Encompass vs. Farmers Automobile: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, Farmers Automobile offers significantly cheaper premiums than Encompass
• Encompass may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than Farmers Automobile Insurance Association
• Farmers Automobile offers more affordable prices for policyholders who live in urban areas

Encompass or Farmers Automobile: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching to a new insurance policy. With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering hefty savings, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Encompass or Farmers Automobile, but which one will offer you less expensive rates?

Looking at the national average rates for both carriers, Encompass has average rates that are around 75% a month more expensive than those from Farmers Automobile.

Even so, Farmers Automobile may not be the lowest or best option for every driver out there. Insurance companies use a ton of complex algorithms to determine premiums, so depending on how clean your driving record is or how old you are (among a bunch of other factors), you could see wildly different prices from the ones above.

Wanting to know if Encompass or Farmers Automobile is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average premiums can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

Encompass vs. Farmers Automobile: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Encompass and Farmers Automobile only compete against each other in two states, with Farmers Automobile offering more affordable rates to the average driver in all of them. Wisconsin has the most noticable difference, where Farmers Automobile prices are $145 cheaper than auto insurance rates at Encompass.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your car insurance cost than just the state you live in. Continue reading to see how other variables will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- typically pay a lot for insurance compared to older drivers. That's generally because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

However, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high car insurance prices. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of over 75% less per month by choosing Farmers Automobile over Encompass. It's worth noting that Encompass offers auto insurance in 31 different states compared to Farmers Automobile's three, which can skew the average premiums a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

But both carriers will reduce rates by the time you turn 25. For example, average prices for Encompass policyholders drop about $500 and Farmers Automobile's premiums decrease more than $150 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age usually enjoy some of the cheapest insurance prices you'll ever find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which normally decreases their chances of collisions and other infractions that can raise premiums.

But who has the best rates for retired drivers between Encompass and Farmers Automobile? Farmers Automobile gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $239 less expensive than the national average for Encompass.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but car insurance prices tend to be more expensive for single policyholders than they are for married policyholders. This usually boils down to married couples having several vehicles on their policy -- something lots of auto insurance companies will reward with discounts.

For those who are single, the difference in average rates between these two carriers is significant, with Farmers Automobile prices coming in at around a quarter of Encompass's. For married drivers, the advantage is clear again - Farmers Automobile has the edge when it comes to average premiums.

Encompass or Farmers Automobile: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into a collision or get pulled over for speeding. That means when it comes to insurance men will typically end up paying a little more.

Women generally pay about 5% a month less than men with Encompass, but with Farmers Automobile, the difference is closer to 1% per month.

Looking at overall affordability, Farmers Automobile comes out as the most affordable option for both genders, with average rates 74% less for men and 73% cheaper for women.

Encompass vs. Farmers Automobile: 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 car insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are multiple different coverages that account for several different things. Some protect you and your car, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

That being said, most policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and their passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- collision and comprehensive -- in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

Looking specifically at state minimum limits for liability insurance, Farmers Automobile has the significant edge, with average monthly prices coming in at $75. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, Farmers Automobile again has the edge, with policies averaging around $170 a month to Encompass's $629.

Is Encompass or Farmers Automobile Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no secret -- drivers with good records end up getting the best deals on their auto insurance. But that's not to say you can't save money if you don't have the best driving record, either.

Speeding tickets and at-fault accidents will most likely raise your rates, but is Encompass or Farmers Automobile more affordable for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Encompass for their car insurance can usually expect their monthly bill to go up about 21% after getting a speeding ticket. Farmers Automobile policyholders can expect a less drastic increase of around 20%.

Even so, Farmers Automobile has less expensive premiums for drivers in both categories, offering prices that are $140 and $179 more affordable, respectively, compared to Encompass Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their auto insurance through Encompass can expect to see about an $101 -- or around 31% -- rise in their insurance rates. Drivers who use Farmers Automobile for their car insurance will see a monthly bill about $30 (or 26%) more expensive after reporting an accident to their auto insurance company.

At the end of the day, the cheaper premiums come from Farmers Automobile, with average prices coming in at $117 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. On average, Encompass will raise your rates around 78% after a DUI, while Farmers Automobile's average premiums climb by more than 50%.

Farmers Automobile has the overall cheapest rates for drivers with a DUI on their records at $178 monthly, but it's worth noting that Encompass's average rates come from 31 states compared to just three for Farmers Automobile, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Encompass and Farmers Automobile Rates?

Did you know many auto insurance companies take into account your credit score when determining premiums? This isn't true for everyone (for example, Massachusetts and Michigan are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it will come into play for quite a few drivers.

Car insurance carriers argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time every month, which raises the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

Looking at Encompass and Farmers Automobile specifically, which company has the best prices for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have great credit, Farmers Automobile will normally reward you the most. For drivers with "excellent" credit scores, Farmers Automobile comes in over 77.14 more affordable. Drivers with "good" credit scores generally save about 75% with Farmers Automobile compared to average rates from Encompass.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Farmers Automobile typically offers lower premiums than Encompass when it comes to drivers with less-than-stellar credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around 74% per month less with Farmers Automobile compared to Encompass, and those with "poor" scores normally save an average of about 71% a month.

Is Encompass or Farmers Automobile Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

Did you know that the amount of time you spend in your car have a large impact on how much insurance companies will charge for coverage? That's because the more milage you put on your car, the more likely you are to be in a collision and file an insurance claim.

For both remote workers and those taking short commutes, Farmers Automobile offers less expensive prices than Encompass. Farmers Automobile's average premiums for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in more than 75% cheaper than Encompass. Those who drive 12,000 miles annually can expect to pay over 70% less with Farmers Automobile over Encompass.

Encompass or Farmers Automobile: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you live can play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. Usually, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

Farmers Automobile boasts the most affordable average rates for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Those in rural areas can expect to save around $320 with Farmers Automobile compared to Encompass. People who live in suburban areas pay about $342 less with Farmers Automobile compared to Encompass. For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, Farmers Automobile Insurance Association's average prices are around $368 less than Encompass Insurance.

Encompass vs. Farmers Automobile Discounts

No matter why you might be in the market for a new auto insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as you can, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many car insurance discounts as possible.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to find all the ones you qualify for or to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and broke down all of the different discounts offered by both Encompass and Farmers Automobile so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the largest savings.

Encompass blows Farmers Automobile away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 26 different discounts to Farmers Automobile's 11.

Both carriers offer lots of the same discounts -- like discounts for being a defensive driver, EFT discounts, and multi-policy discounts -- but Encompass also offers discounts for ABS, distant student, driver training, and more.

On the other hand, Farmers Automobile has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like hybrid vehicle discounts, multi-car discounts, and seat belt discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Encompass or Farmers Automobile Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your insurance premiums. We've broken down the different discounts each carrier offers, too. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, which insurance company is the best carrier for you and your specific profile and needs?

Farmers Automobile might be best for you if....

• You've received a ticket for speeding recently and don't want to see your rates increase.
• Your neighborhood is in a city.
• You live in a rural area.

Encompass might be best for you if...

• You're planning on moving to another state soon -- Farmers Automobile Insurance Association only offers policies in three states.
• You care about discounts (Encompass offers the most).

Hopefully, this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Encompass and Farmers Automobile. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your auto insurance.

But, at the end of the day, there's only one way to know for sure that you're getting the best possible deal on insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of companies, not just Encompass and Farmers Automobile. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Encompass vs. Farmers Automobile FAQs

Is Encompass or Farmers Automobile cheaper?

Farmers Automobile is the less expensive of the two companies when looking at national average prices, with policies averaging $123 a month with Farmers Automobile and $466 for Encompass. However, that doesn't mean Farmers Automobile will be the cheapest carrier for each policyholder, since there are many different variables that come into play when it comes to your car insurance bill.

Who is better, Encompass or Farmers Automobile?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile.

Why do Encompass and Farmers Automobile offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers use a lot of different factors when calculating the premiums they charge. Variables such as gender, where your home is, your driving record, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Encompass and Farmers Automobile calculate prices using different factors, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

How do I know if Encompass or Farmers Automobile is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance companies for free. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And maybe you'll find that the best carrier for you isn't Encompass or Farmers Automobile at all, but another you hadn't even thought of!

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.