Safeco insurance review 2023
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At a glance

Auto
4.3
Cost & ratings
3.8
Coverage
5.0
Support
4.5
Home
3.2
Cost & ratings
2.3
Coverage
5.0
Support
2.7
About Bankrate Score
Bottom Line
Policyholders who value personalized coverage, robust digital capabilities and bundling their insurance products might consider Safeco as their company of choice.
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Numerous auto and home endorsements
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Strong digital tools for policy management
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Robust community support program
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Below-average J.D. Power scores
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Higher NAIC complaint index scores
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No online quote option
Safeco car insurance
Safeco car insurance might be a good choice for drivers who prefer working with local agents for coverage and who are looking for a policy that can be highly personalized. Safeco earned a 4.3 out of 5.0 Bankrate Score for its third-party industry ratings and other attributes.
While the carrier offers robust coverage options and strong digital tools, Safeco did receive a below-average claims satisfaction score from below-average claims satisfaction score from J.D. Power, and has a slightly lower-than-baseline complaint index with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for its private passenger auto product. While AM Best designated Safeco with an A (Excellent) financial strength rating, higher financial strength ratings are common among other major insurers. If you are considering Safeco in your search for the best car insurance company for your needs, these comparison points may be useful.
Safeco offers standard coverage options, like liability, uninsured motorist, comprehensive and collision, and plenty of optional coverage add-ons to round out your policy. These include new vehicle replacement, diminishing deductibles and 24-hour roadside assistance coverage. Safeco also includes a few perks on its standard auto policies. Through the Claims Free Cash Back program, you could get up to 2.5 percent of your policy premium back every six months you go without an accident, up to 5 percent each year.
Pros and cons of Safeco car insurance
Part of car insurance shopping is reviewing carriers to ensure they offer what you need. Here are some pros and cons when it comes to Safeco car insurance:
PROS
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Variety of add-on coverage
Claims Free Cash Back program could be ideal for drivers who want to save
RightTrack available to drivers who want to track real-time driving behavior for potential discounts
CONS
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AM Best financial strength rating may not be as high as other major insurers.
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Rated below average by J.D. Power for customer satisfaction
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May have fewer discount opportunities than other carriers
Safeco car insurance cost
Average cost figures for Safeco car insurance policies are unavailable, so reaching out for a quote may be the best way to estimate how much your annual premium may be. Ideally, you’ll want to have car insurance quotes from more than one company, as comparing car insurance carriers will help you determine which will give you the most affordable rate.
Additionally, knowing a few different figures could be useful for comparison purposes. For example, the national average cost of car insurance is $2,014 per year for full coverage and $622 per year for minimum coverage. If you are looking for cheap car insurance, your actual premium may vary based on driving record, coverage selection, location and more.
Safeco car insurance discounts
Safeco doesn’t list much information about its car insurance discounts online. However, the carrier does note a few fairly standard ways to save on your auto insurance premium, such as safe driver and safety features discounts.
In addition, as a Liberty Mutual company, Safeco offers a telematics program called RightTrack. The program tracks your driving habits via a mobile app (New York drivers use a plug-in device). Based on the data that Safeco gets from the app or device, you could earn a personalized discount.
Certain vehicle safety features, like anti-lock brakes or anti-theft devices, may earn you a discount.If you insure multiple vehicles with Safeco, you may qualify for a discount.If you maintain a clean driving record for a certain number of years, you might be eligible for a discount.Safeco car tools and benefits
Safeco has a Guaranteed Repair Network. If you get your vehicle fixed at one of the participating shops after an accident, your repairs will be covered by Safeco’s President’s Guarantee.
In addition to standard vehicle insurance, Safeco also offers insurance solutions for motorcycles, classic cars, recreational vehicles, ATVs and other off-road vehicles, as well as golf carts and other low-speed motorized vehicles.
Safeco home insurance
Like its auto insurance, Safeco home insurance could be a good fit for homeowners wanting personalized coverage. The carrier’s home insurance product received a middle-of-the-road 3.2 out of 5.0 Bankrate Score, mainly due to Safeco’s below-average J.D. Power Home Insurance Study customer satisfaction score. However, the company had fewer customer complaints than the home insurance NAIC complaint index baseline.
However, Safeco’s home insurance options are robust. If you are looking for the best home insurance company for endorsements, Safeco’s quotes may be worth including in your search. The Guaranteed Repair Network feature on auto insurance also extends to a network of approved contractors for home damage. You could also consider identity theft coverage, equipment breakdown coverage or service line coverage for greater financial protection.
Pros and cons of Safeco homeowners insurance
PROS
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Long list of optional endorsements to personalize your home insurance coverage
Fewer customer complaints than the average NAIC Complaint Index
Robust digital policy management tools
CONS
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Performed below average in J.D. Power’s Home Insurance Study for customer satisfaction
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Online quotes are unavailable
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Customer service hours may be limited to business hours
Safeco home insurance cost
The average cost of homeowners insurance throughout the nation is $1,428 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage. Safeco’s average home insurance rates may not be available, but a quote is the easiest way to get an idea of how much a policy might cost you. Keep in mind that your chosen coverage amounts, home location, claims history and more could affect your final premium, especially if you’re looking for cheap home insurance.
Safeco home insurance discounts
Safeco offers its policyholders a few ways to save on home insurance. Included in Safeco’s home discounts are savings for bundling your auto and home insurance, installing protective devices like a security system, owning a newer home or getting a quote prior to your desired coverage date.
If you bundle your auto policy with a Safeco home policy, you may save money.If your home is equipped with a burglar alarm or sprinkler system, you may earn a discount.If your home is newer, you could qualify for this discount.Bundling an umbrella policy with your home insurance may open another opportunity for discounts.Safeco home tools and benefits
Safeco also offers insurance coverage for renters, condo owners and landlords. The carrier also offers a home warranty option, which may help protect your finances from situations that standard home insurance isn’t designed to cover.
Safeco customer satisfaction
Evaluating Safeco customer satisfaction might be crucial if you prioritize a good customer experience. Referring to third-party agencies like J.D. Power and the NAIC complaint index could be useful in getting an overview of how companies rank against each other. Locally, you can also speak with current policyholders to get a sense of their experience with the company and local agency.
Safeco auto satisfaction
Safeco auto insurance ranked below average in J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, indicating that policyholders were generally not happy with their claims experience. However, the company ranked first in J.D. Power’s 2022 Insurance Digital Experience Study, which could be encouraging for customers who want a digital-first experience for their insurance needs.
Safeco homeowners satisfaction
Safeco home insurance also ranked below average in J.D. Power’s 2022 Home Insurance Study. The carrier earned 809 out of 1,000 points, with the average being 819 out of 1,000. If you’re unsure about the experience with Safeco homeowners insurance, it can help to speak with a local agent or other current policyholders to get a sense of Safeco’s customer service and claims experience.
How to file a claim with Safeco
Filing a claim with Safeco can be done by contacting your agent or calling 1-800-332-3226. You can also log into your account online to start the claims filing process.
Safeco availability
Safeco writes home and auto insurance in all states except Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii and Washington D.C. In addition, Safeco does not write homeowners insurance in Florida and may not offer home insurance in higher-risk areas.
Other Safeco perks worth considering
Safeco’s financial protection options extend beyond just vehicle and property coverage. If you’re considering the carrier and want to bundle all your policies, you should know that Safeco also offers the following coverage types:
- Boat insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Safeco corporate sustainability
Safeco maintains a strong connection to local communities. The carrier showcases three distinct ways that it supports philanthropic ventures. Safeco’s Independent Agent Giving program allows agents to help Safeco know where to lean into individual communities. The Make More Happen blog chronicles the charitable work of agents and the company as a whole. Finally, the Serve with Liberty program partners Safeco employees with Liberty Mutual employees to create a strong volunteer effort, such as planting gardens and building homes.
Not sure if Safeco is right for you?
Our Safeco Insurance review looks at the company’s auto and home insurance products, as well as some additional perks, to help you decide if the company is right for your insurance needs. If you’re still on the fence about Safeco, consider these alternatives:
Safeco vs. Auto-Owners
Available in 26 states, Auto-Owners offers robust coverage options and competitive average rates. The carrier also stands out for its bundling option for home and auto insurance, which could allow for a reduced deductible if one incident, such as a windstorm or fire, damages your car and home.
Learn more: Auto-Owners Insurance review
Safeco vs. Allstate
Allstate could be a good choice if you are looking for a company with a full suite of discounts to help you control your premium. Similar to Safeco, Allstate also offers a telematics option with Drivewise. Allstate drivers may be able to earn extra savings on car insurance, but the program and its reward options are open to all drivers.
Learn more: Allstate Insurance review
Safeco vs. State Farm
State Farm is the largest property and casualty insurance company in the country by market share, and stands out as a company with a proven track record for customer service and superior financial strength. State Farm also offers home, auto and life insurance for customers who want all their insurance policies in one place for convenience.
Learn more: State Farm Insurance review
Is Safeco a good insurance company?
Three members of Bankrate’s insurance editorial team have real-world agency experience as licensed agents. We leverage this experience by conducting unbiased insurance company reviews to help our readers make the best decisions regarding their coverage needs.
With that said, Safeco is a Liberty Mutual company that offers an array of personal insurance products. The company gives policyholders the ability to personalize coverage with a suite of auto and home endorsements, provides access to robust digital tools and has a community-oriented giveback program.
However, Safeco has lower-than-average J.D. Power satisfaction scores. Depending on the coverage you want for home and auto insurance, and expectations from your insurance carrier, Safeco Insurance might be the right fit for your needs, especially if you prioritize digital policy management.
46years of industry expertise122carriers reviewed20.7KZIP codes examined1.2Mquotes analyzed