Safeco Insurance: Is It Worth The Money?

how is safeco insurance rated overal

Safeco Insurance is a Boston-based company that offers personal insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The company has received mixed reviews, with some customers reporting positive experiences with its coverage options and discounts, while others have complained about poor customer service and unexpected rate increases. Safeco has an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, indicating its financial stability, but has received lower ratings from other organizations and customers for its auto and home insurance services. Overall, Safeco's ratings reflect a range of experiences, with some praising its affordability and others expressing disappointment with its claims handling and customer support.

Characteristics Values
Customer satisfaction Poor
Customer service Poor
Claims handling Mixed
Financial strength Excellent
Affordability Mixed
Discounts Available
Coverage options Wide array
Overall rating 3.1/5

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Customer service

Safeco Insurance has received mixed reviews for its customer service. While some customers report positive experiences, others have shared negative feedback.

In terms of customer satisfaction, Safeco has received below-average ratings in J.D. Power's 2024 Claims Satisfaction Study, with a score of 687 out of 1,000. This study evaluated various aspects of the claims process, including settlement, first notice of loss, claim servicing, estimation, and repair processes. Similarly, Safeco ranked third-to-last in J.D. Power's 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, indicating that customers found the purchase experience less satisfactory compared to other insurers.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) also reported an above-average number of customer complaints for Safeco. Customer reviews on platforms like WalletHub, Better Business Bureau, and Bankrate reflect challenges with claim payments and difficulty reaching adjusters. WalletHub reviewers have described Safeco's employees as lacking competence and highlighted issues with billing and unclear explanations of fees.

On the other hand, some customers have praised Safeco's customer service. On Reddit, for example, some users have reported positive interactions with the company's representatives. Additionally, Safeco offers a range of convenient services, such as a mobile app that allows customers to obtain ID cards, pay bills, view policy documents, and request roadside assistance. The company also provides a unique Claims Free Cash Back program, where customers can receive up to 5% of their premium back if they avoid filing claims.

Overall, while Safeco has received recognition for its financial strength and ability to fulfil claims, its customer service has been a point of concern for many. The company's customer satisfaction ratings are below average, and it has received a notable number of complaints, particularly regarding claims handling. However, there are also positive testimonials, underscoring the mixed nature of Safeco's customer service reputation.

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Financial strength

Safeco Insurance is rated A (Excellent) by AM Best, one of the largest credit rating agencies in the insurance industry. This is one of the highest ratings available and indicates that the company is financially fit and stable. Customers can feel confident that Safeco will be able to meet its obligations if they need to file a claim.

In addition to its high financial strength rating, Safeco offers a wide array of coverage options and discounts. The company provides both homeowners and auto insurance, as well as other insurance products such as motorcycle, boat, and watercraft insurance. Safeco also offers a multitude of optional coverage types, including emergency assistance packages, personal property coverage, and rideshare coverage.

Despite its strong financial standing, Safeco has received mixed reviews in other areas. The company has scored poorly in customer satisfaction surveys, with some customers reporting negative experiences with claims handling and customer service. However, others have praised Safeco for its timely response to claims and positive communication experiences.

In terms of cost, Safeco is known for offering competitive rates, especially for young drivers. The company provides various discounts, such as multi-vehicle and claims-free cashback options. However, some customers have expressed concerns about unexpected rate increases and limited discount options.

Overall, while Safeco's financial strength is a key advantage, the company's performance in other areas, such as customer satisfaction and pricing transparency, may vary depending on individual experiences.

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Discounts

Safeco Insurance offers a range of discounts to its customers. The company provides a loyalty program that offers rewards, although it may not be available in all states and circumstances. In addition, Safeco has a Claims Free Cash Back program that returns up to 5% of the premium each year if no claims are filed. This is also offered as a 2.5% cashback every six months.

For young drivers, Safeco offers discounts, including for teens who maintain good grades. The company also provides a discount for those who allow Safeco to monitor their driving behaviour for 90 days through the Safeco Mobile app. This includes tracking acceleration, total miles driven, and nighttime driving. Safeco also offers a diminishing deductible, where, if no claims are made, the collision deductible is reduced by up to $500 over five years.

Safeco also provides an emergency assistance package that covers roadside assistance and emergency expenses for meals and lodging. The company also has a better car replacement coverage option, which pays out the actual cash value of a car one model year newer than the totalled car.

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Auto insurance

Safeco Insurance, owned by Liberty Mutual, offers auto insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The company provides standard coverage options, including liability, collision, and uninsured motorist coverage. In addition, Safeco offers various add-ons, such as custom equipment coverage, emergency assistance, and pet injury coverage.

Customer Satisfaction and Complaints

Safeco has received mixed reviews from customers regarding overall satisfaction. While some customers report satisfactory experiences, others have expressed frustration with customer service, claim handling, and unexpected rate increases. According to J.D. Power's 2024 studies, Safeco ranked below average in claims satisfaction and insurance shopping experiences. The company also scored poorly in CRASH Network's 2025 Insurer Report Card, indicating challenges in working with auto repair shops, which could impact customer satisfaction.

Discounts and Rewards

Safeco offers a range of discounts and rewards programs for auto insurance. The RightTrack program, a usage-based insurance option, allows drivers to receive discounts based on their driving behaviour. Safeco also offers a diminishing deductible program, where customers can receive a $100 reduction on their deductible for each claim-free year, up to $500. Additionally, Safeco provides a Claims Free Cash Back program, where customers can receive up to 5% of their premium back annually if they avoid filing claims.

Coverage Options

In addition to standard coverage, Safeco provides several optional coverage types. These include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness, and more. The availability of certain coverage options may vary by state.

Financial Strength

Safeco has an A rating for financial strength from AM Best, indicating a strong ability to fulfil claims. This excellent financial standing provides confidence in the company's financial stability.

Overall Rating

Safeco Insurance has received varying ratings across different platforms. On WalletHub, the company ranked in the second quartile among major car insurance companies, with a score of 3.1/5. In a consumer survey by The Zebra, Safeco scored 8/10 overall, placing it 24th on the list. However, due to limited information on Safeco's average rates, providing an accurate overall rating is challenging.

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Home insurance

Safeco Insurance offers homeowners insurance that covers damage to your house and other structures on your property from risks like fire, storm damage, or a tree falling through the roof. A Safeco homeowners policy will also pay for temporary living expenses if you can't stay at home while covered damage is being repaired.

Safeco's home insurance rates are not available for analysis, so the best way to estimate costs is to request a quote. However, Safeco has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, so you can feel confident that claims will be paid. The company also offers a wide array of coverage options and discounts, including multiple property insurance lines, such as homeowners and renters insurance.

Some customers report positive experiences with Safeco, including solid coverage, good claims handling, and acceptance of a wide range of dog breeds. However, Safeco has received mixed reviews for its home insurance, with some customers reporting poor claims handling and unexpected rate increases. According to J.D. Power, Safeco scored below average for overall customer satisfaction, and The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey also gave Safeco below-average customer and claims satisfaction ratings.

When choosing a homeowners insurance company, it is important to prioritize your needs and compare providers to find the optimal coverage. Factors such as location, home value, and coverage needs will affect your rate. It is recommended to compare quotes from several different providers to find the best deal.

Frequently asked questions

Overall, customer ratings for Safeco Insurance are mixed. On WalletHub, Safeco Insurance is rated 3.1/5. On The Zebra, it has 2.8/5 stars. On Reddit, some users have described Safeco as "the worst insurance company ever", while others have praised the company for its "timely response to claims" and "reasonably priced" policies.

Safeco Insurance maintains an A (Excellent) rating with AM Best, one of the largest credit rating agencies in the insurance industry. It has an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Its NAIC rating is 1.91.

Safeco Insurance has been rated poorly for its customer service by customers and insurance rating organisations. Customers have described Safeco's employees as "incompetent" and "unhelpful". However, some customers have reported positive experiences with Safeco's customer service.

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