Encompass vs. Farm Bureau: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for auto insurance, Farm Bureau offers significantly more affordable premiums than Encompass
• Encompass tends to be a much cheaper option for drivers who have received a ticket within the last few years
• Farm Bureau has less expensive prices for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record

Encompass vs. Farm Bureau: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering big discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Encompass or Farm Bureau as potential options, but which company will save you the most?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, Farm Bureau has average rates that are about 25% per month more affordable than those from Encompass.

However, that doesn't mean Farm Bureau will necessarily be less expensive than Encompass for every driver. After all, car insurance carriers can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your credit score, where you call home, your driving record, or even your age (among other things). So, at the end of the day, rates from every company will differ quite a bit from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Encompass or Farm Bureau is really the best for you, keep reading to see average premiums for each carrier broken down by a variety of different rate factors.

Encompass or Farm Bureau: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Encompass and Farm Bureau only compete against each other in Michigan, where Farm Bureau offers the cheaper average prices. For Michigan residents, Farm Bureau offers insurance for $343 monthly on average. Encompass's average premiums come out to be over 40% more expensive, at $490 per month.

But there's more to calculating auto insurance rates than just where you call home. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers usually pay a lot more for car insurance than any other group of drivers out there on the road. It's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in a car insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

Even so, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their auto insurance. As you can see above, teens who use Farm Bureau save more than $500 a month compared to those who use Encompass. It's worth noting that Encompass offers insurance in 31 different states compared to Farm Bureau's one, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

But both companies will lower premiums by the time drivers turn 25. Farm Bureau offers the steepest decrease, with 25-year-olds paying a quarter less what 18-year-old drivers are charged. Encompass's average prices drop over 65% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age normally enjoy some of the lowest auto insurance rates you'll ever find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which generally reduces their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase prices.

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between Encompass and Farm Bureau? Farm Bureau gets the edge here, with average premiums coming in at around $290 a month compared to Encompass's $335.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but insurance prices tend to be cheaper for married policyholders than they are for those who are single. This usually boils down to married couples having more than one car on their policy -- something a lot of car insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Farm Bureau is the clear winner for single policyholders, with rates about $211 per month less expensive than Encompass, on average. It's not quite so glaring for married drivers, where drivers who use Farm Bureau save around 2% a month.

Encompass vs. Farm Bureau: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into an accident, which means they'll typically end up paying more for insurance than women.

On average, men see premiums about 5% per month higher with Encompass; and with Farm Bureau, everyone ends up paying the same monthly rates regardless of gender.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Farm Bureau comes out on top for both men and women. On average, male drivers save about $134 a month and women save around $111 with Farm Bureau compared to the average Encompass policyholder.

Encompass or Farm Bureau: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

It's no secret that auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are lots of different coverages that account for a bunch of different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause a collision.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Farm Bureau normally offers significantly cheaper prices of $218 compared to Encompass's $302. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Farm Bureau again has the edge, with policies about $150 per month more affordable than Encompass, on average.

Is Encompass or Farm Bureau Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their car insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

You'll probably end up paying more with tickets and at-fault collisions on your record, but which of these two companies offers the cheapest premiums to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Encompass policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $61 a month if they get a ticket, while Farm Bureau typically raises premiums around $94 per month, on average.

If you have a clean record, Farm Bureau tends to offer the best prices at about 11% less expensive, while Encompass has the edge for drivers with a speeding ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Encompass drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums increase by over $100, while those who have insurance through Farm Bureau will see around a $30 increase.

Overall, the cheaper prices come from Farm Bureau, with monthly rates averaging $233 compared to Encompass Insurance's $328.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single collision or ticket when it comes to your insurance bill. Encompass drivers usually see a 78% climb in their car insurance prices after a DUI charge, while Farm Bureau will generally increase premiums by about 68%.

Farm Bureau has the overall most affordable rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $641 per month, but it's worth noting that Encompass's average rates come from 31 states compared to just one for Farm Bureau, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Encompass and Farm Bureau Rates?

Did you know that many auto insurance carriers take your credit score into account when calculating prices? Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it does affect many policyholders out there.

The reasoning car insurance carriers use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so usually, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with more affordable rates.

Looking specifically at Farm Bureau and Encompass, which carrier has the best premiums for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Michigan is one of a handful of states that bans auto insurance companies from using credit scores to calculate rates. And since Farm Bureau is only available in Michigan, there is no data available on how credit score impacts premiums because it's not a factor at all. This may be a good thing, since Encompass and other carriers tend to raise prices quite a bit in other states if you don't have excellent credit.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have bad credit and live in Michigan, the good news is it won't cost you extra when it comes to insurance. As you can see, poor credit can really cost Encompass drivers in other states, but no need to worry if you live in Michigan.

Is Encompass or Farm Bureau Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in your monthly rates. Generally, those who drive fewer miles will end up with cheaper premiums since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

For both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles yearly, as well as those who average twice that figure, Farm Bureau tends to be the less expensive option. Farm Bureau's average prices for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in around $133 more affordable than Encompass. Those who drive 12,000 miles annually can expect to pay about $113 less with Farm Bureau over Encompass.

Encompass vs. Farm Bureau: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

We've already mentioned how your home state can play a role in how much you pay for car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a big impact as well. Normally, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for auto insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, Farm Bureau typically comes out as the cheapest option for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the lowest premiums from both carriers, but Farm Bureau comes out on top with average rates around $223 a month. Farm Bureau also has cheaper average prices for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 18% and 20% a month respective difference when compared to Encompass drivers in similar areas.

Encompass vs. Farm Bureau Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by utilizing as many insurance discounts as you can.

The hard part is finding all of the discounts you're eligible for, since it can feel sometimes like every carrier has different discounts and each one is advertised differently.

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Encompass and Farm Bureau so that you can find the one that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Encompass knocks Farm Bureau out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 21 more discounts than Farm Bureau.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Encompass also offers ABS discounts, defensive driver discounts, distant student discounts, and more that Farm Bureau does not.

On the flip side, Farm Bureau has a unique discount of its own -- a term discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Encompass or Farm Bureau Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your auto insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which company is the right fit for you?

Farm Bureau might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You already have a great credit score.
• You drive often but have a short commute.

Encompass might be best for you if...

• You already have plans to move to another state -- Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan is only available to Michigan residents.
• You have a speeding ticket on your driving record.
• You're looking for the carrier with the most discounts.

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Encompass and Farm Bureau and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just Encompass and Farm Bureau. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple quotes from some of the best auto insurance carriers in your area, all for free.

Encompass vs. Farm Bureau FAQs

Is Encompass or Farm Bureau cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Farm Bureau is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $343 per month compared to $466 for Encompass. That being said, Farm Bureau won't necessarily be the cheapest company for everyone, since there are several different variables that come into play when it comes to your insurance bill.

Who is better, Encompass or Farm Bureau?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique car insurance profile looks like. For example, Farm Bureau offers less expensive prices for policyholders with an at-fault accident on their record, while Encompass is more affordable for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Encompass and Farm Bureau offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different factors when determining the rates they charge drivers. Variables like your driving record, where you live, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Encompass and Farm Bureau calculate prices using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different companies.

How do I know if Encompass or Farm Bureau is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Encompass or Farm Bureau at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.