Safeco Auto Insurance Review: Ratings and Quotes (2024)

Safeco is a reputable insurance company offering great rates and discounts on auto insurance. It has a strong financial rating, but policyholders have left mixed reviews.

Amy Beardsley
Written byAmy Beardsley
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Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer
  • 3+ years writing about auto, home, and life insurance

  • 7+ years in personal finance and technology

Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.

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Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated March 14, 2024

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When searching online for car insurance, you’ll find yourself exploring different providers. Safeco, a Liberty Mutual company, is one option, but simply comparing quotes isn’t enough to know the reputation of a specific company. You must also consider customer service and claims handling — two areas where Safeco doesn’t always score well.

  • Safeco offers auto insurance, homeowners, renters, pet, and other coverage options to save you time and money when buying insurance.

  • Safeco ranks slightly below average for claims-handling customer satisfaction, according to a 2020 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study from J.D. Power.[1]

  • The company has few auto insurance discounts, but the RightTrack program can save you up to 30%.

See More: 10 Best Car Insurance Companies

What is Safeco auto insurance?

An insurance provider founded in Seattle in 1923, Safeco offers auto, homeowners, renters, umbrella, pet, and commercial coverage. It’s part of Liberty Mutual Insurance, which ranks 78th on the Fortune 100 list of the largest U.S. corporations.

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.7
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
825
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$66/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$124/mo

Owned by Liberty Mutual, Safeco offers car, homeowners, renters, pet, and other insurance products. The company has been in busines since 1923, and provides new vehicle replacement coverage, rental car reimbursement, liability, and full-coverage policies. Safeco’s money-saving programs include accident forgiveness, a diminishing deductible, and a cash back program for customers who remain claims-free for six months. The company has an average amount of complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index, and placed 13th on the J.D. Powers’ Overall Customer Satisfaction Index. A.M. Best gives Safeco a score of A for financial stability.

Pros
  • Pays cash back to customers who remain claims-free

  • Many options for customizing car insurance

Cons
  • Limited number of discounts

  • Customer reviews indicate room for improvement in customer service

Significant price increase! Over twenty-two dollars monthly, without any driving changes. No accidents or tickets.

BILLY - December 4, 2023
Verified

Quality price & service.

Emery - September 21, 2023
Verified

They are really patient over the phone, and anytime I can change something on my policy online.

Mildred - August 30, 2023
Verified
Read our Safeco review

How does Safeco auto insurance work?

Safeco uses an agency model, so you can’t buy a policy directly from the company. Instead, Safeco sells policies through a network of independent insurance agents. Each insurance agent works on a commission. Each time they renew an existing policy or sell a new one, Safeco pays the agent a percentage ranging from 3% to 18% of the policy premium.

Safeco auto insurance coverage

Safeco specializes in property and casualty insurance and offers many types of auto insurance coverage options:

  • Car insurance: Protects against accidents or theft. Medical payments and property damage coverage come standard with a Safeco policy.

  • Motorcycle insurance: Covers injuries to others and damage to their property. Bodily injury liability insurance, collision, 24-hour roadside assistance, and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts coverage come standard from Safeco.

  • Boat and watercraft insurance: A standard policy includes emergency assistance, fuel spill and wreckage removal, and personal belongings (like fishing gear).

  • Classic car coverage: Includes agreed value coverage for a total loss after a car accident and discounts for driving 5,000 or fewer miles per year.

  • Recreational vehicle (RV) insurance: Protect your RV, trailer, or motor home. Personal property and audio, visual, and custom equipment coverage come standard.

  • ATV and off-road vehicle coverage: Protects ATVs with four or six wheels. Standard policy coverage includes hospital bills and medical expenses, property damage, and gear replacement of up to $1,000 per person.

  • Golf cart and low-speed vehicle insurance: Includes property damage, hospital bills, and medical expenses coverage.

The average cost with Safeco ranges from $129 per month for a liability-only policy to $203 for full coverage. How much you pay depends on your policy options, the type of coverage you purchase, and your driver profile.

Learn More: Car Insurance Information: Guides, Insights, and Tips

How to get a Safeco car insurance quote

Requesting a Safeco insurance quote is the best way to determine whether the coverage will fit your needs and budget. First, compare car insurance quotes by entering your ZIP code. You’ll answer a few questions, such as whether you currently have auto insurance and information about the vehicle and drivers you want to insure.

Your Safeco rate will show up alongside rates from other providers to help you compare companies. That way, you can be sure you’re getting a great rate on car insurance.

Safeco car insurance cost by state

Car insurance costs vary quite a bit. Your rate depends on your age, driving record, and other factors — including the state where you’re buying insurance. New York is one of the most expensive states to purchase coverage in. Here’s the average monthly cost of a Safeco policy in 13 of the most populous states in the U.S.

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

See Also: Cheapest States for Car Insurance: Quotes, Discounts for 2022

Safeco auto insurance rates by driving history

Your driving history plays a factor in your car insurance prices. You can often reduce your premium by improving your driving record and taking advantage of safe driving discounts offered by Safeco.

Driving HistoryMonthly Cost
Clean record$195
At-fault accidents$229
Speeding tickets$235
DUIs$225
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Learn More: How Long Does a DUI Stay on Your Record?

Safeco car insurance cost by age

Age plays a significant role in your car insurance rates, among other factors. Drivers in their 60s generally have the cheapest rates, while teens pay the most.

AgeMonthly Cost
Teens$550
20–25$197
30s$194
40s$202
50s$182
60s$159
70s164
80+195
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Safeco car insurance discounts

Car insurance discounts reduce the cost of your policy. Safeco has a few [2] that can help you find a better rate:

  • RightTrack: Save up to 30% on your premiums through Safeco’s mobile or RightTrack app or a plug-in device.

  • Safeco Package: Bundling policies could save you up to 15%.

  • Safety features: Antilock braking systems (ABS), anti-theft devices, and other safety features can qualify you for a policy discount.

  • Multi-car: Find savings if you insure more than one vehicle with Safeco.

  • Safe driver: Going a certain number of years without a moving violation or accident can unlock savings.

Additional discounts may be available from Safeco. The company encourages you to ask about other savings opportunities when getting a quote.

Safeco Insurance bundling options

Bundling coverage combines multiple policies into one bill. It’s one of the best and easiest ways to qualify for a discount from Safeco. You could bundle home, auto, boat, renters, motorcycle, umbrella, pet, and commercial insurance with Safeco.

Learn More: Compare Home and Auto Insurance Bundles

Safeco Insurance reviews and ratings

Safeco auto insurance reviews reveal customer service as hit or miss. A few positive reviews stand out that include praise of the roadside assistance service. However, you’ll also find several negative Safeco car insurance reviews.

Safeco customer reviews

Safeco ratings

  • Insurify Composite Score: 86

  • Sitejabber: 1

  • Trustpilot: 2.1

  • Wallethub: 2.9

  • Google reviews: 2.6

Safeco vs. other insurance providers

With so many insurance companies offering similar products and services, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.

Safeco vs. State Farm

State Farm provides many types of insurance, including vehicle, home, pet, and small business. Auto insurance rates range from an average of $109 for liability only to $120 for full coverage. State Farm also offers investment accounts and partners with U.S. Bank to provide banking services.[3]

Safeco vs. Progressive

The average Progressive car insurance rate is $161 for liability only and $237 for full coverage. It also offers dental, health, and other personal insurance coverages, provides a car-shopping service, and offers online checking accounts through Varo.

Like Safeco, Progressive sells policies through agents. But Progressive also lets you buy directly from the company online, by phone, or on a mobile device.[4]

Safeco vs. GEICO

GEICO began by offering coverage to government employees but has grown to provide insurance to a wide range of customers in the private sector, as well. The average policy rate is $136 for minimum coverage and $150 for a full-coverage policy. Like Safeco, GEICO sells through independent agents.

More about Safeco Insurance

Safeco recognizes its independent agents for their dedication to customer service through the Make More Happen Awards program. For example, Doyle & Ogden Insurance supports various causes through its Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation.

Safeco pros and cons

Pros
  • Gives cash back for claims-free periods and offers diminishing deductibles

  • Connects you with a Guaranteed Repair Network to help you get back on the road

  • Offers many options to customize your car insurance coverage to suit your needs

Cons
  • Below-average customer satisfaction ratings for auto insurance claims

  • Offers a limited number of discounts

  • Customer reviews indicate room for improvement in customer service

Filing an auto insurance claim with Safeco

Filing an auto insurance claim is the process of reporting an accident or incident to your insurance company. You may need to file a claim after an accident or theft to request reimbursement for the costs of damages or injuries. You can file a claim with Safeco online, through the mobile app, or by calling 1 (800) 332-3266.

Other Safeco Insurance products

Safeco offers car insurance and so much more. You can purchase property insurance like homeowners, renters, condo, landlord, umbrella coverage, pet, identity recovery, and commercial insurance.

Who owns Safeco Insurance?

Safeco came under the umbrella of Liberty Mutual in 2008. Liberty Mutual has been in business since 1912 and is the world’s sixth-largest property and casualty insurer.

How to reduce your car insurance costs

How to reduce your car insurance costs

Insurers offer a variety of ways for drivers to reduce their premiums. You simply have to know what to ask for and where to look.

  • Improve your credit rating. Insurance companies use your credit score as a factor to determine your rate. A higher credit score can lead to lower car insurance premiums.

  • Bundle insurance policies. Bundling is one of the best ways to save on insurance. Combining your car insurance with homeowners, renters, pet, or another policy can unlock savings.

  • Ask for discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts. Ask about good driver, good student, paid-in-full, automatic payments, bundling, and other discounts.

  • Review providers. The easiest and quickest way to reduce car insurance costs is to review providers and compare quotes from multiple insurance companies.

Safeco Insurance FAQs

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Safeco Insurance below.

  • Is Safeco legitimate?

    Safeco is a legitimate insurance company. It’s been in business since 1923 and became a part of the Liberty Mutual Insurance company in 2008. Safeco received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and isn’t linked to any fraudulent practices.

  • Is Safeco car insurance worth it?

    Safeco offers great rates along with customizable coverage. It has an ICS score of 86 (out of 100) from Insurify. Insurify bases the score on financial stability ratings from J.D. Power, A.M. Best, Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch. It also considers customer satisfaction surveys, complaints, and mobile app reviews of Safeco insurance.

  • What is the average cost of Safeco car insurance?

    On average, Safeco charges $129 monthly for liability-only coverage and $203 for full coverage. The cost of a Safeco policy varies by state, driving history, age, and other factors.

  • Is Safeco good at paying claims?

    Safeco has a strong financial position, earning an A rating from A.M. Best. The financial rating means it has sufficient assets to pay its claims to policyholders.

  • Are Liberty Mutual and Safeco the same?

    Liberty Mutual is the parent company of Safeco. Although it’s a part of Liberty Mutual Insurance, the two companies are different. Each has separate products and pricing, so you could find that one company has a lower rate than the other.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. J.D. Power. "Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Climbs to Record High as Carriers Refine Customer Experience During Pandemic, J.D. Power Finds." Accessed December 15, 2022
  2. Safeco Insurance. "Curious About Safeco Insurance Discounts?." Accessed December 15, 2022
  3. State Farm. "Get set today with an easy to use checking account." Accessed December 15, 2022
  4. Progressive. "Why Insurance Prices May Vary." Accessed December 15, 2022
Amy Beardsley
Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer

Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

Featured in

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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