Safeco and Travelers are two national insurance companies with long histories in the insurance industry. Safeco, a subsidiary of Liberty Mutual, offers competitive average rates but a limited number of add-on coverages. Travelers, on the other hand, has a robust selection of coverage options, but it receives mostly negative reviews on Trustpilot.

To determine whether Safeco, Travelers, or another insurer is right for you, it’s important to compare each company. Look at everything from rates and discounts to customer service and coverage options so you can make an informed decision.

Safeco vs. Travelers: The verdict

Drivers can get auto insurance coverage through either Safeco or Travelers, but each of these insurers has different strengths and weaknesses. Travelers offers far more discount options, but Safeco’s average rates are lower, whether you have a clean driving record or some incidents in your history.

Customers looking for more coverage options may want to check Travelers, however, as this insurer has more add-ons available than Safeco. Here’s how each insurer stacks up.

Safeco

Though Safeco doesn’t have a robust list of coverages or discounts, it makes up for that with competitive prices. Its safe driver program, RightTrack, can also be a great way for good drivers to maximize their savings.

Travelers

Drivers looking to customize their coverage may want to check out Travelers since this insurer offers several coverage add-ons that can help make your policy the right size for your needs. Policyholders also have access to a mobile app and 24/7 customer service, as well as a number of generous discounts.

Safeco RightTrack vs. Travelers IntelliDrive

Both Safeco and Travelers offer a telematics program allowing safe drivers to save money.

Drivers who sign up for Safeco’s RightTrack receive an instant 10% discount just for enrolling and can save up to 30% with safe driving. The program requires you to download Safeco’s mobile phone app. The app will monitor your driving for 90 days and use that information to assign you a score based on your behavior on the road.

While the discount you receive at the end of the 90-day period is guaranteed for the life of your policy, it may be less than the initial 10% discount you received for signing up. If that’s the case, Safeco will bill you for the difference.1

Enrolling in the Travelers IntelliDrive program can also score you a discount of up to 10% (depending on your state). Like Safeco’s program, IntelliDrive requires you to download the mobile app, which will monitor your driving for 90 days to determine your discount rate when you renew.

You may be able to save up to 30% with IntelliDrive — but using this telematics program could also result in a higher premium if the app clocks you engaging in unsafe driving behavior.2

Safeco vs. Travelers: Which is the cheapest?

The cheapest car insurance rates for your specific needs will vary from insurer to insurer. A number of factors influence your premium costs, including your age, marital status, credit score, location, and driving history. The best way to find the lowest rates is to shop around.

Insurify has found the average rate for Safeco’s auto insurance premiums is cheaper than Travelers’, even though Travelers has better discounts. This is true for every type of driver, including drivers with poor credit scores, drivers with a DUI, and other high-risk drivers.

Safeco: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record

People with a clean driving record usually enjoy the lowest rates offered by any insurance company. Good drivers will find that Safeco’s full-coverage and liability-only rates for people with clean records are cheaper than Travelers’ premium rates.

Safeco: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket

Drivers who have a speeding ticket on their record will pay more than people with clean driving records, but Safeco has lower rates for these types of high-risk drivers for both full-coverage insurance and liability insurance policies.

Safeco: Cheapest for teen drivers

Because of their inexperience behind the wheel, young drivers generally have the highest insurance rates of any driver. Safeco’s rates for teen drivers beat Travelers in this category as well.

Safeco: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit

Depending on what state you live in, auto insurers may partially base your premium rates on your credit score since drivers with poor credit are statistically more likely to make claims. If you have bad credit, Safeco has cheaper rates for you than Travelers.

Safeco: Cheapest for senior drivers

Drivers in their 70s may find their auto insurance rates going up since senior drivers may experience slower reflexes and other declines that affect their driving. Safeco’s rates are also less expensive for older drivers than Travelers’ rates for the same age group.

Compare coverages: Safeco vs. Travelers

Both Safeco and Travelers offer the kinds of coverage that generally comprise “liability-only” policy offerings: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. These pay for damages to another party if you’re at fault in an accident.

In addition, both insurers offer personal injury protection, which pays for your medical expenses if you’re at fault in an accident, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which pays out if a driver without adequate insurance causes an accident. Both types of coverage may be optional or mandatory, depending on your state.

Finally, both Safeco and Travelers offer collision insurance, which covers damage to your vehicle if you cause an accident, and comprehensive insurance, which covers damage to your vehicle from anything other than a collision. These coverages are never legally required, although lenders or lease agreements may require them.

However, though Safeco and Travelers both offer other optional coverages, Travelers has a more robust list of these add-ons.3 4

Compare discounts: Safeco vs. Travelers

Travelers far outstrips Safeco in discounts. With Safeco, you can save money by bundling several insurance products with your car insurance, like life insurance and homeowners insurance, as well as access discounts for multi-car policies and for safe driving. However, Travelers has a robust list of less common discounts, including affiliation, homeowner, and good student discounts.5 6

But just because Travelers offers various discounts doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the cheaper option of the two insurers. Remember that the average monthly cost of Travelers insurance across the entire United States is $185 for full coverage and $98 for liability-only, while Safeco’s average monthly cost is $144 for full coverage and $87 for liability-only coverage.

Safeco vs. Travelers FAQs

If you’re trying to decide between Safeco and Travelers car insurance coverage, here are answers to some of the most common questions about these insurers.

  • Is Safeco owned by Travelers?

    No. Travelers and Safeco aren’t affiliated with each other. However, Safeco is owned by the Liberty Mutual Group.

  • Is Travelers a reliable insurance company?

    Yes. Travelers has an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior), which means the company has the highest possible financial stability.7 Policyholders can feel confident in Travelers’ financial strength and that the company has the reserves to pay its claims.

    However, Travelers has primarily negative reviews on Trustpilot, with many complaints about the claims process.8

  • Is Safeco insurance good or bad?

    It depends on what kind of driver you are and what kind of policy you’re looking for. Safeco offers inexpensive auto insurance to drivers looking for basic coverage. It doesn’t offer as many discounts or coverage options as other insurers. This company may be a good fit for some drivers, but it might be a bad fit for someone trying to customize their coverage.

Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken

Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.

Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.

She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.

Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.

Emily has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.