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Safeco insurance review 2024

Updated Nov 26, 2024
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At a glance

3.8
Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5
Bankrate Score
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Auto

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5

4.3

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Cost & ratings

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

4.0

Coverage

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

5.0

Support

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5

4.2

Home

Rating: 3.3 stars out of 5

3.3

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Cost & ratings

Rating: 2.2 stars out of 5

2.2

Coverage

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

5.0

Support

Rating: 3.8 stars out of 5

3.8

About Bankrate Score

Bankrate's take

Safeco, a Liberty Mutual company, may be a good fit for customers seeking customized coverage, but customer service may be a pain point for some.

  • Robust home and auto add-ons
  • Claims-Free Cash Back program for auto
  • Generous bundling discount
  • Low customer satisfaction ratings for auto and home
  • No online home insurance quotes

New

What’s new with Safeco?

In May 2024, Safeco announced upcoming rate hikes of 10.5 percent for home insurance customers in California. The insurer also reported plans to drop coverage and no longer write new policies for certain California customers whose homes were built before 1976, mainly citing outdated electrical systems as the reason.

Beginning January 1, 2025, Safeco will take over personal lines auto and umbrella lines business from Columbia Insurance Group in eight states (Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota). Columbia customers with these products will effectively become Safeco customers upon their next policy renewal in 2025.

Safeco car insurance review

Safeco’s auto insurance product earned a 4.3 Bankrate Score out of a possible 5.0, making it one of the best car insurance companies in Bankrate’s analysis. Safeco’s high score comes down to a few key strengths: it’s available in most states, offers a wide range of coverage add-ons and discounts and receives generally strong third-party ratings for financial strength and claims satisfaction. However, some customers report difficulty with customer service, which contributed to the carrier scoring well below average for overall customer satisfaction in multiple regions of J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

Safeco has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best. In addition to standard coverage options like liability, collision and uninsured motorist coverage, Safeco offers customers a variety of add-ons, like rental car reimbursement and new vehicle replacement, for full coverage policies. And for safe drivers, Safeco offers a unique perk: the company’s Claims Free Cash Back program promises the automatic return of up to 5 percent of your premium each year if you avoid filing claims.

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:

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Variety of add-on coverage options
  • Claims-Free Cash Back program rewards safe drivers
  • RightTrack telematics program available
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Above-average NAIC complaint index scores
  • Rated below average by J.D. Power for customer satisfaction
  • Discounts not clearly advertised
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Safeco car insurance cost

Safeco doesn’t make its average premiums available, so the best way to estimate the cost of an auto policy from Safeco is to request a personalized quote. When comparing quotes, keep in mind that the national average cost of auto insurance for adult drivers with clean records is $2,458 per year for full coverage and $678 per year for minimum coverage.

It’s also a good idea to compare Safeco’s quote with quotes for the same coverage from other insurance providers. Your profile might not match the base profile for our average premium data, and every carrier will weigh the rating factors in your profile differently. Safeco may be the cheapest car insurance company for some drivers, but many others find more affordable rates with a different provider.

Safeco customer satisfaction

Third-party ratings from J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provide a general picture of how well Safeco meets its customers’ needs. In looking at these scores, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team found somewhat mixed results: while Safeco may be better at paying claims than some competitors, customer service appears to be a pain point for many policyholders.

Safeco auto claims satisfaction

In J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Safeco came out with a score of 880 out of 1,000, putting it slightly above the industry average of 878. Based on this score, we estimate that Safeco may be slightly better at handling claims than many competitors. However, in J.D. Power’s 2024 Auto Insurance Study, Safeco came in below average in the seven geographic regions where it was rated, indicating that the carrier may fall short in meeting customers' service expectations.

J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study

Safeco auto insurance customer complaints

The NAIC collects customer complaints for U.S. auto insurance companies and analyzes each carrier’s rate of complaints relative to its market share. The resulting number, known as a complaint index score, indicates whether the company receives more or fewer complaints than the industry baseline of 1.00. Safeco’s 2023 complaint index score of 1.13 for private passenger auto insurance suggests that it receives more customer complaints than companies of a similar size.

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.

  • Safe driver discounts: Enroll in RightTrack telematics, remain accident-free or complete an accident prevention course, and you might be eligible for a Safeco discount.
  • Safe vehicle discounts: Vehicles with certain types of safety equipment may be eligible for lower rates.
  • Bundling discounts: Customers who purchase home and auto or other policies from Safeco could save money by bundling their coverage.
  • Claims-Free Cash Back program: Drivers who stay claims-free over a six-month review period automatically receive 2.5 percent of their premium back, for a maximum total of 5 percent each year.

Safeco may offer additional discounts besides the ones listed above, but you’ll need to get in touch with a local agent to determine which discounts you might be eligible for.

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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Get personalized auto insurance quotes

Answering a few quick questions to check your availability with Safeco
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Safeco home insurance review

Safeco’s home insurance offerings are robust, especially for customers seeking a home insurance company with multiple endorsements. In addition to standard dwelling and liability coverages, Safeco offers seven optional add-ons, from riders for valuable coverage like jewelry and art to identity theft coverage starting at $1 a month. The opt-in Guaranteed Repair Network feature even offers a guaranteed labor and material warranty.

Despite these strong coverage options, Safeco’s home insurance product only earned a 3.3 Bankrate Score, primarily due to the company’s below-average scores for both customer satisfaction and claims handling in the latest J.D. Power studies. It’s still worth considering home insurance quotes from Safeco in your search, but keep the potential tradeoff between cost and service in mind.

Pros and cons of Safeco homeowners insurance

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Seven home insurance endorsements
  • Guaranteed Repair Network labor and material warranty available
  • Generous bundling discount available
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Low J.D. Power scores for customer satisfaction and claims
  • Online quotes are unavailable
  • Customer service hours may be limited to business hours
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Safeco home insurance cost

As with auto insurance, Safeco doesn’t make its home insurance rates available for analysis, so the best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote. Keep in mind that the national average cost of homeowners insurance is $2,304 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. However, your chosen coverage amounts, location, claims history and other factors can all affect your final premium. If finding cheap home insurance is your priority, compare quotes from several different providers along with Safeco to find the best deal.

Safeco customer satisfaction

Cost is only one factor worth considering when selecting a home insurance company. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team also looked at third-party ratings from industry leaders like J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to determine whether Safeco backs up their home coverage with reliable customer service. Overall, we found mixed responses indicating a generally poor customer service experience for many Safeco policyholders.

Safeco homeowners claims satisfaction

Safeco scored below average for claims satisfaction in the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study, with a total score of 851 out of 1,000 — well below the study average of 869. Only two home insurers — Travelers and Homesite — received lower claims satisfaction scores than Safeco.

J.D. Power Property Claims Satisfaction Study

Safeco home insurance customer complaints

We compared Safeco’s home insurance complaint index score for 2023 to the industry baseline of 1.00. The carrier received a score of 1.64 — a significant jump from the previous year’s low of 0.75. Based on this data, it seems that Safeco receives more customer complaints than expected for a carrier of its size.

Safeco home insurance discounts

During your Safeco home insurance review, it can be beneficial to explore the range of discounts the company typically offers.  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.

  • Safeco Package: If you bundle your auto and homeowner’s policies together with the Safeco Package, you may save up to 15 percent on your total premium.
  • Protective devices: If your home is equipped with a burglar alarm or sprinkler system, you may earn a discount.
  • New home discount: If your home is brand new or less than 10 years old, you could qualify for this discount.
  • Multiple policy discount: Bundling an umbrella policy with your home insurance may open another opportunity for discounts.
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Get personalized home insurance quotes

Answering a few quick questions to check your availability with Safeco

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Your information is kept secure

Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)

Advertising disclosure
This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Compare Safeco with other insurers

Safeco’s auto and home insurance products offer competitive coverage with plenty of potential for customization, but it falls behind the competition when it comes to customer satisfaction. However, because Safeco doesn’t make its rates available for analysis, the best way to compare Safeco with other carriers is to request multiple quotes for comparison. Comparing rates along with third-party ratings and customer reviews may help you determine whether Safeco is the right fit for your insurance needs.

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Why you can trust Bankrate

Read our full methodology

Our insurance editorial team includes licensed agents with decades of combined experience, and we used our intimate knowledge of the industry to conduct this in-depth Safeco insurance review.

46

years of industry expertise

122

carriers reviewed

34.5K

ZIP codes examined

1.2M

quotes analyzed

Is Safeco a good insurance company?

As a Liberty Mutual company, Safeco has solid financial strength ratings, a solid lineup of coverage options for both auto and home insurance and unique perks like the Guaranteed Repair Network for auto and home. However, unreliable or underwhelming customer service appears to be a consistent theme in Safeco insurance reviews, in both expert third-party ratings and individual customer responses.

What are real-life customers saying about Safeco?

To get a better handle on why Safeco performs so poorly in customer satisfaction surveys, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team scoured online forums and social media to hear from actual customers. We looked closely at discussions on Reddit and YouTube for customer voices, and found that while some customers received affordable rates and decent service from Safeco, poor claims handling created a negative experience for others.

Reddit

The most positive feedback for Safeco came from Reddit, where some users expressed frustration with their Safeco claims experience but others reported positive interactions with customer service.

Reddit User 1*
Aug 15, 2023
Safeco claims experience
"I had Safeco. I had auto claims (I was not the driver) and they handled totaled car well. This was a few years ago. Also had a roof claim and that was handled well. I no longer live in a state where they do business but overall I liked them although they were a little expensive on the homeowners side (this was when we had never had a claim)."
Reddit User 2*
Mar 6, 2024
Safeco vs. Allstate
"Our agency sells both, Allstate and Safeco. Safeco has been our go-to carrier for a plethora of reasons, including claims handling. Allstate has been a major PITA across the board. It's a no-brainer to me. Safeco has better coverage, is a better carrier, has better claims... I'd never leave Safeco for Allstate."

YouTube

In contrast to Reddit, Safeco policyholders reported generally negative experiences with Safeco in YouTube comments. Rejected claims and dropped policies were two major complaints for Safeco policyholders, along with generally negative feedback regarding customer service.

YouTube User 1*
Aug 1, 2023
Claim rejections
"They won't pay a legitimate property claim and I can state that as a Safeco customer. Twice I was turned down for a claim that should have been fulfilled. They have an amazing way of distorting the facts, making excuses and then not paying for damages to your property. It's great for their profits but it doesn't help property owners who do business with them."
YouTube User 2*
Mar 1, 2024
Dropped policy
"We've had them for quite a few years in Utah. We had a small fire in 2021 and a pipe break and flood in 2023. They sent us a letter in January 2024, saying they are dropping us. My son's car caught on fire in December 2023. I just found out the adjuster LIED on the market valuation for the car so I've asked for another adjuster. We're really disappointed in them after all that."

Safeco company details

Safeco offers customer support through an online portal or your local agent. Insurance claims can be filed online or via a customer service number.

  • Customer service: Safeco recommends logging into the customer support center or reaching out to your agent for any policy questions or service.
  • Claims: Claims can be filed online or by calling 1-800-332-3226.
  • Glass claims: Glass claims can be filed online.
  • Roadside assistance: 1-877-762-3101 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

State availability 

Safeco writes home and auto insurance in all states except Alaska, Delaware and Hawaii. It is also not available in Washington, D.C. Safeco does not write homeowners insurance in Florida and has placed restrictions on new homeowners policies in certain areas of California.

Safeco tools and benefits

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:

  • Motorcycle insurance: With Safeco’s motorcycle insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance comes standard with your policy.
  • Classic car insurance: Safeco insures classic vehicles on an agreed value basis. Plus, if you drive less than 5,000 miles per year, you could save on your policy.
  • Recreational vehicles: This policy can protect both your personal property in your RV and aftermarket audio and visual equipment.
  • ATV and off-road vehicle insurance: Safeco’s ATV insurance policy includes bodily injury liability, guest passenger liability, property damage liability and gear replacement coverage.
  • Renters insurance: You may get a discount if you bundle your renters insurance policy with an auto policy from Safeco.

Frequently asked questions about Safeco

Methodology

Bankrate Scores

Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.

5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Overall Score
  • Cost & ratings 50%
  • Coverage & savings 30%
  • Support 20%
  • Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
  • Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
  • Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto and home insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.

What policyholders are saying about Safeco

CTA Safeco has 25 reviews

Safeco has 25 reviews

Dive into community reviews below and see what others think about Safeco.

4.2 Star Icon
25 ratings
Info Icon
84% of consumers
recommend this insurer
Score breakdown
5 stars
44%
4 stars
40%
3 stars
12%
2 stars
0%
1 star
4%
Score by category
Overall rating 4.2 / 5
Original cost 3.6 / 5
Coverage 4.4 / 5
Customer Support 4.2 / 5
Verified Badge Icon How we got these ratings

In May 2024, Bankrate collaborated with market research firm SliceMR to survey over 1,500 insurance customers nationwide, asking policyholders to rate their insurer’s cost, coverage, customer support and overall experience on a five-point scale. Bankrate and SliceMR collected and analyzed these customer ratings, along with website analytics and responses to three open-ended questions regarding customer experience. Responses are based on individual policyholders’ policy details and personal experience, and therefore cannot be verified for accuracy. Users received an incentive for their feedback. All ratings are unedited and have not been reviewed or approved by insurance carriers. User-generated ratings are separate from carrier Bankrate Scores — which are calculated based on our proprietary methodology — and may not match.

Community Reviews

See what users like you are saying about Safeco.
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Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
I have had other main companies like Farmers and they didn't have good customer service as well as they were severely overpriced.
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
That they are affordable.
Insurance Type
Auto + Home
Score by category
Original cost 3 / 5
Customer Support 4 / 5
Coverage 3 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
The car dealership put me onto this
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
It a nice company trustworthy and honest
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 5 / 5
Customer Support 5 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
It is pretty much the same. They have not distinguished themselves in anyway.
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
They are a little bit less expensive than many others.
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 2 / 5
Customer Support 4 / 5
Coverage 3 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
Safeco had the best rate.
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
Safeco is more affordable than my previous insurers
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 3 / 5
Customer Support 4 / 5
Coverage 4 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
I like the coverage rates
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
Best rates for the full coverage
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 5 / 5
Customer Support 5 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
I have no experience to stay. but they are pricey and i will have my agent compare prices once it's time for me to renew in sept
Insurance Type
Auto + Home
Score by category
Original cost 3 / 5
Customer Support 3 / 5
Coverage 3 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
So far so good. I switched to them about a year ago and everything has been great. No problems and they beat the price of the last company I was with.
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
Their rates are very reasonable and they send a safe driving refund every now and again. Good company, good reputation according to my broker.
Insurance Type
Auto + Home
Score by category
Original cost 5 / 5
Customer Support 5 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
The insurance solution provided is very flexible
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
The customer service provided is very good
Insurance Type
Home
Score by category
Original cost 3 / 5
Customer Support 5 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
The provided insurance coverage is wide
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
Able to deal with claims quickly and efficiently
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 1 / 5
Customer Support 4 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
I chose this insurer because it was the most affordable.
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
This insurer has the best rates and is very affordable. I can also do business with my local agent.
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 5 / 5
Customer Support 5 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Written by
R.E. Hawley
Senior writer, Insurance
R.E. Hawley is a senior writer for Bankrate. Prior to joining Bankrate’s insurance editorial team in 2024, they worked as senior writer for a popular car ownership and insurance comparison app, leading a team of over a dozen writers in creating customer-focused financial advice content on topics ranging from insurance to vehicle reliability and auto loan refinance. R.E. holds a personal lines insurance license.
Edited by Editor, Insurance