State Farm: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

State Farm was founded in 1922 by George J. Mecherle in Bloomington, Illinois, originally focused on auto insurance for farmers. Over the following century, the company expanded into home, life, health, banking, and financial services products, growing into the largest property and casualty insurer in the United States.

Unlike publicly traded insurance companies, State Farm operates as a mutual company, meaning it is owned by its policyholders rather than shareholders. This structure influences how the company approaches long-term business decisions and customer relationships.

The company operates with more than 19,000 agents and around 62,000 employees, supporting over 96 million policies and accounts across the US. State Farm''s headquarters remain in Bloomington, Illinois, where it was originally founded.

Company culture and employee programs:

Yes. State Farm conducts background checks on both prospective employees and prospective agents. For agent and producer roles, candidates may also be subject to separate state-level background checks required by state insurance department licensing processes. These licensing checks are independent of State Farm''s internal screening and are mandated by state regulators before an individual can sell or service insurance products.

A standard State Farm background check typically takes three to five business days to complete. However, roles in financial services or insurance agent positions that require credit history reviews or state licensing verification may take longer. Several factors can affect background check turnaround times, including:

A State Farm background check may include several types of searches depending on the role. Commonly reported components include:

For most positions, State Farm''s background check covers the previous seven years of criminal history, which is consistent with FCRA limitations and many state laws. The lookback period can vary depending on the state where the candidate resides or where the role is located, as some states have stricter restrictions on how far back employers can search. Financial services and insurance-specific roles may be subject to different requirements under federal or state regulation. Candidates should also be aware of "ban-the-box" laws in their jurisdiction, which may affect when and how criminal history is considered during the hiring process.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect and report information used in employment background checks. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent from candidates before running a background check. If information from the background check is used to make an adverse hiring decision, the employer must follow a specific adverse action process, which includes providing the candidate with a copy of the report and a summary of their rights, along with an opportunity to dispute any inaccurate information before a final decision is made.

Yes. State Farm conducts pre-employment drug testing for most positions. Drug testing is commonly reported as a urine-based test administered after a conditional offer of employment. State Farm may also conduct post-accident drug testing or reasonable suspicion testing after hire. Specific drug testing policies may vary by role, department, and location.

Yes, for certain roles. Credit checks are standard in the insurance industry, particularly for agent and producer positions and for roles that involve handling customer financial transactions or accessing sensitive financial data. These roles carry fiduciary responsibilities, which is why financial history is considered relevant to the hiring evaluation. Credit checks are governed by FCRA rules, including the adverse action process if credit history is a factor in a hiring decision. Candidates should also note that state laws vary on the permissible use of credit history in employment decisions, and some states restrict or limit employer credit checks.

State Farm evaluates criminal history on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and the relevance of the record to the role. However, candidates applying for agent or producer roles should be aware that state insurance licensing is required for these positions, and certain criminal convictions may disqualify a candidate from obtaining a license. Under federal law (18 U.S.C. �� 1033), individuals with convictions related to dishonesty, fraud, or breach of trust are generally prohibited from working in the business of insurance without written consent from state regulators. This regulatory restriction is separate from State Farm''s own hiring discretion and applies regardless of how State Farm evaluates the application.

The State Farm hiring process generally follows these steps:

Candidates who want to review their own background information before applying can do so through Checkr''s consumer products. Checkr Personal Background Checks allow individuals to run a search on themselves, and Checkr Profile enables candidates to build a portable, verified background check they can share with prospective employers.

Candidates with an active background check can track the status and access their report through the Candidate Portal. For questions or support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.

The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.