Deciding on an auto insurance company can be complicated: the rates each insurer offers can vary widely based on your driving record, age, and location, and companies offer an array of discounts. USAA and safeco are two of the most popular insurance companies, providing competitively priced insurance policies in most regions.
To make shopping for car insurance easier, we pulled average prices from safeco and USAA. These cover a variety of pricing factors, including credit score, driving history, and demographics. Compare rates and find your next car insurance policy today.
Want to find out more? Read our comprehensive reviews of USAA and Safeco.
If you have extremely bad credit, USAA could be the best option for you. On average, USAA offers lower rates than safeco for drivers with credit scores of 579 or less. Those with extraordinary credit — a score of 800-plus — should consider USAA, which typically beats safeco by $815 annually. View common insurance rates by credit level for safeco and USAA below.
| Credit level | USAA avg. annual premium | Safeco avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $2,682 | $5,308 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,247 | $2,716 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,057 | $1,967 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $910 | $1,871 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $840 | $1,655 |
If you're saddled with an at-fault accident, ticket, reckless driving violation, or DUI in your recent history, USAA could be a better choice than safeco. Every car insurance company prices policies differently after a violation, so it's worth comparing quotes to figure out which insurer suits you.
| Violation | USAA avg. annual premium | safeco avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,304 | $2,546 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $947 | $1,969 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,952 | $2,796 |
| Reckless driving | $1,472 | $2,853 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,124 | $2,512 |
Car insurance companies rely on age to outline risk potential, pricing premiums accordingly. Insurance is commonly priciest for young drivers — because of their inexperience — and more affordable for drivers aged 25 or older. Since each insurance company evaluates ages uniquely, it's worth comparing rates and shopping around.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose USAA before safeco: USAA offers average yearly savings of $4,901, compared to safeco.
| Age | USAA avg. annual premium | Safeco avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $2,864 | $7,765 |
| 20s | $1,261 | $2,566 |
| 30s | $963 | $2,566 |
| 40s | $957 | $2,128 |
| 50s | $889 | $1,745 |
| 60s | $845 | $1,687 |
Finances aside, USAA and safeco each come with pros and cons, including their discounts, perks, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Be sure to shop around before settling on an option.
| Discount Comparison | USAA | Safeco |
|---|---|---|
| Good Student | ||
| Multiple Policies | ||
| Multiple Vehicles | ||
| Anti-Theft Device(s) | ||
| Anti-Lock Brake System | ||
| Air Bags | ||
| Good Driver | ||
| Defensive Driver | ||
| Student Away at School | ||
| Driver Training | ||
| Green Vehicles | ||
| Affinity Membership Alum | ||
| Advanced Purchase | ||
| Pay in Full | ||
| Home Owner | ||
| eSign or ePay | ||
| Telematics | ||
| New Vehicle | ||
| Annual Mileage | ||
| Military |
| Ratings Comparison | USAA | Safeco |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Superior | Excellent |
| JD Power Rankings | ||
| User Satisfaction | A++ | A+ |
| Other Products | USAA | Safeco |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Insurance | ||
| Condo Insurance | ||
| Life Insurance | ||
| Homeowners Insurance | ||
| Travel Trailer Insurance | ||
| Renters Insurance | ||
| RV Insurance | ||
| Motorcycle Insurance | ||
| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | USAA | Safeco |
|---|---|---|
| About | USAA is known for their award-winning service, distinguished products and making their customers' needs a priority. | Why customers love us: Whether it’s your car, home, motorcycle, boat, identity, or more, Safeco makes it simple to protect what matters to you. Financial strength you can trust - Safeco Insurance is a proud part of Liberty Mutual Insurance, a Fortune 100 company. Liberty Mutual is rated “A” by A.M. Best Company. |
| Roadside Assistance | 24-hour roadside assistance is included in all of USAA's Extended Vehicle Protection programs. Pricing varies depending on which plan you select. Roadside assistance will pay up to $100 per occurrence of the following: towing service, flat tire change, emergency gas delivery, battery jump, and locksmith services. Substitute Transportation is available up to $250 per occurrence. Travel/Lodging Reimbursement is available up to $300 per occurrence. | Safeco offers roadside assistance 24/7 as an option to your policy and includes coverage for towing, flat tire, battery service, fuel and fluids, and lockouts. |
| Additional Discounts | USAA offers additional discounts for vehicles with daytime running lights and vehicles in storage, as well as a legacy discount for members under 25 years old whose parents have had USAA auto insurance. | Safeco is a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual and offers claim service 24/7. |
| Recent Questions | Our son-in-law is a USAA member (Navy). Can we join also? Parents are not eligible for USAA. I believe USAA eligibility flows "downstream" — so descendants, i.e. Can my brother use his insurance for damage he caused to my vehicle?Unfortunately, car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. In this case, he cannot use his own insurance to cover the damage he caused to your vehicle. Agree to be paid out of pocket with driver with no licenseTo sum, having her pay out of pocket might be your best option. Let me explain. Can I get USAA insurance from son in lawAlthough I am not a licensed agent for USAA, it is my understanding that you need to be a child or spouse of an established members to get a policy. Meaning, you wouldn't be eligible to get your own policy away from your son-in-law. See More Questions | What can I do about fixing incorrect information on my driving record? It really depends on where the accidents are listed. Insurance companies look at 2 different reports to verify your driving history. If my teenager rear ended another car but we aren't filing a claim, will my insurance rate go up?The tricky part about this situation is the police report. Since your current insurance company is unlikely to re-run your driving records after you become a customer, avoiding a claim should keep the rate with your current company from increasing. Should I file a claim if my repair cost is $1,500?In New Mexico, our State of Insurance report shows that an at fault accident increases rates by an average of $596 additionally per year. Since accidents impact your rate for at least 3 years, you would be paying an extra $1,788 in premium over that time frame. Can I put my insurance on hold due to temporary disability?Technically, you can cancel your car insurance at any time. However, canceling your policy will result in the loss of a Prior Insurance discount when you go to purchase another policy in the future. See More Questions |
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