State Farm vs Travelers: Which is Better for You?
Read on to see which company is best for you.
State Farm or Travelers: Which company is best for you?
Being two of America's most popular insurance companies, State Farm and Travelers both offer a variety of insurance options. Read on to see which company is best for you and your insurance needs.
State Farm car insurance
State Farm is the nation's most popular auto insurance company, holding nearly one-fifth of the U.S. car insurance market share. The company's network of agents allows each customer to receive a personalized experience. The company received good ratings from third-party reviewers and customers alike, earning positive rankings for its customer relations and finances, and a strong overall performance in The Zebra's independent customer satisfaction survey.
| Pros | Cons |
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Travelers car insurance
While not the biggest insurer in the United States, Travelers is certainly among the oldest. The company boasts a strong reputation for providing customizable coverage at affordable prices and also offers a number of bundling options. However, Travelers' overall customer satisfaction scores tend to be lower than many competitors. Read more below.
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Which company comes out on top?
State Farm
State Farm tops Travelers in a variety of categories: it earned higher marks in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey, placing third overall (Travelers ranked sixth). In the survey, State Farm scored 4.7 out of 5 in Claims Satisfaction and 4.5 out of 5 in Customer Satisfaction. State Farm's rates were higher than Travelers', on average, so price-conscious consumers should consider both options.Â
State Farm vs. Travelers: car insurance rate comparison
Choosing an auto insurance company based on price alone can be tough: rates may vary based on your location, vehicle, and driving record. State Farm and Travelers each have different underwriting methods, meaning that your unique driving profile will have a big impact on how much you pay.
To simplify the shopping process, we've gathered average prices from Travelers and State Farm. These rates take into account various factors, including credit history, driving record, and age. Examine these figures to help guide you to the insurer that's right for you.
The insurer with the cheapest rates for most drivers is Travelers, though State Farm's average rate $108 per month is certainly within budget for most drivers.
State Farm vs. Travelers: pricing by credit score
If you have a low credit score, Travelers may be the more affordable option. On average, Travelers offers some of the most affordable rates for drivers with credit scores lower than 580. Drivers with exceptional credit — scores of 800-plus — should also lean toward Travelers. See below typical insurance rates by credit tier for Travelers and State Farm.
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RATES BY CREDIT LEVEL: TRAVELERS VS. STATE FARM
| Credit level | State Farm avg. annual premium | Travelers avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $3,522 | $3,224 |
| Fair (580-669) | $2,003 | $1,773 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,613 | $1,375 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,451 | $1,182 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,260 | $1,069 |
Auto insurance data methodology
The auto insurance rates published in this guide are based on the results of The Zebra's State of Insurance car insurance pricing analysis. This analysis of more than 83 million insurance rates spans every U.S. ZIP code, using a sample user profile: a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord, good credit and full coverage at these levels:
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per incident for bodily injury liability
- $50,000 per incident for property damage liability
- $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage
To generate pricing for particular rating factors, we adjusted the driving profile based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies. These factors include credit score, coverage level, driving record and others.
In some instances, average rates from Liberty Mutual were derived from internally sourced sales data.
State Farm vs. Travelers: rates for high-risk drivers
If you have a speeding ticket or DWI in your past, your rates could be lower with Travelers than with State Farm. Every auto insurance company prices policies differently after a violation, so don't be afraid to shop around to figure out which insurer suits you.
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RATES BY CITATION: TRAVLERS VS. STATE FARM
| Citation | State Farm avg. annual premium | Travelers avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $2,849 | n/a |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,524 | n/a |
| DUI/DWI | $3,854 | $2,004 |
| Reckless driving | $2,895 | n/a |
| Speeding ticket | $1,983 | $1,752 |
State Farm vs. Travelers: rates by age
Auto insurance companies use a driver's age to gauge the risk level they pose. Auto insurance policies are usually much more expensive for teen drivers — due to their lack of driving experience — and cheapest for middle-aged drivers. Because every car insurance company assigns rates differently, it's always a good idea to compare rates.
As a general rule, teen drivers concerned about cost should choose Travelers over State Farm. The former is one of the best budget choices for young drivers. See more pricing comparisons by age group below.
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RATES BY AGE: TRAVELERS VS. STATE FARM
| Age tier | State Farm avg. annual premium | Travelers avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $5,820 | $3,622 |
| 20s | $2,379 | $1,645 |
| 30s | $1,585 | $1,348 |
| 40s | $1,587 | $1,237 |
| 50s | $1,558 | $1,167 |
| 60s | $1,485 | $1,165 |
Aside from their rates, State Farm and Travelers each have their pros and cons, including their customer satisfaction ratings, discount programs, add-ons and financial stability. Be sure to get quotes and compare rates before settling on a policy.
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Ratings comparison: State Farm vs. Travelers
As two of the largest insurance companies in the United States, State Farm and Travelers are reviewed and rated by both customers and third-party evaluators based on a variety of factors. We've collected some of these recent ratings to help you determine each company's customer satisfaction standards, complaint ratios and financial security scores.
| Ratings comparison | State Farm | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength (A.M. Best) | Excellent | Superior |
| JD Power (claims satisfaction) | Above average | Average |
| JD Power (customer satisfaction) | Above average | Below average |
| NAIC rating | Above average | Good |
| The Zebra's editorial review score | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
Which company scores best?
State Farm
State Farm earned better ratings than Travelers across the board in categories such as customer satisfaction, claims satisfaction and the number of formal complaints. The Zebra's editorial reviews placed State Farm well above Travelers (4.5 versus 4.0, out of a possible 5).
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey
The Zebra conducted an in-house survey of insurance consumers to discover how they viewed their insurance companies across a number of topics. See below how each of these companies performed.
State Farm came in third overall with a score of 4.5. See additional survey highlights below.
- Scored well with younger drivers
- Second place for claims satisfaction
- Third place for ease, customer service, trust and willingness to recommend
Travelers auto insurance came in sixth place overall (out of 15 carriers) with a score of 4.3. The company scored well in most categories. See highlights below.
- Scored well in Online Satisfaction (4.4)
- In the top 5 for Claims and Customer Service Satisfaction
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey methodology
Findings are based on an online quantitative survey of 4,794 current U.S. auto and home insurance customers, with Census-balanced sampling by age, gender and region. Categories with n=<20 responses are considered insufficient sample size and are not reported. This survey was developed by The Zebra and executed by independent research firm Maru/Blue in 2023.
State Farm vs. Travelers: discount comparison
Most companies allow qualifying customers to take advantage of special auto insurance discounts. Below you can see a head-to-head rundown of discount options for both Travelers and State Farm.
In addition to the offers listed above, State Farm may provide an additional discount for vehicles built in 1994 or later, depending on the loss experience of the specific vehicle model.
Telematics options: State Farm vs. Travelers
State Farm and Travelers each has a telematics program that uses technology to track driving habits. The companies' offerings — Drive Safe & Save and IntelliDrive®, respectively — share much in common, but one may better suit your specific needs. See more information about each company's mobile app below.Â
State Farm Drive Safe & Save is a good option for safe and low-mileage drivers. The company claims that it can save customers up to 50% on premiums, though these types of savings are most likely to be seen by lower-mileage drivers. The program is available across most of the United States.
Travelers IntelliDrive offers drivers the chance to save up to 20%. Participating policyholders must download a mobile app that tracks your driving habits for 90 days, after which time you might see savings. Bear in mind that this program is not available in all states.
Zebra Tip: Look into telematics offerings
Each company offers a solid usage-based insurance option. Be sure to look into potential benefits and discounts affiliated with telematics before purchasing a policy.Â
Roadside assistance: State Farm vs. Travlers
Find below summaries of the different roadside assistance options available from both Travelers and State Farm.
State Farm
State Farm's Emergency Road Service offers the following:
- Mechanical labor at the place of breakdown
- Towing of your vehicle to a repair facility,
- Removal of a stuck vehicle
- Delivery of gas or oil
- Assistance with changing a tire or a jumpstart
- Locksmith services
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Travelers
Travelers offers two tiers of Roadside assistance, both available 24-hours a day. Have a look at how each package compares below:
| Plan features | Basic plan | Premier Roadside Assistance |
| Towing |
Yes (up to 15 miles)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
Yes (up to 100 miles) |
| Jump starts |
Yes |
Yes |
| Fuel Delivery |
Yes |
Yes |
| Flat tire change |
Yes |
Yes |
| Lockout services |
Yes |
Yes |
| Winching services |
Yes |
Yes |
| Trip interruption coverage* |
No |
Yes |
| Personal property coverage** |
No |
Yes |
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*Covers up to $200 per day, up to a maximum of $600
** Provides $500 of coverage for personal property damaged or stolen
State Farm vs. Travelers: home insurance
While each company has a huge presence in the car insurance industry, the same can be said of their homeowners insurance offerings. Both State Farm and Travelers offer unique coverage options and at fair price points. See our head-to-head comparison to find out which company might be the best fit for your home insurance needs.
State Farm homeowners insurance review
State Farm has a number of solid options for coverage extras, making the company a great option for customers looking for flexible coverage. The company's rates are often more expensive than average. The company suffers from a lack of available homeowners discounts, with just four discount options available currently. State Farm's home insurance policies earn positive ratings from third-party reviewers, and the company ranked fifth overall in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey. Still, homeowners looking for basic insurance with minimal bells or whistles may want to look elsewhere.
Learn more about State Farm home insurance in our detailed review below.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.4/5: State Farm earned above-average reviews, compared with the top 15 home insurance providers in our study.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: J.D. Power's most recent study rated State Farm as just shy of the industry average for property claims satisfaction.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Above average: State Farm was awarded an above-average rating for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's Home Insurance Study.
- Financial strength — Excellent: A.M. Best rated State Farm as having excellent financial viability, signaling its ability to pay for claims.
- NAIC Rating — Average: State Farm's home insurance received an average amount of complaints as logged by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Travelers homeowners review
In addition to its auto coverage, Travelers also has a large footprint in the home insurance industry. The company boasts a variety of coverage options and discounts and offers reasonable rates overall. However, the company's homeowners offering didn't do quite as well in The Zebra Customers Satisfaction Survey. Find out more about the company and its ratings below.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.3/5: Travelers received a 4.3 out of 5 in The Zebra's survey of customer satisfaction, 14th out of 15 companies.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Average: In J.D. Power's most recent property claims satisfaction report, Travelers came in just below the industry average.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: Travelers fell below the industry average in J.D. Power's customer satisfaction study.
- Financial strength — Excellent: According to AM Best, Travelers has strong financials and will be able to handle your claims.
- NAIC Rating — Good: Fewer complaints were logged by the NAIC in regards to Travelers' homeowners insurance, falling just below the national complaint index.
Which company comes out on top?
State Farm
Each company has appealing home insurance product offerings, but State Farm fared better in reviews from customers and unbiased third-party sources. As an insurance customer, take some time to compare quotes, discounts and coverage options to understand which company best fits your unique coverage needs.
State Farm vs. Travelers: home insurance rate comparison
Average annual home insurance rates with State Farm are $1,356. Travelers' average is a bit pricier at $1,500 per year. Travelers and State Farm each have unique underwriting practices, so it's important to consider your quotes may not match these exactly when looking for coverage.Â
Much like auto insurance rates, homeowners insurance prices can vary based on certain factors. Companies use your insurance history, along with historical data relating to your location, when putting together your quotes.
The insurer with the cheapest home insurance rates is State Farm's average of $113 per month.
Homeowners insurance data methodology
The homeowners insurance rates published in this guide are based on The Zebra's analysis of the cost of home insurance in every U.S. ZIP code. These rates are based on a sample user profile: a 45-year-old married homeowner living in a 2,500-square-foot single-story home built in 2011 with these coverage levels:
- $200,000 for the dwelling
- $20,000 for other structures
- $100,000 for personal property
- $100,000 for personal liability
- $1,000 deductible
To generate pricing for particular rating factors, we adjusted the homeowner profile based on common pricing factors used by major home insurance companies. These factors include location, coverage limits, claims record and others.
State Farm vs. Travelers: homeowners discount comparison
Both State Farm and Travelers provide home insurance discounts for qualifying customers. While these discounts are not as plentiful as many competitor companies, they may help customers find significant savings.
| Discount comparison | State Farm | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ✓ | |
| Recent home buyer | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early signing | ||
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid in full | ||
| Auto pay | ✓ | |
| New home construction | ✓ | |
| Gated community | ||
| Home renovation | ||
| Green home | ✓ |
Other insurance products and bundling options
Both State Farm and Travelers have many insurance products available, with the option to bundle policies for extra savings. See how the product offerings from State Farm and Travlers compare below.
| Other products | State Farm | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Boat insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Condo insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Life insurance | ✓ | |
| Homeowners insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel trailer insurance | ✓ | |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV insurance | ✓ | |
| Motorcycle insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile home insurance | ✓ | |
| Umbrella | ✓ | ✓ |
| ATV insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pet insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Commercial insurance | ✓ |
Find the best insurance policy for your needs.
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.