State Farm Sucks!
State Farm Homeowners Insurance in Illinois: A Masterclass in Delay and Denial
State Farm is one of the most recognizable insurance companies in the country, largely thanks to their massive advertising budget. You’ve seen the commercials—cheerful agents helping customers in their time of need, catchy jingles, and that ever-present "Like a Good Neighbor" slogan. But if you’ve ever had to file a homeowners insurance claim with State Farm in Illinois, you might have a different experience.
Because in the real world, State Farm’s claims department is anything but neighborly.
The Reality Behind the Marketing Machine
State Farm spends billions on advertising every year—over $1.2 billion in 2022 alone. That’s more than most insurance companies and almost as much as Coca-Cola. The reason is simple: they want you to believe they’re the most reliable insurance company in the country.
But when disaster strikes—when your home suffers a fire, storm damage, or a major water loss—the money they should be using to pay your claim is instead fueling their marketing machine. Instead of prompt and fair claim handling, what you’re likely to experience is delays, underpayments, and outright denials.
How State Farm Handles Claims in Illinois
It’s not the policy wording that makes State Farm problematic—it’s how they execute the claims process in the back office. Here’s what actually happens when you file a claim:
- Delays, Delays, Delays
Illinois homeowners often find their claims dragging on for months.
Adjusters are constantly "reviewing" your file but never making a decision.
Documents are "misplaced" or "never received," forcing you to resubmit them multiple times.
Phone calls go unanswered, or you’re bounced around from one rep to another.
This is a well-known tactic: the longer they delay, the more desperate you become, and the more likely you are to accept a lowball settlement.
- Underpayments and Lowball Offers
Even when a claim is approved, the payout is often far below what it should be.
They send out adjusters who downplay the damage.
They use outdated pricing databases that don’t reflect real repair costs.
They refuse to pay for proper repairs, instead offering just enough for a band-aid fix.
Homeowners who push back often face more delays or sudden "re-evaluations" that reduce their payout even further.
- The "Engineering Report" Scam
One of State Farm’s favorite tricks is hiring biased third-party engineers to dispute your claim.
If you have storm damage, they’ll send an engineer who magically finds that the wind “wasn’t strong enough” to cause the damage.
If you have water damage, they’ll find some obscure excuse to blame it on “pre-existing conditions” or “poor maintenance.”
These reports are designed to protect State Farm, not the homeowner. And if you try to fight back? You’ll need to hire your own engineer—on your dime.
- Deny, Defend, Delay – The State Farm Playbook
When homeowners push back, State Farm doesn’t back down. Instead, they lawyer up. They know most people don’t have the time or money to fight an insurance giant, so they make it as difficult as possible.
If you hire an attorney, you’re suddenly hit with more delays, more paperwork requests, and more hoops to jump through. They’re betting that you’ll eventually give up and take whatever scraps they throw your way.
Why Does This Happen?
Because it’s profitable. The less they pay out in claims, the more money they keep. And with billions spent on advertising, they can afford to keep attracting new customers—even as they shortchange existing ones.
In Illinois, State Farm has a dominant market share, meaning many homeowners don’t have a choice if they want to bundle their home and auto. That kind of power allows them to get away with treating policyholders like nothing more than an entry on a balance sheet.
What Can Illinois Homeowners Do?
Document Everything – Take photos, videos, and keep records of every conversation.
Get a Public Adjuster – Unlike State Farm’s adjusters, public adjusters work for you to maximize your claim.
Hire an Attorney – If your claim is unfairly denied or underpaid, legal action might be your best option.
Switch Companies – If you can, find an insurer with a better reputation for handling claims fairly.
Final Thoughts
State Farm’s homeowners insurance might look good on paper, but once you file a claim, you’ll quickly realize where their priorities lie. They don’t hesitate to take your premium payments every month, but when it’s time to actually pay out a claim, they will do everything possible to minimize or deny your payout.
So, the next time you see a State Farm commercial showing their "good neighbor" slogan, remember this: a good neighbor helps you when disaster strikes. State Farm just finds a way to leave you stranded.