One of the first things you’ll have to do after getting your license is to sign up for insurance. This helps to ensure you are covered on the road. Among the hundreds of choices out there, you should consider Safeway Auto Insurance.
Being a company that offers spotty coverage across the nation, Safeway has a strong financial rating but also has plenty of concerning customer complaint. As you look at several Safeway Auto Insurance reviews, you may be on the fence as to whether this is the right insurance company for you. This article aims to help you make an informed decision.
About Safeway Auto Insurance
First developed in 1959, Safeway Insurance is one of the largest privately-owned insurance companies in the United States. The main image the company wants to put across to their customers is that they are an insurance company that offers a more personal touch to help you find the perfect type of coverage.
One of their most notable advantages is they are said to have some of the most affordable insurance policies on the market. In comparison to other insurance companies, finding information about their policies will require a sit-down conversation with one of their agents. However, this may help you to get more information about coverage options that you typically wouldn’t be able to find online.
Safeway Auto Insurance Coverage Options
As earlier mentioned, Safeway Auto Insurance has very limited information about the packages they offer. You will have to use the Agency Finder on their website to find an insurance advisor to assist you. By filling out the form with your city name, state, and zip code, you’ll be provided with the closest agency to your location.
With that said, you can get a general idea of the type of insurance they offer, as it’s likely similar to most other insurance companies. This is especially true when it comes to basic coverage, which will include:
Collision
Drivers who are found to be at-fault in an accident will wish that they had collision coverage, as it helps to pay for vehicle repairs, medical bills, and other related expenses that stem from the accident.
Comprehensive
This type of coverage is highly recommended for drivers who know they won’t be able to pay for unexpected vehicle repairs out of their own pocket. Unexpected repairs could include damage from vandalism, theft, or fire. Depending on where you live, this may not be a required part of your insurance policy, but it is highly recommended.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist
You never know who you might be getting into an accident with, and if they don’t have the proper coverage, you’ll have to pay for some aspects of the accident on your own. With uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, if the other driver is found at-fault and has lacking or no insurance at all, your policy will cover the costs of an accident.
Property Damage Liability
If you are in an accident where your vehicle damages another person’s property, property damage liability will cover the costs. For example, if you are in a single-vehicle accident and crash into someone’s fence or home, your insurance will pay for the repairs to the property.
Personal Injury Protection
As an added safety blanket in an accident, PIP deals with the extra costs of an accident, such as assisting to pay for childcare, lost wages, and ambulance rides.
Benefits of Safeway Auto Insurance Policies
Before you settle with a single insurance company, it’s first important to consider the advantages they bring to the table. There are very few stellar things to be said about Safeway Auto Insurance, though they do have a few benefits to offer.
“A” Rating
When choosing an insurance company, you’ll want to be sure you opt for a company that has enough money to pay out claims when necessary. As per AM Best Financial Rating, in 2013, Safeway Auto Insurance received a grade of A for financial stability.
Deciding on a company with a strong financial rating will help to make sure your policy won’t be unexpectedly dropped if they have to declare bankruptcy.
Discounts
Nearly every insurance company gives you the ability to save on your policy with the help of discounts, and Safeway is no different. They have a couple of notable discounts to consider, which are easy to find with other insurance agencies as well. The two discounts include:
- Proof of Insurance: With the proof of insurance discount, if you can provide proof of having insurance from a previous insurance company, you may be able to save up to five percent off your policy. This also applies to any insured drivers who switch from their current provider to Safeway.
- Multiple Cars: If you have multiple drivers in your family, you may want to consider being insured by the same company, as it should help you to save on your policy. With Safeway Auto Insurance, you can save up to 12% off your annual premium when there is more than one driver insured with Safeway at your residential address.
Recommended for Poor Driving Histories
One of the largest benefits of this insurance provider is they can help you to find a policy if you have a spotty driving history. Individuals with poor credit and traffic infractions will appreciate being able to find insurance with a company that has affordable premiums.
Although you may still be considered a high-risk driver, the policies are likely more affordable than with other insurance providers.
Cons of Safeway Auto Insurance Policies
There are several disadvantages of Safeway Auto Insurance to consider before signing up for a policy, especially if you’re a driver with a good record.
Limited Coverage
Compared to some of the other large insurance providers, you’ll find that Safeway does not feature nationwide coverage. They only have insurance agents in 12 states, including:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- Tennessee
- Texas
If you want to opt for a company with more extensive coverage, there are plenty of alternatives to take into consideration.
Lack of Trendy Additions
As drivers start to develop more advanced needs, insurance companies need to keep up with the trends. Since there is very limited information about the policies that are available for Safeway, you can guess that they don’t have as many trendy add-ons as other insurance providers.
For example, Safeway does not have an online claims filing process, nor does it have a mobile app that has a copy of your insurance policy for easy access.
Limited Online Availability
Not only does their website offer a poor amount of information, but you’ll also find that you need to either call or meet with an insurance agent in-person to review your policy, ask questions, or customize your insurance policy. All of the needed contact information is available on the website but will require an in-person meeting.
Poor Customer Service
A few policyholders suggest Safeway Auto Insurance has been helpful in the past, but an overwhelmingly large number of customers haven’t had such a positive experience.
When filing claims, getting in touch with a customer service agent is nearly impossible, and it may take up to a week to get a call in return. Also, getting reimbursement for a rental vehicle as a result of an accident is difficult to manage with their insurance agents.
Safeway Auto Insurance Reviews: Final Thoughts
Overall, most Safeway Auto Insurance reviews agree that there are far better insurance companies to consider, even if you’re a high-risk driver. However, if you’re someone who is in the market for coverage in the 12 states they operate in, and you have a spotty driving history, you may be able to find inexpensive policies.
