Safeco Auto Insurance: A New Breed Of Insurance Company

For many years the growing insurance industry was not very eclectic or eccentric in its practices. The leading companies stayed well within the lines, with everything dotted, crossed, and pretty much the same. But the winds of change were beginning to move, and not in the way most would have assumed. The Safeco auto insurance company was soon to be born.

Way Back When...

Hawthorne Dent was quite possibly the kind of man who would have not only stared down the barrel of a gun, but he probably would have laughed hysterically. Was he crazy? Was this just another thrill-seeking dare devil? In the business world he might as well have been. Hawthorne Dent was a seasoned insurance executive who saw a need for change within the industry he worked for so many years. In 1923 Dent opened the doors to what would later be known as Safeco auto and fire insurance.

He burst out of the gate defying the normal and standard insurance practices by creating a company owned by the people that also took risks by underwriting policies for the people. He also broke even further from tradition by setting up shop in Seattle instead of the East Coast.

What sets Safeco auto insurance apart from the rest? They were really the first to offer cost effective insurance policies and unbelievable customer service when everyone else in the business said they would not last. Apparently the popular mode of thinking was that a decent auto insurance policy needed to take a sizeable slice out of your paycheck in order to be good. This is where Safeco auto insurance was vastly different; you got to keep your arms, both legs, and all of your fingers and toes.

Originally known as General Insurance Company, obtaining an auto insurance policy from Safeco was fast, inexpensive, and with the kind of personal interaction and attention that customers should have been experiencing all along. Safeco auto insurance was definitely the little tug boat that could. With the company gaining a solid niche in the business world on the western side of the country, their name officially changed to Selective Auto and Fire Insurance Company of America. This was shortened to the acronym Safeco.

Safeco is a thriving giant in the insurance industry today. There have been some ups and downs, and some changes to the inner workings of the company. But the original spirit of Hawthorne Dent remains; putting the people first. The customer has been, and will continue to be the top priority.

Getting the Most for Your Money with an Auto Insurance Online Quote

Getting an auto insurance online quote may seem intimidating at first and, it is something that is easy to put off, especially if a person already has an auto insurance provider. Sometimes it just seems easier to pay the bill when it comes due than to evaluate ones’ auto insurance. This method may be less-difficult in the short-term, but getting an auto insurance online quote can save a person and his or her family a significant amount of money, time and heartache in the long run.

Where to Start

When looking for an auto insurance online quote, it may be tempting to jump right on the Internet. Prior to doing this, it is important to understand your current auto insurance and the coverage it provides. There are a few areas to look at, first of all take a look at your liability coverage. This will appear as certain limits listed similar too $25,000/$50,000/$25,000. There are certain minimum limits this section must meet which are determined by state law.

Secondly, a person should look at their comprehensive and collision limits. Some people opt for liability-only coverage (as listed above) however; these only cover the damage to other individuals’ property. If comprehensive and collision coverage is existing in a current plan, the limits will look something like $500/$500 in the plan. Essentially the deductible listed will be the amount the insured has to pay for damages that are covered by comprehensive or collision while the insurance company pays the rest up to predetermined limits.

Next, it is important to look for certain optional coverage a plan may have. Items such as rental car reimbursement and tow coverage or roadside assistance coverage are important to note. The limits of these items should also be noted and included in any auto insurance online quote as they can make a significant difference in pricing.

Medical coverage can also make a difference in your rates; however the requirements vary from state to state so it is important to check your current policy to clarify your coverage.

What to Look For

Once a person has his or her current coverage amounts they are equipped to get an auto insurance online quote. This will allow them to be able to compare rates with their current provider, while having most or all of the variables the same, as these differences in coverage amounts can make a large difference in rates. There are many different websites that offer to quote rates from multiple providers which can be helpful and save time.

Another thing to consider when shopping for an auto insurance online quote is the insurance company. It is important to not only ensure the rates are low, but also that the provider offers the level of service and amenities that are important to the insurance shopper.

How Auto Insurance Specialists Help You Understand Your Coverage

Wading through the murky world of insurance is challenging at best, and can be very frustrating at worst. Auto insurance in particular can be challenging as it varies quite a bit from state to state, and the optional and required coverage types can be complex.

Sources of Auto Insurance Specialists

The first group of people that may come to mind when consider ones’ options for auto insurance specialists is likely his or her insurance agent and their staff. There are both benefits and drawbacks to using your agent and his or her staff as your main source of insurance knowledge, depending on what you currently need the auto insurance specialists for.

Other groups of auto insurance specialists that may be helpful (depending on the situation) are competing company specialists and independent specialists. Competing company specialists will not be difficult to find in the auto insurance industry; independent specialists may be easiest to find through a state agency or online.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Your Agent as a Specialist

A persons’ agent and his or her staff can be a wonderful source of auto insurance information. They have access to all of your information and they have the ability to explain exactly what your current insurance covers and what it doesn’t. They also have the ability to change your coverage quickly if you decide to make adjustments.

However, there are a few drawbacks to using your agent and his or her staff as your only source of auto insurance specialists. If you are curious about how competitive your rates are with your current provider, your agent may not be the best person to ask. In this case, speaking with the competition may be the best place to start.

Finding the Right Specialist for Your Needs

Finding the right auto insurance specialists for your current need is the first step to solving your auto insurance issues. In many cases, you may need to speak with multiple specialists. For example, if a person is trying to make sure his or her current auto insurance rates are competitive, that person may start by speaking with his or her agent to gain a solid understanding of the current coverage. Then the insured is able to compare rates with competing insurance companies. He or she will also be able to research independently, either online or by speaking directly with independent specialists, whether or not his or her current coverage is appropriate.

Insuring With Auto Owners Insurance

Auto Owners Insurance has been in the insurance business since the early 1900’s. They are known to be a great company offering terrific service for all of their customers. Over the years the company has grown in size and has become well experienced and efficient in the insurance industry. There are many good reasons to insure with Auto Owners Insurance.

Core Values Of Auto Owners Insurance

Auto Owners Insurance runs on the basis of ten core values which they impress on all their employees, representatives and their customers. The ten values, honesty, loyalty, prudence, hard work, the team, relationships, opportunities for associates, the customer, stability & consistency, and profit form the basis for the standards the company strives to achieve and maintain. The company stands behind their commitment to be one of the best in the insurance industry.

Convenient Customer Service From Auto Owners Insurance

Auto Owners Insurance group uses the great advantage of the independent insurance agent to provide convenient customer service. They are represented by over 5,900 agencies in twenty five states and have 72 claims service offices. This allows the customer to have an agent close by that can help them with any need and who will know and understand their personal situation. Being able to use the independent insurance agent, the customer is dealing with their neighbor in their own city.

Other Benefits With Auto Owners Insurance

Auto Owners Insurance group has great rates that are highly competitive in the insurance business. They have many discounts for their customers which make the rates even more affordable. They have several multi-plan and multi-person discounts available. Auto Owners Insurance offers policies for auto, home, life and several other areas. When a customer purchases policies in more than one of these areas they will receive discounted pricing. The customer can meet all their insurance needs through one agent and can receive reduced rates. This is a great benefit.

Because of Auto Owners Insurance group vast experience and reputation for excellence any person purchasing insurance through this company can be confident they are getting value for their money. To find an agent a customer can visit Auto Owners Insurance web site and receive information for an agent in their area. This agent can assist the customer in acquiring all the pertinent information to begin their relationship with Auto Owners Insurance. The process will be quickly and easily handled with the experienced agent and the expertise of Auto Owners Insurance.