Safeco auto insurance offers drivers a wide array of perks and coverage options. In general, while the company's coverage offerings and available discounts are fairly robust, customer complaints and overall satisfaction are sometimes lacking. To get a better sense of what Safeco car insurance has to offer, read our in-depth review below.
Safeco Insurance Review
Safeco Insurance earned an overall score of 3.5/5 in The Zebra's review. Read more below to find out if they're the right carrier for you.
Edited By Renata Balasco
Safeco Insurance at a glance
A subsidiary of Liberty Mutual based in Seattle, Washington, Safeco Insurance was founded in 1923. The company quickly expanded over the decades to offer multiple lines of insurance with a focus on competitive pricing and wide-ranging coverage. Safeco's auto insurance offerings are particularly robust, with a number of coverage options and opportunities for discounts. The company also steers customers toward home and auto insurance bundles as a way of saving money.
With the backing of Liberty Mutual, consumers can rest assured that the company will be able to pay claims. However, some may be put off by the lackluster customer satisfaction ratings Safeco receives from JD Power. Still, the company offers a number of good policy options and can provide relatively affordable rates for both home and auto insurance. Check out our overview of Safeco's coverage options, discounts, and claims satisfaction to help you decide if the company is a suitable home for your next insurance policy.
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Safeco auto insurance review
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Average: Safeco earned an average rating in J.D. Power's 2021 Claims Satisfaction Study.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Average: Safeco customers expressed average levels of satisfaction, according to J.D. Power's 2021 study.
- Financial strength — Excellent: Safeco's excellent financial strength — tracked by AM Best — indicates a strong ability to pay out claims.
- NAIC rating — Poor: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received more complaints than average regarding Safeco in 2020.
Safeco car insurance coverage options
Apart from the standard suite of collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP), liability, and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, Safeco offers an array of policy features and coverage options that can be added to your auto policy.
- Accident forgiveness: You can qualify for accident forgiveness after a set number of years of being insured with no accidents or violations. Not available in California.
- Diminishing deductible: Also known as a vanishing deductible, Safeco's diminishing deductible program can result in a $100 cut to your deductible each time you renew your policy annually. Note: you must remain free of claims during your policy period to qualify for this perk. This off is not available in all states.
- Loan/lease gap coverage: If your car is deemed a total loss while you're still making payments to your lender, Safeco will cover the gap between the actual cash value — which deducts for depreciation — and the remaining unpaid balance on your loan or lease. This is also known as gap insurance.
- First aid reimbursement: Up to $10,000 in coverage for first aid reimbursement after an auto accident is included in all policies.
- Roadside assistance: Safeco will cover the expenses of towing if your car breaks down in addition to emergency roadside services like flat tires, lockouts, and jumpstarts.
- Emergency assistance: If you need a more robust roadside assistance package, this option includes emergency roadside assistance and also boosts your coverage if you get in an accident more than 25 miles from your home. This includes coverage for damaged personal belongings, expenses (up to $100), meals, lodging, and transportation (up to $500).
- Rental car reimbursement: A common addition to many car insurance policies, Safeco will cover the expenses of a rental car if your own is out-of-commission while it's being repaired following an accident. Safeco also automatically includes a rental car valet service for cases where the damaged vehicle is still driveable — a claims valet driver will deliver a rental car to your home or office, and bring your damaged car to a repair shop on your behalf.
- New car replacement: Safeco will pay out the value of a comparable car if your car is less than a year old and becomes totaled or stolen. Learn more here about this coverage.
- Pet coverage: If your pet is injured or killed in an accident, Safeco will help cover the veterinary expenses.
- Personal property auto insurance coverage: You'll be reimbursed if your personal belongings are stolen from your car or damaged in a collision.
- Electronic key and lock replacement: Safeco will waive the deductible and replace your lost or stolen electronic keys.
- AV and custom equipment coverage: This covers losses to your audio, visual, and custom equipment like stereos and performance-enhancing or modified parts that were not originally installed by the car's manufacturer.
- Safeco rideshare coverage: Available as an endorsement, this coverage protects rideshare drivers and is currently available in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, with more states expected to follow soon. Safeco's website claims that this coverage costs around $10 per month.
Safeco insurance discounts and reward programs
Premiums can get expensive but don't have to be — no matter what your rates are like, you should always look for discounts and cost-cutting programs each insurance company has to offer. Safeco has a decent selection of potential discounts that you can look into qualifying for.
Insurance discounts based on your policy
- Multi-policy: Bundle your homeowners and car insurance policies to receive up to a 15% discount.
- Pay in full: See some savings by paying your premium in full when you start or renew your policy.
Discounts based on your driving profile or vehicle
- Multi-car: Insure more than one car on the same policy to save some money on your car insurance premiums.
- Homeowners: You may be eligible for savings if you're a homeowner.
- Accident prevention course: If you're over the age of 55 and complete an approved accident prevention course, a discount may apply to your insurance for three years.
- Low-mileage: You can get up to a 20% discount if you drive less than 8,000 miles per year (Not available in Alaska and California).
- Anti-theft device: If your car is equipped with an alarm or disabling device that can deter theft, you may qualify for some insurance savings.
- Anti-lock brakes: Get a discount if your car has a factory-installed four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Discounts for young drivers with Safeco
- Good student: Maintain good grades in school to receive a student discount.
- Driver training: Complete an approved driver education course to save some money on your teen's policy.
- Distant student: If your teen resides more than 100 miles from home and has limited access to the insured vehicle, you may be eligible for a discount.
- Newly independent: If your teen switches to their own Safeco insurance policy after being covered by an existing Safeco policy (usually their parents'), they may qualify for a discount on their new policy.
- New teen: If you add your teen to your policy after a year of being a Safeco customer, get up to a 27% discount.
- Tenure: Available in states that don't offer the New Teen discount, you may qualify for this discount if you add your teen to your policy after more than two years of being a Safeco customer.
Save an average of $440 a year by comparing your options.
Safeco online features
Safeco's website is clean and relatively easy to navigate. The online portal offers helpful functions such as online bill pay, access to policy documents, the ability to file and manage claims and the ability to add drivers to an auto insurance policy.
Safeco Mobile is the company's mobile app. It receives mostly positive customer reviews for ease of use and functionality. The app allows customers to review coverage, make payments, file claims, access policy documents and ID cards, and even directly reach out to a Safeco insurance agent. Get an in-depth look at some of the app's features in the list below.
- Safeco Roadside Assistance can be easily accessed through the app.
- The app allows you to upload photos of damages and keep track of the status of your claim.
- Search for repair shops, schedule inspections, request rental cars.
- See estimates for repairs and check on your vehicle's status.
The company also offers an app for its RightTrack® telematics program, though this may not be available in every state.
Safeco Telematics
Safeco RightTrack® is Safeco's telematics program. The company offers a plug-in device or a mobile app that tracks and monitors your driving for 90 days in an effort to help determine your rates. While the amount of your discount is not guaranteed, those who practice safe driving habits may be eligible for savings between 5% and 30% according to the company's website.
Safeco Insurance bundling options
Safeco Insurance offers a number of different insurance products, many of which can be bundled together under the same policy. The company refers to this as "The Safeco Package." This can potentially save you money and make keeping track of your coverage even easier. Safeco advertises savings of up to 15% for bunding your home, auto, boat, or RV coverages together. Furthermore, you may be eligible for a single deductible if, for instance, your home and car are bundled and both damaged in the same event.
Along with the bundling options listed above, check out this comprehensive list of Safeco's other insurance products.
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Where is Safeco available?
Safeco car insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington D.C.
Safeco home insurance at a glance
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Safeco homeowners insurance review
Safeco homeowners insurance is a good option for many customers. In general, homeowners can expect good coverage at competitive rates. While Safeco doesn't offer a vast number of endorsements, those that they do are very reasonably priced. One thing that potential customers will want to consider is the overall satisfaction of Safeco customers. The company's homeowners coverage receives fewer complaints than their auto coverage, though customer satisfaction is still well below average. To find out more about the different types of coverage offered — as well as average rates — have a look at our guide below.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Average: Safeco customers expressed average levels of satisfaction, according to J.D. Power's 2021 study.
- Financial strength — Excellent: Safeco's excellent financial strength — tracked by AM Best — indicates a strong ability to pay out claims.
- NAIC rating — Poor: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) received more complaints than average regarding Safeco in 2019.
Safeco homeowners insurance coverage options
Safeco homeowners policies include coverage to help repair or rebuild your home and other buildings on your property. You'll find standard coverages like dwelling, other structures, personal property, additional living expenses, personal liability, and medical payments to others. There are also many optional coverages available that you may add on to your policy:
Identity recovery
According to its website, Safeco offers this coverage for $1 per month, which provides assistance in reclaiming your identity and up to $25,000 in expenses or lost wages that result from identity fraud.
Valuable articles
This coverage allows you to add a scheduled endorsement to items that are of particularly high value.
Equipment breakdown
According to its website, Safeco offers this coverage for $2 per month, which covers a number of appliances not typically covered under a standard policy. Please note that this does not cover appliances that break down due to normal wear and tear.
Personal property replacement cost protection
The standard Safeco homeowners policy covers your belongings at actual cash value, meaning that if they are destroyed, you would be paid out their original value minus depreciation. Replacement cost coverage covers the full cost to replace your personal property.
Safeco homeowners discounts
Safeco's homeowners discounts are not as robust as some companies, but they still offer a few ways to save on your insurance premiums. Have a look at Safeco's saving options below.
- Multiple policy discount: Bundling home, auto, boat, or RV coverage can lead to savings.
- Newer home discount: Homes under 10 years old may qualify for a discount.
- Higher deductible: While not truly a discount, carrying a higher deductible can lead to lower payments.
- Pay in full: Paying your insurance premium upfront can save you money.
Make an informed decision: compare insurance rates today.
How much does Safeco homeowners insurance cost?
In general, Safeco homeowners insurance is quite affordable. Have a look at how the company compares to other popular home insurance carriers below.
| Insurance Company | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Safeco | $108 |
| AAA | $109 |
| Allstate | $119 |
| Farmers | $161 |
| Liberty Mutual | $133 |
| Nationwide | $116 |
| Foremost | $256 |
| State Farm | $139 |
Homeowners insurance data methodology
The homeowners insurance rates published in this guide are based on The Zebra's analysis of the cost of home insurance in every U.S. ZIP code. These rates are based on a sample user profile: a 45-year-old married homeowner living in a 2,500-square-foot single-story home built in 2011 with these coverage levels:
- $200,000 for the dwelling
- $20,000 for other structures
- $100,000 for personal property
- $100,000 for personal liability
- $1,000 deductible
To generate pricing for particular rating factors, we adjusted the homeowner profile based on common pricing factors used by major home insurance companies. These factors include location, coverage limits, claims record and others.
How to cancel Safeco Insurance
To cancel your Safeco Insurance policy simply contact your local Safeco agent or a representative at 1-800-332-3226. Your agent or a representative can quickly and easily terminate your policy. They can also determine if you will be charged any cancellation fees or if you are due a premium refund. Just make sure to have a new policy lined up before canceling current coverage.
When speaking to a Safeco representative, follow the following steps to cancel your policy:
- Provide your policy number and other customer details
- Request that contract and any recurring payments be canceled
- Answer follow-up questions honestly
- Request that a confirmation email be sent
Can I cancel Safeco Insurance in the middle of my policy term?
Yes. Safeco policies can be canceled at any time. It's usually best to cancel near your policy's end date, but Safeco allows customers to cancel at any point in the policy term. However, before canceling your policy, it's critical that you have another policy in place to avoid a lapse in your insurance coverage. Start the process of comparing quotes before parting ways with Safeco to avoid insurance hikes or — in the case of car insurance — penalties from your state's DMV.
Compare insurance rates quickly and easily.
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.