Corey is a volunteer Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the famous non-profit organization that helps chronically and critically ill children live out their dreams.

“Hope is contagious,” says Corey, a truly amazing Good Neighbor and State Farm director. “By giving these kids something to look forward to, we’re helping take their minds off of their illness, even if it’s only for a little while.”

The physical Good Neighbor Center is located at our Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, Ill., and it is open to employees, agents and the general public. It offers an immersive and interactive experience that takes visitors through our journey. This website is the digital representative of that experience. We hope you enjoy! 

While these features have promising safety benefits,  they are designed to work in conjunction with engaged driving behaviors.

Forty-two percent of drivers with Lane Keeping Assist tech stated they “frequently” or “sometimes” use video chat while driving compared to 20 percent who engaged in the risky behavior without the advanced technology.

Survey data breakdown by distracted behavior and advanced vehicle technology:

“Innovations such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Assist are designed to make our roadways safer,” said Laurel Straub, State Farm Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Research. “These systems are meant to assist drivers, not replace them.”

When will the car drive itself?

Not any time soon. There will have to be more tech advances before we see fully automated vehicles on our roadways.

The highest level of automation available on the consumer market today is Level Two. At this level, the vehicle can control steering, braking, and accelerating in certain scenarios. Only a subset of new vehicles sold to the general public today are equipped with Level Two features. However, the human driver MUST pay attention at all times and still perform the remainder of the driving. (NHTSA)

Two of those features, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) were explored in this survey. ACC, in certain situations, enables your vehicle to automatically adjust its speed to maintain a specific distance behind another vehicle. LKA, in certain situations, enables your vehicle to automatically steer within your lane.

“Advances in vehicle technology are occurring rapidly,” Straub continued. “Even with these technologies in place, it’s important for drivers to pay attention when behind the wheel.”

Half of all respondents also said they would be willing to take their eyes off the road for less than five seconds to focus on another task. All while driving on an open highway at 65 mph. At that speed, you can drive the length of a football field in 3.2 seconds. Anything can happen in 100 yards.

11 tips on how to be as smart as your smart car while you drive

1. Do not read or send text messages
2. Do not update social media
3. Do not access the internet
4. Do not talk on the phone unless it's connected to the car audio
5. Do not check or send emails
6. Do not take selfies or film videos
7. Do not enter destinations into GPS while the car is moving
8. Keep your phone out of reach (glove compartment, purse, etc.). Pull over and park in a safe location if it is necessary to use your phone.
9. Ask your passenger to make a call or text for you.
10. Set your phone to send an automatic reply while you are driving.
11. Do nothing that takes your attention away from your number one task -- driving safe.

Still fighting the urge to pick up your phone while driving?  Apps like State Farm Drive Safe & Save are designed to help you improve your driving habits. 

Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court will review three cases involving discrimination against the LGBTQ community. These cases will carry great significance for our society.

The decision will focus on whether interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

“State Farm is proud to sign a ‘friend of the court’ brief (also known as an amicus brief) in support of anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ employees. Doing so, is in furtherance of the letter and spirit of our enterprise policies and practices,” says SVP and General Counsel Steve McManus. “Moreover, it says in one collective voice, ‘We believe in a workplace free of discrimination, and we value and promote diversity, equality and inclusion.’”

As good neighbors, our long history and success story is built directly from committed, caring people helping other people. Sometimes how we help people involves supporting what we value and believe.

When it came to my baby girl riding the bus to preschool, I imagined so many scenarios – terrible crashes, outlandish kidnappings (I read too many spy novels). But I never imagined the one scenario that has happened TWICE since she started school.

The roads and sidewalks in my subdivision were snow-covered and slippery. It was just after 7 am, the sun was out. My daughter, Morelia, and I slowly made our way to the bus. We were at the end of our driveway – looking both ways, as we have to cross one lane of traffic– when we heard the bus driver blast the horn.

A young driver, clearly reading her phone with her head down, nearly drove straight through the bus’s arm and stop sign.

We all make mistakes. It is so easy to get distracted. But if I wasn’t paying attention, or the bus driver noticed too late, I might not be writing this story. My silly, sweet little girl might not be here at all.

As the young driver looked up at the scene, she saw Morelia and me – and the bus with lights flashing - just feet from her car. She looked mortified. I hope that feeling, that close miss, sticks with her. Her life – not to mention ours - would have changed forever. I hope she will drive safer and be more aware. I hope she will put down the phone.

Not five school days later, similar road conditions and scenario, another driver in my subdivision DOES stop but has an adult tantrum. He’s so angry. The bus driver literally gets out of the bus and stands in front of the car so he cannot drive through the stop sign.

The whole process of the bus stopping, Morelia getting on and settled, and the bus taking off takes three minutes at most even on the iciest of days. I could not believe this person got so angry and animated. Did he really think getting to wherever he was going was so much more important than a child’s safety?

I wondered if my two experiences were common so I did a little digging. In October 2018, an Indiana family’s worst nightmare came true. They lost three children, their six-year-old twin boys and their nine-year-old daughter, in a horrific bus crash.

I cannot even begin to imagine the pain felt since that terrible fall day. That of the parents and family, their town, the bus driver, the school, the list goes on.

The incident drew national media attention. It spawned local legislative and safety discussions, but it seems tragedies like this do not change behavior. Just a few days later, another child was tragically killed. What will it take for the young distracted driver who nearly blew through a bus stop sign and the man who felt his time took precedence over my daughter’s safety to learn the error in their ways?

Every day approximately 84,000 people/cars illegally pass school buses.  That's 15 MILLION violations a year, according to  2018 national survey.

What can we do about it? I’m very fortunate my employer, State Farm, cares about safety. They allowed me to “take over” this site for a day to share my story, and more importantly, share tips that could help prevent future tragedies. Maybe we can’t change everyone’s behavior. But the more we share this story and tips, the more aware people will be. Please join me in sharing this important information.

Bus Safety Tips

For Parents of Riders

• Wait with the little ones at the bus stop. Ensure you and your child are visible at the stop as well.
• Teach your kids to stand - at a minimum - three giant steps from the curb and board one at a time.
• Teach your kids to wait until the school bus completely stops before getting off, and always walk in front of the bus, not behind.
• If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, teach them to take these three actions:
  • make sure the bus driver sees them,
  • take five giant steps in front of the bus,
  • then cross, only when the driver gives them the go-ahead it is safe,
  • And of course, teach them to look both ways before crossing the street.
• Teach your child the importance of behaving on the bus – any distraction can cause the bus driver to lose focus and could result in a crash.

For Drivers

• Be aware of your environment. Know your neighborhood. Be cognizant of kids. Take alternative routes that do not go by schools, etc. if you are in a rush. (Seriously folks, it’s not like you’ve never seen a school bus or it’s all that shocking that a bus is picking up kids at 7:30 in the morning on a Monday!?!)
• Follow the speed limit (and the LAW) especially in school zones and at bus stops.
• Never drive distracted. Please put down your phone. Learn more about the cell phone laws in your state.
• Slow down and prepare to stop if a school bus is flashing its lights. This means the bus is preparing to stop (yellow) or already stopped (red), and children are getting on or off.
• Slow your roll. Three minutes is not worth the potential life-changing consequences for a child, or you.

The shareable, interactive image below shows more tips when you hover over the "+" signs.

“Veterinarians, pet professionals, and pet owners alike want animals to have happy, healthy, full lives,” says Fear Free founder and CEO Dr. Marty Becker. “The problem is that humans and animals don’t speak the same language. When an animal is scared or in pain, we can’t explain that we’re helping them, so we have to show this through gentleness and species-appropriate actions.”

Since 2016, Fear Free has provided online and in-person education to more than 40,000 veterinary professionals, pet professionals, and pet owners. Fear Free programs provide pet owners and professionals with the knowledge and tools to look after a pet’s physical and emotional well-being.

“Understanding your pets’ emotions can improve their health and happiness and reduce the risk of injury to them and to people,” says State Farm assistant vice president Joe Strupek. “If State Farm can help responsible pet owners and pet professionals with resources to improve the quality of life for pets, we also improve the quality of life for pet owners. Then we truly are helping life go right for every family member – two-legged and four.”

Veterinary or pet professionals can learn more about becoming Fear Free Certified® by visiting fearfreepets.com. Pet owners can visit fearfreehappyhomes.com to access courses, articles, and videos to learn how to improve the physical and emotional health of their pets at home. Fear Free Happy Homes members also get access to monthly deals and a directory of Fear Free Certified Professionals.

State Farm and Animals

State Farm is one of the few insurance companies that doesn’t have a breed restriction list and doesn’t exclude insurance coverage because of the breed of dog owned. State Farm is involved in other programs to help four-legged family members and the people who care about them.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week – National Dog Bite Prevention Week is April 7-13, 2019. To draw attention to the importance of responsible pet ownership and educate people about interacting with dogs, State Farm and members of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition come together each year to share tips on reducing dog-related injuries.

Kindness is Powerful - Celebrity dog trainer Victoria Stilwell teaches children the value of kindness to people and animals. Sponsored by State Farm, the program also educates kids about how to interact with dogs.

State Farm Arson Dog Program – Since 1993, State Farm has been providing funding for the acquisition and training of more than 400 arson dog teams across North America. The program helps law enforcement locate evidence of arson at fire scenes.

Neighborhood of Good - Neighborhood of Good connects people with their passion, such as animals, through volunteerism. Together, we can turn caring into doing.

Animal Care and Veterinary Insurance – State Farm’s Animal Care Services Policy provides property and liability business coverage for veterinarians, groomers, trainers, kennels or pet stores.

State Farm associate Jerome Maddox works with the students to provide financial education and mentoring. Jerome talks to the youth about budgeting, saving, and credit. This is in attempts to break the cycle of poverty. He provides the classes education, knowledge, and strength to succeed.

En Español

It was 1980. A group of Chicago community activists wanted to improve the city’s neighborhoods. So they took a little trip down Interstate 55.

The group hopped on a bus and headed south. They saw everything from skyscrapers to miles of corn fields along the way.

Two hours later they were at their destination. State Farm Headquarters in Bloomington, IL

Volunteers poured out of the bus expecting a peaceful demonstration. They wanted the biggest insurer to join their efforts in strengthening Chicago communities.

“It was quite a twist of fate. We were pleasantly surprised by the warm and respectful welcome,” shared Bruce Gottschall. In 1975, Bruce founded Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS). This organization was formed to address the deterioration of Chicago’s neighborhoods.

“All parties agreed to continue an open dialogue in the future,” Bruce continued. “We were hopeful for a strong relationship with State Farm.”

This new relationship allowed State Farm to connect with Chicago’s communities at a grassroots level. They heard first-hand about the wants and the needs of community-conscious homeowners.

“35 years and millions of donated dollars later, the relationship is still going strong,” shared Bruce. NHS is one of the company’s longest standing philanthropic relationships.

"But the relationship is rich and extensive, more than only the financial donations,” Bruce said. “For years, agents and employees have volunteered their time and talents.”

NHS hosted their inaugural NeighborWorks Day event in 1988. This day brings together hundreds of volunteers from the corporate and local level. During the service day they all complete various projects in NHS neighborhoods.

State Farm also formed an internal planning committee to work with residents to plan NeighborWorks Day projects in 1988. Since then, State Farm has integrated several safety programs with NeighborWorks Day.

In 1998, NHS organized the Chicago Home Safety Partnership Taskforce to prevent fire losses and improve homes. More than 25 State Farm agents oversee the homeowner insurance education part of NHS’s New Homebuyer Education program.

“Turns out having a Good Neighbor spirit turned a protest situation into an open dialogue,” remembered Bruce. “That day created years of opportunities for both organizations and helped thousands of people along the way.”

A quadriplegic since 13, Torres knows how to adapt to what life throws at her. Torres, 35, is the founder of Backbones, a Chicago nonprofit that connects individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) and their families with others to learn, teach and share experiences. Torres was honored on the Together stage in Chicago for her dedication and hard work today.

In 2009, Torres left her career path in fashion design and took a chance to make her passion for helping others come true. She started an organization that helps thousands of individuals with SCI/D and raises awareness about what life in a wheelchair is really like. Because of her accomplishments and perseverance, Torres is Chicago’s “Dream Achiever.”

“A ‘Dream Achiever’ is a woman who rejected the status quo and refocused her life to reflect her passion,” shared Michelle Hare from State Farm Marketing. “She is a woman who takes chances, follows her heart and believes in empowering others.”

Together is a six-city tour convening women across generations and backgrounds for evenings filled with storytelling focused on creating community, well-being, purpose and action. State Farm is a primary sponsor of the tour and will honor a Dream Achiever in each city.

“The Together tour is about bringing women together to celebrate love, build community and take action. Through storytelling, Together aims to help people feel less alone in their lives,” said Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who leads WME’s Literary Division and is producing the tour. “Our work with State Farm to honor Dream Achievers is the ultimate culmination of the Together mission. Reveca is inspiring and courageous -- a true example of what it means to live in your purpose and follow your dreams.”

More than 2,000 women gathered at the Keller Auditorium for friendship, empowerment, and action. Core speakers included Glennon Doyle Melton, Seane Corn, Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Valarie Kaur, with celebrity guest appearances from Abby Wambach and Geena Rocero.

“Together is a movement bringing new ideas, influencers, and organizations together,” shared Hare. “Reveca is the epitome of a Dream Achiever. She personifies what we hope for all the women attending the Together tour.”

Torres had misgivings about starting the nonprofit, at first. As an artist, she worried she might lose her creativity. Turns out following her passion and starting the organization may be the most creative and important thing she’s done yet.