Comments on: State Farm vs. Farmers vs. All State? which is best?

By: Aaron J

Aaron J — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:37:59 +0000

Good luck!!
With all these companies you are captive! Meaning you can only write within the company. Which at times gets a little hairy, because no company is cheapest in all lines.

Farmers has high diversity and multi-policy discount, with descent prices (especially in commercial lines). The only thing is there motorcycle insurance sucks!! They offer a lot of help to new agents that others do not. Such as matching commissions, office subsidy, employee assistance (reimbursing your employee’s salary) they offer these for different lengths of time, with different limits for the first few years as careering agent.

With my experience independent agents say it’s best to be independent, but starting off you might join with a company, for the support.

As for Farmers having a bad name, Farmers and State Farm are often confused. I have found, they both have those who hate them. If you do your checking you will find of the Katrina claims, State Farm and Allstate held more than 50% of the housing market followed by Nationwide, a lot of people are mad about that! So make sure of your sources, any bozo can make a web site and say pretty much whatever they want.

Good Luck…
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By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:15:59 +0000

State Farm, Farmers, Allstate and Nationwide are all companies in which you would be a "Captive Agent" meaning you can only write business for their particular company.
A suggestion…look into an Independent Agency. In general, they are more work but you would make more money and you have the opportunity to shop from many insurance companies including Allied (the independent agent side of Nationwide) and Allstate’s independent agent side, as well as The Hartford, Safeco, AIG, Sentry, Progressive and the list goes on. You must be appointed by each company which can be hard if you just start out yourself but you can buy part of an independent agent’s book of business or if you have the funds, buy the whole agency.
I am an independent agent myself and my in-laws started the agency 13 years ago with just one company and now they have built quite a legacy. It is great being able to offer your customers many different options, not just one.
Good Luck!
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Independent Agent

By: Warrior

Warrior — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:07:59 +0000

Allstate is certainly not the best insurance company out there. On the contrary it is one of the worst. Allstate and Farmers are probably the worst insurance companies out there due to their claim denying and lowballing. Of these I would consider State Farm or Nationwide.

Make sure to review the following sites
References :
Farmers Insurance Agent Information
http://www.farmersinsurancegroupsucks.com/farmersinsurance_agent_employee.htm

Farmers Insurance Rated Worst
http://www.farmersinsurancegroupsucks.com/rated_worst.htm

Farmers Agent Site
http://www.farmers-online.com/

Allstate sucks
http://www.allstateinsurancesucks.com/

By: sdmr41

sdmr41 — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:55:59 +0000

Currently a agent of Sate Farm …. and close friend is a Allstate agent. As you know the market is very fierce compition. I love state farm…but you do not technically "own" the book of business where as Allstate you own the book because you buy the book of business so it would be yours to sell. State Farm offers great programs and very satisfied with the position I’m in.
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By: car

car — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:06:59 +0000

I used to work for Statefarm and I loved the company (just not the agent I worked for…lol) they offer good programs and good training as well as support from upper management. It might be worth investigating the options in your area. However, I might be a little biased.

No matter which company you are looking at, check and see if they are writing all lines of business in your area, and if they have ever stopped offering any lines in your area. There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to offer services to customers, especially when you’re starting out!
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By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:43:59 +0000

I am an agent of Nationwide so this will be a biased answer. Go to joinnfn.com and read about their marketing plans to expand their market. With the products they offer, they are highly competitive with not only insurance companies, but investment companies as well. If you really want to expand your business, all the tools are in place at Nationwide. Ron, ChFC
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