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Safeco Car Insurance Review 2023

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Here's what Jerry users say about Safeco
Safeco Reviews
Good Discounts Available
Flexible Plan Structures
Easy to use website
Easy to use app
Great Prices
Process Transparency
Customer Service
330 customer reviews
Excellent
70.3%
Great
16.06%
Good
8.18%
Fair
2.12%
Poor
3.33%
Safeco is a popular insurance provider that offers competitive rates and discounts on car, home, and other personal insurance through independent insurance agents. 
Finding the right insurance provider that offers the best coverage at a reasonable price can be tricky. With help from Jerry, a licensed insurance broker app that partners with over 50 top car insurance providers, you can compare Safeco rates with auto insurance quotes from dozens of other insurance companies in under a minute to find the perfect rate customized to you and your vehicle! 
Rather than spending hours scrolling through providers, Jerry has all the details on what makes a good provider (and what you should look out for). If you’re considering car insurance policy options from Safeco, Jerry’s Safeco car insurance review has everything you’ll need to know to make an educated decision.

Safeco auto insurance overview

Safeco provides car insurance policies in all 50 states and offers 24/7 access to Safeco agents who can help with your needs.
In addition to home, auto, and renters insurance, Safeco offers coverage for your boat, RV, motorcycle, and more. Whatever your needs, Safeco has you covered.
AM Best, a credit rating agency focusing solely on the insurance industry, gives Safeco an A rating for financial strength. Simply put, if you file a claim with Safeco, their ability to pay it is excellent—you won’t be left in the weeds without the coverage you’ve paid for. 
Safeco has been in business for almost a century and has many loyal customers, and although their coverage offerings and available discounts are robust, overall customer satisfaction is sometimes lacking—while not rated by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), they did rank below average for customer satisfaction on J.D. Power’s 2022 Auto Insurance Study

Safeco pros and cons

ProsCons
Ample insurance coverage optionsAll coverage not available in all states
24/7/365 customer serviceNo online quote option
Offers usage-based auto insurance option (RightTrack)Low claims handling scores
Low-to-average customer satisfaction ratings

Safeco claim resolution time

According to J.D. Power’s latest claims satisfaction survey, Safeco earned a decent score for paying claims compared to the average insurance company, earning 871 points out of 1,000. There is no specific timeframe for the average claim resolution for Safeco, but it generally takes an average of 30 days for an insurer to pay out a claim, although this time can vary depending on the circumstances of the claim.

How to get Safeco car insurance quotes

If you want to get a quote from Safeco and compare it to quotes from other leading insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate, and Nationwide, there’s a simple solution: download the Jerry app. In less than a minute, you’ll have a customized quote from Safeco that you can compare to other top insurance companies—and find the best tips for saving on car insurance! 

FAQs

Filing a claim with Safeco is easy and can be done online at Safeco’s Claims Center or by downloading the Safeco mobile app to file a claim from your device. You’ll need to provide the approximate date of the incident and some general details about what happened. Once you have submitted your claim, you can track the progress online, where you can review the estimate and scheduled repairs, finalize your claim, and review your coverages. 
Overall, Safeco receives good customer reviews and is a reputable insurance provider offering competitive rates on various coverages. However, average customer satisfaction ratings may make alternative providers a better choice for some drivers.  
You can purchase Safeco insurance in all 50 states, but Safeco National Insurance Company is licensed in 32 states.

Safeco car insurance cost

While Safeco claims to offer affordable rates on car insurance, how do those claims hold up in real life? 
The average annual cost for car insurance varies depending on the type of coverage purchased, but Safeco drivers pay an average of $1,150 for minimum insurance coverage and $3,005 for full coverage; that works out to between $95 and $250 a month. However, a large selection of discounts and a higher-than-average insurance rate for teen drivers can alter premium averages.
How much coverage you need makes a difference, too. Safeco customers typically pay slightly below the national average for car insurance, even with full coverage, but teens and young adults will see premiums above the national average. The table below outlines some of the differences.

What factors does Safeco look at?

Each insurance company has its own algorithm to incorporate certain factors into insurance premium calculations for customers. With Safeco, how much you pay for car insurance is influenced by:
  • Age: Young drivers typically pay higher premiums with Safeco than drivers over 25. 
  • Traffic violations: Traffic citations, such as speeding tickets or red-light running, can increase your premium.
  • At-fault accidents: At-fault accidents will increase your insurance rates unless you’ve purchased Safeco’s Accident Forgiveness plan, which waives the first accident on your policy after a set number of years with Safeco without an at-fault accident or violation.
  • ZIP code: Where you live will also influence your premium due to accident statistics, weather, and crime rates. 
  • Coverage selections and deductibles: Better coverage means a higher insurance cost, but choosing a higher deductible can increase your monthly payments.
  • Discount eligibility: Depending on which Safeco discounts you qualify for, you could secure a much lower premium. 
  • Credit score: Safeco considers your credit score to determine your rate for car insurance and will assign you an auto insurance score based on your credit history. However, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Washington do not allow car insurance companies to use credit scores to determine rates, so your credit score will not affect your Safeco premium if you live in one of these states.
  • Vehicle type: The cost of your car is a significant factor in how much it costs to insure it—a more expensive vehicle typically means a higher premium. Its repair costs, engine size, likelihood of theft, and car safety record also influence insurance rates.

Which Safeco customers get the best rates?

The Safeco customers who generally see the lowest rates compared to the national average are: 
  • Middle-aged and older drivers
  • Rideshare drivers
On the other hand, teen drivers, high-risk drivers, and drivers with minor traffic violations like speeding and distracted driving typically see higher rates with Safeco.
Check out the table below to see how Safeco’s average rates compare to other providers.
Violation
Before Jerry
After Jerry
Clean Record$2,748$1,904
Reckless Driving$4,224$2,117
Eluding Police$3,610$2,901
Failure to Obey Traffic Sign$3,527$2,330
Suspension$3,513$2,090
Cell Phone$3,506$2,252
Illegal Turn$3,426$2,410
Racing/Drag Racing$3,402$2,313
Speeding over 15$3,396$2,230
Driving on Sus. License$3,363$2,058
Improper Passing$3,260$2,163
Wrong Way/Wrong Lane$3,231$2,253
DUI$3,139$1,945
$3,120$1,322
Speeding under 15$3,115$2,127
Leaving scene of an Accident/Hit and Run$3,113$1,993
Careless Driving$3,085$2,072
Open Container$3,079$1,908
Seat Belt$3,059$1,742
Defective Equipment$2,780$1,933
Passing School Bus$2,151$1,601
Other$3,416$2,218
See More

Safeco car insurance rates with violations

Safeco offers competitive rates for drivers with major traffic violations on their driving records. Even if you think you’re a safe driver, having multiple speeding tickets or other driver violations on your record could label you as a high insurance risk, which shoots up your insurance premium—all it takes is driving after a few drinks to get a DUI or exceeding the speed limit to be handed a reckless driving charge
The table below shows the average rates that Safeco customers pay with various violations on their driving records. 
Driving InfractionAnnual Cost
Annual Savings With Jerry

Safeco car insurance cost with DUI

Safeco customers with a DUI conviction pay an average annual rate of -0.11% for car insurance. That’s an increase of -0.11% over the average rate without a DUI. 

Safeco car insurance cost with a speeding ticket

Safeco customers with a recent speeding ticket pay an average annual rate of 10.4% for car insurance. That’s an increase of 10.4% over the average rate without a ticket. Remember that multiple speeding tickets—or a single speeding ticket for exceeding the posted speed limit substantially—can increase your rate even more. 

Safeco car insurance rates by age

If you’re looking for car insurance with Safeco, age is one of the most influential factors in your premium. Look at the graph below to see how rates for Safeco policyholders vary for different age groups. 

Safeco car insurance cost for young drivers

Teenage drivers tend to be the age group subject to the highest premium because they are classified as high-risk drivers due to a lack of driving experience, which puts them at a higher risk for accidents and other traffic violations. While teen drivers have higher insurance premiums than older drivers from most insurance companies, Safeco has some of the highest rates for drivers 24 and under. 
However, because Safeco also offers discounts for young drivers, it can help to reduce their policy rate. For example, with Safeco’s good student discount, having good grades shows that you’re responsible off the road, which translates into a discount on your car insurance premium. Safeco also offers discounts for families with a new teen driver to help offset the costs of having a young driver on their policy

Where is Safeco insurance the cheapest?

Safeco insurance rates are competitive in all 50 states, but certain states have particularly low average rates. Look at the table below to see the average Safeco rate in every state. 
StateCost
Vermont$928
Maine$1,084
Wyoming$1,095
Montana$1,105
Kansas$1,167
Massachusetts$1,184
Tennessee$1,187
Iowa$1,192
North Dakota$1,209
Mississippi$1,215
Wisconsin$1,235
Idaho$1,235
Indiana$1,247
Arkansas$1,279
Illinois$1,292
Nebraska$1,297
West Virginia$1,306
South Dakota$1,326
Alabama$1,358
Oklahoma$1,365
Missouri$1,367
Texas$1,376
California$1,390
Colorado$1,403
Arizona$1,407
North Carolina$1,413
Washington$1,435
Virginia$1,447
Ohio$1,472
Oregon$1,473
Pennsylvania$1,474
Minnesota$1,489
Utah$1,515
Kentucky$1,556
New Hampshire$1,636
New Mexico$1,707
Louisiana$1,799
South Carolina$1,820
Florida$1,833
Rhode Island$1,835
Georgia$1,857
Connecticut$1,858
Nevada$1,866
Michigan$2,008
District Of Columbia$2,015
Maryland$2,046
Delaware$2,051
New Jersey$2,109
New York$2,888
See More

Safeco car insurance discounts

If you qualify for multiple discounts, it could shave a good chunk of change off your premium! 
Here are some of the discounts offered by Safeco:
DiscountDescriptionAverage savings
Multi-carReduce your annual premium by insuring multiple cars on the same policyUp to 15%
Multi-policyLower your premium on auto and homeowner insurance, auto and RV, or any other two policies by bundling them togetherVaries
RightTrack® discountUse Safeco’s RightTrack® program to track your driving habits and pay based on how you driveUp to 30%
Safety features discountReduce your premium if you have a car with an anti-theft device such as an alarm or engine blockerVaries
Safe driver discountSafeco offers cash back for policyholders who go six months without submitting a claimVaries
Pay in fullPay the entire amount at once, and Safeco will discount your policyVaries

Safeco auto insurance coverage options

If you need an insurance policy that meets your state's minimum liability insurance requirements, you can find it with almost any insurance provider—but Safeco offers additional add-on coverage for drivers who want to go beyond the minimum. 
Safeco offers the following types of coverage required by law: 
On top of the state-mandated insurance coverages, Safeco also offers a selection of additional coverage options: 
  • Comprehensive insurance: This coverage helps pay for damage from non-collision-related incidents like if your car is hit by a falling tree branch or you’re the victim of vandalism or theft. 
  • Collision insurance: This coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle due to a collision with another car or stationary object (pole, stop sign, guard rail, etc.). 
  • Limited use coverage: Pay a lower rate for insurance if you drive your car 5,000 miles or less per year. 
  • Roadside assistance: Also called towing and labor coverage, Safeco’s roadside assistance offers optional 24-hour coverage if your car breaks down. 
  • Rental car reimbursement: Pays for the cost of a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired after a covered accident.
  • New vehicle replacement coverage: If you own a car that’s less than a year old that’s been totaled or stolen, Safeco will pay you the current value or a comparable new car.
It’s not just new cars that Safeco covers—they also offer classic car insurance to keep your old classic-looking (and working) mint for years to come. 

Additional products from Safeco

In addition to the coverage options listed above, Safeco offers some unique insurance products that could help some drivers save money on an auto insurance policy from Safeco. 

RightTrack® usage-based insurance

Usage-based insurance (UBI), like Safeco’s RightTrack® telematics program, is one of the most popular and easiest ways to save money on car insurance. Rather than being charged a standard rate based on age, driving record, credit score, and the like, Safeco offers drivers a pay-how-you-drive insurance (PHYD) program that allows drivers to receive discounts for good driving behavior rather than paying a preset monthly rate.
When you enroll in the RightTrack, program, you’ll instantly receive a 5% discount on your premium, but you could earn up to 30% with good driving habits. 
To access Safeco RightTrack, you’ll need to download the Safeco RightTrack mobile app. If you live in New York, you’ll need to use the RightTrack plug-in device.
Safeco RightTrack monitors four specific driving behaviors:
  • Acceleration
  • Braking
  • Miles driven (must drive at least 125 miles)
  • Nighttime driving
If you have good driving habits, Safeco’s UBI product could save you a chunk of money in the long run. However, Safeco RightTrack isn’t available in all forms in all states: the RightTrack mobile app service isn’t available in Alaska, California, Delaware, Hawaii, North Carolina, and New York. The plug-in device service is only available in New York. 

Accident forgiveness

Accident forgiveness is an additional feature that many car insurance companies offer, but it’s something heavily advertised by Safeco and Liberty Mutual Insurance, the parent company of Safeco. 
Safeco’s accident forgiveness program allows you to waive your first accident on your Safeco policy after a set number of years with Safeco if you haven’t had any major moving violations or at-fault accidents. As such, your previous accidents won’t cause your rates to increase. 
Accident forgiveness is not available in California.

Diminishing deductible

As part of Safeco’s Safety Rewards program, drivers who maintain a clean driving record that’s claims-free for a specific period of time may be eligible for a reduction to their collision deductible by $50 for a six-month auto policy or $100 for an annual auto policy. You’ll be eligible for this program at every renewal for a maximum of 5 years or $500.

Safeco payment options

Paying for your insurance policy with Safeco is quick and simple, and several methods exist. Although Safeco’s website doesn’t provide details on the exact methods to pay your bills, you can access details through your Safeco account or by speaking to a Safeco customer service representative. Best of all, specific payment methods can even save you money on your policy!
Just navigate to Safeco’s website or the Safeco mobile app and click on “Pay Your Bill.”

Real Safeco reviews from Jerry customers

Check out what real Jerry users have to say about Safeco:
Tisha
Great company at a low rate
Roger
Good service but need lower cost.
Tyler
I’ve not had to file any claims thank goodness and the swap over process from progressive was painless. I’m very pleased so far.
Selena
I’m surprised that I was able to get a quote so low and I’m so very happy about it. I don’t think I’ll ever change insurance carriers.
Destinee
Safeco is a good insurance company. But my only issue is that the deductible is super high but other than that its great. And the people there are so helpful.
Zachory
We've been with Safeco for awhile now, and almost every situation that we have had that involves Safeco has been smooth. There was only one time we had issues with communication, when our tire had popped and we needed a tow truck. That was a pretty bad situation, I was sitting for hours because they had told me one was on the way but they never actually called for one. But they definitely apologized and made the situation right and we haven't had any issues since.

Key Takeaways

  • Safeco offers competitive rates on minimum car insurance coverage, especially for teen drivers and those looking for medical coverage
  • Safeco users have access to a variety of discounts to help reduce premium costs
  • Teen drivers and those with major traffic violations pay above-average rates with Safeco
  • Safeco’s 24/7/365 customer service earns below-average ratings for customer satisfaction

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