Claims forgiveness with Farmers?

I bought a house and want to combine my auto with home insurance, and am thinking about Farmers because my brother has had good experiences. I've never had an auto claim, either. He said they offer things like “claims forgiveness,” so my rate won’t spike after a claim. Is that real, and do homeowners really benefit from it?

Yes, Farmers offers claims forgiveness in many states, and it can be helpful for long-time homeowners.

Claims forgiveness usually means your first covered claim will not lead to a surcharge on your policy. In other words, Farmers may not raise your rate just because you filed that first claim. Some policies also offer a “diminishing deductible,” which lowers your deductible over time if you stay claim-free.

But there are limits.

Claims forgiveness typically applies to one eligible claim, not several claims in a short period. It also does not stop other rate increases. Your premium can still go up because of inflation, higher rebuilding costs, weather losses in your area, or overall company rate changes. What this feature usually protects you from is a specific increase tied directly to your first claim.

For homeowners, the biggest benefit is peace of mind. If you have taken care of your home and avoided claims for years, you should feel comfortable using your coverage for a serious loss, like storm damage or a fire. Insurance is there to protect you from major financial setbacks.

If you have been with Farmers for a while, call your agent and ask:
• Do I have claims forgiveness on my homeowners policy?
• How many claim-free years did I need to qualify?
• What types of claims count?
• What happens to my rate after a first claim?

Rules can vary by state and policy, so it is important to confirm the details.

For loyal, claim-free homeowners, claims forgiveness can be a meaningful benefit. Just make sure you understand how it works before you ever need to use it. If you're shopping for home insurance, it can also help to compare a few companies side by side to make sure you're getting strong coverage at a fair price.