- Typically below-average rates.
- Relatively high financial strength rating (AM Best gives it an A).
- Guarantees repairs made within its network.
- Claims-free discount and diminishing deductible reward safe drivers.
- Right Track telematics program offers up to 30% savings.
- Higher-than-expected consumer complaints (NAIC).
- Poor JD Power ratings for both shopping and claims.
- Very limited discount options compared to competitors.
- D+ CRASH Network grade, among the lowest of major carriers.
- Brand being discontinued in 2026.
Safeco car insurance: Jerry’s verdict
Editor’s Note: The Safeco brand is being retired in 2026. Existing customers will keep the same policies and agents, just under the Liberty Mutual name. Potential customers will soon shop and purchase coverage through Liberty Mutual directly.
Safeco has always been a no-frills insurer that’s competitive on price and thin on features. In 2026, it’s also a carrier in transition.
Safeco was founded in 1923 and acquired by Liberty Mutual in 2008. It operates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., selling exclusively through independent agents. For most of its history, Safeco carved out a niche as a reliable, mid-market option: not the cheapest, not the most full-featured but solid for drivers who wanted straightforward coverage at a reasonable price. That positioning still holds in 2026, with one major caveat: Liberty Mutual announced in March 2025 that it will retire the Safeco brand and consolidate all personal lines products under the Liberty Mutual name. The company says existing policyholders’ coverage and agent relationships won’t change, but the name on your documents will.
Where Safeco earns its high rating is pricing. Our analysis of real Jerry customer quotes consistently shows Safeco’s rates below the national average. This is particularly attractive for drivers who have had a lapse in coverage, recent violations or prior claims, and may be struggling to find competitive rates elsewhere. The Right Track telematics program also offers a meaningful savings opportunity: a 10% discount at sign-up and up to 30% at the end of the 90-day monitoring period.
The weaknesses are real and consistent, though. Safeco’s CRASH Network grade of D+ is among the worst of any major insurer, meaning collision repair shops rate its claims handling poorly. Its JD Power scores for both shopping and claims rank near the bottom of the industry. And its discount menu is noticeably thin compared to other top carriers, offering few ways to reduce your premium beyond the telematics program and a claims-free discount.
For drivers who want a dependable policy at a below-average price and are comfortable managing everything through an independent agent, Safeco still delivers. Just know going in that the brand, and potentially the entire experience, is evolving.
Who Safeco is best and worst for
A budget-conscious driver who shops through an independent agent. Safeco’s rates run below the national average across most profiles, and its agent-only distribution model means you’ll have a local contact to help manage your policy.
A driver with recent violations or a lapsed policy. Safeco tends to be more accepting of imperfect driving histories than some major competitors, and its pricing for these profiles is often competitive.
Someone who values a diminishing deductible. Safeco’s deductible reduces by $50 to $100 each claim-free renewal period, up to $500 — a genuine long-term benefit for safe drivers who stay with the carrier.
A driver who prioritizes claims satisfaction. Safeco’s D+ from CRASH Network and below-average JD Power claims score suggest a claims experience that is inconsistent at best.
Someone who wants policy customization. Safeco’s optional add-ons and discounts are limited compared to most major carriers. If you want rideshare coverage, gap insurance or a long menu of premium discounts, other carriers are a better fit.
A driver planning for long-term brand continuity. With the Safeco brand being retired in 2026, drivers who prefer stability may want to consider whether they’re comfortable with the pending transition to Liberty Mutual branding before committing to a policy.
Compare Safeco and 50+ other insurers through Jerry in less than 5 minutes
Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance
How much does Safeco car insurance cost?
The average cost for car insurance coverage with Safeco is $142 per month among Jerry drivers, about 42% cheaper than the national average.Your premium is determined by a number of factors, including your age, location, the type and age of your vehicle, your driving record, other drivers on your policy and the amount of coverage you want.
Based on our analysis of 220,146 real Safeco customers who bought through Jerry, here are the typical monthly premiums by driver coverage level:
Minimum
$58 – $120/mo
Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your own car.
Full
$117 – $222/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is often required if your car is financed or leased.
Standard
$143 – $280/mo
Includes uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage, which is especially valuable since nearly 18% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.
Preferred
$172 – $346/mo
Offers higher liability, lower deductibles and extras like towing and rental reimbursement for maximum protection.
Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.
Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.
Learn more: Best car insurance companies
Industry ratings of Safeco car insurance
Safeco performs poorly across most industry reports, with below-average ratings from JD Power, a D+ from CRASH Network and a higher-than-expected complaint volume. AM Best is the one bright spot.
| Rating | State Farm’s score |
| NAIC consumer complaint index (2025) | High (1.62). |
| CRASH Network report card (2026) | D+. |
| JD Power auto insurance shopping study (2025) | No. 17 of 18. |
| JD Power auto insurance claims study (2025) | No. 19 of 20. |
| AM Best (2025) | A (Excellent). |
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NAIC details
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CRASH Network details
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JD Power details
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AM Best details
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
Safeco car insurance coverage options
Safeco offers standard coverage types including collision, comprehensive, bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical expense, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Safeco also offers the following optional add-ons:
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New vehicle replacement, if you’re the original owner of a car that’s stolen or totaled within the first year. Safeco will pay the value of a comparable new vehicle rather than the depreciated actual cash value (ACV).
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Rental car reimbursement covers the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss.
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Roadside assistance covers towing, fuel and oil delivery, locksmith services and other on-the-road help.
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Coverage Definitions
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Who it pays: The other person, for injuries when you’re at fault in a crash.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages and legal costs for people injured in an accident you cause.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limits, shown as two numbers. For example, 50/100 means $50K per person and $100K per accident.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least 100/300.
Property damage liability (PD)
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Who it pays: The other person, for property you damage in a crash.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace another person’s car, fence, mailbox or other property you hit.
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How it pays: Up to your policy’s limit. For example, $50K.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least $100K.
*Bodily injury liability and property damage liability are typically shown as three numbers on your policy, like 100/300/100. The first two numbers represent your bodily injury limits per person and per accident, while the third number represents your property damage limit.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another car or object, like a guardrail or pole.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Damage from non-crash events like theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, falling trees, fire or hitting an animal.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for injuries and property damage.
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What it covers: Your own injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your costs, including hit-and-runs in many states.
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How it pays: Up to your chosen limits, which often match your BI limits. There’s usually no deductible for UM, but UIM may have one.
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Do you need it? Required in some states, but Jerry recommends every driver get it, since about 1 in 8 drivers does not have car insurance.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills and lost income, no matter who caused the accident.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages, childcare, funeral costs and other expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limit. There’s usually no deductible, though this varies by state.
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Do you need it? Required in no-fault states. If available in your state, it’s worth considering.
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills.
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What it covers: Medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: No deductible. Pays up to your policy’s limit.
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Do you need it? Optional in most states, but can be valuable if you don’t have health insurance or have a high-deductible health plan.
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Safeco car insurance discounts
Safeco offers fewer car insurance discounts than most major carriers. Available savings include:
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A claims-free 2.5% premium refund per six-month claim-free period, up to 5% per year
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Diminishing deductible drops $50 to $100 per claim-free renewal, up to $500 total
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Accident forgiveness waives first at-fault accident increases
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Right Track telematics program enrollment means up to 30% savings
Does Safeco offer usage-based insurance?
Yes, Safeco’s Right Track program monitors driving behavior for 90 days via a smartphone app and provides a final discount based on your driving score. Drivers receive an automatic 10% discount at sign-up. At the end of the monitoring period, the discount is finalized; if it comes in lower than 10%, you pay the difference.
Right Track tracks total miles driven, late-night trips (midnight to 4 a.m.), and habits like hard braking and acceleration. Unlike programs at some competitors that monitor behavior for the full policy term, Right Track’s 90-day window is both an advantage (limited monitoring) and a limitation (no ongoing discount potential after the initial period).
Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.
Filing a claim with State Farm
State Farm offers several ways to manage and file a claim.
File through your agent, online or by phone
Safeco encourages policyholders to file claims through their independent agent or by calling 800-332-3226. Claims can also be filed online at safeco.com.
Get assigned an adjuster
After filing, Safeco will assign an adjuster to assess the damage and guide the next steps. Safeco’s below-average JD Power claims scores suggest the experience can be inconsistent; straightforward claims tend to go smoothly, but complex ones may face delays.
Repair authorization and network guarantee
Safeco has a network of preferred repair shops. Work completed within this network comes with a repair guarantee, one of the few standout features Safeco offers claimants. You may use any licensed shop you choose, but the guarantee only applies to network repairs.
Repair and rental
If you have rental reimbursement coverage, Safeco will authorize a rental car during repairs.
Settlement or payout
For total losses, Safeco offers a settlement based on your car’s actual cash value (ACV). Original owners of vehicles less than one year old may be eligible for new vehicle replacement coverage instead, which pays for a comparable new vehicle rather than the depreciated value.
Customer reviews of State Farm
Hundreds of Jerry customers have reviewed Safeco’s auto insurance products, giving the company a strong overall score despite the carrier’s mixed industry ratings.
Is Safeco a good insurance company?
Safeco can be a solid choice for drivers who want below-average rates and are comfortable working through an independent agent. Its diminishing deductible and Right Track program offer real long-term value for safe drivers, and its network repair guarantee is a genuine differentiator.
That said, its industry ratings tell a consistent story: Safeco struggles with claims handling and customer satisfaction, and its limited discount menu makes it hard to compete with larger carriers for drivers who qualify for multiple savings opportunities. The brand’s pending retirement in 2026 also introduces some uncertainty for drivers thinking about long-term coverage continuity.
Use Jerry to compare Safeco with other insurers before buying, particularly if claims experience and customization matter to you.
See coverage options for your car.
How to contact Safeco
Safeco encourages policyholders to manage their policies through their local independent agent. Prospective customers can find an agent at safeco.com/find-an-agent, though this will be switching to Liberty Mutual soon
For customer service and claims, call 800-332-3226.
Related guides
FAQ
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What are the pros and cons of Safeco car insurance?
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Is Safeco being discontinued?
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Does Safeco have a telematics program?
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Does Safeco offer rideshare insurance?
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How do I file a claim with Safeco?
Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.
Methodology
We looked at over 400,000 actual policies quotes from real Jerry customers during 2024 across 24 different insurance companies. The pricing data included both those with clean driving records as well as those with a violation.
How we rate car insurance companies
Jerry’s team of car insurance expert writers and editors analyze real customer ratings and industry reports to get a holistic view of an insurer’s performance. Our rubric emphasizes the shopping and claims experiences, customer complaints and reviews, repair shops’ evaluations of insurers, policy and quote pricing, and state availability.
We regularly reassess insurers’ star ratings and fact-check these reviews to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date.
These individual factors roll up into one weighting system as follows:
20% Financial strength.
20% Complaints.
20% Industry ratings.
20% Customer ratings.
20% Cost and discounts.
Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.
