Safe Auto vs. Safeway: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for auto insurance, Safeway offers less expensive prices than Safe Auto
• Safe Auto offers more discounts than Safeway Insurance
• Safeway offers more affordable premiums for residents of rural areas

Safe Auto vs. Safeway: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering large discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed it down to Safe Auto or Safeway as your top options, but which company will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, Safe Auto has average rates that are about 13% per month more expensive than those from Safeway.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean Safeway will be the cheaper option for every driver. Car insurance companies use a ton of complex algorithms to calculate rates, so depending on how good your credit score is or how old you are (among a whole bunch of other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average prices from both Safe Auto and Safeway by a bunch of different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Safe Auto or Safeway: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Safe Auto and Safeway only compete against each other in three states, with Safeway offering more affordable rates to the average driver in all of them. Mississippi has the most noticable difference, where Safeway premiums are over 20% cheaper than auto insurance prices at Safe Auto.

But there's more to calculating insurance premiums than just the state you live in. Read on to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers typically pay a lot more for car insurance than any other group of drivers. That's generally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to cause collisions and other accidents that will result in an insurance claim.

But still, even with seemingly sky-high rates, teen drivers can still find ways to save money. As you can see above, teens who use Safe Auto save more than $10 a month compared to those who use Safeway.

Even so, both carriers will reduce prices by the time you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Safe Auto policyholders decrease nearly $250 and Safeway's prices drop around $300 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age usually enjoy some of the cheapest auto insurance rates you can find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which normally lowers their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase prices.

When looking at Safe Auto and Safeway specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Safeway gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $43 less expensive than the national average for Safe Auto.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that insurance premiums are usually more affordable for married drivers than they are for single drivers? That's typically because married couples tend to own and insure more than one car, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, the two companies are comparable for those who are single, with prices only differing about $24 per month, on average. But for married policyholders, the advantage is clear - Safeway has the edge when it comes to average rates.

Safe Auto vs. Safeway: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get into collisions and file an insurance claim, which means they'll generally end up paying more for auto insurance than women.

On average, women see premiums over $15 a month cheaper with Safe Auto, and around $18 less with Safeway.

When it comes to the lowest rates for each gender, Safeway comes out on top for both men and women. On average, women save about $29 per month and men save about $28 with Safeway compared to the average Safe Auto policyholder.

Safe Auto or Safeway: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

It's no secret that car insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are a variety of different coverages that account for a range of different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (that covers property damage and bodily injury for other drivers and their passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

In this case, Safe Auto offers the cheapest average prices for state minimum liability limits, while Safeway has the edge for full coverage policies with similar coverage limits. Drivers looking for basic state minimum coverage can save around $4 with Safe Auto, while full coverage comes out to be around $60 less expensive with Safeway Insurance.

Is Safe Auto or Safeway Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

Accidents and tickets will most likely raise your premiums, but is Safe Auto or Safeway more affordable for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Safe Auto policyholders can expect their rates to go up an average of $40 a month if they get a ticket, while Safeway normally raises prices about $7 per month, on average.

But Safeway has cheaper premiums for drivers in both categories -- their rates are around 9% more affordable for drivers with clean records and 23% less expensive for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their auto insurance through Safe Auto can expect to see around an $66 -- or about 27% -- increase in their insurance rates. Drivers who use Safeway for their car insurance will see a monthly bill around $60 (or 27%) more expensive after reporting an accident to their insurance company.

Overall, the more affordable premiums come from Safeway, with monthly prices averaging $223 compared to Safe Auto's $246.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single accident or speeding ticket when it comes to your car insurance bill. Safe Auto drivers usually see a 27% raise in their auto insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Safeway will usually increase rates by about 26%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Safeway tends to be the much cheaper option with average rates of $220 per month compared to $245 from Safe Auto.

How does Credit Score Impact Safe Auto and Safeway Rates?

Did you know that many insurance carriers take your credit score into account when calculating prices? Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it does affect lots of policyholders out there.

The reasoning car insurance carriers use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so normally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with less expensive premiums.

Looking at Safe Auto and Safeway specifically, which carrier has the most affordable rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Safe Auto or Safeway Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in your monthly auto insurance payment. That's because the fewer miles you drive, the less likely you are to get into a collision and cause an insurance claim.

In this case, neither Safe Auto or Safeway report increasing premiums for drivers with higher annual mileage figures. That being said, Safeway comes out as the lowest for drivers at both intervals, whether they put 6,000 or 12,000 miles on their car annually, with average prices of $194 a month for both.

Safe Auto vs. Safeway: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you call home can have a substantial impact on your monthly car insurance bill. Generally, drivers who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural policyholders because there are a lot more vehicles on the roads in those areas.

Looking at these companies side-by-side, Safeway typically comes out as the cheaper option for drivers in rural and urban areas, while Safe Auto wins in suburban areas.

In urban areas, Safeway's average rates are around $234 per month compared to Safe Auto's $271. Drivers in suburban ZIP codes pay a monthly premium of about $200 with Safe Auto compared to $201 with Safeway. If you live in a rural area, you can expect to pay around $146 monthly with Safeway compared to Safe Auto's $197.

Safe Auto vs. Safeway Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be hard to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you can take advantage of.

Below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Safe Auto and Safeway so that you can see which one offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Overall, Safe Auto has advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Safeway offers a grand total of 11 discounts, while Safe Auto has 14.

There are a couple discounts both carriers offer, but Safe Auto also offers anti-theft discounts, claim free discounts, driver training discounts, and more that Safeway does not.

On the flip side, Safeway has a couple unique discounts of its own -- full coverage discounts, discounts for being a good student, and punitive damage exclusion discounts.

Final Thoughts: Is Safe Auto or Safeway Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average premiums for many of the factors auto insurance companies look at, and walked through the different discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, which carrier is the best carrier for you and your specific needs?

Safeway might be best for you if....

• You haven't received any speeding tickets or been in an accident in the last few years.
• You have an at-fault collision on your record.
• You drive often but have a short commute.

Safe Auto might be best for you if...

• You want basic car insurance coverage at the state minimum limits.
• You live in an suburban area.
• You're buying insurance for a teen and looking for a wallet-friendly option.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Safe Auto and Safeway and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your auto insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your car insurance policy is to compare quotes from several carriers, not just Safe Auto and Safeway. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get free quotes from dozens of top auto insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Safe Auto vs. Safeway FAQs

Is Safe Auto or Safeway cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Safeway is the less expensive of the two carriers, offering average rates of $194 a month compared to $223 for Safe Auto. However, Safeway won't necessarily be the cheapest company for each policyholder, since there are multiple different variables (things like age, driving record, gender, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Safe Auto or Safeway?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all boils down to your unique insurance profile. For example, Safeway offers more affordable premiums for drivers with a recent DUI, while Safe Auto is cheaper for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do Safe Auto and Safeway offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at a lot of different factors when determining the rates they charge drivers. Things such as gender, where you park your car, age, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all come into play. Both Safe Auto and Safeway calculate prices using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different premiums. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from many different carriers.

How do I know if Safe Auto or Safeway is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your information once and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Safe Auto or Safeway at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.