VerdictLab

State Farm vs Allstate

State Farm is the cheaper of these two on the published averages. Whether that makes it the better buy depends on three things the price never tells you.

State FarmWinner
State Farm
7.4
Good
2 of 3 rounds
vs
Allstate
5.8
Weak
0 of 3 rounds

The verdict

State Farm takes it, 2–0 on rounds.

On averages State Farm is cheaper by about $885 a year — but get your own quote from both, because the published averages disagree with each other by nearly as much as they differ from one another.

Choose State Farm if…

  • • You want State Farm's lower average rate
  • • You want a telematics programme that cannot raise your rate

Choose Allstate if…

  • • You want Allstate's particular strengths
  • • You drive well and will accept being monitored

Round by round

  1. Round 1What you actually payState Farm wins
    State Farm9/10

    $2,030

    average annual full-coverage premium

    • Cheaper on the published averages
    • Figures from independent rate studies
    • Your own quote may differ sharply

    Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies

    Allstate5/10

    $2,915

    average annual full-coverage premium

    • Rates vary widely by driver
    • Figures from independent rate studies
    • About $885/yr more on average

    Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies

    About $885 a year apart — and State Farm is the cheaper one.

  2. Round 2Being tracked for a discountState Farm wins
    State Farm8/10

    30% max

    Drive Safe & Save — discount only, never an increase

    • Cannot be used to raise your rate
    • Opt-in
    • Advertised maximum is rarely reached
    • Typical real saving is nearer 10%

    Source: https://www.insuremojo.com/telematics-insurance-discount-programs/

    Allstate5/10

    40% max

    Drivewise — can increase your rate

    • Advertised up to 40%
    • Opt-in
    • Bad driving can increase your premium
    • Typical real saving is nearer 10%

    Source: https://www.insuremojo.com/telematics-insurance-discount-programs/

    State Farm can only discount you. The other one can charge you more.

  3. Round 3Size, reach and who you deal withTie
    State Farm7/10

    largest auto insurer in the US, agent-based

    market position

    • Established national carrier

    Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies

    Allstate7/10

    major national insurer, agent-based

    market position

    • Established national carrier

    Source: https://www.usnews.com/insurance/auto/cheapest-car-insurance-companies

    Both are big enough to pay a claim. That is the floor, not a feature.

State FarmState Farm
Allstate

Side by side

State FarmBest for size, reach and who you deal withState Farm
Overall score
7.4
Best
5.8
Price
See price
See price
Size, reach and who you deal with
7.0
7.0
Being tracked for a discount
8.0
5.0
What happens when you claim
6.0
6.0
What you actually pay
8.2
5.0
Head-to-head findings
Size, reach and who you deal with
largest auto insurer in the US, agent-based
major national insurer, agent-based
Being tracked for a discount
30% max
40% max
What happens when you claim
no standout record
no standout record
What you actually pay
$2,030
$2,915
Record
Head-to-head record
8–0
0–6
Head-to-heads won
100 %
0 %
Rounds won
44 %
10 %
Pros
  • Rates vary widely by driver
  • Figures from independent rate studies
  • Anyone can buy it
  • Established national carrier
  • Rates vary widely by driver
  • Figures from independent rate studies
  • Advertised up to 40%
  • Opt-in
Cons
  • About $497/yr more on average
  • Advertised maximum is rarely reached
  • Typical real saving is nearer 10%
  • Not a leader on claims satisfaction
  • About $885/yr more on average
  • Bad driving can increase your premium
  • Typical real saving is nearer 10%
  • About $855/yr more on average
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