About Safeco Car Insurance

Safeco was founded in 1923 in Seattle as the General Insurance Co. of America and was nicknamed The General. Eventually, the company adopted the Safeco name (standing for Selective Auto and Fire Insurance Co. of America) and abandoned The General nickname. Liberty Mutual purchased Safeco in 2008.

What States Does Safeco Car Insurance Operate In?

Safeco sells car insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Safeco Car Insurance

Safeco offers all the standard coverage types that you would expect to find at other car insurance companies, as well as some add-ons, such as custom equipment coverage, emergency assistance and pet injury coverage.

Liability Car Insurance

If someone is hurt or their property is damaged in an accident you cause, your liability car insurance will pay for covered damages and expenses, including court costs if you are sued. This coverage is divided into bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive coverage applies to damage caused by anything not considered a collision. This can include theft, vandalism, fire, floods, hail, falling objects or a run-in with a deer or other animal. The maximum payout for comprehensive coverage is the actual cash value of your car if it’s totaled, minus your deductible.

Collision Insurance

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle from an accident, regardless of fault. It will also pay for your vehicle damage if you hit an object (such as a guardrail or utility pole). The maximum payout for collision coverage is the actual cash value of your car if it’s totaled, minus your deductible.

Collision and comprehensive insurance are optional coverage types that are usually sold together. If you have a lease or car loan, your leasing company or lender will likely require you to purchase them.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance

In some states, you are required to buy uninsured motorist insurance, and it’s optional in other states. If you get hit by a driver who does not have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your losses in full, uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance will provide additional coverage for you and your passengers’ injuries. In some states, you can also buy coverage for damage to your car caused by an uninsured driver.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal injury protection (PIP) pays for you and your passengers’ medical expenses and hospital bills, no matter who is at fault for the accident. It is required in no-fault insurance states and is optional in others.

Medical Payments Insurance (MedPay)

Medical payments insurance (Medpay) covers medical expenses up to the policy limits for anyone injured while they’re in your car, no matter who’s at fault. It also covers expenses such as ambulance rides, X-rays, surgeries and nursing services.

Other Car Insurance Coverage Types

In addition to the standard coverage types above, you’ll find these car insurance coverage types at Safeco:

  • Custom equipment coverage: This covers equipment you add to your vehicle to modify its performance or appearance, such as custom wheels, engines and roll bars.
  • Emergency assistance: If you purchase this coverage, Safeco provides up to $500 for hotels, meals and transportation and $100 for incidental expenses if you’re in an accident more than 25 miles from home and unable to drive your car.
  • First-aid reimbursement:  If you administer first aid to another person injured in an accident covered by your policy, Safeco provides reimbursement for any related costs incurred, up to $10,000.
  • Non-owner insurance: Non-owner car insurance is a liability policy for drivers who don’t own a vehicle but need car insurance—for instance, if you frequently rent cars or you’re required by the state to have auto insurance (such as an SR-22).
  • Pet injury coverage: If you have collision insurance, pet injury insurance from Safeco provides up to $500 for vet costs or burial expenses if your dog or cat is injured in an accident that’s covered by your policy.
  • Rental reimbursement: Safeco will reimburse you for the expense of a rental car while your vehicle is being fixed due to an issue covered by your policy, like a car accident.
  • 24-hour roadside assistance: This service includes flat tire changes, fuel delivery and towing.

Auto Insurance Complaints Against Safeco

Safeco has a slightly higher-than-average level of auto insurance complaints made to state insurance departments across the country. Safeco’s complaints are higher than most top competitors.

Safeco’s auto insurance complaints tend to be related to claim delays, unsatisfactory claim settlement offers, adjusters’ handling of claims, claim denials and rates.

Safeco’s Grade from Collision Repair Professionals: D+

In a survey of collision repair professionals by CRASH Network, Safeco earned a D+ grade. CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card has grades from more than 1,000 collision repair professionals to gauge auto insurers on the quality of their collision claims service.

The opinions of auto body repair specialists are valuable because they have an insider’s view of insurance companies’ use of lower-quality repair parts, whether insurers encourage proper repair procedures, and whether car insurance companies have rapid and satisfactory claims processes for customers.

What Does Safeco Car Insurance Cover?

Does Safeco Offer Accident Forgiveness?

Yes, Safeco car insurance covers accident forgiveness insurance.

Your first accident on a Safeco policy is waived after a set number of years with Safeco coverage if you haven’t had an at-fault accident or moving violation.

Does Safeco Offer New Car Replacement Insurance?

Yes, Safeco car insurance offers new car replacement insurance.

Safeco will cover the cost of a comparable new car if you’re the original owner of a car less than one year old and with fewer than 15,000 miles that has been totaled or stolen.

Does Safeco Offer Gap Insurance?

Yes, Safeco offers gap insurance.

Gap insurance pays you the difference between what you owe on a car loan or lease and the value of your stolen or totaled vehicle.

Does Safeco Offer a Diminishing Deductible?

Yes, Safeco offers a diminishing deductible.

If you keep a clean driving record, your deductible will be reduced by $50 for a six-month policy or $100 for an annual policy at policy renewal, up to a maximum of five years or $500.

Does Safeco Offer SR-22s?

Yes, Safeco offers SR-22 insurance.

In some cases, your state may require you to get an SR-22 from your insurer. This document proves to the state that you have car insurance. While the reasons for needing an SR-22 can vary by state, common reasons include causing an accident while uninsured, a DUI conviction or having a high number of traffic offenses.

Does Safeco Offer Usage-Based Car Insurance?

Yes, Safeco offers usage-based car insurance.

The Safeco RightTrack program monitors hard braking, acceleration, nighttime driving and the number of miles driven. After a 90-day review period, your safe driving behaviors could earn you a discount up to 30% for the life of your car insurance policy. You’ll also get a guaranteed discount for signing up and participating in the program.

Does Safeco Offer Rideshare Insurance?

Yes, Safeco offers rideshare insurance.

If you drive for a company like Lyft or Uber, you’ll likely have an insurance gap. When you have the app on and you’re waiting for a ride request, your personal car insurance policy doesn’t cover you (because you’re using your car for business purposes) and the rideshare company’s insurance doesn’t start until you’ve accepted a trip. Rideshare insurance covers the insurance gap.

Safeco Car Insurance Discounts

Safeco offers several auto insurance discounts:

  • Claims-free discount: If you go claims-free over six months, Safeco will send you a check covering 2.5% of your policy premium. You can receive up to 5% of your premium each year under this benefit.
  • Diminishing deductible: When you maintain a clean driving record, your deductible will be reduced by $50 for a six-month auto policy or $100 for an annual auto policy at every renewal. The maximum benefit is five years or $500.
  • Multi-policy discount: A “bundling” discount is available if you buy more than one type of policy from Safeco, such as auto and home insurance.
  • Safe driving course discount: You may be eligible for a discount if you complete an accident prevention course.
  • Vehicle safety features: If your car is equipped with certain safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, Safeco might give you a discount.

More Insurance from Safeco

In addition to auto insurance, Safeco offers coverage for:

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