Overview
State Farm Insurance Cos., a group of insurance and financial services companies, is one of the top home and auto insurers in the U.S. But State Farm also offers mutual funds, retirement plans, banking, credit cards and loans. Its main arm, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., a mutual insurance company, is owned by its policyholders, who collect dividends.
One recent flap of note was over an ad that depicted a man deciding to ride his bike to work because of high gas prices. The pitch -- to save money by using State Farm instead of implementing cost-cutting measures like biking to work -- rubbed many viewers the wrong way and the company discontinued the campaign. In 2008 it took its brand image into uncharted waters for the company when it sponsored A&E's reality TV show, "Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force," which featured carjackings (a departure for an auto insurance company) and one of its agents.
Information from State Farm: The Faces of State Farm ®