State Farm charges $2,686 per year for full coverage. Allstate's average runs $3,355 for an identical policy. The $669 gap is the headline most shoppers see, but the picture flips for drivers with credit scores under 580, and the two carriers handle claims differently on the J.D. Power index. This comparison pulls data from four 2026 rate studies and breaks the choice down by driver profile, coverage features, telematics programs, and customer satisfaction scores.
Quick Answer
State Farm beats Allstate on price for most drivers by roughly $669 per year and ranks higher on J.D. Power claims satisfaction (710 vs. 691). Allstate is cheaper for drivers with poor credit, offers accident forgiveness and pay-per-mile, and has a more lenient telematics rate-rise policy in some states. Pick State Farm for clean records and standard profiles. Pick Allstate for poor credit, a need for accident forgiveness, or a preference for online-only buying.
Stats Highlight
- $669/year: average premium gap between Allstate ($3,355) and State Farm ($2,686) for full coverage, per Bankrate 2026 data.
- $2,856 reversal: for a driver with poor credit, State Farm averages $6,814 while Allstate averages $3,958, a swing of $2,856 in Allstate's favor.
- 710 vs. 691: State Farm's J.D. Power 2025 Claims Satisfaction score versus Allstate's, a 19-point gap on a 1,000-point scale.
The Bottom Line: Who Actually Pays Less
State Farm wins on price for clean drivers, married drivers, senior drivers, drivers with one accident, and drivers with a DUI on record. Allstate wins for one specific group: drivers with a credit score below 580. Customer satisfaction also splits, with State Farm leading on J.D. Power claims (710 vs. 691) and the NAIC complaint index (1.35 vs. 2.45 in 2024 data), while Allstate scores marginally higher on its mobile app rollout and offers coverage features State Farm lacks.
State Farm holds 16% of the US auto insurance market as the largest carrier in the country. Allstate sits at 10.4%, ranked fourth. Both write policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Bankrate gave State Farm 4.3 out of 5 stars and Allstate 3.9, the lowest among the four largest carriers it tracks.
Allstate vs. State Farm: Average Rates Compared
Bankrate's 2026 sample driver, a 40-year-old with a clean record and good credit, pays $669 less per year with State Farm. NerdWallet's identical-profile data shows a wider gap of $1,068. The numbers vary by methodology, but every major rate study published in 2026 puts State Farm below Allstate for the standard profile.
| Source | State Farm | Allstate | Allstate Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bankrate | $2,686 | $3,355 | +$669 |
| NerdWallet | $2,124 | $3,192 | +$1,068 |
| AutoInsurance.com | $2,167 | $2,605 | +$438 |
| The Zebra | $2,204 | $2,941 | +$737 |
Sources: Bankrate, NerdWallet, AutoInsurance.com, The Zebra (2026 published rate data). Profiles vary slightly across sources but all reflect a 40-year-old with clean record and good credit on full coverage.
Minimum coverage shows the same pattern. State Farm averages $1,032 to $674 per year depending on the source. Allstate averages $1,262 to $840. State Farm wins on minimum liability by about $200 per year across studies.
Rates by Driving Record
The premium gap widens once a driver picks up a violation. Allstate's rate jump after a speeding ticket is steeper than State Farm's, and the same goes for an at-fault accident. Drivers with a DUI face the largest dollar gap of all common violations.
| Driving Record | State Farm | Allstate | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $2,167 | $2,605 | $2,399 |
| Speeding ticket | $2,345 | $3,428 | $2,511 |
| At-fault accident | $2,917 | $4,243 | $2,812 |
| DUI conviction | $3,151 | $4,824 | $3,305 |
Source: AutoInsurance.com 2026 rate analysis. Allstate's premium over State Farm grows from $438 (clean) to $1,673 (DUI).
After a single ticket, an Allstate customer pays $1,083 more per year than a State Farm customer with the same violation. The accident gap is $1,326, and the DUI gap reaches $1,673. Bankrate's separate data confirms this pattern: after an at-fault accident, Bankrate shows State Farm at $3,384 and Allstate at $4,474, a $1,090 difference. Drivers who already have a violation on record have more to gain from comparing the two carriers, because the dollar gap grows alongside the risk score. For deeper context on how rates jump per violation type, see our breakdown of rates by driving record and our specific guide to rates after an accident.
The Credit Score Reversal: Where Allstate Beats State Farm
State Farm punishes poor credit more harshly than almost any other major carrier. A driver with a clean record but a credit score under 580 pays an average of $6,814 per year with State Farm, according to AutoInsurance.com 2026 data. The same driver pays $3,958 at Allstate, a $2,856 swing in Allstate's favor. NerdWallet's separate analysis confirms the direction: $8,322 at State Farm versus $4,728 at Allstate for the poor-credit profile.
Important: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington restrict or ban credit-based insurance scoring. If you live in one of those states, the credit reversal does not apply, and State Farm remains cheaper.
Drivers with credit scores under 580 should request quotes from Allstate first. Drivers with a 670 or higher score should start with State Farm. For a deeper look at how credit drives premiums and which carriers penalize it least, our guide on car insurance with bad credit walks through the eight carriers that handle low credit best.
Coverage Options: What Each Company Sells
Allstate sells five add-on coverages that State Farm does not offer directly. State Farm covers the basics plus a Payoff Protector for financed cars and an extended rideshare endorsement.
| Coverage | Allstate | State Farm |
|---|---|---|
| Accident Forgiveness | Yes | No |
| Pay-Per-Mile (Milewise) | Yes | No |
| Gap / Loan Payoff Insurance | Yes | Payoff Protector* |
| New Car Replacement | Yes | No |
| Mechanical Breakdown | Yes | No |
| Classic Car Coverage | Yes | Via partner |
| Rideshare Endorsement | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside Assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental Reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
*State Farm's Payoff Protector activates only on State Farm Bank auto loans and covers the gap if the car is totaled.
State Farm prices at-fault accidents into renewal premiums for three to five years, with an average $750 annual surcharge. Allstate's accident forgiveness lets eligible drivers avoid that surcharge entirely on the first at-fault claim, though it costs about $50 to $75 per year as an add-on. Over a five-year surcharge window, accident forgiveness can save a State Farm-equivalent driver roughly $3,375 if a claim happens.
Drivewise vs. Drive Safe & Save: Telematics Compared
Both carriers run usage-based programs, and both pay real discounts to safe drivers. The structural difference matters more than the headline number. Allstate's Drivewise caps discounts at 40% but reserves the right to raise rates at renewal for risky driving in most states. State Farm's Drive Safe & Save caps discounts at 30% and contractually does not raise rates based on the data it collects.
| Feature | Allstate Drivewise | State Farm Drive Safe & Save |
|---|---|---|
| Signup discount | Up to 10% | 5% to 10% |
| Maximum renewal discount | 40% | 30% |
| Can raise your rate? | Yes (in most states) | No |
| Minimum trips required | 50 per six months | None |
| J.D. Power UBI score | 818 / 1,000 | 820 / 1,000 |
| Tracking methods | App + plug-in device | App, OnStar, Hum by Verizon |
Drivers who score well consistently come out ahead on Allstate Drivewise because the renewal cap is higher. Drivers who brake hard, drive late at night, or use their phone while driving may save more total dollars with State Farm because Drive Safe & Save cannot penalize them. For a broader look at how the four major usage-based programs stack up, our telematics insurance discount programs guide compares Drivewise, Drive Safe & Save, Progressive Snapshot, and GEICO DriveEasy side by side.
Customer Satisfaction and Claims Handling
State Farm beats Allstate on every major customer-experience metric tracked in 2025. The J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study placed State Farm at 710 out of 1,000 and Allstate at 691. The NAIC complaint ratio, which measures complaints filed against a carrier relative to its market share, sits at 1.35 for State Farm versus 2.45 for Allstate. A score of 1.00 is the industry baseline, so State Farm receives 35% more complaints than expected and Allstate receives 145% more.
| Metric | State Farm | Allstate |
|---|---|---|
| J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction | 710 / 1,000 | 691 / 1,000 |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 1.35 | 2.45 |
| J.D. Power Shopping Study | 695 / 1,000 | 664 / 1,000 |
| NerdWallet Editorial Score | 4.8 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Bankrate Score | 4.3 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| AM Best Financial Strength | A++ | A+ |
Allstate's digital experience score is a near-tie at 705 versus State Farm's 707, and the Allstate iOS app holds a 4.8-star rating identical to State Farm's. The split shows up in the Android app store, where Allstate sits at 4.0 stars and State Farm at 4.6 across 2025 reviews.
Allstate Pros and Cons
Pros
- Accident forgiveness is available as an add-on, which State Farm does not offer.
- Milewise pay-per-mile pricing can cut premiums 30% to 50% for drivers under 8,000 miles per year.
- Online policy purchase is fully self-service from quote to bind.
- Drivewise renewal discount caps at 40%, the highest among the four largest carriers.
- Mechanical breakdown coverage and new-car replacement are sold as endorsements.
Cons
- Average premiums run 16% to 33% higher than State Farm depending on profile.
- NAIC complaint index of 2.45 is roughly 80% higher than State Farm's.
- Drivewise can raise rates at renewal in most states based on driving data.
- Surcharges after a ticket, accident, or DUI exceed State Farm's by $1,000 to $1,700 per year.
State Farm Pros and Cons
Pros
- National-average premium runs $438 to $1,068 below Allstate's depending on the rate study.
- J.D. Power claims score of 710 ranks first among the four largest carriers.
- Drive Safe & Save contractually cannot raise your rate based on telematics data.
- Steer Clear teen driver program cuts rates up to 15% for drivers under 25.
- 19,000+ local agents nationwide, the largest captive-agent network in the industry.
Cons
- Drivers with credit scores under 580 face premiums up to $4,700 higher than at Allstate.
- Accident forgiveness is not offered as a coverage add-on.
- Quotes require a phone call or agent visit in many states, not a fully online flow.
- Drive Safe & Save caps savings at 30%, lower than Drivewise.
Which Carrier Wins for Your Situation
Match your situation to the row below before requesting quotes from either carrier. The decision flips based on credit, mileage, and claim history.
| Your Situation | Better Carrier | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record, good credit | State Farm | $438 to $1,068 cheaper for a standard profile. |
| Credit score under 580 | Allstate | $2,856 cheaper on average for poor-credit profiles. |
| One at-fault accident | State Farm | Post-accident rate is $1,326 below Allstate's. |
| Want accident forgiveness | Allstate | State Farm does not offer this endorsement. |
| Drive under 8,000 miles/year | Allstate Milewise | Pay-per-mile saves low-mileage drivers 30% to 50%. |
| Want telematics with no rate-rise risk | State Farm | Drive Safe & Save cannot increase your premium. |
| Prefer buying fully online | Allstate | Online bind is available; State Farm often requires agent contact. |
| Want a local in-person agent | State Farm | 19,000+ captive agents, the largest network nationwide. |
| Teen driver in household | State Farm | Steer Clear program cuts teen rates up to 15%. |
| DUI on record | State Farm | $1,673 cheaper than Allstate post-DUI. |
How to Get an Accurate Quote from Both
Request quotes from State Farm and Allstate with identical coverage levels to make the comparison apples-to-apples. Use 100/300/100 liability limits as your starting point, set a $500 collision deductible, and match comprehensive deductibles too. Misaligned deductibles or coverage tiers can swing quotes by $200 to $400 per year and skew the comparison.
Pull both quotes within the same 14-day window so the carriers run the same credit check and the same MVR. For Allstate, run the quote at allstate.com or through an agent. For State Farm, expect to finish the quote on a phone call with an agent in most states. Ask each rep specifically about Drivewise or Drive Safe & Save, multi-car, multi-policy, and good-student discounts. Comparing two carriers head-to-head is the single biggest savings lever; for more tactics, our guide on how to insure your vehicle efficiently covers 12 specific ways to lower premiums beyond carrier switching.
Related Carrier Comparisons
If you're shopping more than two carriers, three other head-to-head matchups cover the largest insurers in the country. See State Farm vs. GEICO for the cheapest-on-average matchup, GEICO vs. Progressive for the high-volume direct-writer fight, and our full State Farm auto insurance review for a deep dive on what State Farm gets right and wrong as a standalone option. Cross-shopping at least three carriers cuts the average premium by $356 per year, according to J.D. Power's 2024 Insurance Shopping Study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allstate or State Farm cheaper?
State Farm is cheaper for most drivers by an average of $669 per year for full coverage, based on Bankrate 2026 data. The exception is drivers with credit scores below 580, where Allstate is cheaper by roughly $2,856 per year.
Which company handles claims better?
State Farm scores 710 out of 1,000 on the J.D. Power 2025 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study versus Allstate's 691. State Farm also has a lower NAIC complaint index (1.35 vs. 2.45), which means fewer complaints relative to market share.
Does Allstate offer better coverage than State Farm?
Allstate offers five coverage options State Farm does not: accident forgiveness, Milewise pay-per-mile, new car replacement, mechanical breakdown insurance, and a more flexible classic car policy. State Farm's coverage core is competitive but slightly narrower on optional add-ons.
Drivewise vs. Drive Safe & Save: which saves more?
Drivewise caps discounts at 40% versus Drive Safe & Save's 30%. Drive Safe & Save contractually cannot raise your rate based on data; Drivewise can in most states. Strong drivers usually save more on Drivewise. Drivers worried about phone-use or hard-braking penalties save more on Drive Safe & Save.
Does bundling save more at State Farm or Allstate?
State Farm advertises bundle savings up to 23% on home plus auto. Allstate caps its multi-policy discount at 25%. Actual savings depend on your home insurance rate at each carrier, which varies more than auto rates. Get a bundled quote at both before deciding.
Can I switch from Allstate to State Farm mid-policy?
Yes. You can cancel an Allstate policy at any time, and most state regulations require a prorated refund of unused premium. Set your State Farm start date to match your Allstate cancellation date to avoid a coverage lapse, which can push rates up 9% at the next renewal.
Sources
- Bankrate, Allstate, GEICO, Progressive and State Farm Compared (2026)
- NerdWallet, Compare Allstate, GEICO, Progressive, State Farm (2026)
- AutoInsurance.com, Allstate vs. State Farm Rate Analysis (2026)
- The Zebra, State Farm vs. Allstate: Who Is Cheaper & Better (2026)
- WalletHub, Allstate vs. State Farm Editor Comparison (2026)
- J.D. Power, 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
- NAIC, Consumer Information Source (Complaint Index Data)
- AM Best, State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Company Financial Rating