SafeAuto Insurance Review for 2025 (+Coverage Options & Rates)

In our SafeAuto insurance review, we found that this nonstandard auto insurer, acquired by Allstate’s subsidiary National General in 2021 and now part of Direct Auto Insurance, offers state-minimum liability coverage starting at $48 per month for high-risk drivers.

SafeAuto Insurance Rating

Operating in 17 states, SafeAuto provides flexible payment options, core coverages like collision, comprehensive, and SR-22 filings, and targeted discounts that reduce costs. We examine how rates vary by age, gender, and driving record, and compare them to major insurers. This review shows where SafeAuto delivers affordable legal coverage and where its limited availability and fewer extras may be a drawback.

No matter how much coverage you need, you can find the lowest SafeAuto rates by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool.

SafeAuto Insurance Company

SafeAuto Insurance Company is a nonstandard insurer for high-risk drivers, including those with accidents, violations, lapses, or SR-22 needs. Founded in 1993 in Columbus, Ohio, it operates in 17 states and focuses on low-cost state-minimum liability coverage with flexible payments and 24/7 support. Its role is to keep drivers denied elsewhere legally insured, though it provides fewer options and perks than larger insurers.

SafeAuto Rates vs. Competitors

Compares monthly rates for minimum and SafeAuto full coverage with those of major competitors and shows that SafeAuto is one of the more affordable choices for basic liability. At $51 per month for minimum coverage, it costs less than Allstate at $87, Liberty Mutual at $96, and Farmers at $76, but slightly more than Geico at $43 and State Farm Insurance at $47.

SafeAuto vs. Top Competitors: Car Insurance Monthly Rates

For full coverage, SafeAuto’s $133 monthly rate is again below most larger insurers, with Allstate at $228, Liberty Mutual at $248, and Farmers at $198, while Geico comes in lower at $114 and State Farm at $123.

When you evaluate the auto insurance company SafeAuto for the cheapest auto insurance, its competitive pricing for those with high-risk driving, who need affordable insurance, but it’s not always the least expensive option.

SafeAuto Rates by Age & Gender

SafeAuto’s monthly auto insurance rates are broken down by age and gender, and the difference in pricing is most notable for younger drivers. Sixteen-year-old males have the highest rates at $224 per month, followed by females of the same age at $201, reflecting the higher perceived risk for new, young drivers—especially males.

Females pay $58 while males pay $61. After this, rates drop significantly as they go through their twenties. In their early forties, both genders pay approximately $51. The rates then become the lowest by the age of 55. Males and females would pay approximately $48. By the age of 65, it increases to $52. This shows how age and driving experience significantly impact premiums, with gender differences narrowing as drivers get older.

Read more: Best Auto Insurance for Good Drivers

SafeAuto Rates by Driving Record

This compares SafeAuto’s monthly rates by driving record against major competitors, highlighting how pricing changes with different types of infractions. For drivers with a clean record, drive SafeAuto insurance reviews show it charges $51 per month, which is lower than most large insurers except Geico at $43 and State Farm at $47.

SafeAuto vs. Top Competitors: Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record

SafeAuto’s rate rises to $76 after a single accident, still lower than that of Allstate at $124 and Liberty Mutual Insurance at $129, but not as low as State Farm at $57 or Geico at $71. For a single DUI, SafeAuto’s quote is $86 — more expensive than Progressive at $75 and State Farm at $65, but still much cheaper than Liberty Mutual, which quoted an estimate of $178.

For a single ticket, the rate is $62, again landing in the mid-range—more than State Farm’s $57 and Geico’s $71 but less than Allstate’s $124 and Farmers’ $109. Getting a SafeAuto car insurance quote can help drivers compare these rates more easily, showing how SafeAuto maintains affordable options across different driving records, even if it’s not always the absolute cheapest.

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SafeAuto Insurance Coverage Options

SafeAuto focuses on nonstandard auto insurance for high-risk drivers, including those who need SR-22 filings. Its core offerings include state-minimum liability, full coverage, and add-ons such as collision, comprehensive, and personal injury protection (PIP). Liability covers damage or injuries you cause to others, while collision pays for repairs after a crash. Comprehensive protects against theft, vandalism, weather, or animal-related incidents.

SafeAuto Insurance Coverage Options

Additional protections include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for injuries or damage caused by underinsured drivers, medical payments for you and passengers, and extras like roadside assistance and rental reimbursement. These options help drivers customize coverage beyond the minimums.

Beyond auto, SafeAuto also connects customers to renters, homeowners, motorcycle, and commercial auto insurance through partner providers. This makes it possible to bundle or expand coverage while keeping payments affordable, even if SafeAuto doesn’t directly underwrite those policies.

SafeAuto Insurance Discounts

SafeAuto offers a variety of discounts that can help lower premiums for qualifying drivers, with the largest being a 15% multi-policy discount. Customers who pay in full can save 7%, while early shoppers, defensive driving graduates, safe vehicle owners, and those who pay via electronic funds transfer qualify for 5%. Paperless billing offers the smallest savings at 3%.

SafeAuto Insurance Discounts

Many of these discounts can be stacked, making SafeAuto a practical option for cost-conscious drivers. SafeAuto’s main competition comes from other nonstandard insurers that also focus on high-risk drivers, including Acceptance Insurance, Infinity Insurance, and The General. Like SafeAuto, these companies specialize in state-minimum liability coverage and basic add-ons for drivers with SR-22 needs, tickets, or accidents.

Because no insurer in this space holds more than 2% market share, price often becomes the deciding factor. While some rivals may offer slight variations, such as motorcycle coverage or alternative payment options, the products are largely similar. In many cases, comparing rates and state availability determines which insurer is the better choice.

Other SafeAuto Coverage Options Through Farmers

SafeAuto primarily focuses on auto insurance, but since it operates under the ownership of Allstate, customers have access to a broader range of insurance products through Allstate’s network and its subsidiaries. Many reviews on SafeAuto Insurance also highlight that this connection gives policyholders convenient options for bundling and expanding coverage beyond auto.

Homeowners Insurance

Similar to renters coverage, home insurance is not underwritten by SafeAuto directly. These policies are available through its affiliate relationship with Hippo. If a client purchases both auto and homeowners insurance, they can often enjoy bundle savings, though the homeowner’s policy itself comes from Hippo.

Renters Insurance

SafeAuto offers renters insurance—but not under its own underwriting. Instead, this product is provided through a partnership (commonly with Hippo Insurance).

Through this arrangement, customers can explore SafeAuto renters insurance options and even request a SafeAuto renters insurance quote when bundling renters coverage with auto insurance, offering potential discounts and convenience while the actual policy is issued by a third-party insurer.

Commercial Auto Insurance

For small businesses or self-employed drivers, SafeAuto provides commercial auto insurance to cover vehicles used for work purposes. This includes liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage, plus optional collision and comprehensive coverage. Policies can be customized to protect single work trucks, fleets, or specialty business vehicles (Learn More: A Visual Guide to Auto Insurance).

Motorcycle Insurance

SafeAuto brings you access to motorcycle insurance options that can feature coverage including liability, collision, or comprehensive insurance. They also offer extras such as roadside assistance and custom parts and accessories bundles, which means their motorcycle insurance is built to satisfy state minimums but lets riders load up on more protection.

SR-22 Insurance Filings

While not a separate coverage type, SafeAuto is well known for offering SR-22 insurance filing services. If you’re required by your state to carry an SR-22 due to a license suspension, DUI, or other violation, SafeAuto SR-22 insurance can be filed on your behalf and kept current as long as you maintain coverage.

Life, Health, & Supplemental Insurance (Partner-Sourced)

SafeAuto advertises life, health, supplemental, and dental insurance, but again, these are not its own products—they’re arranged through third-party partnerships. Depending on state and availability, you can bundle these with auto coverage for convenience and possible multi‑product discounts (Learn More: What is Medicare Supplemental Insurance?).

Liability Insurance

SafeAuto’s liability insurance meets state minimums and lets drivers raise limits for more protection. It covers medical costs, lost wages, legal defense, and damage to others’ property. Designed for high-risk drivers, SafeAuto also offers flexible payments and SR-22 filing for proof of responsibility.

Excess Medical Expenses

Excess medical expenses coverage from SafeAuto helps pay accident-related medical bills after other insurance limits are reached. For example, if your costs are $60,000 but the at-fault driver’s policy covers $55,000, SafeAuto can pay up to $5,000. This add-on costs about $10 for six months, making it an affordable way to cover extra medical expenses after at-fault accidents.

Personal Injury Protection

SafeAuto PIP (Personal Injury Protection) pays for medical and lost wages that result from a covered auto accident and regardless of fault. It has a broader scope of coverage than excess medical expenses, including income loss, with coverage limited to $2,500 to satisfy state PIP mandates.

Pricing is higher than some competitors—about $33 for a 30-year-old driver with a clean record—while other insurers may offer more coverage for less.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury

Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage from SafeAuto contains medical expenses, lost wages, and damages if you are struck by a driver with insufficient insurance. A $30,000/$60,000 policy provides one level of coverage up to a maximum of $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident. The cost is approximately $38 — a few insurers, such as Progressive auto insurance, may offer similar protection for less.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage from SafeAuto covers repairs if your car is hit by a driver with no or insufficient coverage. It applies only when the other driver is at fault and requires a deductible. SafeAuto offers $25,000 in property damage with a $250 deductible, but costs are higher than competitors—about $30 for a 30-year-old driver with a clean record, versus $6 from Progressive.

Read more: What We Learned Analyzing 815 Insurance Companies

Accidental Death Benefit

SafeAuto’s accidental death benefit is an inexpensive add-on that gives your family or estate $10,000 if you die in a covered accident. It assists with funeral expenses or bills, and for a 30-year-old driver with a clean record, it typically costs around $15. While relatively small in terms of some insurers, it is a nice addition to SafeAuto’s discounts for car insurance by providing basic financial protection in the event of a difficult scenario.

Comprehensive & Collision Insurance

SafeAuto’s comprehensive and collision coverage protects your car from accidents and non-collision events like theft, vandalism, or storms.

Both coverages are combined in one package, but limits are low, often $1,000 each. A six-month premium can cost around $693, which may exceed the vehicle’s actual coverage value, making it a better fit for older, lower-value cars.

Rental Reimbursement

SafeAuto’s rental reimbursement coverage helps pay for a rental car while yours is in the shop for accident repairs. It pays $20 per day up to $600, though actual rental rates often run $45–$65 daily. A six-month term averages $27, making it a modest benefit best paired with other rental coverage for full protection (Learn More: How to Lease a Car When You Cannot Afford to Buy One).

Accident Forgiveness

SafeAuto doesn’t include accident forgiveness, so if you cause an at-fault accident, your rates will likely rise at renewal. Larger insurers often waive the first accident’s impact, but SafeAuto drivers—especially high-risk ones—don’t get this cushion. If rate stability matters, you’d need an insurer that offers accident forgiveness or usage-based auto insurance programs that reward safe driving with lower premiums.

SafeAuto Insurance Customer Reviews & Ratings

Looking at these ratings, SafeAuto’s reputation is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, they scored a strong 830 out of 1,000 with J.D. Power for customer satisfaction and earned an “A” from A.M. Best, which means their financial strength is excellent—they’re not going anywhere anytime soon when it comes to paying claims.

SafeAuto Insurance Business Ratings & Consumer Reviews

But customer-facing reviews paint a different picture: the BBB gives them a “B” for fair business practices, Consumer Reports shows an average 70/100 score for customer feedback, and NAIC reports a higher-than-average complaint index at 1.25.

So, while SafeAuto is financially stable and capable of paying claims, the customer experience can really vary, which is important to keep in mind if you’re considering them as an insurer (Learn More: How to File an Auto Insurance Claim & Win It Each Time).

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How to Get a SafeAuto Policy

Buying a SafeAuto policy is straightforward, and you can choose the method that works best for your needs. Here’s how to get started:

• Use the Online Quote Tool: Head on over to SafeAuto’s website and input all your personal details, vehicle information, insurance history, and driving record to see how much you could get on your next auto insurance policy.
• Compare Coverage Options: Review the different coverage types and limits to see which best fits your needs before finalizing your choice.
• Call for Assistance: If you prefer speaking with someone directly, call 1-800-732-3288 at any time to connect with a representative.
• Choose Your Payment Method: Pay via checking account withdrawal, credit or debit card, MoneyGram, Western Union, or ACE Cash Express.
• Select Your Payment Plan: Opt for monthly, bi-monthly, or a full upfront payment. In some states, paying in full may qualify you for a discount.

SafeAuto gives you flexibility in how you apply, compare, and pay for your policy—making it accessible whether you prefer handling everything online or working directly with a representative, looking for how to save money on insurance.

SafeAuto Website & Mobile App

SafeAuto’s website and mobile app let customers manage policies, request quotes, make payments, and access digital ID cards beyond the 24/7 support line. The app works on both Android and iOS, but ratings are low—averaging two stars in the Apple App Store and three in Google Play—due to frequent crashes, login issues, and payment errors.

The website offers similar core functions, including obtaining quotes, paying bills, and viewing account details. Though the digital tools are basic compared to larger insurers, they provide essential self-service features for policyholders who prefer managing their coverage online, while those exploring how to get multiple auto insurance quotes can call the SafeAuto customer service number for direct support.

How to Cancel Your SafeAuto Insurance Policy

With SafeAuto, it’s easy to manage your policy after it’s in force, so that if you need to change your policy or file a claim or just end your coverage. Here’s how to facilitate each stage for maximum productivity:

• Access Your Policy: Manage your coverage online, through the SafeAuto mobile app, or by calling customer service directly.
• File a Claim Anytime: Call 1-800-723-3288, available 24/7, to report an accident and start the claims process.
• Have Your Information Ready: Provide the accident date, location, vehicle details, names, and contact information for all parties, and a short description of the incident.
• Report to Authorities: Contact local law enforcement to document the accident, which can help support your claim.
• Cancel Without Gaps: If canceling, call the same number, but secure a new policy first to avoid lapses in coverage that could raise future premiums.

SafeAuto gives you multiple ways to manage your policy, but being prepared with the right details and keeping continuous coverage will help you avoid unnecessary costs or delays.

Read more: What Happens If You Cancel Auto Insurance

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SafeAuto Insurance Pros and Cons

We’ve reviewed the key details about SafeAuto Insurance, so let’s take a moment to recap its main strengths and weaknesses. Some of the best things about SafeAuto Insurance include:

• Affordable State-Minimum Rates: SafeAuto offers competitive pricing on state-required liability coverage, especially for high-risk or nonstandard drivers.
• High-Risk Driver Acceptance: The company insures drivers with violations, accidents, lapses in coverage, or SR-22 requirements—groups often turned away by other insurers.
• Flexible Payment Options: Customers can pay monthly, bi-monthly, or in full, and choose from several payment methods, including debit/credit cards, bank withdrawals, MoneyGram, and ACE Cash Express.

SafeAuto has some distinct advantages, but there are also some drawbacks:

• Limited Availability: SafeAuto is only available in 17 states, which means many drivers won’t have access to its policies.
• Higher Prices for Certain Coverages: Add-ons like PIP, uninsured motorist coverage, and collision/comprehensive tend to cost more than similar products from other insurers, sometimes with lower limits.

If you’re a high-risk driver looking for affordable state-minimum coverage, SafeAuto can be a strong option—just be aware of its state restrictions and the cost of optional extras.

A recent Yelp reviewer even shared that while their claim process started off rocky, a specialist stepped in to guide them through, turning a stressful situation into a positive experience.

Read more: How to Compare Auto Insurance Companies

Evaluating if SafeAuto Insurance Works for You

In our SafeAuto insurance review, it’s clear this insurer works best for high-risk drivers who need affordable state-minimum coverage without paying for extras they won’t use. SafeAuto is now a part of Direct Auto Insurance and stands out for its $48 per month starting rates, competitive pricing across most driving records, and willingness to insure drivers with SR-22 requirements or past violations.

However, its 17-state availability, lower coverage limits, and lack of perks like accident forgiveness make it less ideal for newer vehicles or broader protection. If your goal is just staying legally insured at the lowest cost, SafeAuto is practical to compare with other nonstandard providers, though it’s not usually ranked among the best auto insurance for good drivers.

Our SafeAuto insurance review shows that comparing quotes is essential for finding the best rates possible. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool today to see your potential savings.