Safety Auto Insurance Review 2024
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Safety Insurance
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Safety Insurance
Discounts
Ease of use
NAIC complaints
Safety 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.
Founded in 1979, the Boston-based Safety Insurance Company offers auto, homeowners, business and other insurance products to customers in select New England states through independent agents. If you want the personal attention of an agent and you’re a resident of Massachusetts, New Hampshire or Maine, Safety Insurance might be right for you.
» MORE: Best car insurance companies
Compare to other insurers
Current Product
|  |  |
|---|---|---|
NerdWallet rating 3.5 /5 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 | NerdWallet rating 4.0 /5 |
Complaints to NAIC Far fewer than expected | Complaints to NAIC More than expected | Complaints to NAIC More than expected |
Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average |
Discounts Average set of discounts | Discounts Average set of discounts | Discounts Great set of discounts |
Bottom line Safety gets far fewer consumer complaints than expected, but it sells policies in only three states. | Bottom line The Hartford primarily caters to customers 50 and older, offering policies through a partnership with AARP. | Bottom line Liberty Mutual offers a long list of discounts, plus robust digital tools on its website and app. |
Safety auto insurance coverage
When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what car insurance 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.
In addition to standard types of auto insurance such as liability and comprehensive and collision coverage, Safety also offers optional coverage, including:
Safety Shield. The coverage in this package varies depending on your state, but it may include extras such as glass coverage, a waiver of the collision deductible, guaranteed replacement cost, emergency road travel expenses and coverage for personal belongings.
Safety Shield Plus. Available only in Massachusetts, this includes everything in the Safety Shield package plus accident forgiveness, additional coverage for your personal items, seat belt coverage, bail bonds and coverage for pets injured in an accident.
Gap coverage. This optional add-on will pay the difference between your car’s value and the balance on your lease or loan if your car is totaled or stolen. You’ll typically need to purchase comprehensive and collision coverage, which pay up to the car’s value, to buy gap insurance.
» MORE: Compare auto insurance rates
Auto insurance discounts
Depending on where you live, you may be able to earn a discount or credit on your Safety auto insurance policy by:
Not having an accident or traffic violation for at least five years.
Insuring more than one vehicle.
Buying more than one insurance product from Safety.
Meeting Safety’s requirements for a good student.
Being a loyal customer.
Having a student who is away at school and keeps their car at home.
Having your policy issued electronically.
Taking a crash-prevention course.
First time shopping for auto insurance? Unsure of where to start? Check out our guide on how to shop for car insurance.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.Pricing based on tracked driving habits
Drivers may qualify for a discount by using the Drive with Safety telematics app, which is only available for Massachusetts drivers. Drive with Safety tracks driving behaviors like hard braking, speeding, and cell phone use.
Complaints
Safety Insurance had far fewer than 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.
More about Safety auto insurance
Website: Users can log in to their accounts and file claims through the Safety Insurance website, but there’s no way to get an online quote. This is because Safety sells insurance exclusively through independent agents. In addition, coverage information on the site is not as robust as it could be. However, the website does have an agent search tool, information about discounts and answers to frequently asked questions.
App: Safety’s mobile app lets you file a claim, find an agent, view your insurance card, pay your bill and manage your account.
Safety homeowners insurance
Safety Insurance offers standard coverage for homes, condos and apartments, including for damage due to fire, windstorms and theft. Learn more in our Safety home insurance review.
Other insurance from Safety
Other insurance products available from Safety Insurance include:
Business owners insurance
Commercial auto insurance
Dwelling fire insurance
Personal and commercial umbrella insurance.
Methodology
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. 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.
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