State Farm

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A major U.S. mutual insurance group best known for auto, home, property and life insurance.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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First read: Nov 4, 2026
Latest read: Nov 4, 2026

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Overview

State Farm is a group of mutually owned insurance companies headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in June 1922 by retired farmer George J. Mecherle, the organization initially focused on automobile insurance for farmers. Its mutual structure meant that the business was owned by policyholders rather than public shareholders, while its rural orientation allowed it to pursue rates that were intended to be more attractive than those commonly charged to urban motorists. Over time, State Farm expanded from a specialized automobile insurer into one of the largest property and casualty, auto and life insurance groups in the United States. The brand operates primarily through an exclusive-agent model. State Farm agents generally sell State Farm products rather than competing insurers’ policies, and the company’s captive distribution network has been central to its local, relationship-based identity. Agents sell and service products covering automobiles, homes, renters, condominiums, landlords, businesses, personal liability and life insurance. The company has also offered financial-services products, including banking, investment and retirement-related services, although these activities are distinct from its core insurance operations. State Farm’s public identity has been shaped strongly by advertising. The phrase “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there” became one of the best-known insurance slogans in the United States, supported by a musical jingle written by Barry Manilow in 1971. Campaigns such as “Get to a Better State,” “State of…” and the recurring “Jake from State Farm” character translated the company’s agent model into humorous, easily recognizable situations. In 2020, actor Kevin Miles assumed the Jake role in a broader campaign that placed the character alongside celebrities and entertainment properties. State Farm has also used sports sponsorships, including naming-rights relationships associated with State Farm Stadium in Arizona and State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The organization has periodically broadened and simplified its operations. It entered banking in 1999 through State Farm Bank, which provided services remotely rather than through a traditional branch network. State Farm later reduced or transferred some international activities. Its Canadian insurance operations were sold to Desjardins Group in 2014, with policy underwriting transferred in 2015 and the State Farm Canada branding ultimately replaced by Desjardins Insurance during a transition completed by 2019. State Farm remains a large U.S. insurer with a broad agent network and substantial consumer recognition. Its recent operating environment has been affected by severe weather, wildfire exposure, rising repair and construction costs, regulatory constraints and changing insurance economics. In California, the company announced in 2023 that it would stop accepting new homeowner policies, citing wildfire risk and higher construction costs. In 2025, it sought an emergency increase in California property-insurance rates after losses associated with Southern California wildfires. These developments illustrate the tension between State Farm’s broad consumer distribution model and the increasing difficulty of pricing catastrophe-exposed property risks.

History

State Farm began in June 1922 when George J. Mecherle, a retired farmer, established a mutual automobile insurer in Bloomington, Illinois. The original concept was tailored to farmers, who were viewed as lower-risk drivers than many urban motorists. Because the company was owned by its policyholders, it could organize around mutual insurance principles rather than the expectations of public equity investors. Automobile insurance remained the foundation of the business, but the brand’s local-agent system gradually gave it a broader presence across the United States. During the twentieth century, State Farm expanded into additional personal-lines categories, including homeowners, renters, property and life insurance. Its exclusive agents became the principal interface between the company and customers. This distribution system differentiated State Farm from independent-agent insurers: State Farm agents were associated with one insurer and generally sold the company’s own portfolio. The model supported a highly visible neighborhood-oriented identity and helped connect national advertising with local sales and claims service. State Farm’s advertising became a major part of its history. The company’s “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there” jingle originated in the 1970s and developed into a durable brand asset. In the 2010s, campaigns such as “Get to a Better State” and “State of…” used humor to portray customers facing ordinary mishaps and then contacting an agent. The 2011 “State of Unrest” commercial introduced the original Jake from State Farm, initially portrayed by employee Jake Stone. The character was later reimagined with actor Kevin Miles beginning in 2020, allowing the campaign to incorporate sports figures, actors and other cultural references. State Farm also moved beyond traditional underwriting. In 1999, State Farm Bank began offering remote banking services, including deposit accounts and mortgages, through digital, telephone and agent channels rather than a conventional branch network. The broader organization has maintained affiliated insurance, investment and financial-services entities, although insurance remains its defining business. The company’s international footprint changed significantly in the 2010s. State Farm transferred its Canadian insurance business to Desjardins Group in 2014. Policies moved to Desjardins underwriting in 2015, while the State Farm name continued temporarily in agent and marketing contexts. The Canadian operation was progressively rebranded as Desjardins Insurance, with the transition completed by 2019. State Farm has also adjusted its physical and organizational footprint in the United States. In 2017, it announced plans to leave 11 facilities as part of an effort to streamline processes. At the same time, the company continued to maintain a large employee and agent base and to invest in digital customer service. Sports sponsorships and naming rights, including State Farm Stadium and State Farm Arena, reinforced its national visibility. In the 2020s, catastrophe exposure became a major strategic issue. State Farm announced in May 2023 that it would stop issuing new homeowners policies in California, pointing to wildfire risk and escalating construction costs. In February 2025, following severe Southern California wildfires, it asked regulators for an emergency average rate increase of 22% for certain California property lines. The proposed changes included separate increases for renters, condominium owners and rental dwellings. These actions reflect wider pressure on property insurers as climate-related losses, rebuilding expenses and regulatory approval processes affect underwriting capacity and pricing. Leadership also changed during this period. Michael L. Tipsord, who had served as chairman and chief executive of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, announced his retirement for 2024. Jon Farney, previously the company’s chief financial officer, succeeded him as president and chief executive. State Farm therefore entered its second century as a large, privately held mutual insurer balancing a long-established agent-and-neighbor identity with digital distribution, catastrophe management and regulatory challenges.

2024
Jon Farney becomes chief executive
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
Jon Farney succeeds Michael L. Tipsord as president and chief executive of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.
2023
New California homeowners policies are discontinued
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
State Farm announces that it will stop accepting new California homeowners policies because of wildfire risk and higher construction costs.
2020
Kevin Miles becomes Jake from State Farm
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
Kevin Miles takes over the Jake character in a national advertising relaunch first aired around Super Bowl LIV.
2014
Canadian operations are transferred to Desjardins
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
State Farm sells its Canadian insurance operations to Desjardins Group, beginning a transition that ultimately replaces the State Farm Canada brand.
2012
The tri-oval logo is redesigned
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
A simplified logo is introduced to mark the company’s 90th anniversary and update its visual identity.
2011
The “Get to a Better State” and “State of…” campaigns launch
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
State Farm introduces humor-driven advertising built around common problems, agent assistance and the brand jingle.
1999
State Farm enters banking
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
State Farm Bank begins offering remote banking and mortgage services through online, telephone and agent channels.
1971
The signature jingle is created
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
Barry Manilow writes the “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there” jingle, which becomes a central brand asset.
1922
State Farm is founded
[1]State Farmen.wikipedia.org
George J. Mecherle establishes State Farm as a mutual automobile insurer serving farmers and other lower-risk motorists.

Products and positioning

Mass-market, relationship-led insurance distributed through an extensive exclusive-agent network, combining familiar national branding with locally delivered service.

Personal lines insurance · 1922
Auto insurance
State Farm’s original and most recognizable business is automobile insurance. The product is sold and serviced through the company’s exclusive-agent network and is aimed at individual drivers and households. Its long-standing association with motorists, roadside support and local agents is central to the brand’s market identity.
Property insurance
Homeowners insurance
Homeowners insurance covers residential property and associated risks for eligible customers. It is one of State Farm’s major personal-lines offerings, although availability and underwriting conditions vary by state. In California, the company announced in 2023 that it would stop accepting new homeowners policies because of wildfire exposure and rising construction costs.
Property insurance
Renters and condominium insurance
State Farm offers insurance for renters and condominium owners, addressing personal property and related liability or unit-specific risks. These products are part of the company’s broader household-insurance portfolio and are distributed through its agent network.
Life insurance
Life insurance
Life insurance is provided through State Farm life-insurance affiliates and complements the company’s property and casualty offerings. It extends the local-agent relationship into protection and financial-planning needs, although specific policy types and availability depend on jurisdiction and underwriting.
Financial services · 1999
Banking and financial services
State Farm expanded into financial services in 1999 through State Farm Bank. The bank offered products such as checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money-market accounts and mortgages through remote channels rather than branch offices. These services were separate from State Farm’s insurance products.
Roadside assistance service
State Farm Safety Patrol
The State Farm Safety Patrol operates with participating highway authorities in selected areas. Patrol personnel assist stranded motorists with services such as fuel, radiator fluid and engine oil, while also helping clear road hazards and reduce the duration of traffic incidents. Coverage is limited to participating roads and regions.

Controversies

2026
Oklahoma couple sues Insurance Commissioner over unreleased State Farm roof claims investigation
An Oklahoma City couple, Craig and Elizabeth Gutierrez, filed a lawsuit against Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready seeking the release of a state investigation report into how State Farm handles roof claims from Oklahoma policyholders. The couple, who were denied a new roof after 2024 hail damage, say the report is overdue and could reveal critical information in their two-year legal battle with State Farm. Commissioner Mulready said an independent examiner has not yet submitted the final report.
Source
State Farm racketeering class-action settlement
A class-action case involving State Farm included allegations that the company used corporate influence and financial relationships with organizations connected to Illinois legal and judicial affairs. The litigation concluded with a reported $250 million settlement. The allegations and settlement should not be treated as proof that every asserted claim was established.
Source

2025Batman vs. Bateman
United States
State Farm used Batman, Jason Bateman, Jake from State Farm and other DC-related characters in a campaign contrasting the superhero Batman with the actor Bateman.
Outcome. Expanded the brand’s entertainment-led advertising strategy through a high-profile pop-culture partnership.
Source
2024Like a Good Neighbaaa
United States
A Super Bowl advertisement used Arnold Schwarzenegger’s difficulty pronouncing “neighbor,” with Danny DeVito and Jake from State Farm completing the joke.
Outcome. Selected by USA Today’s Ad Meter as the top advertisement of Super Bowl LVIII.
Source
2020Jake from State Farm relaunch
United States
Kevin Miles reimagined Jake from State Farm in a campaign that retained the red shirt and khakis while placing the character in celebrity collaborations and genre parodies.
Outcome. Extended the character into a major contemporary brand spokesperson.
Source
2015The Hoopers
United States
A family-centered series used NBA players including Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Kevin Love, Kevin Garnett and Damian Lillard to present State Farm as a helpful household neighbor.
Outcome. Connected the brand with basketball audiences and celebrity-led entertainment.
Source
2011Get to a Better State
United States
Humorous commercials portrayed customers dealing with everyday misfortunes before a State Farm agent appeared to help resolve the problem.
Outcome. Strengthened the connection between the national brand promise and the local-agent model.
Source
2011State of…
United States
The campaign dramatized recognizable emotional or domestic situations, including the “State of Unrest” commercial that introduced the original Jake from State Farm.
Outcome. Created a durable advertising character and a widely repeated pop-culture reference.
Source
1971Like a Good Neighbor
United States
The campaign built State Farm’s identity around a neighborly promise of availability and assistance, supported by Barry Manilow’s memorable jingle.
Outcome. Became one of the most recognizable insurance advertising platforms in the United States.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Emergency California property-insurance rate requestPrice change
Background
State Farm said payouts connected with the January 2025 Southern California wildfires had increased financial pressure on its California insurance operations.
Action taken
The company requested regulatory approval for an average 22% rate increase, including proposed increases of 15% for renters and condominium owners and 38% for rental dwellings.
Aftermath
The request required regulatory review. The supplied material also refers to earlier approved increases and another pending request, but does not establish the final disposition of every filing.
Requested average California rate increase. 22% average increase; 15% for renters and condominium owners; 38% for rental dwellings (Requested effective May 1, 2025)
Source
2023
Withdrawal from new California homeowners policiesStrategy
Background
The company cited wildfire risk and increasing construction costs as pressures on California property insurance.
Action taken
State Farm announced that it would stop issuing new homeowners policies in California.
Aftermath
The decision reduced the availability of new State Farm homeowner coverage in a major insurance market and highlighted the effect of catastrophe risk on underwriting.
Source
2017
Facility-consolidation planStrategy
Background
State Farm announced plans to streamline processes and reduce its physical operating footprint.
Action taken
The company planned to exit 11 facilities in the United States.
Aftermath
The plan formed part of a broader effort to improve operating efficiency; the supplied sources do not specify the complete employment or cost impact.
Source
2014
Transfer of Canadian insurance operations to DesjardinsM&A
Background
State Farm elected to transfer its Canadian insurance business as part of a change in international operations.
Action taken
The Canadian business was sold or transferred to Desjardins Group, with policies moving to Desjardins underwriting in 2015 and the brand transition completed by 2019.
Aftermath
Desjardins Insurance replaced State Farm branding in Canada, while State Farm concentrated its principal insurance operations in the United States.
Source

Recent events

2026.10.30
Reported2026.10.31
UVA Health acquires former State Farm operations center[6]UVA Health收购前State Farm运营中心augustafreepress.com
UVA Health acquired the 365,000-square-foot former State Farm operations center on Pantops for a gross purchase price of $48.3 million. The acquisition is intended to free up capacity at University Hospital for inpatient care.
2026.08.19
Reported2026.08.19
Oklahoma couple sues Insurance Commissioner over unreleased State Farm roof claims investigation[3]Oklahoma couple sues Insurance Commissioner over unreleased State Farm roof claims investigationnews9.com
An Oklahoma City couple, Craig and Elizabeth Gutierrez, filed a lawsuit against Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready seeking the release of a state investigation report into how State Farm handles roof claims from Oklahoma policyholders. The couple, who were denied a new roof after 2024 hail damage, say the report is overdue and could reveal critical information in their two-year legal battle with State Farm. Commissioner Mulready said an independent examiner has not yet submitted the final report.
2022.02.16
Reported2022.03.02
State Farm sues Tesla over alleged battery fire[4]Oklahoma couple sues Insurance Commissioner over unreleased State Farm roof claims investigationwglt.org
State Farm sued Tesla in federal court in Indiana, alleging that a faulty electrical system design caused a Tesla Model S to catch fire while parked and charging. State Farm is seeking to recover at least $1.271 million it paid to the family under its insurance policy; the allegations are claims in the lawsuit.
Unconfirmed
Reported2021.03.19
State Farm sues At Home Auto Glass over windshield claims[5]Oklahoma couple sues Insurance Commissioner over unreleased State Farm roof claims investigationtampabay.com
State Farm sued At Home Auto Glass, accusing the company of fraudulent windshield replacement claims and seeking $1.4 million in damages. The article also reports that the case was closed on September 30, 2024, after a judge issued summary judgment in favor of At Home Auto Glass.
2020.10.01
Reported2020.10.01
State Farm teams up with fire department for Fire Prevention Week[7]State Farm与消防部门合作支持消防预防周mhflsentinel.com
State Farm Agent Chip Raines and the Honeoye Falls Fire Department teamed up to support Fire Prevention Week; State Farm agents were delivering campaign toolkits to fire departments, including Honeoye Falls.
2020.07.16
Reported2020.07.16
Screenvision Media announces State Farm and Kraft Heinz sponsorships of summer drive-in movie series[8]Screenvision Media宣布State Farm和Kraft Heinz赞助夏季汽车影院电影系列prnewswire.com
Screenvision Media announced State Farm and Kraft Heinz as the sole sponsors of its summer drive-in movie series. State Farm will be the presenting sponsor, and Kraft Heinz will sponsor the intermission between double-features.
2020.02.04
Reported2020.02.05
State Farm announces $30 million Pathways for the Future initiative[9]State Farm 宣布 3000 万美元 Pathways for the Future 计划wglt.org
State Farm announced a $30 million Pathways for the Future initiative on the Arizona State University campus. The workforce development program targets high school and community college students and working adults.
2019.12.06
Reported2019.12.06
WUKY and God’s Pantry Food Bank teamed up on a child-hunger initiative[10]WUKY与God’s Pantry Food Bank携手开展儿童饥饿救助项目uknow.uky.edu
WUKY teamed up with God’s Pantry Food Bank and named sponsors on a holiday-season initiative under which donations to WUKY would result in food backpacks for children in Fayette County, up to 2,000 backpacks.
2019.10.15
Reported2019.10.15
Telemundo adds sponsors to the Latin American Music Awards[11]Telemundo为拉丁美洲音乐大奖新增赞助商nexttv.com
Telemundo signed Boost Mobile, Ford, L’Oreal Paris, State Farm, Verizon and Universal Studios Hollywood as new corporate sponsors of the Latin American Music Awards.

Sources12 sources

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