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.