Company Overview: Organized in 1922, State Farm was started to support the auto insurance needs of farmers in Illinois. Owned by its customers, State Farm became the largest auto insurer in the U.S. by 1942. Today, State Farm Insurance covers about one fifth of all autos in the U.S.
In addition to auto insurance, State Farm now underwrites policies for life insurance, health, long term care and homeowners insurance. In 2000 State Farm Bank was founded to provide banking services through their agents, the Internet, or by phone.
State Farm Insurance has maintained stability and financial accountability despite the current economic downturn and the hardships its policyholders have endured in the past. After a recent survey by the Mississippi Department of Insurance studying State Farm’s 2-year post Hurricane Katrina claim handling, officials concluded that State Farm had settled the majority of claims quickly and satisfactorily. This level of performance was despite the enormous number claims and dollar amount State Farm had to manage.
Website: http://www.statefarm.com/
Website Overview: Statefarm.com loads quickly and provides an abundance of relevant auto insurance information through an easily followed navigation scheme. Prominent on the home page is the link to obtain a free insurance rate quote. The pull-down menu reveals that State Farm offers rate quotes for auto, health, homeowners, renters, life, and long term care.
Most surprising was the FastEstimate feature with which a one-car driver can get a free auto insurance rate quote without providing any personal information. The service boasts, and lived up to, a 60-second or less response time. State Farm has streamlined its services and presents them in a friendly and easy to use website.