Review
Updated
This auto insurer is a good fit for: Drivers looking for flexible, nonstandard policies. SafeAuto is ideal for high-risk drivers and drivers seeking minimum-limit coverage.
Best for flexible, nonstandard policiesSafeAuto
Rating image, 2.00 out of 5 stars.
2.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Full SafeAuto insurance review
Pros
- Nonstandard policies
- Affordable payment plans
- Personalized coverage to fit any budget and situation
- Services available via mobile app
Cons
- Available in only 28 states
- Can be the more expensive option for high-risk drivers
- Is rarely the best option for drivers with high credit scores
SafeAuto auto insurance at a glance
Monthly premium costs:
- 35-year-old female with clean driving record: $220.50
- 35-year-old male with clean driving record: $235.16
- 35-year-old female with one accident: $308.75
- 18-year-old-male with clean driving record: $556.08
Coverage options:
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Liability
- High-risk
- SR-22
- Rental car coverage
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist protection
- Roadside assistance
- Accidental death coverage
Top perks
Nonstandard policies
Providing the state-mandated minimum coverage is SafeAuto's bread and butter, as is providing high-risk car insurance to drivers other insurers may reject. For example, SafeAuto works with drivers who require SR-22 coverage.
SR-22 is not insurance, but a document provided by a driver’s insurance company proving that the driver carries liability car insurance. While laws vary by state, the drivers required to have an SR-22 typically fall into one of the following categories:
- Drivers involved in an at-fault accident with no insurance
- Drivers convicted for driving under the influence or while intoxicated
- Drivers who have had their license suspended or revoked
- Driver that are repeat offenders (drivers involved in serious or multiple traffic offenses)
Growing access to digital services
This car insurance company offers online and mobile services, making it easy for customers to make claims and changes to their policies.
Payment flexibility
SafeAuto works to provide payment plans that their customers can afford, and a payment method that works for them. Because the company offers a monthly payment plan, a customer can work "backwards." In other words, they can decide how much they can afford to pay monthly and then choose the level of coverage they can afford at this time. As their financial situation changes, they can upgrade to more comprehensive coverage.
In addition, SafeAuto allows customers to pay via check, credit card, debit card, money order, or cashier check. For added convenience, customers can also sign up for autopay.
What could be improved
Shaky customer satisfaction
While SafeAuto garners a respectable 3.6 stars out of 5 on their own website, they earn only 1.4 stars out of 5 at ConsumerAffairs.com. Many complaints concerned slow payments made following an accident.
Better choices available for drivers with high credit scores
SafeAuto is more likely than some companies to insure a driver with a low credit score. However, drivers with a high credit score are almost always money ahead by working with a different car insurance company.
Limited availability
Currently, SafeAuto is only available in 28 states, a fact that could prove problematic for customers who move to another state.
Alternatives to consider
2024 Award Winner
Best for price conscious consumersGeico
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Good
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= Fair
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= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
2024 Award Winner
Best for low-mileage driversAllstate
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Best
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= Excellent
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= Good
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= Fair
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= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Drivers with a strong credit score: May be able to save money by working with Geico Auto Insurance, one of the most popular insurers in the business. Geico offers insurance to high-risk drivers as well as drivers seeking SR-22 coverage.
Drivers looking for excellent customer service: May prefer Allstate over SafeAuto. Allstate is known for its customer-centric business model, meaning they prioritize customer satisfaction. It's no coincidence that Allstate also has some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the auto insurance business.
Monthly premium costs
| 35y, female, clean record | 35y, male, clean record | 35y, female, one accident | 18y, male, clean record |
|---|---|---|---|
| $220.50 | $235.16 | $308.75 | $556.08 |
Annual National Costs Average Comparison
See how SafeAutocar insurance rates compares to the national averages across the auto insurance industry. These rates are broken out by common driver profile but you're specific quote can vary.
| SafeAuto Insurance Average Rate | National Average Rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Driving Record | $3,430 | $2,389 |
| Accident on Record | $4,598 | $3,370 |
| Speeding Ticket on Record | $4,440 | $3,032 |
| DUI on Record | $4,979 | $4,380 |
| 18 Years OId - New Driver | $8,436 | $6,291 |
| 65 Years Old - Senior | $3,095 | $2,140 |
| Military Service | $3,531 | $2,375 |
| Minimum Coverage (Liability Only) | $854 | $787 |
Source: The Ascent's analysis of standardized personas
Discounts available
For customers looking for cheap auto insurance, SafeAuto offers a wide range of discounts, including:
- Multi-vehicle
- Homeowner
- New business transfer
- Safe driver
- Driver improvement course (in some states only)
- Full upfront payment
Coverage options
Policy types
- Auto
- Motorcycle
SafeAuto offers motorcycle coverage through the third-party provider, Dairyland.
Coverage types
- Comprehensive coverage
- Collision coverage
- Liability coverage
- High-risk
- SR 22 insurance
- Rental car coverage
- Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist protection
- Roadside assistance
- Accidental death coverage
Customer service and ratings
It appears that J.D. Power has not yet rated SafeAuto's service. In their reviews of the auto insurance company, policyholders (and former policyholders) frequently leave complaints regarding rude customer service and slow payouts.
This auto insurer is best for:
- Drivers who need SR-22 coverage
- High-risk drivers
- Drivers with a low credit score
SafeAuto insurance is worth a look for drivers who have checked with other companies but are not happy with the car insurance coverage or rate quotes offered. For a high-risk driver with a history of tickets or accidents, SafeAuto provides a comparatively fair rate and payment plan. On the other hand, individuals with a good driving record will almost certainly snag a better rate with one of the other car insurance companies. The same is true for those with a high credit score.
Geico offers coverage for high-risk drivers as well as drivers seeking an SR-22 policy -- typically, at a lower rate. And for customers looking for an insurer with a strong customer satisfaction rating, Allstate is tough to beat.
Our Insurance Expert
Dana George has a BA in Management and Organization Development from Spring Arbor University. For more than 25 years, she has written and reported on business and finance, and she's still passionate about her work. Dana and her husband recently moved to Champaign, Illinois, home of the Fighting Illini. And though she finds the color orange unflattering on most people, she thinks they'll enjoy Champaign tremendously.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
Dana George has positions in Target. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.