If you’re shopping for car insurance, you may come across Safeco’s enhanced protection level. But what exactly does Safeco’s enhanced auto insurance cover and what makes it different from other options?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what Safeco enhanced protection includes, key benefits and coverage add-ons, who it’s best suited for, and how it compares to other Safeco policy levels.
Overview of Safeco Enhanced Auto Insurance
Safeco’s enhanced protection level sits above their basic essentials coverage and below superior and ultra levels in terms of how much protection is included.
Some key things to know about Safeco enhanced auto insurance:
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Provides mid-range coverage limits and options compared to other Safeco plans
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Covers liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and limited medical payments
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Includes some nice extras like accident forgiveness and rental car coverage
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Allows you to add more optional coverages to customize your policy
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Ideal for drivers wanting a solid level of protection without paying for the max
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Costs more than minimum coverage but less than high-level plans
Overall, Safeco designed its enhanced car insurance policy to provide primarily state-required coverage along with some extras at a competitive price point. It’s a nice step up from bare minimum insurance.
Core Coverages Included
Safeco’s enhanced auto insurance includes the following standard coverages:
Liability insurance
- Bodily injury liability – covers injury claims against you up to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability – covers damage you cause to others’ property up to $100,000
Collision insurance
- Covers repair or replacement costs if you collide with an object like another car or pole, minus your deductible
Comprehensive insurance
- Covers damage from theft, vandalism, fire, flood, hail, animals, and other non-collision incidents, minus your deductible
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist
- Covers injury costs when an at-fault uninsured or underinsured driver can’t pay for your medical bills and lost wages
Limited medical payments
- Up to $10,000 to cover medical costs for you and passengers injured in an accident, regardless of fault
These core coverages meet state minimum requirements and provide important financial protection in case of an accident or incident.
Key Benefits and Add-Ons
Beyond just the basic coverages, Safeco enhanced insurance also comes with these valuable benefits:
Accident forgiveness – Your rates won’t go up after your first at-fault accident. This is automatically included with enhanced policies.
Worldwide rental coverage – Covers rental cars globally, not just in the U.S.
Electronic key replacement – Safeco will replace lost electronic keys, key fobs, or remote car starters.
Audio and visual equipment coverage – You can add coverage for any custom sound systems, video equipment, and electronics installed in your car.
Emergency assistance package – Includes lockout service, personal property coverage, and 24/7 roadside assistance.
Roadside assistance – Towing and on-site mechanical help if your car breaks down.
Custom parts coverage – Add coverage for any aftermarket parts, custom grilles, spoilers, or upgrades you’ve added to your car.
The ability to include rental cars worldwide, electronic key replacement, emergency roadside services, and coverage for audio equipment in one mid-level policy makes Safeco enhanced insurance stand out.
Who is Enhanced Coverage Best Suited For?
Safeco’s enhanced protection works well for a few different types of drivers:
Drivers wanting more than just basic insurance – It provides more coverage than state minimums, giving you better peace of mind.
Drivers with newer model cars – Features like electronic key replacement and custom equipment coverage add important protection for newer cars.
Renters needing worldwide coverage – The worldwide rental coverage is useful for frequent travelers.
Drivers with clean records – Since it includes accident forgiveness, your rates won’t increase after your first at-fault accident.
Budget-conscious drivers – It delivers robust coverage for less than premium policies. Safeco enhanced strikes a good value balance.
For drivers who want comprehensive protection without paying for maximum coverage limits, Safeco’s enhanced insurance offers a nice middle ground.
How Enhanced Compares to Other Safeco Auto Insurance Levels
To help you decide if enhanced protection fits your needs, it’s useful to see how it stacks up against Safeco’s other main coverage levels:
Essential Insurance
Safeco’s basic essentials policy includes:
- Just state minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage
- No collision, comprehensive, or extras
- Lowest premium cost but least protection
Superior Insurance
The superior level includes:
- Higher 100/300/100 liability and uninsured motorist limits
- $1,000 in medical payments coverage
- New car replacement for 1 year
- Lockout service and emergency expenses
- More extras than enhanced but costs more
Ultra Insurance
Safeco’s highest ultra level has:
- Highest liability, uninsured, and medical payments limits
- New car replacement for 2 years
- Original manufacturer parts replacement
- Full roadside assistance
- All extras included but most expensive premiums
The enhanced level falls nicely between essential and superior policies in terms of cost and coverage amount. It’s the best choice if you want above-average protection without paying for maximum coverage.
Is Safeco Enhanced Coverage Right For You?
When choosing your auto insurance, make sure to compare quotes for different coverage levels. While enhanced protection costs more than basic insurance, the better coverage and extras may be worth the additional premium, especially if you drive a newer vehicle.
Here are some final points to consider:
- Look at all discounts you qualify for to lower premium costs
- Raise your deductibles to reduce monthly payments if needed
- Adjust liability limits to your asset level and coverage needs
- Add extras like rental reimbursement if applicable to your situation
Safeco makes it easy to customize your enhanced policy. If you want robust coverage without springing for superior or ultra policies, Safeco’s enhanced auto insurance is an attractive option for many drivers.
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