I get why the app matters, but honestly, I'd lean more toward customer service and coverage. Apps are great until you're stuck somewhere with spotty cell service or your phone battery dies (been there, done that...). I had Farm Bureau for a couple years when money was tight, and while their app wasn't anything special, their customer support was always solid. They answered quickly, were friendly, and never made me feel rushed or like I was bothering them.
On the other hand, my coworker has State Farm and swears by their tech—he loves how easy it is to file claims and track everything online. But he also pays a bit more than I did with Farm Bureau. So if budget's a factor for you (like it usually is for me), I'd say don't overlook Farm Bureau just because their app isn't flashy. Good customer service can really save your sanity when things go sideways.
Totally agree about customer service being key. Had State Farm for a while, and yeah, their app was slick, but when I got stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire and zero bars...that fancy app didn't help much. Real humans answering quickly beats flashy tech any day.
Had a similar experience once—got stuck on a backroad in Utah, no signal, and the roadside assistance app was useless. Ended up flagging down a local rancher who helped me out. Makes me wonder, does Farm Bureau have better coverage in rural areas? If their agents are local, maybe they're more reliable when you're off the beaten path...
Honestly, I'm not sure local agents automatically mean better roadside help. I mean, if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with zero bars, does it really matter if your agent lives nearby? Unless they're psychic or randomly driving past, you're probably still gonna end up flagging down a rancher or farmer anyway. Maybe investing in a good old-fashioned paper map or satellite phone is the real insurance here...
Gotta agree with you here. Honestly, the whole "local agent" selling point always felt a bit gimmicky to me. Sure, it's nice to have someone nearby for paperwork or to ask questions face-to-face, but when it comes to roadside assistance, proximity doesn't mean squat if you can't even reach them. Had a flat tire once on a rural road—no cell service, no houses in sight. Ended up walking almost two miles before a random guy hauling hay stopped to help.
If you're really worried about getting stranded somewhere remote, I'd say invest in a reliable satellite communicator or at least keep a basic emergency kit in your car (flashlight, jumper cables, tire inflator, etc.). Insurance companies love to advertise personal touches, but at the end of the day, roadside assistance is usually contracted out anyway—doesn't matter if it's State Farm, Farm Bureau, or whoever. Better off planning ahead yourself than relying solely on your agent's zip code.
