Totally get that frustration with unreachable agents... been there myself. Honestly, both State Farm and Farm Bureau can be solid choices, but it really boils down to the agent you end up with. Have you checked out local reviews or asked around your area? Sometimes word-of-mouth points you toward someone who's actually responsive when things go sideways. Glad you're sorted now though—car troubles are stressful enough without chasing down your insurance person.
"Sometimes word-of-mouth points you toward someone who's actually responsive when things go sideways."
Yeah, totally agree with this. When I first started driving, I went with the cheapest option I could find (student budget, ya know?), and man... did I regret it when my car got rear-ended in a parking lot. Took forever to get ahold of anyone useful. Switched to Farm Bureau after my roommate's dad recommended his agent—super chill guy who actually answers texts. Honestly, I'd say just ask around your circle; a good agent makes all the difference.
I've had experiences with both State Farm and Farm Bureau, and honestly, responsiveness really does come down to the individual agent more than the company itself. A few years back, I had my '68 Mustang insured through State Farm because they offered a decent classic car policy. Everything was fine until I had a minor fender-bender at a local car show—nothing major, just enough to need some bodywork. My agent at the time was impossible to reach; calls went straight to voicemail, emails unanswered for days... super frustrating when you're already stressed about your ride.
Ended up switching to Farm Bureau after chatting with a guy at our local cruise-in who swore by his agent. Night-and-day difference. The new agent actually took the time to understand classic cars, knew exactly what I meant when I talked about original parts vs. aftermarket replacements, and even texted me updates during the claim process. So yeah, I'd echo what's been said—ask around locally and find someone who genuinely cares about their clients. Makes all the difference when things inevitably go sideways.
Totally agree—agent quality over brand every time. A buddy of mine had Farm Bureau and got stuck with an agent who knew zilch about classics. Took forever sorting out OEM vs aftermarket. Definitely do your homework locally before you commit...
Good points here, especially about the agent quality. A few thoughts from my side:
- Had State Farm for years, and honestly, it was hit or miss depending on who I talked to. One agent was super helpful when I had a fender bender, another seemed clueless about coverage details.
- Never tried Farm Bureau myself, but your buddy's experience sounds frustrating. Classics are tricky enough without having to educate your own insurance rep...
- Curious though—do you think it's more about the individual agent or does the company's training play a bigger role? Seems like some companies might just not prioritize niche knowledge like classics or aftermarket parts.
- Either way, totally agree that local homework is key. Maybe even ask around at local car meets or clubs to see who they're using and why.
Good luck sorting it out—insurance shopping can be a headache for sure.
