State Farm® – 1960s & 1970s

Before 1960, many claims offices had a traveling adjuster and a secretary. The first drive-in claim service center in Phoenix, AZ, was the first of many opened to help improve service for our customers.

"The Jack Benny Program" added star power to our television advertising from 1960 to 1965. Today, real State Farm agents star in our advertising.

The Good Student Discount was first introduced in 1962. State Farm was the first insurance company to offer such a discount, which translated good grades into better auto insurance rates for young drivers.

State Farm Companies Foundation was established in 1963 as an independent, private foundation. Its mission was to offer financial support for partnerships with educational institutions and organizations. The Foundation is still among countless Company resources committed to education excellence.

We led the world in 1964 when State Farm became the nation’s No. 1 writer of homeowners insurance. With our stronghold on the leadership position in auto insurance (which began in 1942), this one-two punch officially made State Farm the largest insurance writer in the world in 1964.

The Special Disaster Service was formed in 1971. It enlisted the expertise of claims employees from across the Company who volunteered to serve in times of natural disaster. The Special Disaster Service was a forerunner of State Farm Catastrophe Services®.

Unknown composer Barry Manilow wrote the music for our new "Like a good neighbor …" theme song that debuted in 1971. Mr. Manilow went on to do quite well in the entertainment business.

New Corporate Headquarters plans unveiled in the late '‘60s became a reality in 1972. The new Bloomington, IL, facility housed almost 4,000 employees at opening, but was soon outgrown. Two more buildings were added to the site in 1987.