If you’re a Wyoming or Montana driver on the hunt for a local insurance company, a car insurance policy with Mountain West Farm Bureau may be worth looking into. Branded as a customer-focused local business, Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company is a solid option for state residents seeking personalized customer care. Since 1948, the company has served the needs of farmers and, more recently, local individuals, families, and businesses.
In this review, we'll take a close look at the insurer, considering things like coverage options, cost, and customer reviews to help you make an informed decision about your next auto insurance provider.
In this article:
- About Mountain West Farm Bureau
- Mountain West Farm Bureau Coverage
- Mountain West Farm Bureau Cost And Discounts
- Mountain West Farm Bureau Reviews
- Our Take On Mountain West Farm Bureau: 4.0 Stars
- Recommended Providers
- FAQ: Mountain West Farm Bureau
About Mountain West Farm Bureau
- Mountain West Farm Bureau is part of the Farm Bureau Federation, a national members organization that supports farmers and rural communities.
- Mountain West is a multi-line insurance company, meaning you can bundle different types of insurance for a lower annual premium.
- Mountain West maintains a small-business operation with 170 employees based out of Laramie, Wyoming. Main branch offices are located in Billings, Montana, Bozeman, Montana, Helena, Montana, and Casper, Wyoming.
- Free perks like roadside assistance are included with policies.
The positives of choosing Mountain West Farm Bureau – like cost-saving options and friendly representatives – balance out with a handful of negatives. The credit rating agency AM Best gives Mountain West Farm Bureau a financial strength rating of B++ (Good). This is not a terrible score, but it's lower than many national providers. Additionally, several customer reviews mention a complex claims process and occasionally unresponsive customer service.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), in 2019, Mountain West Farm Bureau wrote over $90 million in premiums in Montana and $100 million in premiums in Wyoming.
We’ll take a deeper look into what you need to know about Mountain West Farm Bureau below and whether it’s your best bet to stay safe on mountain and country roads.
Mountain West Farm Bureau Coverage
Mountain West Farm Bureau offers its members a number of standard policy options as well as some add-ons and options. According to mwfbic.com, you can choose from five different types of auto insurance:
- Liability Car Insurance
- Comprehensive Car Insurance
- Collision Coverage
- Medical Coverage
- Underinsured/Uninsured motorist
Keep in mind that as a company serving Wyoming and Montana, Mountain West Farm Bureau specializes in helping you fulfill each state’s required auto insurance minimums. The company also offers other insurance products that you can bundle with your policy, including life insurance, home insurance, renters insurance, business coverage, farm coverage, and annuity management for financial peace of mind.
Montana requires bodily injury and property damage liability at 25/50/20 limits. This means that you need at least $25,000 in bodily injury per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $20,000 in property damage per accident. Requirements for auto insurance in Wyoming are 25/50/20. Wyoming and Montana are also both at-fault states, meaning that medical expenses are paid by the at-fault driver's insurance company.
Here is a basic rundown of coverage options offered by Mountain West Farm Bureau:
| Standard Coverage Options | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Details | Additional Notes |
| Liability | Covers bodily injury and property damage to others and their vehicles when you are at fault | No deductible |
| Comprehensive | Repairs or replaces your car when damaged from a non-collision event like theft or vandalism | Includes windshield chip repair and car rental costs of $50 in the case of theft |
| Collision | Covers damage to your own vehicle in the event of a collision | |
| Medical Payments | Covers reasonable medical or funeral expenses for each occupant of your vehicle | No deductible |
| Uninsured and Underinsured Driver | Pays for damages caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver’s negligence | |
| Emergency Roadside Assistance | 24/7 assistance for towing, jump starts, flats/spares, winching, lockout services, and fuel delivery through Agero | Coverage up to $250 |
| Premier Coverage Options | ||
| Coverage | Details | Additional Notes |
| Rental Car Expenses | Rental coverage for covered comprehensive events, collisions, or theft | Up to $1,000 |
| Glass Breakage | Lower deductible for glass breakage | $100 deductible |
| Personal Property | Covers you or your passenger’s personal property damage in a covered comprehensive or collision event | Up to $500 |
| Pet Protection | Covers vet or funeral costs in a covered comprehensive or collision event | Up to $1,000 |
| Meals and Lodging | Coverage for meals and lodging when a covered accident occurs more than 100 miles from home | Up to $500 |
Mountain West Farm Bureau also offers specialty coverage for equipment you want to protect. This includes car features like:
- Custom wheels or paint
- Lift kits
- Toppers
- Lights
- Handicap equipment
- And more
Mountain West Farm Bureau Cost
You can begin the quotes process for Mountain West Farm Bureau Insurance online, but it will eventually lead to a one-on-one chat with your local agent. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Wyoming comes in at one of the lowest-cost car insurance states in the United States, with Montana only slightly behind. Here are insurance averages for both states:
| State | State Average Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| Montana | $2,214 |
| $1,499 |
The company determines your monthly premium and deductibles based on typical factors such as your type of car, your location, history of accidents and traffic violations, and your age. To help you get a better idea of where your own rates might fall, here are estimates from top providers for a few different driver profiles:
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Rate Estimate |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,013 |
| State Farm | $1,339 |
| Geico | $1,352 |
| Progressive | $1,397 |
| Nationwide | $1,533 |
| Allstate | $2,429 |
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Rate Estimate |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,807 |
| Geico | $2,077 |
| Nationwide | $2,227 |
| Progressive | $2,514 |
| State Farm | $3,616 |
| Allstate | $3,765 |
| Car Insurance Company | Annual Rate Estimate |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,422 |
| Geico | $1,627 |
| State Farm | $1,765 |
| Progressive | $2,029 |
| Nationwide | $2,293 |
| Allstate | $2,959 |
Mountain West Farm Bureau Discounts
According to the company's website, www.mwfbi.com, Mountain West Farm Bureau also offers several cost-saving deals for lowering your monthly payments. These programs include discounts for:
- Safe Drivers: Accident-free drivers for three or six years
- Good Students: Student drivers with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Low Mileage: Those who drive their cars less than 7,500 miles a year
- Multi-Car: Those with more than one car on their insurance plan
- Patriots: Both for military members or those who have taken a military-sponsored defensive driving course
- Seniors: Members over 55 who have completed a defensive driving course
- Loyal Customers: Drivers who have been with their current plan for 3, 6, or 10 years
- Homeowners: Those with home insurance from Mountain West Farm Bureau
Mountain West Farm Bureau Reviews
As is the case with many smaller insurance companies, local reviews tend to be more positive than those reported to large sites like the BBB. Many customers express enthusiasm for their individual agent and the personalized care provided during the setup and claims processes with Mountain West Farm Bureau.
Since firsthand reviews are always the best window into a company's customer service, we’ll cover a few highs and lows among customer experiences with Mountain West Farm Bureau:
“My agent is wonderful and explains everything to me very clearly. It's nice having an actual person to turn to when I have a question about my policy.”
- Jennessa J. via Google
“They have competitive rates and are willing to take the extra time to answer any questions you have. I highly recommend Farm Bureau to anyone looking for insurance or assistance with financial services.”
- Cindy G. via Google
“I spent hours on the phone trying to get the issue straightened out once they agreed to address the issue at all.”
- Anonymous via BBB
Additional reviews discuss general complications when making changes to plans. Past customers reported being charged for cars after removing them from their plan or canceling their service altogether. As was the case with the claims process, communication is key. If you opt for Mountain West Farm Bureau, be sure to find an agent you feel comfortable with before getting started.
Our Take On Mountain West Farm Bureau: 4.0 Stars
Individuals in Wyoming and Montana can depend on Mountain West Farm Bureau for personalized service with caring local agents. The company provides thorough coverage options and opportunities to save money. However, we do offer a word of caution about the claims process after hearing that many customers have had issues resolving claims in the past.
To see what else is out there for you Wyoming and Montana residents, enter your zip code into our free tool below.
Recommended Providers
If you’re on the fence about Mountain West Farm Bureau, you can also check out some of our top picks from our recent survey of 30 of the industry’s best car insurance companies for 2021. Coming in first and second place were USAA and Geico, two large organizations that have a long history of offering affordable and reliable insurance plans to all 50 states.
USAA: 4.8 Stars
The main difference between the two companies is eligibility. USAA auto insurance is only offered to members of the military and their families. This often means that it’s left off major rankings by J.D. Power despite receiving high scores. Both Montana and Wyoming, however, have large populations of veterans, so this could be a great choice if you’re looking for the best car insurance for veterans or a personalized plan for people who share a community.
Top perks of USAA include:
- Both traditional and unique coverage including roadside assistance and accident forgiveness programs
- Extensive discount opportunities
- Personalized customer service
- Helpful website and mobile app
Read more in our full review of USAA insurance.
Geico: 4.6 Stars
Coming in right behind USAA is Geico auto insurance, the agency with commercials starring a now-widely recognizable gecko. Its marketing may be light-hearted, but its plans and customer attention really impressed our team during our recent study. In addition to standard coverage, here are a few things that caught our eye:
- Roadside assistance operable from a mobile app
- Extensive discounts, including those for basic car safety features, student drivers, and military members
- Easy and efficient claims process with easy-to-use technology options
- An above-average number of positive customer reviews
Read more in our full review of Geico insurance.
Get Quotes
We recommend speaking directly to a representative at a few companies while shopping around for the best quote. You can also check out our recent review of USAA vs Geico if you need help deciding between the two companies.
Whether you choose Mountain West Farm Bureau as your local Wyoming and Montana favorite or go with a larger, nationwide company, the best insurer for you often comes down to which company you can turn to and trust when accidents occur.
Whenever you shop for car insurance, we recommend getting quotes from multiple providers so you can compare coverage and rates. In addition to the insurance company you choose, factors such as your age, vehicle make and model, and driving history can affect your premium, so what’s best for your neighbor might not be best for you.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of auto insurance providers to formulate rankings of the best insurers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Insurers with strong financial ratings and customer-first business practices receive the highest scores in this category.
- Availability: We consider availability by state as well as exclusions for specific groups of drivers.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of insurance available, maximum coverage limits, and add-on policies.
- Cost and Discounts: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of drivers in every state. Companies with lower prices and many car insurance discount opportunities receive the best scores.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and consumer feedback studies from experts like J.D. Power.
- Technology: Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs.
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