Farm Bureau vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Pioneer State Mutual offers slightly cheaper premiums than Farm Bureau
• Farm Bureau offers more affordable rates for residents of rural areas
• Pioneer State Mutual offers more discounts than Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan

Farm Bureau vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering large discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed it down to Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual, but between the two, which one has less expensive prices for auto insurance?

Looking at nationwide averages, Pioneer State Mutual is about $33 per month more affordable than Farm Bureau.

But Pioneer State Mutual may not be the cheapest or best option for every single driver out there. Car insurance companies use all sorts of complex algorithms to calculate premiums, so depending on how old you are or how good your credit score is (among several other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual by lots of different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Both Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual only offer insurance in Michigan, so you'll see that the average figures here will mirror the ones we mentioned above. For Michigan residents, Pioneer State Mutual offers auto insurance for $310 monthly on average. Farm Bureau's average premiums come out to be over 10% more expensive, at $343 per month.

Typically, your home state will play a hefty role in how much you pay for insurance, but since both companies only do business in Michigan, a bunch of other factors will come into play when you compare Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual. Keep reading to find out 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. That's normally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

However, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance prices. As you can see above, teens who use Farm Bureau save $65 a month compared to those who use Pioneer State Mutual.

Even so, both carriers will offer you dramatically lower rates by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average premiums for Farm Bureau policyholders decrease nearly 25% and Pioneer State Mutual's rates reduce almost 45% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to car insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the lowest prices you'll ever find.

But who has the best premiums for retired drivers between Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual? Pioneer State Mutual gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $45 less expensive than the national average for Farm Bureau.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but insurance premiums tend to be more expensive for single policyholders than they are for married drivers. That's generally because married policyholders tend to own and insure multiple cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, the two companies are comparable for single drivers, with rates only differing around $21 per month, on average. But for married couples, the advantage is clear - Pioneer State Mutual offers the most affordable average premiums.

Farm Bureau vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into collisions and get tickets, which means they'll typically end up paying more for auto insurance than women.

Everyone gets the same monthly rates regardless of gender with Farm Bureau; and with Pioneer State Mutual, both genders end up paying the same monthly rate.

When it comes to the lowest prices for each gender, Pioneer State Mutual offers the most affordable average premiums for both men and women. On average, women save about $33 a month and men save about $33 with Pioneer State Mutual compared to the average Farm Bureau policyholder.

Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual: 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.

Insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different coverages and terms that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and their passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- in addition to what you get with liability).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Pioneer State Mutual usually offers cheaper prices of $182 compared to Farm Bureau's $218. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Pioneer State Mutual again has the edge, with policies around $30 per month more affordable than Farm Bureau, on average.

Is Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their auto 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 accidents on your record, but which of these two carriers offers the cheapest rates to drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Farm Bureau policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $94 a month if they get a ticket, while Pioneer State Mutual typically raises rates about $152 per month, on average.

That being said, Farm Bureau is normally the cheaper option for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records. Drivers with a clean record can save around $6 a month and drivers with a ticket can save about $64 per month with Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their car insurance through Farm Bureau can expect to see around an $31 -- or about 13% -- increase in their auto insurance prices. Drivers who use Pioneer State Mutual for their car insurance will see a monthly bill around $39 (or 16%) more expensive after reporting a collision to their insurance company.

Overall, Farm Bureau offers the most affordable rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $233 compared to Pioneer State Mutual's $247.

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 speeding ticket when it comes to your auto insurance bill. On average, Farm Bureau will climb your prices about 68% after a DUI, while Pioneer State Mutual's average premiums rise by over 50%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Pioneer State Mutual tends to be the much less expensive option with average rates of $425 a month compared to $641 from Farm Bureau.

How does Credit Score Impact Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual Rates?

Did you know that many insurance companies take your credit score into account when calculating prices? This isn't always the case (for example, Michigan and Hawaii are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it might come into play for a lot of drivers.

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

Looking at Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual specifically, which company has the cheapest premiums for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

How much you drive can have a substantial impact on your monthly prices. That's because the more miles you put on your vehicle each year, the more likely you are to get into an accident and cause an insurance claim.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Pioneer State Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for Farm Bureau, with drivers who put 6,000 miles on their car annually paying around $22 less each month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles every year. Still, Pioneer State Mutual is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Farm Bureau vs. Pioneer State Mutual: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your vehicle can play a big role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Usually, policyholders who live in less densely populated rural areas will pay quite a bit less than urban drivers because there are a lot fewer cars on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, Pioneer State Mutual tends to offer the most affordable option for drivers in urban and suburban areas, while Farm Bureau wins in rural areas.

In urban areas, Pioneer State Mutual's average rates are about 14% less than Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around 13% less with Pioneer State Mutual compared to Farm Bureau. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about 3% with Farm Bureau compared to Pioneer State Mutual.

Farm Bureau vs. Pioneer State Mutual Discounts

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

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

In the section below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual offer their customers so that you can see which carrier can save you the most money each month.

Pioneer State Mutual blows Farm Bureau away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 12 different discounts to Farm Bureau's five.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like anti-theft discounts, group discounts, and multi-policy discounts -- but Pioneer State Mutual also offers ABS discounts, affiliation policy experience discounts, comp only discounts, and more that Farm Bureau does not.

On the flip side, Farm Bureau has a couple unique discounts of its own -- advance quote discounts and term discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual Best for You?

You've seen the role certain variables have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, at the end of the day, which insurance carrier is the best one for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Pioneer State Mutual might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• Your home is located in the suburbs.
• You've started working from home and don't have much of a commute.

Farm Bureau might be best for you if...

• You have a clean record.
• Your driving record contains an at-fault accident.
• Your neighborhood is in a rural area.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your car 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 auto insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of carriers, not just Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual. 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 insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Farm Bureau vs. Pioneer State Mutual FAQs

Is Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Pioneer State Mutual is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $310 a month compared to $343 for Farm Bureau. But Pioneer State Mutual won't necessarily be the cheapest company for everyone, since there are a variety of different factors (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No single carrier is necessarily "better" for each driver -- it all boils down to your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Farm Bureau offers cheaper premiums for policyholders with an at-fault collision on their record, while Pioneer State Mutual is more affordable for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at lots of different variables when determining the rates they charge drivers. Things such as your driving record, where you live, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Farm Bureau and Pioneer State Mutual use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different carriers.

How do I know if Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from several companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Farm Bureau or Pioneer State Mutual 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.