State Farm Chief Executive Officer Jon Farney announced on May 7 the company’s renewed commitment to its founding principles while adapting to changing customer expectations and technological advancements.
Farney said that State Farm, founded in 1922 by G.J. Mecherle, continues to focus on helping customers protect what matters most and prepare for the future. “He was a farmer who believed farmers should not pay the same rates as higher-risk city drivers. That belief became State Farm, and more than a century later, our focus is the same: helping customers protect what matters most and prepare for what’s next,” Farney said.
According to Farney, State Farm insures more homes and autos in the United States than any other company. He emphasized that agents and employees across the country provide support by answering questions, guiding decisions, and assisting during unexpected events. “We’re a mutual. We answer to Main Street, not Wall Street. And we know customers’ expectations are rising along with weather-driven risk and uncertainty. Our aim is to lead with experiences that are faster, simpler, and still human,” he said.
Farney highlighted that as State Farm modernizes its services with technology, it remains committed to strengthening human connections rather than replacing them. He explained this approach as becoming a “Next Gen Good Neighbor”: combining digital tools for efficiency with personal service from agents who can offer guidance when needed.
For customers, this means streamlined processes such as fewer steps in service delivery and faster answers paired with competitive pricing. For agents and employees, it involves improved tools that reduce administrative tasks so they can spend more time assisting clients directly.
Farney concluded by stating that these changes build on State Farm’s established strengths—its broad business scale, financial stability, brand reputation, and workforce talent—and reaffirmed his commitment: “As a Next Gen Good Neighbor, we’ll keep measuring our progress the way customers do – by showing up, following through, and delivering when it matters most.”
