Farmers vs. First American Property & Casualty: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, First American Property & Casualty offers cheaper prices than Farmers
• Farmers tends to be a much less expensive option for drivers with a DUI charge on their record
• First American Property & Casualty offers more affordable premiums for residents in California

Farmers vs. First American Property & Casualty: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering large discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might be considering Farmers or First American Property & Casualty, but between the two, which one will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, Farmers has average rates that are about 18% per month more expensive than those from First American Property & Casualty.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean First American Property & Casualty will be the more affordable option for every single driver. Auto insurance companies vary their prices depending on things like how good your credit score is, how old you are, where you live, how clean your driving record is, and tons of other factors. So, at the end of the day, rates from each company will differ quite a bit from person to person.

Wanting to know if Farmers or First American Property & Casualty 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.

Farmers or First American Property & Casualty: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Farmers and First American Property & Casualty only compete against each other in California, where First American Property & Casualty offers the cheaper average prices. For California residents, First American Property & Casualty offers insurance for $167 per month on average. Farmers's average rates come out to be more expensive, at $168 a month.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your car insurance cost than just the state you live in. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance premiums of any group on the road. That's typically because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

Even so, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high insurance prices. Just look at the table above -- where 18-year-old drivers who have First American Property & Casualty for their car insurance pay more than $150 less than those who use Farmers. It's worth noting that Farmers offers auto insurance in 25 different states compared to First American Property & Casualty's one, which can skew the average rates a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

That being said, both carriers will decrease premiums by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average prices for Farmers policyholders lower nearly $400 and First American Property & Casualty's rates reduce over $200 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll normally enjoy the lowest insurance premiums out there. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly prices for car insurance.

When looking at Farmers and First American Property & Casualty specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? First American Property & Casualty gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older more than 15% less expensive than the national average for Farmers.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Single policyholders tend to get offered slightly more expensive auto insurance premiums than married drivers. This usually boils down to married policyholders having more than one car on their policy -- something many insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, First American Property & Casualty is the clear winner for single drivers, with rates around $52 a month cheaper than Farmers, on average. The advantage is also clear for married couples - First American Property & Casualty offers the most affordable average prices.

Farmers vs. First American Property & Casualty: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know women usually pay less for car insurance than men? This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get into an accident or get pulled over for speeding, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher premiums.

On average, men see prices about 3% per month higher with Farmers; everyone gets the same monthly rates regardless of gender with First American Property & Casualty.

Looking at overall affordability, First American Property & Casualty comes out as the lowest option for both genders. On average, male drivers save about $40 a month and women save around $33 with First American Property & Casualty compared to the average Farmers policyholder.

Farmers or First American Property & Casualty: 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.

For most people, auto insurance can be pretty complicated. Everyone needs insurance, but there are so many different coverages and terms that it can be hard to find the right policy.

But the most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which covers the other party's injuries and property damage if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, First American Property & Casualty generally offers significantly more affordable premiums of $70 compared to Farmers's $126. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, First American Property & Casualty again has the edge, with policies about $20 per month less expensive than Farmers, on average.

Is Farmers or First American Property & Casualty Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from car insurance carriers offering great rates for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

At-fault accidents and tickets will most likely raise your premiums, but is Farmers or First American Property & Casualty cheaper for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Farmers policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $44 a month if they get a ticket, while First American Property & Casualty normally raises premiums around $26 per month, on average.

However, First American Property & Casualty has more affordable rates for drivers in both categories, offering prices that are 27% and 30% less expensive, respectively, compared to Farmers Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Farmers drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their rates increase by over $60, while those who have insurance through First American Property & Casualty will see about a $25 increase.

Overall, First American Property & Casualty offers the cheapest prices for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $145 compared to Farmers Insurance's $224.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple speeding ticket or even a collision. On average, First American Property & Casualty will climb your prices around 54% after a DUI, while Farmers's average rates climb by over 25%.

Farmers has the overall most affordable premiums for drivers with a DUI on their records at $221 monthly, but it's worth noting that Farmers's average rates come from 25 states compared to just one for First American Property & Casualty, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Farmers and First American Property & Casualty Rates?

You may not realized it, but your credit score can come into play when companies calculate your monthly bill. This isn't always the case (Massachusetts, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it might come into play for lots of policyholders.

Auto insurance carriers argue that someone with good credit is more likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them less risky to insure. Because of that, drivers with good credit will often be rewarded with cheaper prices.

So, which carrier offers the best rates for policyholders with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Normally, if you have fantastic credit, you can expect to be rewarded. Jumping from a "good" credit score to an "excellent" one will typically save Farmers Insurance customers about 10%. Because undefined, doesn't have data available for credit scores, they most likely don't use credit to calculate your premiums.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Having bad credit can cost you with Farmers Insurance. If your credit score is in the "poor" range, at Farmers Insurance, you may pay around $45 more a month compared to those with "fair" scores (and even more compared to drivers with good or excellent scores). On the other hand, undefined doesn't have data available for credit scores, which means drivers with bad credit could find better rates with undefined over Farmers Insurance.

Is Farmers or First American Property & Casualty 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 sizable impact on your monthly car insurance bill? Usually, the more miles you put on your vehicle, the more you can expect to pay for insurance.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Farmers charges. However, there's a significant difference in monthly prices for First American Property & Casualty, with policyholders who drive the least paying about $51 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, First American Property & Casualty is the more affordable option for drivers in both categories.

Farmers vs. First American Property & Casualty: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can have a large impact on your monthly auto insurance payment. Generally, 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.

First American Property & Casualty tends to offer the cheapest rates for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, First American Property & Casualty offers premiums around $172 a month compared to Farmers's $251. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay about $188 per month for First American Property & Casualty and $189 for Farmers. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the most affordable prices from both companies, with average monthly rates coming in at $140 and $170 for First American Property & Casualty and Farmers respectively.

Farmers vs. First American Property & Casualty 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.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be difficult to find all the ones you can take advantage of.

In the table below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by Farmers and First American Property & Casualty so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Farmers knocks First American Property & Casualty out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering 18 more discounts than First American Property & Casualty.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Farmers also offers ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, alternative fuel discounts, and more that First American Property & Casualty does not.

On the flip side, First American Property & Casualty has a unique discount of its own -- a renewal discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Farmers or First American Property & Casualty Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your auto insurance premiums. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is Farmers or First American Property & Casualty the right carrier for you and your specific profile and needs?

First American Property & Casualty might be best for you if....

• You're single and purchasing car insurance by yourself.
• You want basic auto insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You're buying insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

Farmers might be best for you if...

• You value the experience that comes with a large national auto insurance carrier.
• You're worried about the impact your credit score will have on your prices.
• You're looking for the company with the most discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Farmers and First American Property & Casualty. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best 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 insurance -- comparing quotes from several companies, not just Farmers and First American Property & Casualty. 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 car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Farmers vs. First American Property & Casualty FAQs

Is Farmers or First American Property & Casualty cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, First American Property & Casualty is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $167 a month compared to $203 for Farmers. Even so, First American Property & Casualty won't necessarily be the lowest carrier for each policyholder, since there are a range of different variables (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Farmers or First American Property & Casualty?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". One company is not "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique insurance profile looks like. For example, First American Property & Casualty offers cheaper premiums for policyholders with an at-fault collision on their record, while Farmers is more affordable for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Farmers and First American Property & Casualty offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different factors when calculating the rates they charge drivers. Things like age, where you live, gender, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Farmers and First American Property & Casualty calculate prices using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a bunch of different companies.

How do I know if Farmers or First American Property & Casualty is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of 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 car insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the cheapest price. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Farmers or First American Property & Casualty 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.