The insurance industry in the U.S. is highly competitive and dynamic. Numerous players compete, each doing their best to sign up as many customers as possible and widen their market share.
Major insurance companies continuously compete for market dominance by offering competitive rates and excellent customer service. In the auto insurance industry, for example, consumers often compare Geico vs. Progressive, State Farm vs. Progressive, and other providers. According to recent data, State Farm is the largest auto insurance company, with 16.8% of the market share, followed closely by Progressive, Geico, Allstate, and USAA.
For customers, choosing the right coverage can be an uphill task amid the numerous cases of insurance fraud. And comparing coverage and pricing among top insurance companies can make the selection process even more confusing.
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Number of State Farm reviews – 1.3K |
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State Farm rating* - 1.5⭐⭐ |
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Claimed losses - $6M |
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Successful calls – 9%/1.2K |
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Resolved issues - 10 |
Key Insights:
- According to State Farm Insurance reviews, customers express concerns about extended claim processing, insufficient customer service, agent-related problems, and unanticipated hikes in premiums.
- While the State Farm cancel policy is relatively straightforward and offers multiple ways, policyholders have challenges when seeking refunds.
- State Farm claims can be submitted online, via mobile applications, and by the phone. Depending on the method chosen, specific procedures must be followed after selecting the type of claim.
In this article, we weigh the pros and cons of State Farm Insurance to help you determine if it is the right coverage for you. We check company ratings and explore consumer insights and reviews on Pissedconsumer.com.
State Farm Insurance Rating and Satisfaction Score
State Farm Insurance rating is 1.5 stars out of a possible 5. Most of the reviewers are dissatisfied with the company. As of the date of writing this article, 90 % of all reviews left are negative, and only 3% are positive.
Customers frequently call State Farm Insurance customer service regarding products and services, payments and charges, activations and cancellations, among other issues. So far, 1.2K calls have been made to State Farm Insurance, but only 9% of the problems have been resolved.
Below is an overview of State Farm Insurance’s pros and cons, as depicted by reviews on PissedConsumer.com.
State Farm Insurance pros
According to the positive State Farm Insurance reviews, several customers were pleased with the customer service agents, saying they were helpful. For example, in review #5121654, the customer stated:
She helped so much! So so much. Fabulous!
The top State Farm Insurance pros include:
- Pleasant local agents
- Competitive rates
- Come with a great beginning quote
State Farm Insurance cons
On the other hand, some customers were so displeased with State Farm Insurance that they warned others against signing up for their coverage. As such, some reviewers’ recommendations read: “Don’t use State Farm”, “State Farm is a joke”, and “Don’t inconvenience yourself” among others.
Below are State Farm Insurance cons:
- Poor customer service
- Difficulty getting a refund
- Failure to honor claims
- Raising rates
- Unresponsive and incompetent staff
What Are Top Complaints in State Farm Insurance Reviews?
The numerous State Farm Insurance reviews highlight various complaints. The most common State Farm complaints include lengthy claim processing, unsatisfactory customer service, issues with agents, and unexplained premium increases, among others. Below is a detailed look at each of the top customer complaints.
Lengthy claim processing
One of the most prevalent grievances among State Farm Insurance customers is the lengthy claim processing. Many policyholders expressed frustration over delays in accepting their State Farm claims and being compensated.
In some cases, State Farm Insurance cites negligence on the part of the policyholder and denies the claim. Other possible reasons for delays in processing claims include procedural complexities, high claim volumes, and operational inefficiencies.
Such delays can cause customers to experience not only anxiety but also financial burdens. For example, in one of the State Farm complaints, the reviewer shared their experience. They experienced difficulties claiming water damage to their house. Despite persistence, State Farm first claimed negligence and then released an insufficient payment, citing excessive contractor charges for cabinet repainting. The claim handler failed to follow up, leaving the customer dissatisfied:
And that's where we are. After over 11 months of delays and foot dragging by State Farm I am waiting for my cabinets to be painted…they still can't get they're act together to finish this one final detail
It took the reviewer posting a State Farm Insurance complaint on PissedConsumer.com and "filed a complaint with the AZ DIFI" to have their issue finally resolved.
Unsatisfactory customer service
On their Contact Us page, State Farm Insurance provides various ways to contact their representatives depending on the issue at hand. These include separate phone numbers for different types of claims, emergency road services, insurance payments, technical issues, and more.
You could also log in to your account, fill out a contact form, and submit it. An alternative way of contacting State Farm Insurance customer service is posting your question or complaint on their X feed or sending them a direct message on X or Facebook.
However, customers report numerous issues with the State Farm Insurance customer service. Its rating on PissedConsumer is 1.2 stars out of 5. In their reviews, customers often describe the State Farm Insurance customer service as “poor,”“disrespectful,” no help,” ‘bad,” “not sympathetic,” etc.
Frequently, customers do not get a response or meaningful help on their issues when they reach out, as is the case with one of the company’s policyholders:
Despite multiple attempts to reach out to my State Farm claim team, I have not received any meaningful assistance from the staff or even a simple acknowledgment of my claim... My damages occurred October 6th. Today is December 18th, 2023.
Such treatment made the reviewer think that the insurance provider “does not value customer satisfaction or take its responsibilities seriously.”
In complaint #4990389, another customer expressed concerns about the decreasing availability of auto body and service shops “willing to work on State Farm cars” in El Paso, Texas. As a result, the reviewer had to pay for the shops themselves because, as they stated:
State Farm is next to impossible to reach. they absolutely do not care about anything except saving money
Issues with agents
State Farm Insurance prides itself on having a network of agents across North America who offer customers personalized assistance. However, based on customer reviews, most policyholders do not get the help they need from agents.
In some cases, the agents are non-responsive, challenging to reach, or unhelpful. For example, in State Farm Insurance review #5522635, the policyholder expressed their frustration due to:
Been waiting over 4 months for agent keeps loosing paper work never calls back.
As a result of the incident, they reported a loss of $20,000.
Unexpected premium increases
There are also multiple complaints about unexpected premium increases. These premium increases catch the policyholders off guard, causing financial strain, as illustrated in one of the State Farm complaints. The reviewer states that the company
increased our monthly premium by nearly $100 (from $170 to $262) without any warning or justification.
After trying to figure out the reasons for the increase, the insurance provider attributed the hike to missing licensing proof but failed to produce evidence of requesting it:
I asked them to produce evidence of requesting such documentation, but of course, they failed to do so as it never happened.
Despite a six-month wait to review the documents and provide an update, the customer was left without a premium refund.
How to Cancel State Farm Insurance?
If you are wondering how to cancel State Farm Insurance, their cancellation policy allows you to cancel your policy by phone, mail, or in person.
Canceling policy by phone
The State Farm cancel policy outlines the steps to undertake to cancel by phone:
- Call your local Insurance agent or 1-800-782-8332
- Provide your policy number, name, and date of birth.
- If you are canceling because you sold your vehicle, you may be required to provide proof of sale.
- In some states, you may be required to inform the DMV of the cancellation or change in your auto insurance.
- Cancellations by phone are effective immediately, but you can schedule a later date.
Canceling insurance policy by mail
According to State Farm cancel policy, to cancel by mail, follow these guidelines:
- Send your letter at least fourteen days prior to your desired cancellation date.
- Include your name, address, phone number, policy number, and the requested policy end date.
- If switching insurers, provide the new name, policy number, and start date.
- Sign, date, and send the letter to:
Corporate Headquarters
State Farm Insurance
One State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, IL 61710
Canceling insurance policy in person
Visit a company’s location near you with the relevant documentation. You will find a local agent who will guide you through the cancellation process.
Despite the stipulated procedures on how to cancel State Farm Insurance, some customers have difficulty getting a refund as evidenced in review # 4876523. In this video review, long-time customers who held both auto and home insurance for over 17 years express frustration over the inability to receive a refund for a canceled auto policy. Although the amount at stake is modest - $677.80, the insurance company's dismissive treatment and "runaround" approach toward its loyal clients deeply upset them:
Each time it [refund] was reissued there is a waiting period of up to 30 days. It is now three months since we cancelled the policy and no check!
How to File State Farm Insurance Claims?
You can file State Farm claims online, via mobile app, or by phone. You have to choose the type of your claim and then take certain steps for each option.
Filing a claim online
According to the official website, filing a claim online usually takes around 10-15 minutes. You must complete the online form by choosing the claim type, answering the questions, and submitting additional information if required. Ensure you have all the relevant information, such as where and when the incident happened and other data based on the type of claim you are filing.
Filing a claim via phone
To file State Farm claims via phone, call 800-SF-CLAIM (800-732-5246) or contact your local agent. They will provide you with the required steps.
Filing a claim through the mobile app
To initiate State Farm claims using the app, follow these steps:
- Install and log in to the State Farm App if you haven't already done so.
- On the menu at the bottom of the home page, select "Claim."
- In the new window, select "File a New Claim."
- You will be led through a series of questions. Answer them in detail and provide any required documents.
- Submit the claim.
- One final step is to manage claim notifications. Scroll to the bottom of the claim page, and under "Claim Notifications," select manage. Turn on the notifications for claims updates.
Tips for filing State Farm Insurance claims
Below are tips to ensure a smooth State Farm claims process:
- Contact the company promptly after an incident that requires a claim. As mentioned above, you may file a new claim via app, online, or through a local agent.
- Provide accurate information about the issue. Take photos and videos of the scene to support your claim. When making a claim, provide information about the location, date, time, and any relevant occurrences surrounding the incident.
- Review your policy to confirm what is covered and what is not.
- Follow up on your claim regularly. Keep in touch with your agent or call the State Farm Insurance customer service regularly for updates on the claim’s progress. The official website also has a feature to track claims that you can use to check progress.
- Keep records of all communication throughout the process, including emails, receipts, phone calls, etc.
Is State Farm Insurance Right for You?
Different customers have varying experiences with State Farm Insurance. While some were satisfied, others were not. Those who gave five stars were content with the customer service and the price range of coverage.
On the contrary, the majority of reviewers on PissedConsumer.com were dissatisfied, citing poor customer service, lengthy claims processing, the company's failure to pay claims, and refund issues following cancellations, among other concerns.
To determine if State Farm Insurance is the right choice for you, research the company intensively to assess its reliability. Check reviews and ratings on different platforms for a well-rounded perspective on customer satisfaction. Also, request a quote and compare it with offerings from other insurance companies.
What has been your experience with State Farm Insurance? You may leave a review on Pissedconsumer.com to share your insights and opinions.
*Disclaimer: Ranking and statistics are based on our users’ review texts and PissedConsumer posters’ reviews. Also, a company’s rating is calculated using a mathematical algorithm that evaluates the information in the profile, including users’ rating, the number of resolved issues, the number of company’s responses, etc. The algorithm is subject to change in the future.
Legal disclaimers:
- While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide any legal, medical, accounting, investment or any other professional advice as individual cases may vary and should be discussed with a corresponding expert and/or an attorney.
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