Safeway Insurance Review – Is Safeway Good for Auto Insurance?
Last Updated on July 27, 2020
Choosing a car insurance provider can be very daunting – you have so many different options to choose from, and it can be difficult to tell which insurer is going to provide the best value. One of the best ways to find a reliable car insurance provider is by getting quotes from many different agencies. Be sure to check both local and regional agencies as well as large national ones – you may be surprised by who offers the best value. One regional provider you may be considering is Safeway Insurance. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Safeway Insurance before you purchase a policy.
All About Safeway Insurance
Safeway Insurance was founded in 1959 and is based in Monrovia, California. They are a family-owned business and are the largest privately-held insurance company in the United States. Safeway specializes in affordable policies and offers non-standard coverage for those who require it. Safeway sells its policies using independent insurance agents, with offices located throughout the country. They currently offer policies in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas.
What Kind of Insurance Does Safeway Offer?
Safeway offers basic car insurance coverage options. They offer liability coverage, which is required in all states and will cover the expenses if you are found at fault in an accident. Liability coverage requirements differ from state to state, but generally, you will be required to carry liability coverage for property damage as well as bodily injury. Safeway specializes in coverage for drivers who require SR-22 certificates and may be denied policies by larger insurers. The government will often require drivers to get an SR-22 certificate proving they have insurance after a certain number of at-fault accidents. Safeway also offers coverage for international drivers, who may also have a difficult time finding reasonably priced insurance.
Safeway doesn’t offer many customization options for their policies. However, they do have some choices for comprehensive and collision coverage. This additional coverage will pay for expenses associated with single-car crashes, theft, vandalism, and more. They also offer underinsured motorist coverage, which pays your repair costs and medical bills if you are hit by a driver that does not carry enough insurance to cover it. Additionally, they offer medical payments coverage, which is designed to pay for hospital bills and other costs associated with severe injuries. It is designed to supplement liability and comprehensive coverage, which may not always cover expensive medical bills. If you want to further customize your policy, talk to your local agent about Safeway’s options.
Does Safeway Insurance Offer Discounts?
Safeway does not have specific discounts listed on their website. If discounts are a priority for you, this could be a major downside to using Safeway insurance. However, Safeway’s rates are generally very low, particularly for people who have driving violations on their record or who otherwise struggle to find affordable policies. If this is the case for you, Safeway insurance still may be an affordable choice, even without discounts.
Is Safeway Financially Reliable?
Safeway Insurance prides itself on having an ‘A’ rating from AM Best. AM Best is an organization that evaluates the financial stability of insurance companies and other financial institutions. Their ratings range from D to A++. An A rating from AM Best means that you can trust Safeway to pay out claims, regardless of the current economic climate.
What Kind of Customer Service Does Safeway Offer?
Safeway insurance policies are sold and managed through independent agents. Because of this, customer service can vary depending on who your agent is. Many customers prefer working with a local agent because they can really get to know them and provide more personalized customer service. However, the independent agent model can be inconvenient for busy customers who may not have time to go into an office and would prefer to manage their policy online.
One downside of using Safeway insurance is that they don’t allow you to request a quote online. To get a quote, you’ll need to go to a local office or contact them by phone. You also cannot file a claim online – you’ll need to contact your local agent or call their central claims office, which is based in Illinois. Although you cannot get a quote or file a claim online, you can pay your monthly bill through their website, which adds some convenience for busy customers.
Safeway gets mixed reviews for the quality of their customer service as well as their response times. To get a better idea of what to expect, look up reviews for your local Safeway office before signing up for a policy.
What Are the Benefits of Safeway Insurance?
The biggest benefit of Safeway insurance is that they provide affordable insurance policies to those who otherwise may not qualify for them. They focus on providing simple policies to those who require SR-22s or may not qualify for cheap car insurance with other companies. Although their policies are not as customizable as other companies, they still provide the basic insurance coverage you need to stay safe.
What Are the Downsides of Safeway Insurance?
One of the biggest downsides of Safeway insurance is that they don’t have a user-friendly website, and you cannot get a quote or make claims online. This can be frustrating for those who are busy and prefer to manage their car insurance policies online. Safeway insurance also does not offer many opportunities to customize your policy, and they also don’t offer discounts. This means they aren’t the best choice for those who are looking for more flexibility. They also aren’t available in every US state.
Another downside is the high number of customer complaints from places like BBB and other insurance company review sites. As always, you should take customer complaints with a grain of salt. Usually, only unhappy policyholders will leave reviews. Satisfied customers rarely do. Regardless, a common complaint is Safeway’s lack of communication during the claims process.
Who Is Safeway Insurance Best For?
Safeway insurance is best for those who are struggling to find affordable insurance coverage elsewhere. They are a particularly good choice for those who need SR-22s or have a history of driving violations, or for international drivers. In these instances, Safeway can provide you with the coverage you need without the high premiums. Safeway insurance can also be a good choice for those who prefer working with an independent agent. Independent agents can offer a more personal approach to customer service, which is why many people prefer them.
Who Should Avoid Safeway Insurance?
For those who have clean driving records, Safeway insurance may not offer the cheapest rates. If you have a good driving record, it’s worth getting quotes from many different insurers to see who can offer you the best value. Safeway insurance also isn’t the best choice for those who are looking to customize their policies or who want extensive discounts. Rideshare insurance also isn’t offered through Safeway, so if you plan on driving for Uber or Lyft, you might want to look elsewhere.
Final Word – Safeway Insurance Review
To sum up our Safeway car insurance review, let’s first review the pros and cons of Safeway Insurance:
| Safeway Insurance Pros | Safeway Insurance Cons |
|---|---|
| Independent agents provide quality customer service | Limited online services (i.e. cannot file claim online) |
| Non-standard policies available | No mobile app |
| SR-22 insurance available | No 24/7 customer service |
| Good option for international drivers | Not many discounts available |
| Transparent pricing | Some unhappy customer reviews |
| Financially stable ('A' rating from AM Best) | Not sold in all states (only 11 states) |
| Good option for high-risk drivers | Rideshare coverage not available |
Overall, Safeway Insurance has mixed reviews. It’s good for drivers that might be considered high-risk, but it’s not the best for drivers with squeaky clean driving records looking for the absolute cheapest policy. There’s no one-size-fits-all policy for car insurance, so different drivers need different coverage. If you think Safeway Insurance could be a good option for you, please contact them for a quote.
| Safeway Insurance Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Address | 790 Pasquinelli Drive Westmont, IL 60559 |
| Customer Service Number | 1 (800) 344-1947 |
| Claims Number | 1 (888) 203-5129 |
| Website URL | https://www.safewayinsurance.com |
| Online Contact Form | |
