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Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and Insurify, and she’s been writing for Compare.com since 2024.
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Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
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Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
NPN: 21630969
MacK Korris is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. MacK has several years of experience reviewing and editing a variety of insurance topics, and he also holds valid insurance producer licenses in property and casualty lines from the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (NPN #21630969).
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At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
State Farm and The Hartford are both large, well-known car insurance companies with many coverage options. Both also offer homeowners insurance, but the companies are substantially different when it comes to customer service, costs, and eligibility.
We found that you’ll likely pay more for a policy from The Hartford, and you can’t actually buy coverage from it unless you’re an AARP member. State Farm doesn’t have this restriction, and its average premiums are far lower than The Hartford’s for most drivers, according to our data.
This guide explains key differences between State Farm and The Hartford so you can make the best choice for your auto insurance coverage.
State Farm’s average premiums are lower than The Hartford for most driver types.
Despite lower overall customer satisfaction scores, The Hartford matches State Farm for claims satisfaction and offers more discounts and coverage options.[1] [2]
You can’t buy a policy from The Hartford unless you’re a member of AARP.
When shopping for auto insurance, you obviously want your monthly premiums to be as low as possible. After all, you probably have more fun things to spend money on.
That said, you can’t just look at which company has the cheaper average rates. You might end up with an insurer that isn’t really there for you if you make a claim — and problems getting the company to cover your claim could put your financial security at risk.
We’ve researched the most important details about both The Hartford and State Farm to help you make your choice. The table below shows our ratings for both companies across several key categories, including cost, customer experience, and how easy it is to actually access and use your coverage.
Category | State Farm | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 5/5 | 2.3/5 |
| Customer satisfaction | 4.7/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Ease of use | 5/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Availability | 5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Industry reputation | 5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Overall Score | 5.00/5 | 3.63/5 |
Our editorial team analyzes and grades each insurer based on factors like its average rates, customer reviews, policy management features, availability, industry standing, and more. This includes countless hours of research and in-depth analysis of millions of auto insurance quotes from real Compare.com customers.
We grade each factor on a weighted five-point scale to determine an insurer’s proprietary Compare.com Rating, which highlights its overall standing among the industry’s best companies.
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.7 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $56/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $107/mo |
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and prompt claim handling, but many are unhappy with the constant rate increases, even for safe drivers. Some also reported poor customer service.
Customers appreciate the helpful agents and prompt claim handling, but many are unhappy with the constant rate increases, even for safe drivers. Some also reported poor customer service.
State Farm earns higher customer satisfaction scores than The Hartford in several regions, according to the J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study. Though it doesn’t sell policies in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, it has a much larger agent network than The Hartford, making it easier to find local, in-person support.
That said, State Farm offers lower usage-based insurance discounts, doesn’t offer gap insurance, and may be less competitive for older drivers.
Higher customer satisfaction scores
More affordable premiums for many drivers
Many available agents
Accident forgiveness not available
Limited telematics-based discount
Fewer senior-focused benefits
| User Reviews | 3.8 |
|---|---|
| Our Rating Compare.com's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The objective formula used in these reviews weighs several important factors to consider when choosing financial products and services, including customer satisfaction ratings, ease of use, and a number of other components. | 4.2 /5 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $152/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $246/mo |
Customers appreciate the pleasant customer service and AARP discounts but dislike the frequent price increases and complex payment process.
Customers appreciate the pleasant customer service and AARP discounts but dislike the frequent price increases and complex payment process.
If you’re looking for more discounts and optional coverages, The Hartford may be a great option. The insurer offers add-ons you won’t find with State Farm, including gap insurance, accident forgiveness, and special savings for AARP members.
The Hartford’s TrueLane telematics program also offers higher potential savings for safe drivers, with discounts of up to 40% at renewal. And though State Farm scores higher for overall customer satisfaction, both insurers earned the same above-average claims satisfaction score in the J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
More available discounts and coverage options
Offers accident forgiveness and gap coverage
Robust telematics discount
Higher average rates than State Farm
Lower J.D. Power usage-based satisfaction score
Slightly weaker Google Play app ratings[3]
Your driving habits and history behind the wheel are likely somewhat different from your friends and neighbors. Your state may also have higher or lower accident and vehicle theft rates, or it may require more or less coverage than other places. Since all these factors (and more) affect how likely it is you’ll make a claim, insurers set your premiums based on your personal details.
Still, it’s helpful to compare how much State Farm and The Hartford charge the average driver. The table below shows average monthly premiums for both companies across various coverage types and driver profiles, and how each compares to the national average.
Driver Type  | State Farm | The Hartford | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| All drivers | $107 | $246 | $173 |
| Teens | $220 | $661 | $331 |
| Seniors | $76 | $142 | $148 |
| Recent ticket | $137 | $371 | $223 |
| Recent accident | $140 | $352 | $231 |
| DUI conviction | $158 | $393 | $256 |
| Poor credit | $174 | $326 | $210 |
| All drivers | $107 | $246 | $173 |
Get quotes from top companies and find the right coverage.
Most states require all drivers to have liability insurance that pays for injuries or property damage you cause to others. No-fault states also require personal injury protection (PIP), which pays for your own medical bills for minor accident injuries.
All insurers offer liability car insurance, PIP coverage, and other standard protections that are part of full-coverage insurance, including collision and comprehensive coverage.
But many insurers also offer add-ons beyond the basics, and the additional protections vary by company. Check out the table below to see the different kinds of car insurance coverage you can buy from State Farm Insurance and The Hartford.
State Farm offers rideshare insurance for its customers, which The Hartford doesn’t. That said, The Hartford has more add-on options available for customers than State Farm, including gap insurance, accident forgiveness, a vanishing deductible, and new car replacement.
The Hartford also offers some stand-out add-ons most insurance companies don’t, including RecoverCare, which reimburses you if you have to pay for cleaners or other household services you can’t do yourself after an accident.
Most insurers give you the chance to get cheaper rates by qualifying for discounts. For example, many insurers often reward you with a discount for reducing your risk profile by taking a defensive driving class or buying a vehicle with good safety features. But keep in mind that discounts can vary between insurers.
Check out the table below to see how The Hartford and State Farm compare in terms of discount opportunities.
Discount Type | State Farm | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Affinity | ✔ | |
| Alternative energy | ✔ | |
| Anti-theft | ✔ | ✔ |
| Automatic payments | ||
| Customer loyalty | ✔ | ✔ |
| Defensive driver | ✔ | ✔ |
| Good student | ✔ | ✔ |
| Early shopper | ||
| Federal employee | ||
| Homeowner | ||
| Low mileage | ✔ | |
| Military | ||
| Multi-policy | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-vehicle | ✔ | ✔ |
| New car | ||
| Paperless billing | ||
| Pay-in-full | ✔ | ✔ |
| Safe driver | ✔ | ✔ |
| Safety equipment | ✔ | ✔ |
| Student away at school | ✔ | ✔ |
| Teacher | ||
| Usage-based/telematics | ✔ | ✔ |
Looking at customer reviews can give you helpful insight into what it’s like to work with The Hartford and State Farm beyond pricing and coverage. Recent reviews, in particular, can highlight patterns in customer service, claims handling, and agent support.
Below, you can see what real Compare.com customers — past and present — say about their experiences with each company.
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If you’re a careful driver, don’t drive often, or just want more control over what you pay, usage-based insurance (UBI) may be a good option. When you sign up, your insurer monitors your driving using data it collects through a mobile app or in-car device and adjusts your rate. Safer driving generally leads to lower premiums.
The Hartford and State Farm both offer UBI programs, but they differ in savings and availability.
State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save program offers discounts of up to 30% and is available in most U.S. states. It uses a mobile app and a Bluetooth-enabled beacon to track driving habits and features a highly rated app, though its maximum savings are lower than TrueLane’s.
The Hartford’s TrueLane program offers up to 15% off at sign-up and up to 40% off at renewal, depending on driving behavior. It uses a smartphone app to track factors like speed, braking, acceleration, and phone use, but is available in only a handful of states.
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If you still need answers about these two auto insurance companies and the products each one offers, here are some more details.
The better company comes down to your needs. The Hartford tends to work well for older drivers or anyone looking for more add-on coverages. State Farm, on the other hand, is often a stronger choice if you prioritize lower average rates, high customer satisfaction, and having access to local agents.
It depends. When it comes to car insurance, there’s no one best company that’s perfect for every driver. That said, the best company for you depends on your budget, where you live, coverage needs, and other factors. Shopping around and comparing rates is the smartest way to find the right insurer for you.
Yes. State Farm offers lower average premiums for most drivers, according to Compare.com data. But keep in mind that personal rates can vary based on your driver profile. It’s best to get quotes from both insurers for the same coverages to see which is the cheapest for you.
The Hartford and State Farm both have clear strengths: The Hartford offers a wide range of discounts and add-on coverages. State Farm is one of the largest insurers in the country, and often leads in price, customer satisfaction, and access to local agents.[4] The right choice depends on what matters most to you.
In terms of customer satisfaction, State Farm generally earns higher customer satisfaction scores, but The Hartford performs similarly for claims handling. Both insurers tied, suggesting a comparable claims experience despite differences in overall satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
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Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
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Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and Insurify, and she’s been writing for Compare.com since 2024.
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
NPN: 21630969
MacK Korris is a licensed insurance agent who reviews and fact-checks articles for Compare.com. MacK has several years of experience reviewing and editing a variety of insurance topics, and he also holds valid insurance producer licenses in property and casualty lines from the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (NPN #21630969).
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