Auto-Owners vs Farmers
Last updated July 2026
Auto-Owners
The 'no problem' people
Advantages
- Consistently top J.D. Power scores for claims and customer satisfaction
- Diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness available on eligible policies
- Green Deductible waives up to $250 of your deductible for a claim-free year
- Strong bundling discounts with home, life, and umbrella policies
- Available in 26 states across the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic
Drawbacks
- Quotes only through independent agents, no online purchase
- Not available on the West Coast or in the Northeast
- Digital tools trail Progressive and Geico for on-the-go management
Farmers
We know a thing or two because we've seen a thing or two
Advantages
- Signal by Farmers telematics offers discounts up to 15% for safe driving
- Rideshare coverage available in most states without a separate policy
- Strong farm, ranch, and specialty vehicle coverage where competitors are thin
- Accident forgiveness and diminishing deductible available
- Deep bundling with home, renters, life, and umbrella
Drawbacks
- Base rates tend to be higher than State Farm for most driver profiles
- J.D. Power satisfaction scores trail State Farm in most regions
- Not available in every state, notably not in Alaska, Hawaii, or most of the Northeast
Auto-Owners and Farmers both play in auto insurance, but they're aimed at different buyers. Auto-Owners is built for drivers in Auto-Owners' 26 states who want elite service and don't mind an agent-only process. Farmers is built for drivers with specialty vehicles, farm coverage needs, or existing Farmers bundles. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Auto-Owners | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Monthly Cost | Avg $115-$170/mo before bundling | Avg $155-$210/mo before bundling |
| Quote Process | Independent agent only | Local agent, online, or phone |
| Available Discounts | Multi-policy, safe driver, diminishing deductible, paid-in-full, good student | Signal, multi-policy, homeowner, good student, safe driver |
| Claims Experience | 24/7 phone, agent-assisted, app for basic submission | 24/7 phone, app, or agent-assisted |
| Customer Support | Independent agents, phone | Local agents, phone, app, online |
| Coverage Options | Liability, collision, comprehensive, gap, roadside, rideshare in some states | Liability, collision, comprehensive, custom equipment, rideshare |
| Mobile App Quality | Basic, ID cards, payments, simple claim start | Good, ID cards, claims, Signal, payments |
| Bundling Options | Auto, home, life, umbrella, business, boat | Auto, home, renters, life, umbrella, farm, small business |
Auto-Owners Wins
Auto-Owners takes it overall (9/10 vs 7/10), but Farmers is still the sharper pick for drivers with specialty vehicles, farm coverage needs, or existing Farmers bundles.
Auto-Owners's standout strength: Consistently top J.D. Power scores for claims and customer satisfaction. Its biggest drawback (quotes only through independent agents, no online purchase) is easier to live with than Farmers's (base rates tend to be higher than State Farm for most driver profiles). Farmers isn't out of the running though — its own standout strength is signal by Farmers telematics offers discounts up to 15% for safe driving. If you fit the profile of drivers with specialty vehicles, farm coverage needs, or existing Farmers bundles, that alone can flip the decision.
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