Is Safeco Auto Insurance Good for New York Drivers?
Last Updated on July 12, 2021
You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a car insurance company in New York state. Safeco is one of the many car insurance providers that provide coverage for New York drivers, but are they the best choice for you? In this article, we’ll take a look at Safeco’s coverage for New York drivers to help you decide if it’s a good choice for you.
About Safeco Insurance
Safeco is part of the Liberty Mutual Insurance group. They are based in Seattle, Washington and were originally founded in 1923. Liberty Mutual bought Safeco in 2008. Safeco is licensed in all 50 states and has several subsidiaries that operate around the country. In addition to car insurance, they also offer insurance for other types of vehicles, property insurance, umbrella insurance, and more.
| Safeco Company Information | |
|---|---|
| Address | 75 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-332-3226 |
| https://www.safeco.com/customer-resources/customer-support | |
| Website | https://www.safeco.com/ |
Safeco Coverage Types
One of the advantages of using Safeco for your insurance is that they have a wide range of coverage options to choose from. They offer standard car insurance coverage options including liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist. However, they also have a number of add-ons and unique policy types that you can choose from.
One of these unique add-ons is loan and lease coverage. You may also see this referred to as gap insurance. This means that if your car is totaled, the insurance will pay the rest of your lease or loan for you. They also offer new car replacement coverage, which will pay to replace your car completely if it is totaled within the first 15,000 miles of driving.
Additionally, Safeco provides unique coverage specifically for classic cars. These policies appeal to the unique needs of classic car owners, but often come with maintenance requirements and driving restrictions. Additionally, they offer coverage for recreational vehicles like RVs, motorcycles, boats, and more.
On top of that, Safeco offers a roadside assistance program, which can help you if you experience an emergency on the road. Through roadside assistance, you can get fuel delivery, locksmith services, towing, and more. They also offer rental car coverage if you need one while your car is in the shop, as well as a claims valet add-on. With this add-on, Safeco will pick up your car to take it to the shop, and deliver a rental car along with it.
Safeco Discounts and Incentives
Like many car insurance companies, Safeco offers a number of discounts and incentives to its customers. They offer a number of standard discounts that you’re likely to find at most car insurance companies. These include a safe driver discount, multi-car discount, multi-policy discount, and homeowner discount. However, they also offer a number of other discounts that could result in huge savings.
Safeco has a diminishing deductible program, which lowers your deductible over time if you go claims-free. They also have a claims-free cashback program, which provides you with small financial reimbursements for going claims-free. Additionally, they have an accident forgiveness program for loyal customers. With accident forgiveness, your first accident won’t make your monthly insurance premium go up.
Since many parts of New York are densely populated and have good public transportation, many people only use their cars a few times per year. Safeco offers a low mileage discount for those who don’t drive often. You’ll need to drive less than 8,000 miles per year to qualify for this discount.
Finally, SafeCo offers its RightTrack telematics program in New York, which can help you save money. You’ll be given a device to plug in to your car, which will track your driving habits. If you maintain good driving habits, you could earn a discount on your insurance.
Safeco Financial Ratings
Safeco has an ‘A’ rating for financial strength from A.M. Best. A.M. Best is an organization that rates the financial stability of insurance companies. While an ‘A’ is not the best rating possible, it does indicate that Safeco is financially secure enough to pay its claims regardless of the current economic climate. Safeco also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, although they are not BBB accredited.
Safeco Customer Service
While Safeco has an excellent range of policies and discounts to offer, their customer service is where they fall short. Their complaint ratio is much higher than other insurance companies of the same size, and they have received many negative reviews online through consumer review platforms. You do have an option to file a claim online or call the 24/7 claims number, and they also have a mobile app. However, many customers have complained of long claims response times.
Another common complaint from Safeco customers is that you cannot get a quote online. To buy a policy, you have to make a purchase through an independent agent. While independent agents can be very helpful in finding the right policy for you, it also makes the process more time-consuming. This can be inconvenient for those with busy schedules.
Advantages of Safeco
For some New York consumers, the advantages of using Safeco for their insurance are going to outweigh the disadvantages. For example, Safeco has an excellent range of discounts and customizable features. For New Yorkers who don’t drive often, the low mileage discount could be very appealing. They also offer classic car coverage, which can also be very difficult to find.
Additionally, Safeco offers some of the cheapest rates on the market for teen drivers, making it an appealing option for families. They also offer affordable pricing for single drivers in their twenties. Of course, pricing is going to vary depending on your own personal demographics and driving history, which is why it is always important to get a quote and shop around before buying.
Disadvantages of Safeco
While Safeco does offer a good selection of products, their customer service leaves something to be desired. The high number of complaints they have received indicates that their customer service just doesn’t live up to the standards that we have for our car insurance providers. They are known for slow claims payouts as well as being generally difficult to contact. They also require you to work with an independent insurance agent, which isn’t the best choice for everyone.
Overall, Safeco does offer some nice benefits for drivers living in New York, and they have an excellent selection of discounts. However, their customer service just doesn’t quite live up to expectations. The best way to find the right insurance company for you is to get quotes from many different insurance companies and see who can provide the best value for your needs.
