Good points all around. I've been commuting daily for years, and here's what I've noticed when it comes to insurance:
- State Farm is solid for everyday cars—easy claims, decent tech, straightforward process.
- Farm Bureau can definitely save you cash upfront, especially if your driving record isn't spotless (been there myself...thanks random construction zone).
- BUT, classics are a different beast entirely. Regular insurers often undervalue vintage rides because they're looking at standard depreciation tables instead of actual market value.
- Specialty insurers like Hagerty or Grundy usually nail the valuation part. They know exactly what your '68 Mustang or classic Corvette is worth, and they don't lowball you if something happens.
Had a coworker who restored an old Camaro—beautiful car—and when someone backed into him in a parking lot, his mainstream insurer tried to treat it like any other used car. Took months of back-and-forth before he got a fair payout.
So yeah, convenience and savings matter, but if you're insuring something special...might be worth checking out specialty coverage. Just my two cents from watching friends deal with this stuff.
"Farm Bureau can definitely save you cash upfront, especially if your driving record isn't spotless (been there myself...thanks random construction zone)."
Interesting observation—I hadn't considered Farm Bureau for less-than-perfect records. I've stuck with State Farm mostly because their claims process has been straightforward and hassle-free for my daily commute. But now I'm curious...does Farm Bureau's lower upfront cost balance out if you end up filing a claim? Anyone have experience with how smoothly their claims actually go?
Been with Farm Bureau for about 3 years now, and I've had to file a claim once (thanks, deer who decided my bumper looked tasty...). Here's my take:
- Claims process was actually pretty smooth—surprisingly painless.
- Customer service was friendly and responsive—no endless hold music.
- But heads up: after the claim, my premium did go up slightly. Still cheaper overall compared to what State Farm quoted me.
"Farm Bureau can definitely save you cash upfront, especially if your driving record isn't spotless (been there myself...thanks random construction zone)."
Totally relate to this. If budget's your main concern, FB's probably worth a shot.
I get where you're coming from on Farm Bureau. Had them myself for about two years, and here's how it went down for me:
1. Signing up was easy enough—rates were definitely lower than State Farm initially quoted me, especially since my record wasn't exactly spotless (speeding tickets...ugh).
2. Had one minor fender-bender (my fault, unfortunately), and the claims process was straightforward. No major headaches, just a few phone calls and some paperwork.
3. But here's the catch: my premium jumped noticeably after that claim. Not outrageous, but enough to make me reconsider shopping around again.
Honestly, if you're looking purely at upfront savings, FB is solid. Just keep in mind that if you do have to file a claim, your rates might climb more than you'd expect. State Farm quoted me higher initially, but friends who've stuck with them say their premiums stayed pretty stable even after claims. Something to consider if stability matters to you long-term...
"Just keep in mind that if you do have to file a claim, your rates might climb more than you'd expect."
Yeah, I've noticed this too—not just with FB, but most insurers tend to bump premiums after claims (especially at-fault ones). Had State Farm for about four years myself, and when I had a minor accident, the increase wasn't huge. Their claims process was smooth and transparent overall. If stability and predictability matter more to you than initial savings, State Farm might be worth the slightly higher upfront cost.
