How much Auto insurance does my state require?

To ensure everyone on the road is covered in case of an accident, most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of Liability insurance, or establish financial responsibility in some other way. Drivers must also have the ability to provide proof of insurance to register or renew a driver’s license. This is the case for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles. You may want to consult with your Farmers agent and visit DMV.org to learn about your state’s unique requirements.

How much Auto insurance do I need?

Most states require you to carry a minimum amount of Liability insurance and also provide proof of insurance to register a vehicle or renew your license. In the case of an accident, the minimum Liability insurance required by the state may not be enough coverage to pay for the damages that result after an accident. In this case, the driver responsible for the accident may have to pay additional expenses out of pocket. To determine how much Auto insurance you need, consider:

• The value of your assets
• How and when you drive
• What you drive
• Who is in the car with you

How can I compare Auto insurance quotes?

Looking for Auto insurance quotes can be confusing. When you get an Auto insurance quote from Farmers, we will guide you every step of the way to help you choose the amount of insurance that you determine to best fit your needs. Farmers can also compare rates with other top companies in just minutes to see who is offering the best price.

How do insurance companies assess my risk?

Insurance companies assess your risk by using a Risk Assessment Indicator, which is a numerical score based on credit report information. These Risk Assessment Indicators are highly predictive of future claim activities, helping insurance companies charge a rate that is appropriate for the risk of the insured individual.

What can I do to lower my Auto insurance costs?

While there are a number of factors that contribute to the cost of your premium, there are some things you can do to help reduce it. The car you drive will greatly affect your premium. To lower your Auto insurance costs, you may consider switching automobiles and driving a safer, slightly older, or less valuable vehicle. The more your vehicle is worth, the more it can cost to insure it. If you don’t want to change cars, you can modify your vehicle to make it safer or lower-risk by adding anti-theft devices or features like anti-lock brakes. In addition, selecting a higher deductible and ensuring that your coverage doesn’t lapse may help you keep your Auto insurance costs down.

If you don’t want to change or modify your car, you can also consider changing your driving habits. Your driving record is one of the most important factors considered when determining your premium. You can also try cutting down on the miles you drive and getting other insurance policies with Farmers to save you money.

How do I find the best Auto insurance for me?

Deciding on an Auto insurance policy can seem overwhelming. It is important to choose a local agent who can help match you with just the right coverage for you and your vehicle. When getting an Auto insurance quote from Farmers, a local Farmers agent will help you every step of the way to choose an Auto insurance policy that makes sense for you.

How do I find the lowest Auto insurance rate for me?

To find the most affordable Auto insurance policy for you, take the time to compare insurance providers to see who can save you the most money while providing you the most value. Many insurance companies combine low rates with discounts to provide lower premiums for young drivers. Farmers even offers a Good Student Discount to qualifying young drivers with good grades. And drivers who have multiple insurance policies with Farmers can save, as well. Talk to your local Farmers agent to see what money-saving tips they have for you when choosing an Auto insurance policy.

Why do insurance companies use my prior insurance information?

Some insurance companies may review your history of insurance coverage with previous auto carriers to determine whether you qualify for coverage and others may use it to establish your premium or to determine whether you are eligible for discounts. This information also verifies whether you have had continuous auto liability insurance coverage and your prior liability coverage limits. Prior insurance information is often used to predict the likelihood of future accidents and coverage lapses. For additional information, please contact your Farmers agent.

How does my local fire department impact my homeowner’s policy?

Each fire protection agency (including your local fire department) is reviewed by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and ranked based on their fire protection services, such as fire equipment, staffing and available water supply. The ranking is called the Public Protection Class (PPCTM) with 1 being the best score and 10 being the worst score. Many insurance companies use the PPC rating and the distance your home is from the nearest legally responding fire department to determine whether they will insure your home and how much to charge. For more information on PPC, please visit www.isomitigation.com or contact your Farmers agent.

What is LOCATION® FireLine™ and how does it affect my homeowners insurance?

Depending on the location of your home, the risk of wildfire may be a significant concern. If you live in the western United States, the number of wildfires is increasing and the exposure to damage for homes near a high risk area is substantial.

Several insurance companies use a detailed rating and eligibility tool called LOCATION® FireLine™ from Verisk Analytics. This tool helps insurers assess wildfire risk at the address level. It uses advanced remote sensing and digital mapping technology to determine the impact of three factors that contribute to wildfire risk: fuel, slope and road access. In California, FireLine also identifies risks exposed to wind-borne embers.

Your property’s FireLine score can potentially impact not only your ability to obtain homeowners insurance coverage, but also the amount of premium you pay for your insurance policy.

If you live in or near an area with an increased wildfire risk, it is important to reduce the risk and improve the overall safety of your home. To learn more about your home’s FireLine score and the steps you can take as a homeowner to reduce your exposure to wildfires, please visit http://www.veriskclimate.com/solutions/riskscape/wildfire-risk-scoring-fireline or contact your Farmers agent.

How much would it cost to rebuild my home at today's prices?

Your home is probably the single largest investment you'll ever make. By insuring your home, you are helping to protect your investment.

Estimating the cost to rebuild your home will help you decide the amount of insurance you’ll want to purchase. The primary factors that’ll determine the cost to rebuild your home include:

• Local construction costs
• The square footage of your home (and the number of bathrooms and other rooms)
• The type of exterior wall construction – frame, masonry (brick or stone) or veneer
• The type of roof
• The number of floors (one to four stories, bi-level or split level)
• Special features like attached garages, fireplaces, exterior trim and arched windows
• Quality of materials and finishes throughout the home

Can you provide some tips for estimating the value of my home?

Here are some tips to help you estimate your home's value: Every year, take the time to check the value of your insurance policy against rising local building costs. Your Farmers agent is available to assist you with your review of your coverage.

• Check the latest building codes in your community. If your home is severely damaged, you might have to rebuild it to comply with new building code standards which may require a change in design or building materials.
• Do not insure your home for the market value. The cost of rebuilding your house may be higher (or lower) than the price you paid for it or the price you could sell it for today.
• Some banks require you to buy homeowners insurance to cover the amount of your mortgage. Make sure it's also enough to cover the cost of rebuilding.
• Increase the limit of your policy if you make improvements or additions to your house. You may upgrade features in your home to fit your tastes and lifestyle. These enhancements can significantly increase the replacement cost of your home. Your Farmers agent will be available to help you in your determination as to whether additional coverage is needed.
• We also have a number on online tools to help you calculate your home insurance needs. If you have questions about the amount of insurance coverage for you, consult your local Farmers agent.

What would it cost to replace the contents or personal belongings of my home?

If the unexpected happens, losing your home contents could be distressing as well as financially devastating. Your Farmers homeowners, Townhouse, Condo and Renters policies cover the loss of your personal belongings, subject to the policy limits and conditions. There are two distinct ways to insure your personal possessions:

• Replacement cost coverage. This coverage pays you the dollar amount needed to replace personal property without any deduction for depreciation, but is limited to a maximum dollar amount.
• Actual cash value. This coverage pays you an amount equal to the replacement value of damaged property minus depreciation. Unless a homeowners policy specifies that property is covered for its replacement value, the coverage is for actual cash value.

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the amount you’re responsible for in the event of a covered loss. In most covered loss cases, you are responsible for any amounts up to your deductible level and your insurance would cover anything beyond that up to your coverage limit. For example, if you select a $1,000 deductible and have a $4,200 covered loss, you would receive a claim payment of $3,200 after deducting the $1,000. A homeowners deductible applies to each claim. If you have more than one claim in a policy period, you will be responsible for the deductible amount for each individual claim regardless of the number of claims you have during that policy period.

What are the different types of home insurance deductible options?

For home policies, there are three common types of deductibles:

• A flat deductible is a specific or fixed dollar amount; for example, $2,500.

How is my premium affected by selecting a higher or lower deductible option?

If you select a higher deductible, you will be responsible for paying more out of pocket. However, you’ll typically pay a lower policy premium. The opposite is true if you select a lower deductible option: because the insurer will pay a larger portion of any loss, you’ll typically pay a higher policy premium. A Farmers agent can review available deductible options with you to help you decide what option you may want.

How do I know what deductible applies to my policy?

The deductible you choose will be listed on your Declarations page. You can also view your policy deductible online through your Farmers.com account. For additional questions, please contact your Farmers agent.

Is my optional equipment covered?

You’ll want to know if your custom seat, paint job or special chroming are covered if they aren’t included as standard by the manufacturer. A good policy will give you a set amount of coverage included with your comprehensive coverage, with the ability to purchase more.

Do I have coverage for my safety apparel?

Helmets, leathers, gloves and any other clothing designed to minimize injury are considered safety apparel. Be sure to discuss what this coverage includes with your agent. Typically damage to safety apparel is covered, but theft is not. Check with your agent.

Is there some type of first accident waiver available?

Insurance companies support safe driving and will sometimes offer a first accident waiver to loyal customers with a good driving history. If you are insured by a company for a certain amount of time and have no other at-fault accidents within a designated time frame, then some insurance companies will waive your first at-fault accident.

What kind of higher limits are available for Liability coverage?

Liability coverage is important in case you are found responsible for someone else’s injury while driving your motorcycle. Having the option for higher limits is a plus, considering attorney fees and other costs associated with litigation can increase quickly. Based on their financial situation, many people try to match their motorcycle liability limits to the liability limits they have on their automobile.

What discounts are available?

Discounts will help you save money on the premium you pay for your policy. You may qualify for a multi-policy discount if you insure more than just your bike with the same company. Specifically for motorcycles, you may be able to get discounts for taking safety courses, having an airbag or anti-lock brakes, or for being a preferred operator.

What payment plans are available?

Whether you want to pay in full or in installments, the flexibility to choose is a good option to have. Talk to your agent. Insurance companies offer many different plans such as one-pay, four-pay or ten-pay options.

Does Farmers offer Roadside Assistance?

Especially in today’s society with cell phones, towing and roadside assistance is a great coverage to consider for your motorcycle. For a small cost, you can obtain coverage in case you get stranded while touring the countryside so you won’t be forced to leave your bike on the side of the road unattended while you go find help.

What kinds of Auto insurance discounts does Farmers offer?

Farmers offers many Auto insurance discounts to help keep your auto insurance premiums as low as possible. Discounts vary by state. Some of the types of discounts available include:

• Auto/Home: You can save money on both auto and homeowners insurance by purchasing both of these policies from Farmers.
• Good Student: Drivers under 25 years of age who are full-time students in high school or college and have good grades may qualify.
• Multi-Car: If you own two or more vehicles and insure both of them with Farmers, you may qualify for the Multi-Car discount.
• Alternative Fuel - Owners who drive hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles may save 5% on all major coverages.

What kinds of Home insurance discounts does Farmers offer?

Depending on your state, Farmers offers a variety of Home insurance discounts to help you save. For example, you can save with:

• Multi-Line Discounts (Auto/Home, Home/Life) – insure your Auto, Home and Life with Farmers and receive discounts on bother your Auto and Home insurance.
• Non-smoker discount – save if you have a non-smoking household.
• Business/Professional Group Discount – a discount on your Home policy will apply if you are employed with or retired from an approved occupation or professional group and meet the eligibility criteria.
• And more!

How do I submit documents to ensure my policy coverage and discounts reflect my choices?

Understanding the coverage and discount options that are available can help you make smarter choices and possibly save you money. Your local Farmers agent can review your policy and help you choose the right options for you. In order to maintain the coverage you've selected and ensure all discounts are included with your policy, certain documents need to be completed and submitted as soon as possible. Here are some of the documents that you may need to provide in order to maintain your coverage and discounts:

• Application of Insurance
• Subscription Agreement
• Coverage selection/rejection forms
• Verification of your occupation
• Report cards/transcripts for the immediately preceding term or cumulative GPA for youthful drivers (auto insurance)
• Verification of the year of replacement of your home's roof, heating, electrical or plumbing systems (homeowners insurance)

Where can I pay my bill?

Farmers offers a number of convenient ways to pay your bill:

• Pay your bill online: It's easy to make a one-time payment or set up automatic payments from your Farmers.com account for your personal auto, home or umbrella policies.

What type of payments can I make online?

You can make online payments with your bank account or credit/debit card for personal auto, home and umbrella policies, and for commercial policies. If you have your policy number and zip code, you can get started here.

What payment methods can I use?

You can make payments from a checking or savings account, or with Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express® and Discover® credit or debit cards.

How do I make an online payment?

To make an online payment without logging in to a Farmers.com account, you can click here.

To make an online payment while logged in to your Farmers.com account, click Pay Bill for the desired account. Modify Payment Amount and Payment Date if you wish. Then select or add the Payment Method you want to use and click Continue. If you need to modify any payment information, click Cancel to go back to the previous step. When everything looks correct, click the Payment Authorization checkbox and click Submit Payment.

You will receive an immediate confirmation message for each payment you submit. Shortly after making your payment, you'll also receive an email confirmation.

When entering my payment method, where can I find my bank's routing transit number and my checking account number?

Look at the bottom of your check. Most banks print a nine-digit routing transit number on the left and your checking account number on the right. Please contact your bank with any questions about your routing or account numbers.

How do I view my payment history?

To view your payment history, log in to your Farmers.com account, click Payments and select View Payment History from the menu.

After I authorize a payment, when is it processed?

Processing begins on your payment date. Funds are typically withdrawn from a bank account within one to three business days. Charges to your credit card are usually completed on your payment date.

How do I cancel a scheduled payment?

Log in to your Farmers.com account, click Payments and select View Payment History from the menu.

On the Payment History page, select the billing account for the scheduled payment you wish to cancel and click Cancel This Payment. Click Yes in the popup to complete the cancellation. Your payment status will now show Cancelled.

You may only cancel a payment while it's still in Scheduled status — generally up to one business day prior to the payment date.

Please note when cancelling a scheduled payment that an alternate payment may be needed to keep the account current.

What is a payment method?

A payment method is a bank account or credit/debit card you can use to make a payment online. A payment method can be stored on your Farmers.com account for the next time you want to pay online.

How do I set up a payment method?

You can set up a payment method in your Farmers.com account by clicking on Add Payment Method when you select Make a Payment, Set Up Automatic Payments or Manage Payment Methods from the Payments link. Choose Add Payment Card or Add Bank Account, enter required account information, accept terms and conditions, and click Save. You will now see your payment method listed on the page.

How do I pay my bill and manage my policies online?

To pay your personal Auto and Home insurance bill, you can quickly register for My Farmers. You'll need to supply your policy number, last name, date of birth and email address to get started.

Where can I find my policy number?

Your Policy Number is a unique number assigned to each insurance policy. Your Policy Number can be found on:

• The Evidence of Insurance or Identification Cards.
• The Declaration Page of your Insurance Policy.

What if I don't have an email address?

We use your email address to correspond with you about your billing account and your policy. If you do not have an email address, you can create an account at gmail.com or yahoo.com.

It says I have an active account but I do not.

Only owners of an active Auto policy may register for a My Farmers account. Listed drivers are not applicable.
If you are a policy owner and not just a listed driver on the policy, please contact Farmers Consumer Solutions to verify your policy information.

Why should I register for My Farmers?

If you are a personal Auto or Home insurance policyholders, My Farmers allows you to conveniently manage your policies and securely pay your bills online. Register for My Farmers to:

• Pay your bill online
• Schedule payments in advance
• View your monthly billing statement
• View your payment history
• Print your evidence of insurance
• View your policy information
• Request changes to your policy
• Report and check the status of claims

I need more help recovering my account information.

For assistance, contact: Farmers Consumer Solutions
1-888-327-6335
Mon-Fri 7:00am to 11:00pm Central Time
Sat-Sun 8:00am to 8:00pm Central Time

How do I report a loss?

You can let your Farmers agent know, but to get the claims process rolling fast, enter your claim on Farmers.com, the Farmers Mobile App, or call Farmers Claim Services at 1-800-435-7764 (English, Spanish and hearing-impaired)

What does Farmers Claim Services offer?

Our award-winning Farmers Claim Services team is staffed with caring professionals, available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you through the claims process.