Safco's Auto Insurance: Who's Covered And Who's Not?

Safeco auto insurance offers a range of coverage options, including standard liability coverage, collision and comprehensive coverages, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage. They also provide optional coverages such as new vehicle replacement, rental car reimbursement, and accident forgiveness. Safeco allows customers to customize their policies with various coverage options and offers unique discounts like RightTrack and Claims Free Cash Back. However, their customer satisfaction ratings are mixed, with some data indicating below-average performance in claims handling and customer service. Safeco insurance is available in most states and can be purchased through local agents, catering to those who prefer personalized advice and recommendations.

Safeco's insurance coverage

Safeco offers a range of insurance coverage options for vehicles, including standard auto insurance and more specialised insurance for classic cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles.

Standard Auto Insurance Coverage

Safeco's standard auto insurance coverage includes liability coverage, collision and comprehensive coverages (also known as full coverage), uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage.

Optional Coverage

Optional coverage includes:

• New Vehicle Replacement: Pays for the value of a comparable new car if your car is less than a year old, has fewer than 15,000 miles, and has been totaled or stolen.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: Helps pay for the cost of renting a car while yours is being repaired after a covered loss.
• 24-Hour Roadside Assistance: Covers towing to the nearest qualified repair shop and other basic emergency services, such as changing a flat tire, delivering gas or oil, and locksmith services.
• Accident Forgiveness: The first accident on your policy is waived after a set number of years with Safeco without an at-fault collision or violation.
• Diminishing Deductible: The deductible is reduced by $50 for a six-month policy or $100 for an annual policy for every year without claims, up to a maximum of $500 or five years.
• Auto Glass Repair/Replacement: Pays to repair or replace damaged or cracked windshields, subject to your deductible.

Classic Car Insurance Coverage

Safeco also offers classic car insurance, which includes agreed value coverage and limited use coverage for vehicles driven less than 5,000 miles per year. The company insures modified collector cars, modern classics (less than 10 years old), and antiques (at least 25 years old).

Other Vehicle Insurance Coverage

In addition to auto insurance, Safeco offers insurance for motorcycles, landlord protection, recreational vehicles, boats, watercraft, ATVs, off-road vehicles, golf carts, and low-speed vehicles.

Number of People Covered

While the exact number of people that can be insured under a Safeco auto insurance policy is not specified, the company does mention that the policy covers the policyholder and other members of their household listed on the policy.

Safeco's customer satisfaction ratings

Additionally, Safeco's customer satisfaction ratings for auto insurance claims are below average, and the company has received a similar number of complaints to other insurers of its size, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

NerdWallet's 2024 review gives Safeco a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars for overall performance, taking into account consumer experience, complaint data, and financial strength ratings. The review highlights that while Safeco offers unique features like accident forgiveness, it falls short in customer service.

Safeco's mobile app has high overall ratings on both the App Store and Google Play Stores, indicating that customers are generally satisfied with the app's functionality and features, which include filing and tracking claims, accessing policy documents, and requesting roadside assistance.

In terms of financial strength, Safeco benefits from its parent company Liberty Mutual's reputation and receives an "A" rating from AM Best, indicating reliability in paying out claims.

Safeco's insurance discounts

Safeco Insurance offers a range of discounts to its customers. The company does not provide quotes online, so it is advisable to contact a local agent to understand the specific discounts available in your state. Here is a list of some of the discounts offered by Safeco:

RightTrack Telematics Program

RightTrack is a usage-based insurance program that offers discounts for safe driving. Customers receive a 10% discount just for signing up, and can earn up to 30% off their premium if they continue to drive safely. The program lasts for 90 days and monitors driving behaviours such as total miles driven, nighttime driving, braking and acceleration. The discount is then applied for the life of the policy.

Claims Free Cash Back

If a customer has a 12-month Superior or Ultra Safeco auto policy and has no at-fault claims over a six-month period, they will receive a check for 2.5% of their policy premium, up to a total of 5% each year. This is a unique approach, giving customers extra cash if they are already budgeting for their premium.

Safeco Package

This is a bundling discount for customers who purchase two or more policy types with the company, such as auto and home, or auto and renters insurance.

Safe Driver

Safe drivers may qualify for additional savings if they have gone a certain number of years without a moving violation or accident.

Safety Equipment Discount

Customers may be eligible for this discount if they install approved safety devices such as anti-lock brakes or an anti-theft device.

Multi-Vehicle Discount

If a customer insures more than one vehicle with Safeco, they can earn a discount.

Pay in Full

Customers who pay their policy in full or in two installments can lower their premiums.

In addition to these discounts, Safeco also offers accident forgiveness, new vehicle replacement, rental car reimbursement, 24-hour roadside assistance, classic car coverage, and a diminishing deductible for customers who maintain a clean driving record.

Safeco's insurance claims

Safeco Insurance offers a range of coverage options and features for auto insurance. The company provides standard coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and medical expenses resulting from accidents, as well as uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. They also have optional coverage for rental cars, roadside assistance, and new vehicle replacement.

One of the standout features of Safeco's auto insurance is their Claims-Free Cash Back™ policy. If a customer has no at-fault claims over a six-month review period, Safeco will send them a check for 2.5% of their policy premium, up to 5% each year. This incentive rewards safe driving and is a unique approach to claims-free discounts.

Another feature is the Diminishing Deductible benefit. For every six-month auto policy, Safeco will reduce the deductible by $50, or $100 for an annual policy, if the customer maintains a clean driving record. This reduction can occur for up to five years or until a maximum of $500 is reached.

In terms of customer satisfaction, Safeco has received mixed reviews. While they have an above-average score from J.D. Power's 2023 Claims Satisfaction Study, they ranked low in the 2024 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study, indicating a less satisfactory purchase experience. Additionally, their customer satisfaction ratings for auto insurance claims are below average.

Filing a claim with Safeco can be done online, via their mobile app, or with the assistance of an agent. The process typically takes around 30 days, although some customers have reported longer processing times.

Safeco's insurance quote and purchase process

Safeco Insurance is a well-known insurance company that offers various coverage options, including auto insurance. The company has been in the insurance business for over a century and is currently a part of Liberty Mutual Insurance, the sixth-largest personal lines insurer in the country.

Finding an Agent

To obtain a quote from Safeco, you need to connect with a local independent agent. You can find an agent through the "Find an Agent" feature on the Safeco website by inputting your ZIP code. Working with an agent allows you to receive personalized advice and recommendations tailored to your specific needs and budget.

Understanding Coverage Options

Safeco offers a broad array of auto insurance coverage options. These include standard coverage types such as liability coverage, collision and comprehensive coverages (full coverage), uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments coverage.

In addition, Safeco provides several optional coverage choices, including:

• New Vehicle Replacement: Pays for a comparable new car if your car is totaled or stolen, provided it is less than a year old and has fewer than 15,000 miles.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: Helps with rental car costs while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss.
• 24-Hour Roadside Assistance: Covers towing and essential emergency services like flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and locksmith services.
• Accident Forgiveness: Waives the first accident on your policy after a certain number of years without an at-fault collision or violation.
• Classic Car Coverage: Tailored coverage for classic and antique cars, including agreed value coverage and limited use coverage for low mileage.
• Diminishing Deductible: Reduces your deductible by $50 to $100 for maintaining a clean driving record, up to a maximum of $500 or five years.
• Auto Glass Repair/Replacement: Covers the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield, subject to your deductible.

Obtaining a Quote

Once you have connected with a local Safeco agent and discussed your specific needs and coverage options, they will provide you with a quote. This quote will outline the cost of the selected coverages and any applicable discounts.

Purchasing the Policy

If you decide to purchase the policy, you will need to provide the necessary information and complete the required paperwork. The agent will guide you through the process, ensuring you understand the terms and conditions of your policy.

Managing Your Policy

After purchasing your policy, you can manage it through Safeco's online portal or mobile app. The app allows you to enroll in automatic payments, review and make changes to your policy, view policy documents, file and track claims, and connect with customer service representatives.

In conclusion, Safeco's insurance quote and purchase process involves finding a local independent agent, understanding and selecting coverage options, obtaining a quote, purchasing the policy, and managing your policy through their digital platforms.

Frequently asked questions