Safeco
- Accident forgiveness and diminishing deductible are available in some states.
- Multiple coverage options and perks allow drivers to customize their policy.
- Unlike many competitors, Safeco offers insurance for classic cars that permits substantial everyday use of the vehicle.
- Low customer satisfaction ratings for auto insurance claims.
- Ranks near the bottom for satisfaction with insurance shopping.
Liberty Mutual will phase out Safeco in 2026. Starting in 2026, Safeco’s brand will be replaced by Liberty Mutual, its parent company. While Liberty Mutual will phase out the Safeco name, it shouldn’t affect your policy if you’re already covered by Safeco.
NerdWallet's take on Safeco auto insurance
Safeco earned 4.1 out of 5 stars in our analysis for its useful add-ons and policyholder perks.
Best for: Good drivers looking for coverage options who can qualify for accident forgiveness, diminishing deductible and a claims-free refund.
Not ideal for: Young, newly licensed drivers or anyone with a recent DUI or speeding ticket.
Where Safeco car insurance stands out
Coverage options. Safeco has a few coverage options that aren’t always available with other insurers, like new car replacement and multiple tiers of roadside assistance.
Good driving perks. Safeco also offers some drivers perks for avoiding claims and at-fault accidents. You may qualify for accident forgiveness and even a twice-yearly refund of a portion of your premiums if you stay claims-free.
RightTrack program. If you’re a careful driver, you might be able to lower your insurance costs by signing up for Safeco’s RightTrack program and agreeing to share real-time information about your driving.
Where Safeco car insurance falls short
Customer satisfaction. While Safeco receives close to the expected number of complaints from policyholders for a company its size, it scored low in multiple customer satisfaction surveys done by J.D. Power.
Discounts. Safeco offers discounts for bundling and keeping a clean driving record, but you may find more discounts with another insurance company.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
How much does Safeco car insurance cost?
Safeco is available in most states, but we have rates data for only two: Arkansas and Missouri. Because of this, our analysis is based on data in these two states. We recommend comparing quotes on your own, as your rates may be different.
Safeco car insurance costs an average of $252 per month or $3,024 per year for a full coverage policy, according to our November 2025 analysis. That’s about average in the states we have data for.
Your insurance costs depend on many personal factors, like your vehicle, driving history, coverage amount, and where you live. It’s a good idea to compare car insurance rates from multiple companies to find out if Safeco is cheapest for you.
Safeco auto insurance rates by age
According to our analysis, Safeco’s car insurance rates across different age groups were often more expensive than average in the states where we had data, although depending on where you live, it’s possible you’ll get a cheaper rate.
Your age is an important personal detail that affects what you pay for car insurance. Young, newly licensed drivers have a harder time finding cheap car insurance than older drivers who may have been accident- and claims-free for decades.
Here are Safeco's average car insurance rates for drivers of different ages:
Young drivers. The average cost of Safeco car insurance for 20-year-old drivers is $7,510 per year, or $626 per month. That's more expensive than average in the states where we have data.
While car insurance for teen drivers is much more expensive than average, it’s a lot cheaper if the teen driver joins an existing policy, like a parent’s or guardian’s. Safeco also offers a New Teen Driver discount to some existing Safeco customers.
Adult drivers. The average cost of Safeco car insurance for 40-year-old drivers is $2,864 per year, or $239 per month. That's somewhat higher than average for this age group in the states where we have data.
As you age, take stock of your insurance needs and shop again for coverage if a major life event has happened, like if you moved into a new house or bought another car. Safeco offers home and renters insurance — and you may be able to get a discount for bundling your coverage or insuring more than one vehicle.
Senior drivers. The average cost of Safeco car insurance for 60-year-old drivers is $2,656 per year, or $221 per month. That's somewhat higher than average in the states where we have data.
Safeco doesn’t have a dedicated senior discount like some other insurers do, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find coverage from the company that you can afford.
- More Safeco auto rates by age
Age Company median rate National median rate 20 $7,510 $4,684 30 $3,168 $2,375 35 $3,024 $2,300 40 $2,864 $2,232 50 $2,626 $2,074 60 $2,656 $1,988 70 $2,560 $2,125
Safeco auto insurance rates by driver profile
If you have poor credit history or a recent accident on your record and a flexible budget, Safeco could be a fit for you. We found that Safeco’s car insurance rates are often about average after a driving violation.
Driving violations and accidents almost always make car insurance more expensive. It might surprise you that your credit-based insurance score, which is tied to your credit history, can also affect your insurance costs — sometimes more than a driving violation.
Below are Safeco's average full coverage rates for 35-year-old drivers.
Poor credit. The average cost of Safeco car insurance for drivers with poor credit is $3,774 per year, or $315 per month. That's in line with average in the states where we have data.
If you’re able to build your credit by paying off your existing accounts or raising your credit limits, shop for car insurance again to see if you can get cheaper rates.
(California, Hawaii and Massachusetts don't allow insurers to use credit when determining car insurance rates.)
Speeding ticket. The average cost of Safeco car insurance after a speeding ticket is $3,360 per year, or $280 per month. That's more expensive than average in the states where we have data, but not much higher in some cases.
Insurance companies may not raise rates after your first speeding ticket. If your rates do go up, compare car insurance quotes from other companies to find where you can still get relatively cheap coverage.
At-fault crash. The average cost of Safeco car insurance after an at-fault crash is $3,522 per year, or $294 per month. That's close to average in the states where we have data.
You might qualify for accident forgiveness if you’ve had a Safeco policy for a few years. This perk could help you avoid a big jump in price, but it only applies to your first accident.
DUI. The average cost of Safeco car insurance for drivers with a DUI is $6,058 per year, or $505 per month. That’s more expensive than average in the states where we have rates.
Safeco auto insurance discounts
Safeco offers drivers a range of potential discounts. Discounts aren’t always available in every state, and you might have to speak with an agent to see which ones you qualify for.
Depending on your state, you may be able to save on auto insurance by:
Bundling more than one insurance policy with Safeco.
Staying violation-free for three years.
Keeping an accident-free driving record.
Shopping for a new policy before your current one ends.
Maintaining a good record of paying your premiums on time.
Being an active student and earning good grades.
Living at school while your car stays at home.
Owning a home.
Insuring more than one vehicle with Safeco.
Deciding to have insurance documents delivered electronically.
Driving a low number of miles.
Besides offering discounts, Safeco suggests taking a look at your auto insurance deductible — the amount you pay toward the cost of a claim — if you’re looking for cheaper car insurance.
Your deductible is your choice, and raising your deductible may cause your rates to get cheaper. But be careful. Raising your deductible means you would need to be able to cover a larger out-of-pocket part of future repairs.
If you’re looking for the cheapest auto insurance rates possible, you may need to buy the minimum car insurance required to drive in your state. But this can leave you without enough insurance after a serious accident. If you can afford it, we recommend more coverage. Read our cheap car insurance article to see average minimum car insurance rates by company and state.
Safeco car insurance coverage
Safeco's full coverage car insurance includes the standard types of coverage offered by most insurers:
- Liability insurance
Liability car insurance pays for others’ injuries or property damage you cause in a car accident, up to your auto policy limits. There are two types:
Bodily injury liability covers others’ medical expenses after an accident where you are at fault.
Property damage liability covers the repair costs to other vehicles, fences, mailboxes or buildings from an accident.
Is it required? Yes. Every state, except for Virginia and remote parts of Alaska, requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability car insurance in order to drive legally.
- Personal injury protection
Also known as "no-fault insurance," PIP covers your own injuries and medical expenses after a crash, regardless of who's at fault, up to your policy limits. Depending on your state, PIP could also help pay for:
Lost wages if you're unable to work due to your injuries from a car accident.
Services you can't perform because of an accident, such as house cleaning or child care.
Funeral costs if an injury from an accident leads to death.
A small death benefit as a cash payout.
Is it required? Personal injury protection is required in the following states: Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon and Utah.
- Medical payments coverage
Medical payments coverage, or MedPay, helps pay for your medical expenses or funeral costs after a car accident, no matter who's at fault, up to your policy limits. It also pays for medical bills if you or one of your family members is hit by a car while on foot, riding a bike or traveling as a passenger in someone else’s car.
Is it required? MedPay is required in Maine and New Hampshire, and can be purchased as an optional add-on in most other states. In a few states, MedPay can't be purchased because personal injury protection is required.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays out if you're in an accident where the at-fault driver has no liability car insurance, or not enough to cover your injuries or property damage. It can also be used to pay for your passengers’ and household family members’ injuries.
Is it required? Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required in Washington, D.C., and the following states: Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
- Collision insurance
Collision insurance reimburses you to fix or replace your car if you crash into another car or object. It can also pay for hit-and-runs, rollovers and damage caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
Collision insurance becomes less useful the older your car is. That's because it reimburses you for repairs only up to the actual cash value of your car, minus your deductible.
Is it required? Collision insurance isn't mandatory in any state, but most lenders require it if you finance or lease your car. And when you buy collision insurance, you'll likely have to also get comprehensive insurance, which pays for damage to your car from non-traffic-related causes.
- Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance reimburses you to fix or replace your car after non-traffic-related causes, such as:
Weather events, like hail, floods or tornadoes.
Falling objects, such as tree limbs.
Fire or explosions.
Hitting an animal.
Car theft and broken windows.
Earthquakes.
Vandalism or civil disobedience, such as a riot.
Comprehensive insurance becomes less useful the older your car is. That's because it reimburses you for repairs only up to the actual cash value of your car, minus your deductible.
Is it required? Comprehensive insurance isn't mandatory in any state, but most lenders require it if you finance or lease your car. And when you buy comprehensive insurance, you'll likely have to also get collision insurance, which pays for damage to your car from traffic-related causes.
Optional coverage
Safeco also offers some types of optional coverage, such as:
New car replacement. If your car is totaled or stolen and is less than one year old with fewer than 15,000 miles, Safeco will pay to replace it with a similar new car.
Who might need it? New car replacement might be right for you if you couldn’t afford to cover the difference between a new car’s depreciation and the cost of a new model. If you didn’t have new car replacement and you totaled a vehicle you just bought, your car insurance may cover less than the cost of replacing the car you totaled.
Better car replacement. This coverage helps pay for a car that’s one model year newer than your old one after an accident.
Who might need it? You might want better car replacement if you want to be able to upgrade to a newer model if the older one were totaled. If you’d rather pay for the upgrade yourself and avoid the cost of adding this coverage, you could skip it.
Roadside assistance. Safeco offers three roadside assistance packages. This type of coverage provides you with services like towing, fuel delivery and tire changes if your car breaks down.
Who might need it? Roadside assistance could be worth having as a way to avoid unexpectedly becoming stranded if you car breaks down. But you may not need this coverage if you already have roadside assistance through a credit card or a group you’re a member of.
Rideshare and delivery network coverage. If you drive for a company like Uber or Lyft, your personal policy won’t cover you while you use the app. Safeco’s rideshare coverage closes that gap so you’re covered while you wait for a request.
Who needs it? You likely need this coverage if you’re a rideshare driver. Although ridesharing companies provide some coverage while you drive, that coverage may be limited and could leave you without enough insurance to cover a serious accident.
Original parts replacement (OEM). If your car is damaged and you have this coverage, your insurer would use original, not aftermarket, parts for repairs. Aftermarket parts aren’t necessarily made by the same producer as your car’s original parts.
Who might need it? The cost of adding OEM coverage to your insurance might not be worth it if you don’t mind aftermarket parts being used in repairs.
Rental car reimbursement. If your regular car was damaged and needed to be repaired, rental car reimbursement would help pay for the cost of a rental vehicle while your car is being worked on.
Who might need it? You may want to consider adding this coverage to your policy if you depend on your car to get to work or school, and there’s not a better, cheaper form of transportation in your area.
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.
Who might need it? You might need this if you don’t already have a home or renters insurance policy that provides this coverage.
Gap coverage. If you drive a leased vehicle, or one that you’re still paying off, and your car is totaled or stolen, gap insurance pays the difference between how much is left on your loan or lease and the value of your car.
Who might need it? Your lease or loan likely requires you to get gap insurance. It could be worth it even if you’re not required to have it, especially if you have a large balance left on your loan.
Electronic key and lock replacement. This coverage pays to replace lost or stolen electronic keys, remote control pads and locks, with no deductible.
Who might need it? If its price works for you, this coverage could help you avoid paying out of pocket to replace these small but important parts for your car.
Custom equipment coverage. Safeco’s custom equipment coverage 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.
Who might need it? You might want to consider this if you drive a car that you’ve spent a lot of money customizing. Normally, car insurance will only cover this kind of equipment up to a certain dollar amount.
Pet coverage. If your cat or dog is injured or dies in a collision, this coverage will help pay for veterinary expenses or provide a death benefit.
Who might need it? Pet coverage might be worth having if you often drive with your cat or dog. But if you have a separate pet insurance policy, you might already receive similar coverage.
Emergency assistance package. This coverage helps pay for roadside assistance along with meals and lodging during an emergency. It also includes personal property coverage.
Who might need it? You may want to add emergency assistance coverage if you go on a lot of road trips that take you far from home. It could help you avoid being stranded in case of unexpected car troubles.
Besides its coverage offerings, Safeco also offers a few perks to some of its customers.
Accident forgiveness: Safeco won’t raise your rates after your first accident. You need to go a certain number of years without an accident to qualify. The number of years depends on the type of car insurance you buy and the length of time you’ve been a Safeco policyholder.
Claims-free cash back: You could receive 2.5% of your premium back if you’re claims-free for six months.
Diminishing deductible: Your deductible could fall by $50 every six months that you go without a claim, up to $500.
Small claim forgiveness: Your rates won’t go up after a claim for $750 or less in damage.
Safeco also offers classic car insurance for vintage and collectible vehicles. Notably, Safeco’s regular-use coverage has an annual limit of 10,000 miles, better than many other insurers’ limits. You could take your classic car to work or school, instead of just occasional drives or trips to car shows. If you regularly drive your classic car, Safeco is NerdWallet’s pick for the best car insurance company.
When shopping for car insurance, it's important to understand what coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. Most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle, but if you can afford it, we recommend getting full coverage insurance.
Safeco usage-based program
Another way you could get cheaper car insurance with Safeco is by downloading the insurer’s app and signing up for RightTrack, a usage-based insurance program.
RightTrack measures some of your driving habits, like braking, acceleration, miles driven and the time of day you drive. You automatically get a discount when you sign up, and, depending on your driving, you could earn a discount up to 30%.
Is Safeco a good insurance company?
Safeco can be a solid choice for drivers who can take advantage of its safe-driving perks and the RightTrack program. It’s definitely worth a look for classic car owners who want to use their vintage vehicle for everyday driving. As for customer satisfaction, Safeco is mixed.
Complaints: Safeco receives close to the expected number of complaints from its policyholders for a company of its size.
Shopping: Safeco ranks near the bottom of J.D. Power’s Insurance Shopping Study, which measures what customers think about the shopping process.
Claims satisfaction: Safeco ranks near the bottom of J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, which measures how customers feel about the claims process.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.
More information about Safeco car insurance
There are a few ways to contact Safeco if you have questions about your policy or you want to file a claim.
Customer service: You can call Safeco at 1-800-332-3226.
Website: Safeco’s site is fairly 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, you can use the Safeco website to locate an independent agent near you to help you buy a policy.
Mobile app: You can use Safeco’s app to manage your policy, pay bills, check the status of a claim, call for roadside assistance, upload photos of accident damage and more.
Other Safeco insurance reviews
How we review auto insurance companies
Our editorial team considers these factors when reviewing auto insurance companies:
- Financial strength
We use AM Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims. NerdWallet does not recommend companies with a rating lower than a B.
- Complaints
These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The best auto insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints.
- Ease of use
This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes how much coverage information is offered online, whether a user can start and track a claim online and get a quote and mobile app scores based on the Apple and Google Play store ratings.
- Discounts
We look at the kind of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.
Read our full auto insurance methodology.
We nerd out on car insurance
Our goal is to give you what you need to make smart decisions about your car insurance.
Here’s why you can trust NerdWallet:
We do our homework. We regularly evaluate and review many of the insurance companies we write about. And all of our content is fact-checked before publication. This means the star ratings you see on our reviews are accurate and up-to-date.
We analyze the data. We update our average car insurance rates every month. To do that, we analyze more than 500 million rates from across the country. These rates are provided by Quadrant Information Services.
We are unbiased. NerdWallet’s content is never influenced by our business partners and advertisers. Learn more about how we write in our editorial guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
How can I buy auto insurance from Safeco?
How can I buy auto insurance from Safeco?
You can buy an auto insurance policy and get a quote only through an independent agent. You can find an agent through the Safeco website.
Does Safeco offer accident forgiveness?
Does Safeco offer accident forgiveness?
Yes, Safeco has accident forgiveness for your first crash as long as you haven’t had a claim for a certain amount of time. Accident forgiveness isn’t available in California.
How do I file a claim with Safeco?
How do I file a claim with Safeco?
You can file a claim online, with your agent or through the Safeco app.
How can I contact Safeco Insurance?
How can I contact Safeco Insurance?
Safeco’s customer service number is 800-332-3226, or you can contact your agent using the website or app.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.J.D. Power. 2025 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study. Accessed Dec 19, 2025.
- 2.J.D. Power. 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Accessed Dec 19, 2025.
Methodology
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
