Safeway Insurance Review – Is Safeway Good for Auto Insurance?
Last Updated on January 7, 2026
Shopping for car insurance can feel overwhelming because there are so many companies—and “best” depends on your driving record, location, and coverage needs. A smart approach is to collect quotes from a mix of local and regional agencies and large national carriers.
One regional insurer you might see during your search is Safeway Insurance. Safeway focuses heavily on affordable “real-world” coverage—often appealing to drivers who have trouble getting competitively priced policies elsewhere. Below is an updated Safeway Insurance review covering availability, coverage options, customer experience, and what to know before you buy.
Our Rating of Safeway Auto Insurance
3.0
out of 5
★★★☆☆
Summary
Bottom line: Safeway can be a practical choice for higher-risk drivers who need basic coverage and agent support in eligible states, but it offers fewer extras and limited availability.
Safeway Insurance is a privately held, family-owned regional insurer that markets “insurance for the real world” and is often considered by drivers with violations, limited insurance history, or SR-22 needs. Policies are typically sold through independent agents, with online tools such as MySafeway for payments and account access and central options for claims reporting. Safeway generally offers core coverages like liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but coverage details, limits, and any optional features can vary by state and underwriting company.
Best for
- Drivers who need non-standard or SR-22-friendly coverage in Safeway’s service states
- People who prefer working with an independent agent for quotes and policy help
- Shoppers focused on straightforward coverage rather than lots of add-ons
Not ideal for
- Drivers outside Safeway’s listed states
- Shoppers who want lots of policy features and “bells and whistles” from a major national carrier
- People who want a clearly published discount list and fully app-first servicing
- Our Rating of Safeway Auto Insurance
- All About Safeway Insurance
- Who Safeway Insurance Is Designed For
- What Kind of Coverage Does Safeway Offer?
- Does Safeway Insurance Offer Discounts?
- Is Safeway Financially Reliable?
- Customer Service and Claims Experience
- Safeway Insurance Pros and Cons
- Who Is Safeway Insurance Best For?
- Who Should Avoid Safeway Insurance?
- Safeway Insurance Contact Information
- Final Word: Safeway Insurance Review
- FAQs on Safeway Insurance
All About Safeway Insurance
Safeway Insurance (Safeway Insurance Group) says it was established in 1959 and operates as a privately held, family-owned company with regional offices across the U.S. Safeway’s headquarters office is listed in Westmont, Illinois, and the company maintains additional regional offices in multiple states.
Where Safeway operates: Safeway lists auto insurance availability in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah (availability can change over time, so confirm with an agent).
Important: There are a few businesses with similar names online. This article refers to Safeway Insurance Group at safewayinsurance.com (not unrelated agencies or similarly named brokers).
Who Safeway Insurance Is Designed For
Safeway positions itself as “insurance for the real world,” meaning it’s often a fit for drivers who may not get the best pricing with standard, big-name carriers. That includes people seeking non-standard auto insurance, drivers with violations, and drivers with limited U.S. insurance history.
What Kind of Coverage Does Safeway Offer?
Like most auto insurers, Safeway offers the core coverages required to drive legally and protect your finances. Coverage availability and limits vary by state and underwriting company, but you can generally ask an agent about:
- Liability coverage (required in nearly every state) — learn more about minimum car insurance requirements by state.
- Collision coverage (damage to your vehicle after an accident) — see how collision claims can affect rates.
- Comprehensive coverage (theft, vandalism, weather, animal hits, etc.) — here’s what to know about comprehensive claims and premium increases.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — a common add-on that can help if the other driver can’t fully pay for your losses (details here: uninsured motorist coverage).
Safeway also tends to be SR-22-friendly in many markets. If you need proof of insurance after certain violations, you can read more about timing here: how long an SR-22 lasts.
Because Safeway policies are sold through independent agents, the best way to confirm coverage details is to ask an agent what’s available in your state (and whether any endorsements are offered for your vehicle and driving needs).
Does Safeway Insurance Offer Discounts?
Safeway doesn’t prominently publish a “discount list” the way many large carriers do, and discounts may vary by state and underwriting company. If discounts are important to you, compare quotes carefully and ask your agent what savings apply to your policy.
To understand the most common savings opportunities across the industry, see our guide to the best car insurance discounts. Even if Safeway doesn’t advertise a specific discount, similar factors (safe driving, payment method, multi-car households, etc.) can still influence pricing.
Is Safeway Financially Reliable?
Safeway’s marketing materials state that Safeway Insurance Group is rated “A” (Excellent) by AM Best, and AM Best has published rating actions affirming an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating for Safeway Insurance Group members in the past. Ratings can change over time, so it’s smart to check the most current rating if this is a deciding factor for you.
If you’re new to insurer ratings, here’s a quick explainer: AM Best ratings.
Customer Service and Claims Experience
Safeway sells policies through independent agents, which can be a plus if you prefer local help—but service quality can vary by agency. Before buying, look up reviews for the specific agent/office you’ll be working with.
Unlike some insurers that push everything through a single app, Safeway typically uses a mix of local office support and online tools:
- Quotes: Usually prepared by an agent. Safeway also offers an online “retrieve your quote” portal if you already have a quote reference number.
- Payments: Safeway offers online payment options through the MySafeway portal.
- Claims: Safeway provides a central claims reporting phone number and also offers online claims reporting through MySafeway (login required).
If you prefer working with a broker-style shopping experience, this overview may help: agent vs. broker differences.
Safeway Insurance Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Often competitive for high-risk drivers (tickets, accidents, SR-22 needs, limited history). | Not available nationwide (service area is limited to certain states). |
| Simple, straightforward policies that focus on essential coverages. | Fewer “bells and whistles” than big national carriers (options vary by state). |
| Independent-agent distribution can mean more personalized help. | Service varies by office/agent, so local reviews matter. |
| Online payments and account tools through MySafeway. | Discounts aren’t heavily advertised, and savings vary by location. |
Who Is Safeway Insurance Best For?
Safeway is often a strong fit if you’re struggling to find affordable coverage elsewhere—especially if you need an SR-22 or you’re seeing high premiums due to a bad driving record. Safeway can also be appealing if you prefer working with an agent rather than doing everything through a call center.
If SR-22 pricing is your main issue, this guide may help you compare: cheap SR-22 insurance options.
Who Should Avoid Safeway Insurance?
If you have a clean driving record, you may find better pricing (and more features) with large standard carriers—so it’s worth comparing multiple quotes.
Also, if you drive for Uber or Lyft, confirm whether Safeway offers a rideshare endorsement in your state. If you need rideshare coverage, you may want to compare rideshare-friendly insurers instead.
Safeway Insurance Contact Information
Because Safeway is organized with regional offices and independent agents, the best contact point depends on your state. Here are the most commonly used Safeway contact options listed by the company:
| Need | How to contact Safeway |
|---|---|
| Report a new claim | Call (888) 203-5129 (central claims reporting). |
| Payment & billing questions | Call (888) 575-3590 (billing line listed for multiple states). |
| Headquarters office (Illinois) | Safeway Insurance Company, 790 Pasquinelli Drive, Westmont, IL 60559 • General: (630) 887-8300 / (800) 273-0300. |
| Find an agent | Use Safeway’s “Find an Agency” tool (agent prepares quotes and confirms state-specific coverage). |
| Online account & payments | Use the MySafeway portal for payments and policy tools (login required for some features). |
| Retrieve an online quote | Use Safeway’s quote retrieval portal if you already have a quote reference number. |
Final Word: Safeway Insurance Review
Safeway Insurance can be a solid option for drivers who want basic coverage at a competitive price—especially if they’re being quoted high rates elsewhere due to violations, SR-22 requirements, or limited insurance history. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. If you’re eligible for standard-market pricing and want lots of digital features or widely advertised discounts, another insurer may be a better match.
If Safeway operates in your state, the best next step is to contact a local Safeway agent for a quote, then compare it against a few other carriers with the same coverage limits and deductibles.
