Safe Auto Insurance Review 2024

Editor’s note: Safe Auto is now a part of Direct Auto Insurance. As such, this article may contain outdated information. Safe Auto policies will eventually transfer to Direct Auto. However, Direct Auto has not given a specific timeline for this change.
Isabel Contreras
By Isabel Contreras  

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Our Take

The bottom line:

Safe Auto specializes in selling minimum required car insurance to drivers who may have trouble getting coverage elsewhere.

Jump to:

Full Review

Safe Auto Insurance
SafeAuto
NAIC complaints
Far more than expected
Ease of use
Average
Discounts
Very few discounts
Compare Quotes

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Can file an SR-22 if you need one.

  • Website available in English and Spanish.

Cons

  • Far more complaints than expected about auto insurance to state regulators.

  • Not available in all states.

Full Review

NerdWallet was not able to rate Safe Auto for overall performance because there is no financial strength rating information available for the company. 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.

Safe Auto Insurance focuses on providing the minimum required car insurance needed to meet state requirements. Its policies are geared toward drivers considered high-risk because of issues like multiple moving violations, poor credit or a DUI.

In 2021, Allstate announced it was acquiring Safe Auto through its subsidiary, National General, and is now a part of Direct Auto Insurance.

» MORE: Best car insurance companies

Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage so you can choose the insurance policy that works best for you. These carrier ratings are specific to auto insurance — a company's rating for other products may be different on our site. See our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.

In our auto insurance reviews, our editorial team considers both the customer and the insurer. These are some of the factors we take into account:

Financial strength. We use A.M. 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 both the kind of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.

Safe 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.

Although Safe Auto specializes in minimum liability insurance, you can also get comprehensive and collision coverage, which pays to repair or replace your car if it’s stolen or damaged. This extra coverage is optional, but if you owe money on a car loan or lease, your lender may require you to buy it.

Safe Auto offers other standard coverage options as well, such as rental reimbursement, roadside assistance and towing, along with:

  • Personal injury protection, or no-fault insurance, to pay for medical and funeral expenses, lost wages and household services if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

  • SR-22 availability. Your state may require an SR-22 form to prove you have insurance after a DUI or another serious violation.

» MORE: Compare car insurance rates

Auto insurance discounts

Safe Auto’s discounts vary by state. You may be eligible for discounts for:

  • Insuring more than one vehicle.

  • Owning your home.

  • Switching to Safe Auto from another insurer.

  • Taking a driver improvement course.

  • Paying your premium in full, upfront.

  • Buying more than one insurance product from Safe Auto, such as auto and home coverage.

  • Getting good grades if you’re a student.

  • Being over 55 years old.

🤓Nerdy Tip

First time shopping for auto insurance? Unsure of where to start? Check out our guide on how to shop for car insurance.

Pricing based on tracked driving habits

Customers can buy this insurance in packages of 3,7, 14 or 30 days and can turn their coverage on and off via text message or an app.

» MORE: Pay-per-mile car insurance: What you need to know

Complaints

Safe Auto had far more 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 Safe Auto insurance

Website: Safe Auto’s website is available in English and Spanish. Customers can log in to view policy information, pay premiums or report a claim. The website also features consumer reviews and summaries of state’s minimum car insurance requirements.

Mobile app: Safe Auto’s mobile app is another way to see policy details and make payments. Policyholders can also view their insurance ID cards on the app.

Methodology

Insurer complaints methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. 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.

Find the right insurance

Frequently asked questions