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The TRUTH about Safeco Roadside Assistance: Review
Cost of Roadside Assistance
Have you ever mistakenly left your headlights on overnight drying up your battery? What about accidentally locking your keys in the car while you are busy running errands? These types of mishaps happen to the best of us. For those that want peace of mind, Safeco’s Roadside Assistance Program might be your answer.
Safeco Insurance is an insurance company that sells personal auto and other insurance products. Safeco’s parent business, Liberty Mutual, is an insurance behemoth that ranks sixth in the world in terms of auto insurance sales.
Safeco’s Roadside Service is available everywhere in the United States through Safeco’s Roadside Assistance Program, which includes private passenger cars and motorbikes, vintage and classic automobiles, and recreational vehicles and boat trailers.
How Much Does Safeco Roadside Assistance Cost?
Based on our research, the typical annual cost of Safeco roadside assistance is between $8 and $10, while the cost may vary depending on the state and the covered automobiles. You may add the Safeco roadside assistance endorsement to your auto insurance policy for towing, fuel delivery, and more in the event of an emergency.
What is Included in Safeco Roadside Assistance?
To accommodate your specific needs, Safeco offers two coverage packages to their customers.
Standard Roadside Package
Safeco’s Basic Roadside Assistance includes:
- Towing
Safeco will send you a tow truck to bring you to the nearest service station if you can’t get started.
- Tire Blowout
Got a tire blowout? Get back on your way by having an expert change your flat with your spare.
- Battery Maintenance
Get a jump start if your battery can’t do the job.
- Lubricants and Fluids
Need radiator fluid, brake fluid, or gas? An expert will come out and provide the necessary fluids.
- Lockout
Locked your car keys in? A locksmith will be dispatched to assist you in getting back into your vehicle.
- Winching
Stuck in a ditch? Get winching for up to 100 feet from the road.
Safeco’s Emergency Assistance Package (EAP)
Safeco’s Emergency Assistance Package includes the benefits of basic roadside, plus:
- In the event of an emergency, $500 can be used on lodging.
- The many costs associated with transportation, such as Ubers or taxis.
- $500 in personal property coverage
Additional Included Benefits
As part of Roadside Assistance or the Emergency Assistance Package, you can get the following assistance, free of charge:
- Help for Motorcycle Roadside needs
- Your coverage also includes trip interruption benefits.
- Auto Valet options, such as getting help in obtaining alternate transportation, hotel accommodations, or directory assistance in the event their vehicle suffers a mechanical malfunction.
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A Deeper Look into Safeco’s Emergency Assist Program
Below is a quick comparison chart so you can see the key differences between the Basic Roadside and the EAP…
| Basic Roadside Assistance | Emergency Assistance Package | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Year | $8-$10 | $129 |
| Incidents Covered Per Year | 4 | 4 |
| Towing | Nearest, no limit | Nearest, no limit |
| Winching/ Extrication | 100 ft | 100 ft |
| Minor Mechanical Adjustment | 1 hr | 1 hr |
| Car Locksmith | 1 hr | 1 hr |
| Flat Tire Service | √ | √ |
| Jump Start | √ | √ |
| Fuel Delivery | √ | √ |
| Trip Interruption Reimbursement | $500 | |
| CARFAX Vehicle Reports | 20% Discount | |
| Rental Car | Discounted | |
| Products/ Services Discounts | Extensive Discounts | |
| Emergency Electric Vehicle Charging | Free |
Research suggests that the EAP coverage kicks in if you are 25 miles or more away from home. Pricing could not be determined. Although the additional perks provided by Safeco’s EAP do not seem as extensive as say a motor club like AAA, they seem to head in that direction.
A Deeper Look Inside Safeco’s Towing Services
Safeco provides 3 types of towing services to their roadside customers, all of which differ from one another and can aid the driver in need:
- Accident Scene
This service is for drivers who have had an accident and are still at the scene of the accident.
- Secondary (Not Impounded)
If you are not at an accident scene, but your vehicle is immovable, you can get a tow from the location it is parked.
- Secondary (Impounded)
This tow service is for insured customers who are stuck in an impound lot with their car.
What is NOT Included in Safeco Roadside Assistance?
Honestly, there is not much Safeco doesn’t seem to offer when compared to other standard roadside assistance providers. If you combine the essentials components such as towing, flat changes, battery jumps, and winching with the additional benefits such as auto valet, trip interruption, and additional towing accommodations, it seems to be one of the more robust roadside plans out there. Granted, there are more detailed or exclusive roadside plans and providers out there, but for the price Safeco seems to offer a good deal.
How Does Safeco Basic Roadside Assistance Compare to Other Providers?
After evaluating the features of Safeco’s roadside plans, we compared the results against other standard roadside plans…
| Safeco | Esurance | GEICO | Progressive | AllState | State Farm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Year | $8-$10 | Included w/ Full Coverage plan | $14 | $23 | $25 | $48 |
| Incidents Covered Per Year | 4 | 3 | 3 | limit varies | 3 | 3 |
| Towing | not specified | $75 | 100 miles | 15 miles | $100 | Nearest, no limit |
| Winching/ Extrication | 100 ft | $75 | 1 hr | 100 ft | $100 | Free if reachable from road |
| Car Locksmith | 1 hr | $75 | $100 | 1 hr | $100 | 1 hr |
| On-Site Mechanical Adjustment | 1 hr | $75 | 1 hr | 1 hr | $100 | 1 hr |
| Fuel Delivery | √ | $75 | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Jump Start | √ | $75 | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Flat Tire Service | √ | $75 | √ | √ | √ | √ |
As you can see, Safeco seems to offer the most incidents per year between the companies we compared, which could be the deciding factor for many. There also seems to be no limit on the towing distance, however, this should be confirmed with by agent.
How do I Contact Safeco Roadside Service?
If you have purchased Roadside Assistance with your policy, Safeco has a team ready and waiting to assist you. You can call 1-877-762-3101 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Safeco mobile app makes it possible for you to do things like see and manage your policy, pay bills, and check the status of a claim. You can download their apps for Android and Apple.
To ensure you never have a roadside problem, ask your local independent agent to include Roadside Assistance in your policy.
Which Roadside Assistance Should You Choose?
According to three years of statistics from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, there were fewer complaints to state authorities from Safeco relative to its size than was predicted.
Technically, Safeco seems to be up to snuff, with a seemingly user-friendly website that provides you with various options for tracking your claim, getting a quote, settling your bill, and more. In the Safeco mobile app, you can also enter your insurance details, pay bills, and track claims.
The purpose of Safeco’s roadside assistance is to aid drivers who need immediate assistance, but it does not typically cover the cost bigger problems, such as engine work or replacing parts. The additional benefits added as part of Safeco’s EAP package seem like an added value, but not knowing the distance for towing can be a deterrent for some.
Also, keep in mind that in most cases, purchasing roadside help through your car insurance carrier is less expensive than purchasing from a motor club such as the American Automobile Association. However, it is possible that it will not provide as much coverage. This is why it is important to speak to an agent if you have questions and compare multiple quotes from carriers to find the best deal.
