Allstate vs State Farm

Verdict

State Farm and Allstate are the two big agent-first auto insurers, and both are based in Illinois. State Farm, a policyholder-owned mutual, wrote $69.16 billion of private passenger auto premium in 2025 (18.61% of the market) through more than 19,200 captive agent offices. Allstate, a publicly traded company, wrote $37.67 billion (10.14%). It sells through more than 27,400 exclusive agents and also direct, online and by phone. Its National General brand is sold by independent agents. Both are rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best: Allstate affirmed in September 2026, State Farm downgraded to A+ from A++ in November 2025.

State Farm has the stronger satisfaction record. It beat the regional average in nine of 11 regions in the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, against four for Allstate. In the 2025 claims study it scored 716 (tied 8th of 20) to Allstate's 693 (15th). Allstate's advantages are product range and reach. It sells in every state, and Milewise is true pay-per-mile insurance. It also offers Accident Forgiveness and Auto Replacement Protection. Allstate also faces a Texas lawsuit, filed in January 2025, over how it and Arity collected driving data.

Both companies sell through agents, so the deciding factors are the agent, the add-ons and the price. Get quotes from both.

Choose Allstate if

• You drive little and want pay-per-mile pricing through Milewise (21 states and D.C. at the end of 2025).
• You live in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, where State Farm doesn't take new auto customers.
• You want optional Accident Forgiveness or Auto Replacement Protection for a totaled car.
• You want the choice of buying online or by phone instead of through an agent.
• You live in California or New England, where Allstate ranked third in J.D. Power's 2026 study.

Choose State Farm if

• Satisfaction scores carry weight: State Farm was above average in nine of 11 J.D. Power regions in 2026.
• You want a mutual insurer that paid a $5 billion auto dividend in 2026 and cut rates an average of 10% in 40 states.
• You have a driver under 25 who could earn the Steer Clear discount, or a good student (up to 25%).
• You live in New York, where Allstate scored 612 against a 636 regional average in 2026.

Key differences

An agent from either company can quote only that company, so collect both quotes with identical limits and deductibles. Ask whether the telematics program can raise your rate in your state; Drivewise and Drive Safe & Save both re-price at renewal (see telematics programs from the major insurers compared). captive agents vs independent agents vs buying direct explains what a captive agent can and can't do for you.