Safeco Insurance rating: A look at the insurer's latest performance

Find out how brokers can use Safeco's insurance ratings to guide US clients. Learn key factors, tips, and answers to help you choose the right Safeco products

Safeco Insurance rating: A look at the insurer's latest performance

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By Ramon Berenguer

To stay competitive in the US insurance market, brokers must provide quality services. One of the best ways to achieve this is by conducting due diligence and researching as many viable carriers as possible.  

A possible insurer US brokers can recommend is Safeco Insurance. But does this carrier have the products your clients need, and can it reliably honor customer claims? The way to find out is to check Safeco’s insurance ratings, insurance products, and other important information. That’s what we’ll discuss in this article, so let’s get started.  

What are Safeco's insurance ratings and why do they matter? 

Finding out the ratings of an insurance company, like financial strength ratings from major rating agencies, is an important part of delivering quality service and earning your clients’ trust.  

You can check the ratings from major insurance rating agencies A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P Global. So, what do these agencies have to say about Safeco Insurance? Here’s what we found:  

1. Safeco insurance ratings from A.M. Best 

Insurance rating agency A.M. Best gave these ratings for Safeco: 

  • Financial strength rating (FSR): “A” (Excellent) 
  • Issuer credit rating (ICR): “a” 
  • Outlook: Stable 

A.M. Best’s ratings for Safeco Insurance reflect the insurer’s strong financial position and its ability to meet policyholder obligations. The A (Excellent) FSR indicates that Safeco has a solid balance sheet, prudent underwriting practices, and effective risk management. This rating is supported by Safeco’s status as a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance, one of the largest and most diversified insurance groups in the US. 

The (a) issuer credit rating and "stable" outlook emphasize A.M. Best’s confidence in Safeco’s ongoing financial health and operational performance. These are also strong indicators of its capacity to withstand economic or industry challenges. These ratings are based on a comprehensive analysis of Safeco’s capitalization, operating performance, business profile, and enterprise risk management. 

2. Safeco insurance ratings from Moody’s 

Insurance rating agency Moody’s gave these ratings for Safeco: 

  • Financial strength rating: A2 
  • Issuer credit rating: A2 
  • Outlook: Stable 

Moody’s A2 rating for Safeco Insurance signifies upper-medium grade financial strength and low credit risk. The stable outlook indicates that Moody’s expects Safeco to maintain its solid financial profile over the medium term.  

These ratings reflect Moody’s assessment of Safeco’s capitalization, earnings stability, and prudent risk management. It also demonstrates the advantages gained from being part of Liberty Mutual’s diversified insurance group. 

3. Safeco Insurance Ratings from S&P Global 

Insurance rating agency S&P Global gave these ratings for Safeco: 

  • Financial Strength Rating (FSR):
  • Issuer Credit Rating (ICR):
  • Outlook: Stable 

S&P Global’s “A” ratings for Safeco Insurance indicate a strong capacity to meet financial commitments and policyholder obligations. The stable outlook reflects S&P’s view that Safeco will continue to demonstrate robust financial discipline, effective risk controls, and consistent operating performance.  

S&P’s analysis considers Safeco’s integration with Liberty Mutual, its competitive position in the insurance market, and its ability to manage industry and economic challenges. 

4. Safeco Insurance Ratings from Fitch 

As of this writing, there are no published financial strength ratings, issuer credit ratings, or outlook assessments for Safeco Insurance from Fitch. This absence, however, does not necessarily reflect negatively on the company. Rather, it may be due to Fitch’s coverage focus or Safeco’s strategic decisions regarding which agencies to engage for ratings. 

These ratings are based on various methodologies employed by these insurance ratings agencies. Their ratings are critical for assessing an insurance company’s capacity to pay claims and fulfill financial obligations. Both are key factors to establishing trust with clients and ensuring the stability of the insurance industry as a whole.  

J.D. Power ratings for Safeco 

J.D. Power’s ratings are based on customer feedback regarding the overall experience, including customer service, claims handling, and policy offerings. You can get to know more about J.D. Power, its methodologies, key metrics, and the importance of its ratings in our guide. 

Based on the latest surveys, Safeco insurance ratings from J.D. Power are:  

  • 15th out of 17 companies in J.D. Power’s 2024 Auto Insurance Shopping study or 646 out of a perfect score of 1,000.  
  • 16th out of 21 companies in J.D. Power’s 2024 Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction study or 687 out of a perfect score of 1,000.  

The national averages for the shopping study and claims satisfaction survey are 676 and 697, respectively.  

These results indicate that Safeco’s customer satisfaction scores for both purchasing auto insurance and filing a claim are lower than many of its competitors.  

Erie Insurance took the top spot among large auto insurers that provide the most satisfying purchase experience, scoring 730. The Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) was a close second at 705 points. Finally, American Family Insurance rounded up the top three auto insurers at 702 points.  

Safeco insurance ratings from BBB 

Safeco Insurance has an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This rating indicates that BBB considers Safeco to have good business practices and a generally positive track record in resolving customer complaints.  

The A- rating is based on factors such as: 

  • complaint volume 
  • response to complaints 
  • transparency in business operations 
  • time in business (i.e. years in operation) 

While the rating is strong, it is not the highest possible, suggesting there is some room for improvement in customer interactions or complaint resolution.  

Safeco Insurance product availability 

Safeco Insurance offers auto and home insurance products in most US states. However, Safeco does not provide auto or home insurance in: 

  • Alaska 
  • Delaware 
  • Hawaii 
  • Washington D.C. 

Safeco home insurance is also not available in Florida, and there are restrictions on new homeowners' policies in certain areas of California.  

Safeco Insurance products 

Safeco Insurance offers a broad range of personal insurance products, including: 

  • Auto insurance coverage (standard and specialty) 
  • Homeowners' insurance 
  • Renters' insurance 
  • Condo insurance 
  • Landlord protection insurance 
  • Umbrella insurance (personal liability) 
  • Motorcycle insurance 
  • Boat and watercraft insurance 
  • RV and motorhome insurance 
  • ATV and off-road vehicle insurance 
  • Classic car insurance 
  • Pet health insurance 
  • Identity theft insurance 
  • Home warranty insurance 

Safeco Insurance unique products 

Safeco Insurance offers several distinctive features and programs, though most of its core insurance products are also available from other major insurers. However, a few offerings stand out for their uniqueness or limited availability in the market: 

1. Claims-free cash back program 

This program rewards auto insurance policyholders who remain claims-free. Customers automatically earn 2.5 percent of their premium back every six months they do not file a claim, for a potential total of 5 percent savings per year. This type of automatic cash-back reward for safe driving is rare among major insurers.  

2. Diminishing deductible 

Safeco offers a diminishing deductible feature for auto insurance. For each year a policyholder goes without a claim, their collision deductible is reduced by $100, up to $500 for five years. While some insurers offer similar programs, it is not a universal feature across the industry.  

3. New vehicle replacement and better car replacement 

Safeco provides both new vehicle replacement for those whose car is totaled within the first year or 15,000 miles. Its better car replacement program, meanwhile, pays the value of a car one model year newer if a policyholder’s car is totaled. These options are not standard with all insurers and provide added value for new car owners.  

4. Emergency assistance package 

This package goes beyond standard roadside assistance, covering expenses for meals and lodging, as well as personal property coverage for items damaged or stolen from a policyholder’s car. These are covered apart from towing and emergency services.  This bundled approach is more comprehensive than typical roadside assistance add-ons.  

Pros and cons of Safeco Insurance 

To determine whether this carrier and its products are worth your attention, it’s important to look at the benefits and risks of using or recommending Safeco’s products.  

The pros 

Strong financial ratings 

Safeco holds high financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Moody’s, and S&P Global, reflecting its ability to pay claims and maintain stability. 

Backing from Liberty Mutual 

As a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual Insurance, Safeco benefits from the resources and reputation of one of the largest insurance groups in the US. 

Wide product range 

Safeco offers a comprehensive selection of personal insurance products, including auto, home, renters, condo, landlord, umbrella, motorcycle, boat, RV, classic car, pet health, identity theft, and home warranty insurance. 

Unique features 

Safeco provides distinctive programs such as the claims-free cash back, diminishing deductible, new vehicle replacement, better car replacement, and an enhanced emergency assistance package. 

Customizable coverage 

Safeco offers multiple insurance add-ons and endorsements, allowing policyholders to tailor coverage to their needs. 

Availability 

Products are available in most US states. 

The cons 

Below-average J.D. Power ratings 

Safeco ranks below many competitors in J.D. Power’s auto insurance shopping and claims satisfaction studies, indicating lower customer satisfaction. 

Limited availability in some regions 

Safeco and its products are not available in states like Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Washington D.C., and with restrictions in Florida and parts of California. 

No Fitch rating 

Fitch does not currently rate Safeco Insurance. 

Average customer service 

Some reviews and ratings indicate room for improvement in complaint resolution and customer interactions. 

Limited digital capabilities  

Quotes and some policy management features may require working with an independent agent rather than being fully online. 

Is Safeco Insurance worth considering?  

So, based on Safeco's insurance ratings, is it a good insurer to recommend to your clients? If you value strong financial stability, a wide selection of insurance products, and unique policy features, Safeco is worth considering. As a Liberty Mutual subsidiary with a solid financial foundation, Safeco can reliably honor claims. 

However, if top-tier customer service or digital convenience are priorities, or if you live in a restricted state, you may want to explore other options. Check recent Safeco insurance reviews for additional insights. Ultimately, Safeco can be a viable choice if its offerings align with your clients’ needs and deliver the best value.  

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