Starting its business in 1928, one year before the Great Depression, Farmers Insurance opened its doors in a small office in Los Angeles. John C. Tyler and Thomas E. Leavey both came from farming families. They started by going from farm to farm to sell policies, with the goal of providing quality insurance at a reasonable price. Throughout the Great Depression, Farmers Insurance was the only insurance company to pay out cash to policyholders instead of IOUs. After an earthquake hit Los Angeles in the 1930s, and Farmers paid to cover damaged cars, it became the first company to offer comprehensive auto insurance.
Over the years, Farmers has changed with the times and requirements of its dynamic customers. It is now a multi-line, multi-company insurer and financial services group that prides itself on excellent and unwavering customer service. The Farmers Insurance Group of Companies comprises three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, and Truck Insurance Exchange) owned by their policyholders, along with their subsidiaries and affiliates.
Farmers Insurance is a leader in disaster relief. Whether an earthquake or a hurricane, the Farmers Mobile Catastrophe Fleet is one of the first on the scene to help the affected communities. “When Hurricane Rita struck Beaumont, Texas, Farmers sent 300 agents to assess damages while policyholders were evacuated. Farmers also donated $100,000 for the city’s emergency operations center and two-megawatt generators that restored power to Beaumont.”
Farmers not only helps its customers plan wisely for the unexpected but also helps restore order when a covered peril occurs to minimize disruption to their daily lives.
