options and great discounts for good drivers, but the company doesn’t offer online quotes, and customers often report below-average satisfaction rates.
Safeco car insurance policies are highly customizable and offer good rates for low-mileage drivers with good habits.
The average rate for a driver licensed for 14-25 years is just over $1,710 for an annual policy.
In addition to a wide range of car insurance discounts, Safeco offers a Claims Free Cash Back Program and a diminishing deductible.
How much does Safeco car insurance cost?
The average driver that has been licensed for 14 to 25 years pays around $1,710 for an annual policy with Safeco.
That said, insurance rates can fluctuate drastically depending on various factors:
Type of vehicle
Location
Driving record
Age
Tailored options you add to your policy
For instance, an 18-year-old driver could pay as much as a whopping $9,806 a year for their Safeco policy, which is about $2,000 more than the average rate offered by other popular car insurance companies for the same demographic.
For savings, Safeco has programs to give drivers with a good driving record a chance to lower their policy rate. If you are confident in your driving ability, you will want to be sure to take that into account when you compare car insurance quotes.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of Safeco auto insurance:
Safeco pros
Safeco cons
Reliable online claims process
Reviews leave much to be desired
Great options to tailor a policy to your needs
You must speak directly with an agent to purchase or change a policy
Attractive discounts for low-mileage, good drivers
coverage: Protect you up to your policy’s limit should you be found at fault in a car accident. Safeco’s liability coverage will help the expenses associated with the accident for the other party involved up to your policy limit.
: Protects you and your passengers if you’re in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn’t have a sufficient liability coverage package of their own.
: Provides an extra layer of protection if you are involved in an accident with your car. It covers any household members who are included in the policy but can also kick in if a friend borrows your vehicle and ends up in an accident.
: Protects you should something happen to your vehicle that isn’t covered by a collision policy, such as hitting an animal while driving, damage to your vehicle by fire or hail, or your vehicle being stolen or vandalized.
Optional coverage options with Safeco
Here’s a rundown of the insurance add-ons available from Safeco.
: Protects you during the gap period when the rideshare app is on but you haven’t collected a passenger. Typically costs less than $10 a month but is only available in Colorado, Illinois, and Indiana.
: An agreed-value policy covers the agreed-upon value of your vehicle so you don’t have to worry about typical policy limitations falling short of the actual value of your investment. It also includes standard Limited Use Coverage, which saves you money if you drive less than 5,000 miles a year.
Personal property coverage: Covers the actual cash value of personal property that is lost or damaged in a claimable incident. This optional policy add-on is another popular choice for
, this gives you access to a range of roadside assistance services like jump starts, tows, and 24/7 support. These services might be subject to policy limitations.
Emergency assistance coverage: Gives you access to all of the perks of the roadside assistance plan above, plus additional expenses associated with a roadside emergency like cab fare and temporary lodging.
, this covers the difference between the actual value of the vehicle and the amount left owed to a lender if your vehicle is totaled in a claimable accident.
: Covers the cost of a rental vehicle up to your policy limit should your car require repairs following a claimable accident.
Electronic key and lock replacement coverage: Covers the replacement costs of lost or stolen electronic keys, locks, or lock pads without having to worry about a deductible.
Custom equipment coverage: Offers protection for aftermarket components of your vehicle like custom rims,
: Covers any expenses related to a claimable incident where a pet is injured or deceased.
First aid reimbursement coverage: Reimburses you up to $10,000 if you end up in an accident and administer first aid to somebody who has been injured at the scene.
Accident prevention course—for drivers 55 and older
Teen safety discount
Low mileage discount
Multi-car policy discount
Anti-theft devices discount
Anti-lock brakes discount
Paid-in-full discount
You will need to speak to a Safeco agent in person to find out if you meet the eligibility requirements, so be sure to ask what discounts might be available to you when you discuss your car insurance quotes.
Safeco also offers the following programs that give you more opportunities to save on your car insurance policy:
Claims Free Cash Back Program: Safeco will automatically reimburse any auto insurance policy subscribers 2.5% of their policy premium for every six months claim-free. This can help you save up to 5% per year on the total cost of your annual Safeco policy.
Diminishing Deductible Program: Rewards subscribers who maintain a
by reducing their policy cost by $100 a year at every annual or six-month renewal period for a maximum of five years total. You can only benefit from this discount if you have an existing Safeco collision policy plan.
Safeco vs. other insurance companies
Here’s how Safeco stacks up to two of its major competitors,
With a few exceptions, Progressive offers better value and service than Safeco. However, Safeco offers more attractive customized options than Progressive and might be a better choice if you own a classic vehicle or a car with many aftermarket upgrades.
Safeco insurance policies are notably more expensive for younger drivers, but Progressive offers more affordable rates for any demographic category.
The bottom line: Unless you are looking for highly-tailored policy options, Progressive is probably a better bet for a standard insurance policy.
Safeco vs. Farmers
While Farmers car insurance offerings are generally more affordable than Safeco’s, there are a few exceptions.
Safeco offers comparably priced packages for older drivers that could easily become more affordable if you are able to maintain a clean driving record. A standard insurance policy for a middle-aged married couple is likely to be more affordable with Safeco.
The bottom line: Safeco and Farmers both have lackluster customer service ratings, so you will probably want to base your decision more on the cost of the policy itself.
What is Safeco Insurance?
Safeco was started way back in 1923 as The General Insurance Company. In 1953, the company created a subsidiary branch called Selective Auto and Fire Insurance Company, and Safeco Insurance was born.
Safeco currently has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau but is not BBB accredited.
It has received an A (excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, with a Stable financial outlook.
How to get a Safeco car insurance quote
Safeco does not offer any in-house online quote tools. This means that you will have to call up a local agent or visit a branch directly to get a quote on your insurance policy.
To get a Safeco quote, use their website and put in your zip code to get connected to a local agent.
Safeco does not score well compared to other providers in terms of service offerings.
According to the 2018 J.D. Power Associates U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study, Safeco customers report below-average satisfaction levels in all of the following categories:
Claim servicing
First notice of loss
Overall satisfaction
Rental experience
Settlement
Estimation process
Repair process
Safeco does fare better in the 2018 U.S Auto Insurance Shopping Study, where they rack up average scores in the following categories:
Safeco earns a single above-average score in the Local Agent category.
Safeco services and features
The Safeco Mobile App
Although you can’t alter a quote or alter your policy online, Safeco’s mobile app racks up relatively good customer satisfaction scores. You can use the app to file a claim, contact a local agent directly, view your policy documents, and view and pay your bills.
Safeco Claims Valet Service
If you are involved in a claimable accident, Safeco can offer a unique service to help you get back on the road as quickly as possible. You can either choose to have them drop off a rental car for you at the scene or schedule a vehicle swap.
Once the repairs on your vehicle are complete, they will bring your car back to you.
The Claims Valet Service plan is only available if you have a Safeco rental reimbursement policy option in place.
The RightTrack Program
When you sign up for the Safeco RightTrack Program, you can earn up to a 30% discount on your premium when you agree to monitor your driving habits through your mobile device. You are also guaranteed a discount just for signing up for the program.
Safeco only offers the RightTrack program in certain states, so ensure your region qualifies before signing up.
How to file a claim with Safeco
Safeco’s online platform or mobile app are the most efficient ways to
. You can also directly contact a local agent if you prefer.
Once you begin the claims process, you will receive a claim number that you will need to keep handy throughout the course of the claims investigation process.
To ensure the claim filing process goes as smoothly as possible, policyholders should be prepared to provide the following information:
The location, date, and time of the accident
The names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance policy numbers of anybody else involved
A summary of the weather conditions
Photo evidence of the accident scene and damage
Any relevant copies of the police and/or accident reports
Once the claim is filed, it's a good idea to review your policy so you have an idea of what to expect with regard to your particular coverage.
Once your claim is approved, you can proceed with the repairs and secure a replacement vehicle (if it is part of your coverage plan).
, you will have to call or visit a local branch to speak to an agent directly.
Like most providers, Safeco does not provide online cancellation options. Unlike most providers, you will also be unable to cancel through the mail.
Be sure to have your policy number and your effective cancellation date ready when you call or visit.
Safeco does not charge a cancellation fee and will refund you the balance on any unused premiums.
The takeaway: is Safeco right for me?
If you are looking for tailored policy options, Safeco could be a good choice for you.
That said, most people should be able to find better prices elsewhere, and the fact that Safeco’s service tends to rack up subpar ratings means that most policy options probably won’t be worth your while.
“I was a new driver looking for insurance and scared about expensive payments. But then I found