Farmers Insurance Group: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Farmers Insurance was founded by John C. Tyler and Thomas E. Leavey, who started Farmers Automobile Inter-Insurance Exchange in 1927 or 1928 to offer preferential insurance rates to rural drivers, an overlooked market at the time. Tyler, the son of an insurance salesman from rural South Dakota, believed that farmers and ranchers experienced fewer driving risks than urban drivers and deserved lower premiums; his partner Leavey, who also came from a rural background, had previously worked for the Federal Farm Loan Bureau and the National Farm Loan Association. The pair put up their own money and traveled from farm to farm to secure their first policies, formally opening for business out of a one-room office in downtown Los Angeles on March 28, 1928. Charles Brisco became the company's first customer just two days later, insuring his 1925 Cadillac Phaeton.

Farmers grew steadily over subsequent decades, adding Truck Insurance Exchange in 1935 and expanding its lines of coverage to include fire, life, and commercial insurance. The company underwent significant ownership changes later in the 20th century: Farmers Insurance Group became a wholly owned subsidiary of B.A.T. Industries in 1988, and in 1997-1998, B.A.T. merged with Zurich Insurance Company to form Zurich Financial Services Group, making Farmers the largest U.S. member of the newly combined Zurich organization. Farmers weathered significant industry challenges, including record losses estimated at $1.3 billion from the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Today, Farmers Insurance Group is headquartered in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, and remains a subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group. The company operates as the trade name for three reciprocal insurance exchanges owned by their policyholders: Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, and Truck Insurance Exchange, along with subsidiaries and affiliates including Foremost Insurance, Bristol West Insurance, and 21st Century Insurance. Farmers employs more than 12,000 to 16,000 people directly, supporting a broader distribution network of independent Farmers agents nationwide. The company's workforce includes claims adjusters and representatives, underwriters, customer service staff, and insurance sales agents.

Company culture and employee programs: Farmers Insurance describes itself as a company with a history of innovation and dedication, having built its original business model around serving an underserved rural customer base. As part of Zurich Insurance Group, Farmers benefits from access to broader global insurance and financial services resources. Benefits, training, and advancement opportunities can vary by role and location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the insurance industry, including Farmers Insurance Group, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Farmers Insurance is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for insurance companies, particularly given access to sensitive customer financial and personal information involved in claims, underwriting, and sales roles.

The hiring process for roles at Farmers Insurance typically includes an application, one or more interviews, and a background check prior to a final offer. Insurance agent and sales roles typically also require completion of state insurance licensing requirements.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for an insurance industry role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the type of record and jurisdiction, and state insurance licensing may require broader disclosure.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role, particularly for licensed insurance agent positions, which may be subject to state insurance department restrictions on certain convictions. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Farmers Insurance Group may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Farmers Insurance Group or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.