Farm Bureau Insurance: Is It Right for You?

You don’t have to be a farmer to get Farm Bureau insurance.

Anyone can join the Farm Bureau for an annual fee — and one major perk of membership is access to Farm Bureau insurance.

The cost to join depends on where you live. The cheapest level, often called associate or community membership, can run from $20 to $125 a year. People who work in agriculture can pay more for a regular membership, making them eligible to vote within the American Farm Bureau Federation on policy positions and partner discounts, among other initiatives. Membership is available through your state’s Farm Bureau chapter.

Farm Bureau members can buy insurance through one of several companies, depending on the state. In many states, a statewide Farm Bureau insurance company writes and sells its own policies. Two regional Farm Bureau insurance companies serve 10 additional states.

In states without a Farm Bureau insurance company, members typically can get discounted insurance rates at partner companies including Alfa, Country Financial, American National and Nationwide Insurance. The one exception is Hawaii’s Farm Bureau chapter, which doesn’t offer auto or home insurance options for members.

Because each Farm Bureau insurance company is operated separately, the products they offer vary. In most states, you can get auto, homeowners and business insurance.

Farm Bureau insurance companies in each state

If you’re wondering why people who aren't farmers would pay to join an agriculture association, a quick look at Farm Bureau car insurance rates makes it clear.

Here are some of the rock-bottom prices we found when we analyzed annual rates for a sample 40-year-old driver.

Kentucky

In Kentucky, compared with average car insurance rates statewide for our sample driver, Farm Bureau insurance was:

• $696 cheaper for a good driver buying full coverage.

• $1,182 cheaper for full coverage insurance after an at-fault crash.

• $642 cheaper for full coverage after a DUI.

• $422 cheaper for minimum coverage.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, compared with average car insurance rates statewide for our sample driver, Farm Bureau insurance was:

• $363 cheaper for a good driver buying full coverage.

• $1,311 cheaper for full coverage for a driver who recently caused an accident.

• $2,972 cheaper for full coverage for someone with a DUI.

• $39 cheaper for someone with poor credit buying full coverage.

• $176 cheaper for a good driver buying minimum coverage.

Missouri

In Missouri, compared with average car insurance rates statewide for our sample driver, Farm Bureau insurance was:

• $340 cheaper for a good driver buying full coverage.

• $887 cheaper for full coverage after an at-fault accident.

• $1,018 cheaper for full coverage insurance after a DUI.

• $644 cheaper for someone with poor credit buying full coverage.

• $195 cheaper for a good driver buying minimum coverage.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, compared with average car insurance rates statewide for our sample driver, Farm Bureau insurance was:

• $201 cheaper for a good driver buying full coverage.

• $538 cheaper for full coverage for a driver who recently caused a wreck.

• $1,198 cheaper for full coverage after a DUI.

• $59 cheaper for a good driver buying minimum required coverage.

North Dakota

In North Dakota, compared with average car insurance rates statewide for our sample driver, Farm Bureau insurance was:

• $413 cheaper for full coverage after a DUI.

• $523 cheaper for full coverage after an at-fault crash.

• $31 cheaper to insure a driver with poor credit with full coverage.

• $170 cheaper for a good driver buying minimum coverage.

Tennessee

In Tennessee, compared with average car insurance rates statewide for our sample driver, Farm Bureau insurance was:

• $362 cheaper for a good driver buying full coverage.

• $1,162 cheaper for full coverage after a DUI.

• $1,375 cheaper for a driver with poor credit buying full coverage insurance.

• $1,027 cheaper for a driver responsible for a recent wreck.

• $137 cheaper for a good driver buying minimum coverage.

Texas

In Texas, compared with average car insurance rates statewide for our sample driver, Farm Bureau insurance was:

• $249 cheaper for a good driver with full coverage.

• $541 cheaper for full coverage for a driver who caused a recent accident.

• $310 cheaper for full coverage for someone with poor credit.

• $65 cheaper for a good driver buying minimum required insurance.

But Farm Bureau insurance isn’t always a bargain choice. In a handful of states, Farm Bureau was more expensive than the state average.

• In Idaho, the cost of full coverage insurance for a good driver from Farm Bureau was $333 higher than the state average.

• In South Carolina, full coverage for a good driver from Farm Bureau was $151 higher than the state average.

Prices range widely because Farm Bureau insurance comes from more than 20 different companies, each with its own priorities and standards. State regulations and personal factors affect auto insurance prices as well. That’s why it’s important to compare car insurance rates before choosing coverage.

To get an idea of what to expect, review the average car insurance rates for your area in our roundup of the cheapest insurers in each state.

Several Farm Bureau insurance companies earned strong ratings for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s 2021 Auto Insurance Study.

• Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee: Ranked first in the Southeast region.

• Texas Farm Bureau Insurance: Ranked first in Texas.

• Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance: Ranked No. 3 in the Southeast region.

Consumer complaints about most Farm Bureau insurers are lower than expected for companies of a similar size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet looked at complaints reported to the NAIC for auto and home insurance. The Farm Bureau Insurance companies that had more than expected complaints for these policy types include:

• Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance: More than expected for home insurance.

• Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance: Significantly more than expected for home insurance.

• Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance: Significantly more than expected for home insurance.

• North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance: More than expected for home insurance.

• Wisconsin Farm Bureau Insurance: More than expected for home insurance.

Farm Bureau membership comes with discounts on a variety of goods and services. They vary by state, ranging from agricultural equipment and services to travel and prescription drug discounts. Here’s a sampling: