualty insurance company that sells auto, home, life, and business insurance through independent agents. Unlike companies that sell directly online or by phone, Farmers operates through a network of franchised agents — people who own their own offices but represent Farmers. You contact a local Farmers agent, not a central call center, to get a quote or file a claim.
The company is owned by Zurich Insurance Group, a Swiss multinational, but operates as a separate brand in the United States. Farmers has been in business since 1928 and is one of the largest property and casualty insurers in the country by premium volume.
When you buy a policy from Farmers, you are buying insurance from the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies — the legal entity that underwrites the coverage. Your agent is the person who helps you choose what to buy, answers questions, and processes changes to your policy.
Key Takeaways
- Farmers sells auto, home, life, and business insurance through independent agents in your area, not through a single online portal.
- You can get a quote by calling a local Farmers agent, visiting the Farmers website to find an agent near you, or calling Farmers directly at 1-800-835-2000.
- Auto and home insurance policies typically renew every six or twelve months, and Farmers will send you a renewal notice before your current policy ends.
- Claims are filed through your agent or directly with Farmers by phone, online, or through the Farmers mobile app.
- Farmers offers discounts for bundling policies, maintaining a safe driving record, completing safety courses, and installing home security devices.
How to get a quote from Farmers
You have three main ways to get a quote. The fastest is to find a local Farmers agent through the Farmers website (farmers.com) — you can enter your zip code and see agents near you, then call or visit in person. Many agents can give you a quote over the phone in 10 to 15 minutes if you have basic information ready: your driver's license number, current insurance policy (if you have one), and details about the vehicle or home you want to insure.
You can also call Farmers directly at 1-800-835-2000 to request a quote. A representative will take your information and either quote you on the phone or transfer you to a local agent. Some people prefer this route because they do not have to search for an agent first.
The Farmers website also has an online quote tool where you enter your information and receive a quote without talking to anyone. This quote is usually valid for 30 to 60 days, and you can then contact an agent to bind the policy (make it official) or ask questions.
What auto insurance from Farmers covers
Farmers auto insurance comes in several layers. Liability coverage pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else — their car, their medical bills, their property. This is required by law in every state, though the minimum amount varies. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own car if you hit something or someone hits you. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from events you did not cause — theft, weather, vandalism, hitting an animal.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if the other driver has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your damages. Medical payments coverage (sometimes called MedPay) pays your medical bills and your passengers' bills after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. You choose which of these to buy and how much coverage you want in each category.
Farmers also offers optional add-ons: roadside information (towing, lockout service, fuel delivery), rental car reimbursement (pays for a rental while yours is being repaired), and gap insurance (covers the difference between what you owe on a loan and what the car is worth if it is totaled).
What home insurance from Farmers covers
Farmers homeowners insurance typically covers the structure of your home, your personal belongings inside it, liability if someone is injured on your property, and additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable. The structure coverage pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged by fire, wind, hail, theft, or vandalism — but not by flood or earthquake, which require separate policies.
Personal property coverage reimburses you for belongings damaged in a covered event: furniture, electronics, clothing, and so on. You choose a coverage limit, and Farmers pays up to that amount. Liability coverage pays if someone sues you because they were injured at your home or you accidentally damaged their property.
Farmers also offers condo insurance (for people who own a condo but not the building structure), renters insurance (for people who rent an apartment or house), and umbrella or excess liability policies (extra liability protection beyond what your home or auto policy provides). Like auto insurance, you choose your deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in — and higher deductibles mean lower premiums.
Discounts Farmers offers
Farmers discounts vary by state and by the type of policy, but common ones include bundling (buying more than one type of policy with Farmers), safe driver discount (no accidents or violations in a set period), defensive driving course completion, and good student discount (for drivers under 25 with a GPA of 3.0 or higher). Some agents also offer discounts for paying your premium in full rather than monthly, or for setting up automatic payments.
Home insurance discounts often include installing a security system, deadbolt locks, smoke detectors, or a fire extinguisher. Some agents offer discounts for being a longtime customer, for having a claim-free history, or for being a member of certain professional organizations or alumni associations. The best way to find out what discounts you may have access to for is to ask your agent directly — they know what is available in your state and can explore them to your quote.
How to file a claim with Farmers
You can file a claim by phone, online, or through the Farmers mobile app. The phone number for claims is 1-800-835-2000 (the same number as customer service, but you will be routed to claims). You can also contact your local agent directly — they can start the claims process for you. Online, you can file through farmers.com or the Farmers mobile app, which also lets you upload photos of damage.
When you file, have your policy number ready and be prepared to describe what happened, when it happened, and what was damaged. For auto claims, you will need the other driver's information if another vehicle was involved. For home claims, take photos of the damage before you clean anything up — these photos help the claims adjuster assess the loss. Farmers will assign an adjuster to your claim, and they will contact you to schedule an inspection if needed.
The time it takes to resolve a claim depends on the type and complexity. straightforward auto claims can be resolved in days; home claims often take longer because an adjuster needs to inspect the property and get repair estimates. Farmers publishes average claim resolution times on its website, though your individual claim may be faster or slower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I manage my Farmers policy online?
Yes. You can log into your account at farmers.com to view your policy, make payments, request changes, and view your billing history. The Farmers mobile app offers similar features. If you prefer to work with your agent, you can call or visit their office instead.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Farmers will send you a notice that your payment is late. Most policies have a grace period — usually 10 days — during which you can pay without losing coverage. If you do not pay by the end of the grace period, your policy will be cancelled. You can reinstate it by paying the overdue amount, but there may be a reinstatement fee.
Does Farmers offer life insurance?
Yes. Farmers sells term life insurance (coverage for a set number of years) and whole life insurance (permanent coverage that builds cash value). You can get a quote from a Farmers agent. Life insurance underwriting takes longer than property and casualty insurance because it requires a health review, sometimes including a medical exam.
What if I want to cancel my policy?
You can cancel by contacting your agent or calling 1-800-835-2000. Farmers will refund any prepaid premium for the unused portion of your policy. Some policies have cancellation fees if you cancel before the renewal date, so ask your agent about that before you cancel.
How do I find my policy number?
Your policy number is on your declarations page (the first page of your policy documents), on your billing statements, and in your online account. Your agent can also look it up if you call and provide your name and date of birth.