Whether Full Coverage Is Worth It: A Farm Bureau Auto Insurance Analysis

When shopping for auto insurance, you’ll likely face a fundamental question: is full coverage actually worth it? For many drivers considering Farm Bureau, the answer hinges on several key factors—affordability, risk tolerance, and what genuine protection looks like. Farm Bureau offers compelling options to help you evaluate whether comprehensive coverage aligns with your needs and budget.

Full Coverage Explained: Why Some Drivers Need More Than Liability

Every state requires a minimum level of liability insurance, which covers damage you cause to others. However, liability alone won’t protect your own vehicle. Full coverage combines three essential protections: liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance.

Collision coverage handles accidents involving other vehicles or objects. Comprehensive coverage protects against theft, weather damage, vandalism, and other non-collision incidents. Together, they’re what makes full coverage worth considering—especially if you’re financing a newer vehicle, live in an area prone to severe weather, or have a long commute.

Farm Bureau delivers this full coverage protection at attractive rates. On average, full coverage through Farm Bureau costs $151 per month, significantly below the national average of $190. If you opt for liability-only, you’re looking at roughly $90 monthly through Farm Bureau, compared to $113 nationally. The price difference between minimum and full coverage is manageable—just $61 per month more—making it easier to justify the extra protection for most drivers.

The real question becomes: what’s that extra $61 worth to your peace of mind? Consider your vehicle’s value, your emergency savings, and whether you could afford to replace your car if something went wrong.

Farm Bureau Pricing: Is Full Coverage Affordable?

Farm Bureau’s reputation for competitive rates stems from both its structure and customer outcomes. Operating as a collection of independent state-based insurers means pricing varies by location, but across markets where it operates, Farm Bureau consistently delivers below-average premiums.

Their three-year NAIC complaint ratio of 0.137 significantly undercuts the national average of 1.082—meaning you’re statistically less likely to have billing disputes or service issues. This reliability translates to genuine value for your money.

Discounts that sweeten the deal:

Farm Bureau advertises eight distinct discounts, allowing you to reduce your full coverage premium even further:

• Members Choice Bundling combines auto with home or other policies
• Claim-Free discounts reward drivers with clean records
• Good Student discounts for full-time students maintaining strong grades
• Safe Young Driver programs help reduce teen insurance costs
• Low-Mileage discounts for drivers below average usage
• Multi-Car savings when insuring multiple vehicles
• Loyalty Credit for long-term customers
• Paid-in-Full discounts for upfront premium payments

The company even conducts an annual “SuperCheck” to identify any discounts you’re missing. These multiple pathways to savings make full coverage through Farm Bureau increasingly worth it for budget-conscious drivers.

Coverage Worth the Investment: Real Claims Processing and Customer Experience

Full coverage only matters if you can actually use it when needed. Farm Bureau’s claims experience determines whether that coverage proves truly worth your investment.

The company excels in repair partnerships, with several regional chapters earning top CRASH Network rankings:

• North Carolina Farm Bureau: Ranked #1 overall (A+)
• Michigan Farm Bureau: Ranked #4 (A-)
• Farm Bureau Property & Casualty: Ranked #11 (B+)

This translates to faster, higher-quality repairs through preferred repair shops—a tangible benefit of choosing Farm Bureau for full coverage.

Claims processing timelines (based on Michigan Farm Bureau data) show how quickly your full coverage actually pays out:

• Roadside assistance or glass claims: 2 days
• Minor vehicle damage: 4 business days
• Major damage requiring inspection: 5 business days
• Total loss claims: 7 business days

These reasonable timeframes mean your full coverage investment delivers actual payouts without frustrating delays. You submit claims online through FBFS.com, via your local agent, or by calling 800-226-6383, making the process accessible and transparent.

Comparing Coverage Types: Farm Bureau’s Full Coverage Advantage

Farm Bureau structures its coverage options to give you flexibility while maintaining affordability. Most chapters provide six standard coverage types:

1. Liability insurance (required by law)
2. Collision coverage (vehicle damage from accidents)
3. Comprehensive coverage (theft, weather, vandalism)
4. Medical payments or no-fault insurance (injury coverage)
5. Uninsured and underinsured motorist protection (protects you from uninsured drivers)
6. Replacement cost coverage (newer vehicle protection)

This comprehensive lineup makes building full coverage through Farm Bureau straightforward. You’re not forced to piece together coverage from multiple carriers or deal with coverage gaps.

Optional add-ons enhance your protection further. Emergency roadside assistance—covering towing up to 15 miles or $300, lockouts, flat tires, and jump-starts—adds meaningful value. While availability varies by state, most chapters offer this as an optional enhancement to full coverage.

Accident forgiveness policies also differ by chapter, representing another variable in determining if full coverage is worth it for your specific location. Virginia Farm Bureau, for instance, forgives one at-fault accident per policy, while others including FBFS may not offer this feature. Always check locally before assuming this protection is available.

Who Should Choose Full Coverage: Making the Decision

Full coverage becomes worth it when your circumstances align with these factors:

You should prioritize full coverage if:

• You’re financing or leasing a vehicle (lenders typically require it)
• Your car is newer or has higher market value
• You live in an area prone to weather damage, theft, or accidents
• You don’t have substantial emergency savings
• You commute regularly on busy roads

Liability-only coverage might suffice if:

• Your car is older and worth less than $10,000
• You have significant cash reserves
• You live in a low-risk area with minimal weather threats
• You rarely drive

Farm Bureau’s affordable pricing makes full coverage accessible regardless of your situation. At $151 monthly for comprehensive protection, it represents excellent value compared to the national average and competes directly with carriers like American Family at the lower end of the market.

The Mobile Experience: Full Coverage Support at Your Fingertips

Your full coverage investment extends beyond pricing and claims—it includes digital convenience. Farm Bureau’s MobileAgent app, available in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina, brings coverage management to your phone.

Features include digital ID cards, bill payment, roadside assistance coordination, agent contact, and claims initiation. Some states offer DriveDown, a safe-driving rewards program that actually reduces your deductible over time—adding more value to your full coverage commitment.

However, app ratings average 2.3 stars on Apple’s App Store and 2.0 on Google Play Store, reflecting room for improvement in the mobile experience. If app functionality heavily influences your decision, you might want to test the interface before committing to full coverage through Farm Bureau.

Farm Bureau vs. Progressive: Coverage Worth Comparison

When comparing full coverage options, Farm Bureau and Progressive represent different value propositions. Farm Bureau full coverage averages $151 monthly with stronger complaint ratings and repair scores. Progressive costs approximately $205 monthly for comparable full coverage but offers greater consistency nationwide, a more robust mobile app, and broader coverage uniformity across all states.

The $54 monthly difference ($648 annually) represents meaningful savings with Farm Bureau. Whether that’s worth the trade-off for slightly less app sophistication depends on how much you prioritize digital convenience versus cost savings.

Final Verdict: Is Full Coverage Worth It With Farm Bureau?

Full coverage through Farm Bureau represents excellent value for most drivers. The combination of below-average premiums ($151/month), multiple discount opportunities, strong complaint ratings, reliable repair partnerships, and accessible claims processing creates a compelling case for choosing comprehensive protection.

For drivers in states where Farm Bureau operates, full coverage is worth serious consideration. The company’s regional strength, customer satisfaction track record, and affordability make it possible to get comprehensive protection without breaking your budget.

Your specific answer depends on your vehicle’s value, your financial situation, and your local chapter’s offerings. But with Farm Bureau’s pricing and service reputation, the barrier to accessing worthwhile full coverage has never been lower. Given the relatively modest monthly difference between liability-only and full coverage ($61 at Farm Bureau rates), most drivers will find that comprehensive protection is genuinely worth the investment.