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

Quick Facts

• In general, Idaho Farm Bureau offers significantly more affordable premiums than Nationwide
• Idaho Farm Bureau offers less expensive average rates for couples purchasing car insurance together
• Nationwide offers more discounts than Idaho Farm Bureau Insurance

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

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might be considering Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide as your top options, but which one has cheaper premiums for auto insurance?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, Nationwide is quite a bit more expensive than Idaho Farm Bureau, with prices averaging $170 per month compared to just $127 with Idaho Farm Bureau.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean Idaho Farm Bureau will be the less expensive option for each driver. Insurance carriers vary their rates depending on things like how old you are, how clean your driving record is, how good your credit score is, where you live, and a ton of other factors, so prices could differ drastically from person to person.

Wanting to know if Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide 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.

Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Idaho Farm Bureau and Nationwide only compete against each other in Idaho, where Nationwide offers the cheaper average rates. For Idaho residents, Nationwide offers car insurance for $122 per month on average. Idaho Farm Bureau's average premiums come out to be more expensive, at $127 monthly.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your insurance cost than just the state you live in. Read on to learn more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- normally pay a lot for car insurance compared to older drivers. The reason is that young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

But that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance rates. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $150 less a month by choosing Idaho Farm Bureau over Nationwide.

However, with both companies, you'll see your prices reduce significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average rates for Idaho Farm Bureau policyholders lower more than 50% and Nationwide's prices decrease over 60% 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 most affordable premiums out there.

When looking at Idaho Farm Bureau and Nationwide specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? Idaho Farm Bureau gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $31 more affordable than the national average for Nationwide.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Those who are single tend to get offered slightly more expensive insurance premiums than married couples. This usually boils down to married policyholders having multiple cars on their policy -- something a lot of auto insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Idaho Farm Bureau is the clear winner for single policyholders, with rates about $56 per month cheaper than Nationwide, on average. The advantage is also clear for married drivers - Idaho Farm Bureau offers the lowest average premiums.

Idaho Farm Bureau vs. Nationwide: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know men usually pay more for car insurance than women? This is because men are more likely to get into accidents and get tickets, which increases the chances of an insurance claim.

With Idaho Farm Bureau, women typically pay around 7% a month less than men, and about 7% less with Nationwide when compared to their male counterparts.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Idaho Farm Bureau comes out on top for both men and women, with average prices 25% less for men and 25% cheaper for women.

Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide: 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 insurance can be pretty complicated. There are multiple different coverages that account for a range of different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

Even so, the most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides property damage and bodily injury coverage for other drivers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes two additional coverages -- comprehensive and collision -- alongside liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Idaho Farm Bureau generally offers significantly more affordable rates of $66 compared to Nationwide's $112. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Idaho Farm Bureau again has the edge, with policies around $40 per month cheaper than Nationwide, on average.

Is Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide 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.

At-fault accidents and tickets will most likely raise your prices, but is Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide less expensive for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Drivers with Idaho Farm Bureau insurance policies don't report seeing their rates increase after getting a ticket, but Nationwide policyholders can expect to see their monthly bill increase by.

However, Idaho Farm Bureau has cheaper premiums for drivers in both categories -- their rates are around 27% less expensive for drivers with clean records and 39% more affordable for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Idaho Farm Bureau policyholders who get in an accident can expect to see their rates rise by just under $30, while those who have insurance through Nationwide will see about a $55 increase.

Overall, Idaho Farm Bureau offers the cheapest prices for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $120 compared to Nationwide's $178.

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 auto insurance bill. On average, Idaho Farm Bureau will climb your rates around 56% after a DUI, while Nationwide's average prices climb by over 45%.

How does Credit Score Impact Idaho Farm Bureau and Nationwide Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance companies take into account your credit score when calculating premiums? This isn't always the case (Michigan, for example, has banned the use of credit score as a rating factor) but it will come into play for many drivers.

Insurance carriers argue that someone with bad credit is less likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them riskier to insure. Because of that, policyholders with bad credit will often be forced to pay more.

Looking specifically at Nationwide and Idaho Farm Bureau, which company has the best prices 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 Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide 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 pretty big impact on how much auto insurance companies will charge for coverage? That's because the fewer miles you put on your vehicle, the less likely you are to get into a collision and cause an insurance claim.

Idaho Farm Bureau tends to be the less expensive option for both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles each year, as well as those who average twice that figure. Nationwide's average premiums for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in over $50 more expensive than Idaho Farm Bureau. Those who drive 12,000 miles annually can expect to pay more than $35 more with Nationwide over Idaho Farm Bureau.

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

Where your home is can have a big impact on your monthly car insurance payment. Normally, policyholders who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural drivers because there are a lot more cars on the roads in those areas.

Idaho Farm Bureau boasts the lowest average rates for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

If you live in a rural area, you can expect to save about 8% with Idaho Farm Bureau compared to Nationwide. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay around 21% less with Idaho Farm Bureau compared to Nationwide. In urban areas, Idaho Farm Bureau Insurance's average prices are about 41% less than Nationwide.

Idaho Farm Bureau vs. Nationwide Discounts

Regardless of 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 possible, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many insurance discounts as you can.

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

Below, we've compared all of the different discounts offered by Idaho Farm Bureau and Nationwide so that you can find the carrier that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Nationwide blows Idaho Farm Bureau away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 20 more discounts than Idaho Farm Bureau.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like discounts for being a defensive driver and discounts for being a good student. Nationwide also offers advance quote discounts, agency transfer discounts, anti-theft discounts, and more that Idaho Farm Bureau does not.

Idaho Farm Bureau's discounts come through just two categories -- Defensive Driver and Good Student.

Final Thoughts: Is Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your car insurance premiums. We've broken down the different discounts each carrier offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, is Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide the right fit for you?

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

• You have less-than-stellar credit.
• You have above-average credit.
• You are purchasing your insurance with a spouse.

Nationwide might be best for you if...

• You are considering moving to another state -- undefined only offers policies to residents.
• You care about discounts (Nationwide offers the most).

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Idaho Farm Bureau and Nationwide. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from a handful of carriers, not just Idaho Farm Bureau and Nationwide. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Idaho Farm Bureau vs. Nationwide FAQs

Is Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Idaho Farm Bureau is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $127 a month compared to $170 for Nationwide. That being said, Idaho Farm Bureau won't necessarily be the most affordable company for every driver, since there are several different variables (things like driving record, age, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". Neither carrier is necessarily "better" for each driver -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique car insurance profile.

Why do Idaho Farm Bureau and Nationwide offer me different rates?

Insurance companies take a look at quite a few different factors when determining the premiums they charge policyholders. Variables such as age, your driving record, gender, where you live, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Idaho Farm Bureau and Nationwide calculate prices using different factors, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which company is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different carriers.

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

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple 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 information once 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 most affordable premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Idaho Farm Bureau or Nationwide 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.