Auto Insurance: How Much Coverage Is Enough?

Safe Auto Insurance is a good option for high-risk drivers who may have struggled to find coverage elsewhere. The company offers non-owner and SR-22 insurance policies and works with drivers who have incidents on their records, such as multiple accidents or DUIs. However, Safe Auto has received criticism for its poor customer service, limited add-on coverages, and higher-than-average complaint index score. Safe Auto's rates are also considered high across the board, especially for parents adding a teen to a policy, young adult drivers, and senior drivers.

Safe Auto's customer service reputation

SafeAuto has received mixed reviews for its customer service. While some customers have praised the company for its excellent, fast, and efficient customer service, others have criticised it for its poor customer service experience.

On the one hand, some customers have expressed satisfaction with SafeAuto's customer service, claiming that the company's claims department is responsive and efficient in handling their queries. They appreciate the convenience of having a 1-800 number to call for assistance.

On the other hand, SafeAuto has also received numerous complaints about its customer service. Some customers have reported difficulties in reaching the company, with their calls and emails going unanswered. There have been issues with billing and policy cancellations, unexpected additional fees, and a lack of clarity around coverage options. These problems have led to a high volume of complaints, with the company receiving more than four times the expected number of complaints for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC's Complaint Index for SafeAuto is 4.29, significantly higher than the average of 1.0.

In addition to the complaints about claims handling, customers have also criticised SafeAuto's mobile app. The app has received negative reviews, with users encountering difficulties with basic functionalities like logging in and making payments.

Overall, while some customers have had positive experiences with SafeAuto's customer service, the company's poor customer service reputation is widely recognised, and it is recommended that individuals explore other insurers before choosing SafeAuto.

Safe Auto's coverage options

SafeAuto offers the three main types of car insurance: liability insurance, collision insurance, and comprehensive insurance.

Liability insurance covers damage and injuries you cause to others in an accident and is mandatory in most states. Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle from collisions with another car or object, regardless of fault. Comprehensive insurance protects against non-collision-related incidents and a wide range of damages beyond your control, including vandalism and natural disasters.

SafeAuto also provides personal injury protection or no-fault insurance, which pays for medical and funeral expenses, lost wages, and household services if you're injured in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This is mandatory in some states as part of minimum car insurance.

Additionally, SafeAuto offers uninsured and underinsured motorist protection, which covers damages caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. This may be required in certain states.

SafeAuto also offers optional extras, including roadside assistance and towing, rental car reimbursement, and accidental death coverage.

SafeAuto specializes in providing minimum coverage car insurance and is geared towards high-risk drivers. It's important to note that SafeAuto is now a part of Direct Auto Insurance, so specific policies and offerings may have changed or expanded.

Safe Auto's mobile app experience

SafeAuto's mobile app is available for both iOS and Android users. The app allows users to access their insurance information anywhere at any time.

The app has a Due Date Countdown feature on its home screen, which helps users keep track of their bill payments. Users can also view their ID cards and navigate through the app with quick navigation. The app also allows users to review and update their policy details and coverages directly from their phones.

The SafeAuto Mobile App also enables users to start the claims process by contacting claims right from the app. Users can also chat with a SafeAuto Customer Support representative 24/7 through the app.

The SafeAuto Mobile App provides users with various payment options, including card (ATM/Debit/Credit) or electronic check. Users can also save their payment details for future use and make one-tap payments directly from the home screen. Additionally, users can access a digital copy of their ID card and review their policy details and coverage through the app.

While the app offers several convenient features, customer reviews of the SafeAuto mobile insurance app are mostly negative. Android users gave it a rating of 3.5 out of 5, while Apple users rated it 1.7 out of 5. Users reported issues with basic functionalities, such as logging into the app and bill payment.

Safe Auto's pros and cons

Safe Auto Insurance is now part of the Direct Auto Insurance family, with Direct Auto being a subsidiary of National General, which is an Allstate company. Safe Auto specialized in selling minimum required car insurance to drivers who may have trouble getting coverage elsewhere.

Safe Auto Insurance Pros

• Can file an SR-22 if you need one
• Website available in English and Spanish
• Specialized in non-standard car insurance for high-risk drivers
• Offers non-owner policies
• Offers comprehensive and collision coverage
• Offers other standard coverage options, such as rental reimbursement, roadside assistance and towing
• Offers personal injury protection
• Offers various discounts

Safe Auto Insurance Cons

• Far more complaints than expected about auto insurance to state regulators
• Not available in all states
• Few options for higher liability coverage
• Limited optional coverage types for a more robust car insurance policy
• No longer writing new policies
• Poor grade (D+) from repair experts for its claims handling
• Costs are high across the board for all types of drivers, but especially for parents adding a teen to a policy, young adult drivers and senior drivers

Safe Auto's cost

SafeAuto is now a part of Direct Auto Insurance, which is a subsidiary of National General, an Allstate company. SafeAuto no longer writes new policies, and its website redirects customers to Direct Auto's site.

SafeAuto specialized in state minimum coverage car insurance for high-risk drivers, including those with multiple tickets, poor credit, or a DUI on their record. The company offered competitive rates, but its customer service and coverage options were poor.

SafeAuto's rates were higher than average when compared to other companies, especially for drivers with clean records. For example, its average rate for good drivers was $2,889 per year, which is far above the national average of $2,026. SafeAuto's rates for drivers with a speeding ticket, an accident, a DUI, or poor credit were also significantly higher than the national average.

SafeAuto offered several discounts to make its insurance more affordable, including:

• Military discount: Up to 25% for qualifying members of the military.
• Safe driver discount: Up to 10% for maintaining a clean driving record over 36 months.
• Good student discount: Up to 10% for unmarried, full-time students with good grades.
• Senior citizen discount: Up to 5% for drivers 55 and older who have completed a vehicle accident prevention course.
• Multi-car discount: Up to 25% for insuring more than one vehicle.
• DynamicDrive: Up to 10% through Direct Auto's telematics program.
• Payment discounts: Discounts for signing up for paperless billing, making automatic payments, or paying the year in full upfront.

Frequently asked questions