I've actually dealt with Farm Bureau in two different places—once in a small town and now in a bigger city. Back home, they were super responsive, knew me by name, and claims were handled pretty smoothly. Here in the city though, it's been a bit more hit-or-miss. Not terrible or anything, just less personal and sometimes slower to respond. Could be because they're busier or have more customers here... not sure. Still decent enough that I haven't switched yet, but I'm definitely keeping an eye on prices and service quality. State Farm sounds solid from your experience, might give them another look when renewal comes up.
"Could be because they're busier or have more customers here... not sure."
Yeah, that's probably spot-on. Farm Bureau tends to shine in smaller communities where they can build personal relationships and really get to know their customers. In bigger cities, agents often juggle larger client bases, so it's tougher to keep that personal touch consistent.
State Farm is generally solid, especially in terms of claims handling and overall responsiveness. Plus, their network is pretty extensive, which can make things smoother if you ever move again. But honestly, it varies a lot depending on the local agent's office—I've seen great and not-so-great experiences with both companies.
If you're happy enough right now, no rush to switch. But keeping an eye on pricing and service quality is definitely smart. Maybe chat briefly with a local State Farm agent before renewal to gauge their responsiveness and see how comfortable you feel with them. A quick conversation can give you a good sense of whether they're a better fit for your current needs.
I've had both at different points, and honestly, you've nailed it about the local agent making a huge difference. Farm Bureau was great when I lived in a rural area—my agent knew my name, remembered details about my cars, and was always quick to respond. When I moved to a bigger city, though, that personal touch kinda faded. They weren't bad, but it felt less attentive somehow.
I switched to State Farm after that move, mostly because they had a solid reputation for claims handling, and I was nervous about dealing with accidents or issues in a busier area. I haven't had any major claims yet (knock on wood), but a friend of mine did, and he said State Farm was super efficient and easy to work with. They sorted out repairs quickly and without hassle, which counts for a lot when you're stressed out after an accident.
But here's the thing—pricing can vary wildly between these two companies depending on your location, driving history, and even your credit score. Every couple years, I shop around just to check if I'm still getting a decent deal. I've found that even if I'm happy with my current insurance, it's smart to keep tabs on what's out there.
If you're on the fence right now, maybe just get a quote from State Farm and see how it stacks up. Doesn't hurt to have options. And definitely trust your gut on how responsive and helpful the local agents seem—insurance is one of those things you don't think about much until you really need it.
