USAA is one of the most popular options for car insurance in the United States. The company is unique in that customers must first become members of USAA in order to purchase a policy. Membership is exclusive to individuals in the armed forces and certain family members. In general, the company receives stellar ratings from customers and third-party rating agencies. USAA came out on top of The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Reviewed By Jacob Unger
Edited By Kristine Lee
USAA or Farmers: Which company is best for you?
USAA and Farmers are two of the most popular major insurance providers, but each has its own unique features. For one, eligibility and availability may play a role in which company you choose, as USAA is only available to members of the Armed Forces and certain family members. Farmers is more widely available, but its overall levels of customer satisfaction may be problematic for some customers. Still, both companies have coverage options that will satisfy the needs of most customers.
Take a look at our in-depth comparison to see which company comes out on top.
USAA car insurance
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Farmers car insurance
Farmers offers a wide range of coverage options that are highly customizable. With reasonable rates and a variety of discounts available, customers have numerous opportunities to save. In general, Farmers receives fewer customer complaints than average but customer satisfaction may suffer overall. Through Farmers you can also bundle your car insurance with home and life insurance policies, adding convenience and potential savings.
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Which company comes out on top?
USAA
While many customers may not be eligible for coverage through USAA, the company scores better than Farmers across the board. Customer satisfaction ranks very high, and the number of other benefits sets USAA apart as the better option for eligible customers.
USAA vs. Farmers: car insurance rate comparison
Affordability is an important consideration when shopping for an auto policy. Your rates are determined by many factors, including your driving history, state regulations and your credit score — at least in most states.
To help in your search, we've gathered average rates from USAA and Farmers based on a few different factors. Take a look at the tables below to get a sense of which company might be most affordable for you.
Cheapest average rates
USAA has the cheapest rates at $106 per month. Farmers comes in somewhat higher at $131 per month.
USAA vs. Farmers: pricing by credit score
If you have very poor credit, Farmers could be a better option for you. Typically, Farmers offers more affordable rates than USAA for drivers with credit scores of 579 or less. Drivers with exceptional credit — a score of 800 or higher — should lean toward USAA, which typically beats Farmers by $514 annually. Check out typical insurance rates by credit score for Farmers and USAA below.
RATES BY CREDIT LEVEL: FARMERS VS. USAA
| Credit level | USAA avg. annual premium | Farmers avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $2,682 | $2,633 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,247 | $1,736 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,057 | $1,882 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $910 | $1,459 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $840 | $1,354 |
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.
USAA vs. Farmers: rates for high-risk drivers
If you're carrying an at-fault accident, speeding violation, reckless driving violation or DUI on your driving record, USAA is likely to be a better choice than Farmers. Every car insurance company will handle driving offenses differently, so don't be afraid to shop around and get quotes to find out which insurance company suits you.
RATES BY CITATION: FARMERS VS. USAA
| Citation | USAA avg. annual premium | Farmers avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,304 | $2,334 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $947 | $1,699 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,952 | $3,239 |
| Reckless driving | $1,472 | $4,636 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,124 | $2,045 |
USAA vs. Farmers: rates by age
Insurance companies use age as an estimator of risk, pricing premiums accordingly. An auto insurance policy is typically most expensive for teen drivers — primarily because of their inexperience — and more affordable for drivers aged 25 or older. Because every insurance company rates ages in a different way, it's smart to shop around and find the perfect policy for you.
In general, teen drivers should choose USAA over Farmers: USAA offers average yearly savings of $3,655, compared to Farmers.
RATES BY AGE: FARMERS VS. USAA
| Age bracket | USAA avg. annual premium | Farmers avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $2,864 | $6,518 |
| 20s | $1,261 | $2,020 |
| 30s | $963 | $2,020 |
| 40s | $957 | $1,511 |
| 50s | $889 | $1,507 |
| 60s | $845 | $1,402 |
Affordability aside, USAA and Farmers each have pros and cons, including available discounts, endorsements, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Be sure to get quotes and compare rates before purchasing a policy.
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Ratings comparison: USAA vs. Farmers
Both USAA and Farmers are widely known companies. While everyone is likely to have a slightly different experience with each of these companies, customer and third-party ratings can help give an indication of what can you expect as a policyholder. Below you'll find the compiled results of scores for financial strength, customer complaints and overall customer satisfaction.
| Ratings comparison | USAA | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength (A.M. Best) | Superior | Excellent |
| JD Power (claims satisfaction) | Excellent | Excellent |
| JD Power (customer satisfaction) | Excellent | Below average |
| NAIC rating | Excellent | Above average |
| The Zebra's editorial review score | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey | 4.6 | 4.3/5 |
Which company scores best?
USAA
As one of the top-rated insurance companies in America, it's no surprise that USAA scores better than Farmers in nearly every category.
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey
To get a better sense of how the overall customer experience, The Zebra conducted an independent survey taking a look at many different factors. Below you'll find the results for each company.
USAA
USAA topped the list as the best auto insurance carrier with an overall score of 4.6, winning in every category except online experience. Here are some other highlights:
- Top-rated overall
- Highly rated by both male and female respondents
- Highly rated by drivers in all age groups
Farmers
Farmers ranked 10th place overall (out of 15). The company consistently ranked near the lower third of companies in most categories. However, the company ranked 6th overall for claims satisfaction, indicating that customers are happy overall with the process.
- Farmers auto insurance placed 10th overall
- Millennial and Gen X respondents rated Farmers higher overall
- Scored highest for claims satisfaction
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey methodology
Findings are based on an online quantitative survey of 4,134 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 2021.
USAA vs. Farmers: discount comparison
Discounts are a great way to bring down the costs of your car insurance. See how discounts from both USAA and Farmers stack up below.
Telematics options: USAA vs. Farmers
USAA and Farmers both offer telematics programs that can help to measure your driving habits and calculate the level of risk you pose. Take a look at our rundown of available options from both carriers below.
USAA SafePilot
SafePilot offers customers the chance to have their driving habits monitored in exchange for cheaper car insurance rates. A discount of 10% is offered just for signing up, with up to 30% savings possible for safe drivers at policy renewal.
Farmers Signal
Farmers Signal is the company's telematics option, offering those enrolled the chance for savings for safe driving habits. The app tracks actions such as hard breaking in order to set a more appropriate rate in accordance with the level of risk you present.
Savings of 5% are offered just for signing up, with a further promise of up to 15% savings for qualifying drivers. The company also offers an additional 10% savings for drivers under the age of 25 who enroll.
Unique amongst telematics programs, drivers enrolled in Farmers Signal — with a driving score of at least 80% — are also eligible to win up to $100 in rewards each month. Be aware that Signal is not available in every state.
Zebra Tip: Explore USAA for telematics offerings
USAA's SafePilot program gets good reviews overall, buoyed by the company's longstanding dedication to customer service. Furthermore, the company scored second place overall for best online experience in The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey, indicating good app and website experiences from users.
Roadside assistance: USAA vs. Farmers
No one wants to be stuck on the side of the road. A good roadside assistance program can get you back on the road quickly. Take a look at each company's roadside assistance options below.
USAA
USAA offers the following roadside assistance services to policyholders:
- Towing
- Flat tire changing
- Fuel delivery
- Jump-starts
- Lock-out service
- Stuck vehicle assistance
Another perk of USAA membership is that these services are also available at reduced rates to policyholders without roadside assistance on their policy.
Farmers
To contact Farmers Roadside Service, call 1-800-435-7764. Farmers covers up to $150 per incident (with special limits in North Carolina, Texas and Virginia) for the following services:
- Towing
- Battery jump start
- Flat-tire change
- Winching services
- Lock-out services
USAA vs. Farmers: home insurance
USAA and Farmers each have popular home insurance options in addition to their auto coverage. Below, we take a look at how the two companies compare.
USAA homeowners insurance review
Similar to USAA's car insurance, customer eligibility is limited to those in the armed forces and their families. Still, the company's coverage remains highly rated and quite popular. Most customers will find the coverage suitable to their needs, with a good number of add-ons and discounts available.
USAA topped every category in homeowners portion of The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey, indicating a strong focus on the customer.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.6/5: USAA topped every category of our homeowners customer satisfaction survey.
- J.D. Power Rating — Among the Best: J.D. Power rates USAA above average in claims and customer service satisfaction.
- Financial strength — Superior: A "Superior" financial strength rating by A.M. Best shows USAA's ability to pay out claims is solid.
- NAIC Rating — Excellent: Regarding USAA, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received relatively few customer complaints when compared to the market median.
Farmers homeowners review
Robust policy options and reasonable rates make Farmers a popular option for homeowners insurance. The company earned roughly average reviews from various third-party reviewers and consumers and placed 7th overall for homeowners insurance in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.3/5: Farmers placed 7th overall in The Zebra's homeowners insurance customer survey.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Average: J.D. Power's property claims satisfaction study for 2021 gave Farmers an average score of 884 out of 1,000.
- Customer satisfaction — (J.D. Power) — Average: Farmers earned an average score in J.D. Power's study of customer satisfaction.
- Financial strength — Excellent: AM Best rates Farmers highly, meaning the company is in good financial shape.
- NAIC Rating — Above Average: Farmers received fewer complaints than did other major homeowners insurance companies.
Which company comes out on top?
USAA
USAA has a strong reputation for taking care of its customers. This, paired with affordable rates and a wide selection of coverage options, makes USAA a great choice for eligible customers.
USAA vs. Farmers: home insurance rate comparison
USAA's average homeowners insurance rate is $127 per month. The average rates for Farmers stand at $155 per month. It's important to note that every company has its own underwriting methods. This means that prices can vary one company to another depending on a number of elements, including both individual and environmental factors. This can include things such as your claims history, area crime and your proximity to fire fighting services. For this reason, it's important to shop around when looking for home insurance quotes.
Cheapest average rates
USAA is cheaper on average, coming in at an average of $127 per month to Farmers' average of $155 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.
USAA vs. Farmers: homeowners discount comparison
Discounts can provide a great way to save for eligible policyholders. See how the homeowners discount options from both USAA and Farmers compare below.
| Discount comparison | USAA | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recent home buyer | ||
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early signing | ||
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid in full | ||
| Early signing | ||
| Auto pay | ✓ | |
| Newer home | ✓ | ✓ |
| Renovated home | ✓ | |
| Senior citizen | ✓ | |
| Career-based | ✓ | |
| Non-smoking | ✓ | |
| Smart home | ✓ |
Zebra tip: Check out Farmers if you are seeking home insurance discounts
Farmers offers more discounts than USAA for qualifying customers, but keep in mind this doesn't necessarily mean that they'll be cheaper for everyone.
Other insurance products and bundling options
USAA and Farmers both offer multiple lines of insurance that can be bundled together. Bundling insurance can streamline your policies and also lead to potential savings. Along with auto and home, customers may have the option to add life, pet or small business coverage from USAA and Farmers. Take a look at the additional policy types available from each company below.
| Other products | USAA | Farmers |
|---|---|---|
| Boat insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Condo insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Life insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Homeowners insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Renters insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| RV insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Motorcycle insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile home insurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Umbrella | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offroad vehicles and ATVs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Classic car | ✓ | ✓ |
| Small business | ✓ | ✓ |
| Farm and ranch | ✓ | |
| Pet | ✓ | ✓ |
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.
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The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
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The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
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The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
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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.