Customer Frequently Asked Questions

Always at Your Fingertips

Simply click on a category to see all the FAQs related to that topic.

If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for or need further assistance, you can always call us at 800-599-8858 or email contactus@gosafco.com. We’re ready to help Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 9:00 pm EST and Saturdays, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm EST.

Payments

Q. How do I sign up for AutoPay?
A. It’s easy. Log into your account. Once logged in, select AutoPay and follow the prompts to set it up. With AutoPay, your payments will be made automatically for you every month, using your choice of VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or a checking or savings account.

Q. What payment options does SAFCO offer?
A. You can pay over the phone, online, in person, and by mail, using a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover, or personal checking account. We also partner with PayNearMe, MoneyGram, and Western Union. For a more details, check out our Quick Reference Guide.

Q. Does SAFCO have a grace period?
A. We don’t have a grace period. Payments should be made by the due date on your contract. If you pay late, you will owe more in interest, because interest is accrued everyday on a simple interest loan. To learn more about Simple Interest Loans and how interest is calculated please see the tab below titled “Simple Interest Loans”.

Q. Will I be charged late fees for payments made after my due date?
A. It depends. Late fees are applied according to state laws. Please refer to your Retail Installment Sales Contract or call us toll-free 800-599-8858 for more information.

Q. Can I change my due date?

A. If your account is current, you may be eligible for a due date change. Please note that a due date change is permanent. To request a due date change, call 800-599-8858.

Q. Can I make a principal-only payment on my loan?
A. Yes, if your account is current. All accrued interest due at the time of the payment must be satisfied prior to applying a principal payment to your account balance.

My Account

Q. How can I get a copy of my statement or payment history?
A. All your statements and payment history can be found when you log into your account. Call 800-599-8858 if you need help.

Q. Can I authorize someone to speak to SAFCO about my account?
A. Yes. Log into your account and select the link to authorize someone to speak with SAFCO on your behalf. For additional assistance, call 800-599-8858.

Insurance

Q. Am I required to have auto insurance?
A. Yes. Per your signed contract, comprehensive and collision coverage is required for the life of your loan, and you must provide evidence of insurance upon request. If you’ve not provided us with proof, please contact your agent immediately to send the information to us or use this form. Your insurance must meet these requirements:

  • Minimum 6-month policy
  • Comprehensive and collision coverage with a maximum of $1,000 deductible on each
  • SAFCO as Loss Payee:
    SAFCO
    P.O. Box 4520
    Sioux City, IA 51104

Q. What if I don’t have auto insurance on my vehicle?
A. According to your contract, you must maintain qualified auto insurance on your vehicle for the duration of your loan. If not, you‘re considered in default. You must provide us with proof of insurance. Complete and submit this form or fax a copy of your policy to 866-319-1597. Be sure to include your name and account number on the fax, and call 800-998-0763 to confirm we received your fax.

Q. I received a notice that my insurance policy has been cancelled, but I have insurance. What should I do?
A. If you’ve received a notice regarding your insurance policy cancellation, a letter stating we need proof of insurance, or a non-renewal letter, please provide us with a copy of your insurance policy. Use this form or fax the declaration page from your policy AND your name and account number to 866-319-1597. If you have additional questions, please call 800-998-0763. You can also email the information to MyInsurance@GoSAFCO.com.

Q. What do I do if I have an insurance claim?
A. Please call 800-599-8858 and select option 4 to speak with one of our insurance representatives. Have the following information when you call:

  • Date of the accident
  • Name and phone number of the insurance company
  • Claim number
  • Insurance adjuster information, if applicable
  • Police case number, if applicable

Credit

Q. Does SAFCO report my payment history to the credit bureaus?
A. Yes. We report monthly to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To learn more about credit reports and scores, visit our Build Your Credit Know-How page.

Q. How do I get a copy of my credit report?
A. Go here. You can get a free copy every year.

Q. What do I do if someone steals my identity?
A. Notify us immediately at 800-599-8858. We require a filed police report and all pertinent details of the identity theft in order to perform a full investigation. Please email a copy of your police report to QAC@GoSAFCO.com. In addition, go here to complete an identity theft claim form with the Federal Trade Commission. The form may assist us with all the necessary information to investigate the claim.

Simple Interest Loans

Q. What is a simple interest loan?
A. All SAFCO customers have simple interest loans. They’re common in auto lending and also referred to as financing.

  • Simple interest loans are paid back in equal, monthly installments that are determined when you receive the loan. That’s why you’ll see the use of the term Retail Installment Sales Contract on your paperwork.
  • Each monthly installment (a.k.a. payment) that you make goes FIRST toward any late fees you may owe, then toward the interest (the price of borrowing money) that has accrued since your last payment, and finally, what’s left of your monthly payment goes toward the amount you borrowed (the principal).
  • Although you’ll be paying equal amounts each installment, how that money is applied to late fees and your interest and principal will change if you’re late or early in paying.
  • Pay earlier than the due date and more of your payment will go toward your principal. Pay late and more of your payment will go toward fees and paying down the interest you owe, which means it will take longer to pay off your principal and vehicle.

Q. How is the interest calculated on my loan?
A. Interest on your loan is calculated daily. You an calculate your interest using this formula:

Your principal balance x Your annual percentage rate ÷ 365 (days in a year) = Daily interest charge

For example, you owe $12,000. Your annual percentage rate is 22%. So, using the formula above:

$12,000 x .22 ÷ 365 = $7.23 (your daily interest charge, also called per diem)

Q. Why am I paying more interest this month than last month?
A. The total amount you pay each month stays the same. How it is applied to what you owe (in interest, late fees, and principal) can change, depending on if you paid on time, early, or late.

Interest is calculated daily and adds up each day between your monthly payments. For example:

Your daily interest charge is $5.

  • If the time between your current payment and your last payment is only 20 days, you would owe 20 days of interest at $5 a day. That equals $100.
  • If the time between your current payment and your last payment is 30 days, you would owe 30 days of interest at $5 a day, or $150.
  • If the time between our current payment and your last payment is 40 days, you would owe 40 days of interest at $5 a day, or $200.

And so on. In each case, your monthly payment will go FIRST toward any late fees you owe, then toward the interest you owe (examples shown above), and finally toward your principal balance.

When you have a lot of late fees or accrued interest, it will take you longer to pay off your vehicle, because more of your payment is going toward late fees and interest instead of going toward your principal.

Q. Why isn’t my principal balance going down very much?
A. Although you owe the same amount each month, how your payment is applied can change based on when you pay and if you have any late fees.

When you submit a payment each month, this is how it will be applied to what you owe:

  • First, your payment will be used to pay any late fees that are owed.
  • Second, your payment will be used to pay the interest you’ve accrued every day since your last payment (see How is the interest calculated on my loan? above)
  • Third, what’s left of your payment after paying late fees and interest will be applied to your principal balance.

So, to pay off your principal balance faster, pay on time, avoid late fees, or pay early.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

Q. What is the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)?
A. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), formerly known as the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act (SSCRA), is a federal law that provides protections for military members as they enter active duty.

Q. Who’s eligible for the SCRA?
A. Any active servicemember and individuals to whom the servicemember provided over 50% financial support in the prior 180 days, such as a spouse, parent, child, or other dependent.

Q. What are the benefits and protections of the SCRA?
A. Benefits and protections include:

  • An interest rate reduction to 6% with activation dates after the date of the contract.
  • Protection from repossession without a court order for all active servicemembers.

Q. How do I get SCRA benefits and protections?
A. We search the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center website to find active servicemembers we can link to active SAFCO accounts. If we find that you’re eligible for the SCRA, your interest rate will be reduced automatically, and you’ll immediately begin enjoying the benefits and protections under the SCRA.

If you believe you’re entitled to coverage under the SCRA, but have not been identified as such, please speak with one of our dedicated SCRA Specialists at 407-403-6918 or email SCRA@GoSAFCO.com. Our specialists are available Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 9:00 pm EST and Saturdays 8:30 am to 9:00 pm EST.

Other

Q. I moved to another state and need a copy of my title. What do I do?
A. Visit the local DMV in your new state of residence. Ask them to send us a written request for the documents required to transfer your title. The request can be faxed or mailed to us:

  • Our fax number is 954-556-9331.
  • Our address is:
    SAFCO
    Attn: Titles Department
    413 E. Atlantic Blvd
    Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Upon receipt of the request, we’ll send the documents directly to the DMV via FedEx. Requests are usually completed within 48 hours.

(Please note: Every state handles the title transfer process differently. Moving from an electronic-title state requires waiting for a paper title and may result in increased processing times.)

Q. What if my card/account was used fraudulently for a payment?
A. Contact us to make alternate payment arrangements on your account, then work directly with your financial institution(s) to resolve the issue. Your financial institution(s) should provide an avenue for disputing and settling fraudulent payments.

Q. How do I request a payoff amount for my account?
A. Call 800-599-8858 and select option 2 to get payoff information.

Q. Can you assist me if I’m experiencing a financial hardship?
A. Assistance may be available. Please call 800-599-8858 for more details.

Q. Where should I mail my payoff check?
A. Please overnight your payoff check to:

SAFCO
413 E. Atlantic Blvd
Pompano Beach, FL 33060