Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Reviews: What Customers Have to Say

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance is a major provider of insurance products in the state of Indiana. With nearly 100 years of history, it has established itself as a household name for Hoosiers looking to protect their vehicles, homes, farms, businesses and more.

But how good is Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance really? In this comprehensive review, we’ll take a close look at customer experiences and ratings to see where this company shines and where it falls short.

Overview of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance was founded in 1934 to serve the state’s farming community. It is a subsidiary of the Indiana Farm Bureau, which advocates for agriculture in the state.

Today, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance offers a full range of insurance products including:

• Auto insurance
• Home insurance
• Life insurance
• Farm insurance
• Crop insurance
• Business insurance
• Renters insurance
• Umbrella insurance

The company provides coverage across Indiana through a network of local agents. It promotes its close community ties and knowledge of local conditions as a key advantage.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance collects nearly $1 billion in premiums annually. It is the largest property and casualty insurer domiciled in Indiana.

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Reviews on Third-Party Sites

We examined Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance’s ratings and reviews on two major consumer review sites: WalletHub and the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Here’s an overview of what customers are saying:

WalletHub Reviews

On WalletHub, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance has a 3.9 out of 5 rating based on 110 customer reviews. The most common complaints include:

• Difficulty getting claims approved and/or delayed payouts
• Poor customer service
• Unclear policy coverage
• Unexpected premium increases
• Billing issues

Positive reviews praise Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance for having competitive rates and good local agents. But negative reviews seem to outweigh the positive, especially regarding claims experiences.

Better Business Bureau Reviews

At the BBB, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance has an A+ rating but just a 1.69 out of 5 customer review rating based on 26 reviews. Again, customers largely complain about claims denials and delays as well as poor customer service.

Positive BBB reviews focus on having knowledgeable agents and smooth experiences filing minor claims. But major claims seem to be where Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance falters in many customers’ eyes.

Clearly claims handling is the biggest pain point identified across both review sites.

Common Complaints Against Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Looking closely at all the Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance reviews, we identified the following as the most prominent issues:

1. Denied insurance claims

By far, the top complaint is having difficulty getting claims approved and paid out. Numerous customers describe long delays and outright claim denials, even when fault seems clear based on police reports. Some had seemingly minor claims denied over what they considered technicalities.

For example, one customer had their detached garage claim denied because they parked their car in an attached garage instead. Another had their roof claim denied because the damage was considered wear and tear when they believed it was storm damage.

2. Poor customer service

Multiple reviews cite rude treatment by claims agents who seemed indifferent to their situation. Others had trouble even getting claims agents to return calls in a timely manner. Overall, the consensus is the level of customer service and empathy declines sharply once it’s time to file a claim.

3. Lack of transparency about policy coverage

Some customers were caught off guard and frustrated to find damage they expected to be covered was denied. In particular, several had issues with non-repair-related costs like rental cars not being covered when they assumed they would be.

4. Unexpected premium increases

A number of customers complained their premiums increased significantly out of the blue. In some cases, it was due to undisclosed rating factors, while others ascribed it to changing formulas for calculating risk. Either way, these customers felt blindsided by suddenly higher premiums.

5. Billing issues

Finally, several customers cited problems with incorrect bills, double payments, and fees stemming from billing errors. The issues were eventually resolved but often not without frustration and wasted time on the customer’s part.

Positive Feedback on Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

While negative reviews outweighed positive on third-party sites, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance does have some happy customers as well.

Here are some of the most common compliments:

• Smooth claims process for minor claims: Customers with claims for glass repair, vandalism, etc. often describe quick payouts and good service. The issues seem limited to major claims.

• Competitive pricing: Many customers highlight Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance offering some of the lowest rates they could find in the state.

• Helpful local agents: Multiple reviews praise agents for taking the time to explain policies and ensure customers have the proper coverage.

So Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance appears to excel at serving customers who don’t have to file major claims. But those who do seem much more likely to be left dissatisfied.

How Does Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Compare to Alternatives?

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance is far from the only option for insurance in the state. How does it stack up against some of the top alternatives?

Allstate: Allstate has a solid 4 out of 5 rating with over 14,000 reviews on WalletHub. It scores higher than Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance for claims satisfaction in particular. But its pricing is less competitive.

Liberty Mutual: Liberty Mutual has a 3.5 out of 5 WalletHub rating based on over 5,000 reviews. It also edges out Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance on claims handling but may not beat it on cost.

State Farm: State Farm is the #1 insurer in Indiana by market share. It has nearly perfect 5 out of 5 ratings from over 15,000 reviews on WalletHub. State Farm is praised for claims service but is one of the pricier options.

GEICO: GEICO has an excellent 4.7 out of 5 rating on WalletHub with over 18,000 reviews. It’s competitive on price with Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance but has far superior scores for customer service.

American Family: Comparable in size to Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, American Family gets a 4 out of 5 WalletHub rating. It offers competitive pricing along with a smoother claims process based on reviews.

The takeaway is there are numerous alternative insurers that score higher for claims handling and customer satisfaction. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance pricing is competitive but doesn’t stand out as exceptionally cheap either.

Is Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Right for You?

Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance has room for improvement when it comes to claims and customer service, based on reviews. But for the right customer, it can still be a good option.

Here’s who should consider Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance:

Drivers seeking low rates: Cost-conscious customers can benefit from Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance’s competitive premiums. Just be sure to understand exactly what coverage limits you need.

Customers with simple insurance needs: If you just need basic liability or minimum required coverage, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance provides decent no-frills policies.

Familiarity with local agents: Having an agent you know and trust can resolve issues before they escalate to the claims process. Loyal Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance customers cite this advantage.

However, you may want to look at alternatives if:

• You want great customer service and claims handling.
• You have prior claims denied for unclear reasons.
• You need more customized or comprehensive coverage.

The Bottom Line on Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

With a long history in Indiana, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance is a household name. Its prices are affordable, especially for basic policies. However, based on reviews, claims and customer service leave much to be desired.

If you value low rates above all, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance delivers. But you can likely find better treatment as a customer from competitors like State Farm and GEICO without sacrificing too much on cost. Do your research to determine what insurer best fits your needs and budget.