Compare accounts

Get guidance

Compare accounts

Get guidance

Money market accounts

Money market accounts are similar to savings accounts, but offer some checking features as well.

Get guidance

Banking

Skip the searching and find your next bank in minutes with BankMatch℠.

Get guidance

Compare rates

Get guidance

Compare rates

Get guidance

Buying & selling

Find an expert who knows the market. Compare trusted real estate agents all in one place.

Get guidance

Compare investments

Get guidance

Compare plans

Get guidance

Finding an advisor

Get guidance

Compare cards

Find your fit

See your card matches

Answer a few quick questions and we’ll show you your top credit card options.

Compare cards

See what the experts say

Read in-depth credit card reviews to find out which cards have the best perks and more.

Get guidance

Get advice

Build credit

Compare lenders

Get guidance

Compare lenders

Get guidance

Compare lenders

Get guidance

Compare lenders

Get guidance

HELOC

A HELOC is a variable-rate line of credit that lets you borrow funds for a set period and repay them later.

Home equity basics

Home equity loans

Home equity loans let you borrow a lump sum at a fixed rate, based on how much of the home you own outright.

Get guidance

Compare rates

Get guidance

Compare rates

Get guidance

Compare companies

Get guidance

SafeAuto insurance review 2024

Natalie Todoroff is an insurance writer for Bankrate, prior to which she wrote for a popular insurance comparison shopping app. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and has written over 800 articles about insurance throughout her career.

Amelia Buckley is an insurance editor for Bankrate, covering auto, home and life insurance. She emphasizes creating informative, engaging and nuanced content to support readers in making personalized insurance decisions with confidence.

Amelia Buckley is an insurance editor for Bankrate, covering auto, home and life insurance. She emphasizes creating informative, engaging and nuanced content to support readers in making personalized insurance decisions with confidence.

The Bankrate promise

At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure.

At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure.

Editorial integrity

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.

We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.

Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU — the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information.

How we make money

You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.

We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

The Bankrate promise

Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts, who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

Our insurance team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you.

All providers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we’re putting accuracy first.

At a glance

Bankrate's take

High-risk drivers who struggled to find coverage elsewhere may have  considered SafeAuto. However, SafeAuto no longer writes new policies. The carrier is now a part of Direct Auto, which also offers policies to drivers with similar profiles.

New

SafeAuto is now a part of Direct Auto. In 2021, SafeAuto was purchased by National General, an Allstate company and parent company of Direct Auto. SafeAuto car insurance policies are now managed and serviced through Direct Auto. Like the old SafeAuto policies, car insurance from Direct Auto is also tailored to high-risk drivers.

We want to know what you think about SafeAuto

Do you have experience with SafeAuto? Let us know your thoughts.

SafeAuto car insurance review

For drivers considered to be high-risk, SafeAuto car insurance could have been one of the best car insurance companies. The company specialized in providing non-standard car insurance for drivers with incidents like multiple tickets or at-fault accidents on their driving records. Coverage was available in 11 states, and the company boasted an easy online quoting system. There was also an online chat feature and a support phone number for customer assistance. 

SafeAuto focused on state minimum coverage, although you could purchase higher liability limits if you need to. SafeAuto did not, however, offer liability limits as high as some other car insurance companies. You could also add comprehensive and collision coverage, and e endorsements like rental car reimbursement or roadside assistance coverage were available in some states.

Pros and cons of SafeAuto car insurance

Comparing car insurance companies may be an important part of finding the best car insurance. Considering the pros and cons of each company may help you decide where to ask for car insurance quotes. Although SafeAuto no longer writes new policies, comparing its features may help you find a suitable alternative carrier. Here’s a summary of some SafeAuto car insurance pros and cons our insurance editorial team identified:

Pros

Cons

SafeAuto customer satisfaction

Customer experience can be an important factor for many when it comes to insurance. Unfortunately, SafeAuto was not scored in any of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction studies. Now that the carrier has merged with Direct Auto, looking at Direct Auto customer service metrics may help you decide if that carrier could be right for you. 

To get a gauge of policyholder’s satisfaction with an insurer, you can also look to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which routinely studies complaints filed about different insurance companies. NAIC complaints are reflected in the organization's complaint index. This index has a baseline of 1.00, and companies with an index higher than the baseline have more complaints than expected for their size. 

Since SafeAuto’s homeowners and life insurance products were offered by other companies, we did not include complaint index information, but you can check out our full insurance reviews for Hippo and Bestow, which are the companies that underwrote SafeAuto homeowners and life insurance, respectively. 

SafeAuto had an NAIC Complaint Index of 6.66 for its private passenger auto product, indicating that it received significantly more complaints than expected based on its size, which could indicate that customers didn’t have a great experience with the insurer.

SafeAuto car insurance cost

Because SafeAuto is no longer actively writing policies, rates are unavailable. To get a better sense of what a policy from Direct Auto would cost, take a look at our in-depth Direct Auto review page. While you compare rates, it may help to know that the average cost of car insurance is $2,299 for full coverage and $637 for minimum coverage. However, keep in mind that your rates will vary significantly based on your personal rating factors. If you need non-standard coverage, your rates are likely to be higher.

SafeAuto car insurance discounts

Discounts offered by Direct Auto are very similar to the ones SafeAuto used to offer. Direct Auto policyholders may find some car insurance savings with these discounts, but bear in mind that availability will vary on a state-by-state basis: 

Get personalized auto insurance quotes

Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

SafeAuto home insurance review

SafeAuto did not sell its own home insurance, but it did offer policies underwritten by Hippo Insurance. Hippo could be a good home insurance company for those who want a tech-forward experience. Coverage is available in 39 states and Washington, D.C. Keep in mind, though, that coverage from Hippo is not SafeAuto home insurance, so you may not get the benefits of bundling your auto and home insurance. However, Direct Auto does not sell home insurance policies. 

Get personalized home insurance quotes

Answering a few quick questions to check your availability with SafeAuto

Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Leaving so soon? Your custom quotes are just minutes away.

SafeAuto life insurance review

SafeAuto life insurance was provided by Bestow, and policies are underwritten by North American Company for Life and Health Insurance. If you’re shopping for life insurance, SafeAuto might have been a convenient option if you already have policies with the company. However, if you are looking for the best life insurance company, you may want to compare quotes from other companies.

Direct Auto offers term life insurance policies underwritten by Direct General Life Insurance. Coverage limits are low, only up to $25,000, but Direct Auto car insurance customers can save up to 5 percent when they bundle the two policies together. 

Compare life insurance providers quickly and easily

See which provider is right for you.

Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.

Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.

Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)

Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.

Compare SafeAuto with other insurers

Choosing a car, home or life insurance company often means researching and sourcing quotes from multiple companies. Although SafeAuto is no longer writing new policies, Bankrate highlighted some comparable alternative companies.

SafeAuto vs. Progressive 

Progressive was named the Best Auto Insurance Company for High-Risk Drivers in our 2024 Bankrate Awards. Like SafeAuto, Progressive offers SR-22 forms for high-risk drivers and a long list of potential discounts. However, Progressive edges out SafeAuto in that it offers national service as opposed to just 11 states. Plus, Progressive’s Name Your Price tool and lower average rates (even for drivers with a DUI) may result in cheaper premiums. 

Learn more: Progressive Insurance review

SafeAuto vs. The General

The General is known for offering coverage to high-risk drivers and could be a good fit if you like to handle your insurance digitally. The company has a robust mobile app, an online customer platform and a chat feature on its website. The General has a wide variety of potential discounts, but it also has a high NAIC Complaint Index for its private passenger product.

Learn more: The General Insurance review

SafeAuto vs. Geico

Geico tied for two 2024 Bankrate Awards: Best Car Insurance Company Overall (with Amica) and Best Budget Auto Insurance Company (with Auto-Owners). The company features low average rates and has a long list of discounts that could help you get cheaper car insurance. Like SafeAuto, Geico home and life insurance is underwritten by third-party companies.

Learn more: Geico Insurance review

Was SafeAuto a good insurance company?

With extensive insurance industry experience, Bankrate’s insurance experts aim to give you a broad overview of pricing, coverage types and customer service in our SafeAuto insurance reviews. SafeAuto specialized in minimum coverage car insurance and high-risk car insurance. The carrier also had some modern touches with online chat and an online portal for policy management. However, the carrier did not write its own home and life insurance policies, which could have been a drawback for those who wanted to manage all their policies in one place.

What were real-life customers saying about SafeAuto?

To round out our SafeAuto insurance review, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team looked to online discussion forums to find what real SafeAuto policyholders had to say about the company.

By and large, Reddit users who had an at-fault accident on their record were unhappy with how SafeAuto handled the claims process. This could be due to the fact that SafeAuto’s liability limits tended to be lower and closer to the state minimum requirements — which could have left the at-fault party with out-of-pocket expenses if the damage exceeded their coverage limits. Another common discussion point about SafeAuto was how the company handled the transition to Direct Auto. 

A coverage lapse is more than a missed bill — it could raise your rate when you sign up with a new insurer and, if you’re involved in an accident, you could be held liable for another driver’s post-accident expenses out of pocket. 

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

SafeAuto company details 

State availability

SafeAuto car insurance was available in AZ, IL, GA, IN, LA, MD, MO, OH, PA, TN and VA. SafeAuto home and life insurance availability varied based on Hippo and Bestow availability. 

SafeAuto tools and benefits 

Through various underwriting partners, SafeAuto also offered the following perks and types of insurance coverage:

Frequently asked questions about SafeAuto

How do I file a claim with SafeAuto?

Filing a SafeAuto car insurance claim could be done on its website or by calling 1-800-723-3288. You could also start the claim process from within the SafeAuto mobile app. If your policy has been transferred to Direct Auto, you can begin the claims process on the carrier's website or by calling 1-800-403-1077.

Filing a SafeAuto car insurance claim could be done on its website or by calling 1-800-723-3288. You could also start the claim process from within the SafeAuto mobile app. If your policy has been transferred to Direct Auto, you can begin the claims process on the carrier's website or by calling 1-800-403-1077.

Did SafeAuto have 24-hour customer service?

SafeAuto did not have live representatives 24/7 but maintains some self-service options 24/7. Customer service representatives were available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Saturday. For claims, agents were available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. However, the claims department also maintained a 24/7 virtual assistant to help during off hours.

SafeAuto did not have live representatives 24/7 but maintains some self-service options 24/7. Customer service representatives were available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Saturday. For claims, agents were available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. However, the claims department also maintained a 24/7 virtual assistant to help during off hours.

What was the grace period for my bill with SafeAuto?

It may depend on circumstances, but if you were running late with a payment, you may have had to contact your SafeAuto representative for a payment extension of seven to 10 business days. That may have varied by state, as some states have specific laws regarding insurance grace periods. For instance, insurance grace periods are not allowed by the state of New York. If payments were not made by the extended period, you may have received a notice of policy cancellation from SafeAuto. In that case, your coverage may have had up to 20 days before it lapses as the policy goes out of force.

It may depend on circumstances, but if you were running late with a payment, you may have had to contact your SafeAuto representative for a payment extension of seven to 10 business days. That may have varied by state, as some states have specific laws regarding insurance grace periods. For instance, insurance grace periods are not allowed by the state of New York. If payments were not made by the extended period, you may have received a notice of policy cancellation from SafeAuto. In that case, your coverage may have had up to 20 days before it lapses as the policy goes out of force.

Was SafeAuto sustainable?

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze the latest rates in May 2024 for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates include the most recent approved rate changes filed by insurance companies that affect our profile. These revised rates are then weighted based on the population density in each geographic region so that policyholders can see the impact rates have in their areas.

Auto

Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:

To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually. 

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. 

Natalie Todoroff is an insurance writer for Bankrate, prior to which she wrote for a popular insurance comparison shopping app. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English and has written over 800 articles about insurance throughout her career.

Amelia Buckley is an insurance editor for Bankrate, covering auto, home and life insurance. She emphasizes creating informative, engaging and nuanced content to support readers in making personalized insurance decisions with confidence.

On This Page

On This Page

ON THIS PAGE

ON THIS PAGE

Bankrate logo Bankrate

About

Help

Legal

How we make money

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

Bankrate, LLC NMLS ID# 1427381 | NMLS Consumer Access BR Tech Services, Inc. NMLS ID #1743443 | NMLS Consumer Access

© 2024 Bankrate, LLC. A Red Ventures company. All Rights Reserved.