Safeco Auto Insurance Review

Safeco Auto Insurance is a subsidiary of the Liberty Mutual Group, and sells auto insurance to customers across the nation.

Safeco had its origins in 1923, when insurance executive Hawthorne Dent began the General Insurance Company of America. This insurance company was designed to combine two current models of structure: the financial backing of a stockholder company and the low prices of a mutual company.

At first, the company operated only around its home base of Seattle, Washington. However, later expansion led it to become a nationwide organization.

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In 1953, the company grew into a new identity: the Selective Auto and Fire Company of America, or SAFECO. In 2000, the name was revised from the capitalized anagram to the present spelling of Safeco.

The company divested itself of its life insurance division in 2004, in order to focus on property and casualty insurance.

Today, Safeco offers automobile, classic or collectible car, homeowners, renters, marine craft, landlord, business, and umbrella policies.

Safeco and Liberty Mutual

The financial backing of the Liberty Mutual Group allows Safeco to meet its financial obligations in a timely manner. Liberty Mutual Group has gross revenues of over $6 billion per year and employs 7,200 people nationwide.

A.M. Best gave Liberty Mutual, the parent company, a financial stability rating of “A” (“Excellent”) in its 2011 assessment, a good indication that the company has the backing to pay its claims and manage its assets.

Safeco is just one of a number of subsidiaries of Liberty Mutual, which is a highly diversified company offering safety for its investors and policyholders.

Where can you purchase Safeco Auto Insurance?

Safeco is sold through a national network of independent insurance agents. By using the independent agent system, Safeco helps to keep its premiums lower, and allows customers to have a one-on-one relationship with their local representative.

Customers also have the option of going directly to Safeco’s website and receiving a quote, manage their policies online and pay bills.

Safeco believes that the key to customer satisfaction is its relationship with its policyholders and proudly claims to handle all questions, claims and concerns in a timely manner, either through the company directly or through one of its independent representatives.

Safeco Auto Insurance Products

Safeco offers a variety of auto insurance products to its customers. Customers can purchase liability insurance in any limits necessary to meet their state’s requirements, and may choose to increase these limits to protect their personal assets in the event of an at-fault accident.

Safeco also offers “permissive use” policies to cover anyone who drives your car with your permission.

Customers may also choose to purchase collision coverage to repair their vehicles in the event of an accident, personal injury protection or medical claims coverage for states with no-fault requirements, comprehensive coverage to pay for damages to a vehicle caused by things other than accidents and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Safeco customers can also purchase rental coverage, roadside assistance, and vehicle replacement policies, as well as a variety of specialized products designed to meet individual customer needs.

Safeco Auto Insurance Discounts

Safeco offers many different auto insurance discounts based on several factors. Discounts may be available based on your age, driving record and the safety features you have on your vehicle among other things.

In states where it is permissible, Safeco also considers credit history when making a rate determination, as well as the miles the vehicle is driven each year.

Always discuss possible discounts with your agent or with the company, especially if you or some of your family members have completed driver’s safety courses or defensive driving school.

Safeco Custom Satisfaction Review

Safeco’s customer satisfaction ratings are about average for the auto insurance industry. In J.D. Power and Associate’s 2011 survey, Safeco rated “average” in overall customer satisfaction, “below average” in policy offerings, and “average” in pricing, billing and payment, and contacting the insurer.

This gave Safeco an overall Customer Satisfaction Index rating of 775 points out of a possible 1,000, or about 15 points below the national average. Safeco ranked 17th overall out of 33 companies reviewed.

Safeco’s website informs customers that your age, driving record, and location will have an impact on your rates.

While there is little you can do about your age and location, your driving record and credit history are also important considerations in calculating premiums, and they are things over which you have control.

Talk to an independent insurance agent to see if Safeco’s policies and prices will be a good fit for you, or visit the website directly for a quote.

Always remember to compare at least a few auto insurance companies in order to find the best auto insurance rates. Get started and compare auto insurance companies using our national database of providers today.

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