Safeco Auto Insurance Review 2024

Safeco Insurance earned 3.5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.

Safeco sells personal auto and other insurance products. Safeco’s parent company, Liberty Mutual, is an insurance giant — the sixth-largest auto insurance seller.

» MORE: The best car insurance companies

Where Safeco stands out

Coverage options. Safeco offers a multitude of optional coverage types, including some that go above and beyond when compared with other auto insurance companies. For example, Safeco’s emergency assistance package will pay for roadside assistance, plus emergency expenses for meals and lodging. It also includes personal property coverage for items damaged or stolen in your car.

You can also choose Safeco’s better car replacement coverage, which pays out the actual cash value of a car one model year newer than your totaled car.

If you’re a driver for Uber, Lyft or similar service, Safeco offers rideshare and delivery network coverage to keep you covered while you wait for a ride or delivery request.

Where Safeco falls short

Customer satisfaction. Safeco’s customer satisfaction is low when compared to other auto insurance companies. Safeco has close to the expected number of complaints to state regulators for a company of its size, but it also scored low in J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. insurance shopping and claims satisfaction studies ^[0]

Discounts. The company doesn’t offer many discounts compared with other car insurers. You also can’t get a quote online. Instead, you’ll need to find an insurance agent through the company’s agent locator portal who can assist you.

Compare with other insurers

Safeco auto insurance coverage

When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle. Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Read about the most common types of car insurance coverage to see how they work.

While Safeco policies include these standard types of coverage, the company also offers these features, depending on your state:

• Accident forgiveness. After a certain number of years with no accidents or violations, Safeco won’t raise your rates after your first accident.

• Claims-free cash back. You’ll get a check for 2.5% of your premium every six months if you don’t have any at-fault claims.

• Diminishing deductible. If you don’t make a car insurance claim, Safeco will reduce your collision deductible each year, up to $500 or five years.

• Collision and comprehensive deductible waiver. Your deductible is waived in accidents in which you’re not at fault.

In addition, you can choose from several coverage options if they’re available in your state, including:

• Rideshare and delivery network coverage. If you drive for a company like Uber or GrubHub, your personal policy is suspended while you use the app. Meanwhile, the ridesharing company’s insurance is limited between rides. Safeco’s rideshare coverage closes that gap so you’re covered while you wait for a request.

• New car replacement. If your car is totaled or stolen and is less than 1 year old with fewer than 15,000 miles, Safeco will pay to replace it with a comparable new car.

• Better car replacement. This coverage pays for the actual cash value of a car one model year newer if yours is totaled.

• Original parts replacement. This option pays for new, original factory parts for your car in a collision or comprehensive claim.

• Rental car reimbursement. This pays for the cost of a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired after a covered accident.

• Personal property coverage. This coverage pays if your belongings are damaged in an accident or stolen from your car. Typically, this is covered by renters or homeowners insurance if you have it.

• Gap coverage. If your car is totaled or stolen, Safeco pays the difference between how much is left on your loan or lease and the value of your car.

• Electronic key and lock replacement. This pays to replace lost or stolen electronic keys, remote control pads and locks with no deductible.

• Custom equipment coverage. This protects equipment that wasn't installed at the factory or dealership, including permanently installed audiovisual equipment, a modified or custom engine, roll bars, custom wheels, murals and decals.

• Pet coverage. This option pays for veterinary expenses or a death benefit if your cat or dog is injured or dies in a collision.

• Emergency assistance package. This pays for roadside assistance along with meals and lodging during an emergency. It also includes personal property coverage.

» MORE: Compare car insurance rates

Auto insurance discounts

You may be able to earn a discount on your Safeco auto policy if you:

• Have multiple policies with Safeco (bundling).

• Maintain an accident-free driving record.

• Take a safe driving course. 

• Drive a car that’s equipped with certain safety features.

• Don’t drive a lot.

Pricing based on tracked driving habits

In most states, you can get a discount for allowing Safeco to monitor your driving for a 90-day period through the Safeco Mobile app. The program tracks behaviors such as hard braking, acceleration, nighttime driving and total miles driven. A discount is guaranteed just for completing the program, and drivers can potentially save more based on driving behavior.

Complaints and customer satisfaction

Safeco had close to the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Safeco ranked below average for auto insurance shopping and auto claims satisfaction according to J.D. Power’s 2024 customer satisfaction studies.^[0]

More about Safeco auto insurance

Website: Safeco’s site is easy to navigate and lets you track a claim, pay your bill and view or download policy documents. Though you can’t get a quote online, the Safeco website lets you locate an independent agent near you to help you buy a policy.

Mobile app: Safeco’s app lets you log in and manage your policy, pay bills, check the status of a claim, call for roadside assistance, upload photos of accident damage and more.

Homeowners insurance from Safeco

Safeco offers standard homeowners insurance coverage along with additional options. To learn more, read our Safeco home insurance review.

Other insurance from Safeco

Other insurance products available from Safeco:

• Motorcycle insurance.

• Umbrella insurance.

• Renters insurance.

• Landlord protection insurance.

• Condo insurance.

• Recreational vehicle, or RV, insurance.

• Boat and watercraft insurance.

• Classic car insurance.

• ATV and off-road vehicle insurance.

• Golf cart and low-speed vehicle insurance.

• Pet insurance.