MAPFRE Insurance auto insurance

Overview

MAPFRE Insurance is the U.S. brand of MAPFRE S.A., the Madrid-based insurer that describes itself as the largest Spanish-owned insurer in the world. Its U.S. holding company, MAPFRE U.S.A. Corp., is headquartered in Webster, Massachusetts. The group ranked #23 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written according to NAIC market share data, with $1.58 billion in auto premiums and a 0.43% national share.

The business is concentrated in Massachusetts, where MAPFRE says it protects more homes and autos than any other carrier. It sells auto insurance in 11 states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Ohio, California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. Policies are sold through more than 3,000 independent agents and brokers and written by six underwriting companies: The Commerce Insurance Company, American Commerce Insurance Company, Citation Insurance Company, Commerce West Insurance Company, MAPFRE Insurance Company and MAPFRE Insurance Company of Florida.

The biggest news is pending. On July 23, 2026, MAPFRE agreed to buy Boston-based Safety Insurance Group for $1.54 billion in cash. MAPFRE says the combination would be New England's second-largest private passenger auto writer.

History

MAPFRE entered the U.S. through California, buying Western Pioneer Insurance Company, which was renamed Commerce West. It then acquired the Automobile Club Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, in a joint venture with AAA; that company was later rebranded American Commerce Insurance Company. MAPFRE expanded into New Hampshire in 2001 and into New York in 2007 through the purchase of SWICO Enterprises.

The defining deal came in 2008, when MAPFRE acquired The Commerce Group Inc., parent of The Commerce Insurance Company, which was founded in Webster in 1972. The U.S. companies now operate under the MAPFRE Insurance name. In 2017 MAPFRE USA sold its New York and New Jersey business to Plymouth Rock and exited Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, according to Insurance Journal. In 2021 it bought Century Automotive Service Corporation, which provides vehicle protection products to drivers, dealers and agents.

The Safety acquisition, announced in July 2026, has been approved by both boards and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to Safety stockholder and regulatory approval. Safety would operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of MAPFRE USA. MAPFRE's separate Puerto Rico operation, MAPFRE Puerto Rico, remains active and sells auto coverage on the island, including full coverage and compulsory liability policies; it reported about €170 million of premiums in the first half of 2026, alongside about €1.1 billion for the U.S. business.

Auto insurance coverage

MAPFRE's policies offer liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection where required, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, substitute transportation (a rental car during repairs) and towing and labor. In Massachusetts, collision damage may be paid whether or not you were at fault, subject to the deductible.

In states served by American Commerce Insurance Company, the AutoMaster package endorsement bundles extras such as bail bond costs, personal belongings, loss of earnings, a seat belt and air bag death benefit, transportation expenses, a collision deductible waiver, replacement of a cell phone, laptop or digital media device, and new car replacement. The Elite Package Endorsement adds another tier of protection, and accident forgiveness can be purchased to help prevent a rate increase after an at-fault accident.

Discounts and programs

Discounts vary by state but can include bundling home and auto, paying in full, good student, student away from home, annual mileage (a low-mileage discount), multi-car, and Clean in Three for a clean driving record. MAPFRE also promotes teenSMART, a safe-driving course for teens provided by ADEPT Driver that can lower premiums.

MAPFRE does not list a smartphone telematics or usage-based insurance program on its auto pages. In Massachusetts, it has sponsored the state Department of Transportation's Highway Assistance Program for more than 20 years, which helps stranded drivers on the state's highways at no charge.

Claims

Claims can be reported online, by phone or through your agent. In Massachusetts, the Commerce Insurance claims line is 800-221-1605; customers in other states call the number for their underwriting company listed on MAPFRE's contact page. A claims service representative records the loss and a claim representative is assigned.

MAPFRE's CAR EZ program is its direct repair program: participating shops contact you within 24 hours, can arrange vehicle pickup and a rental, are paid directly by MAPFRE and carry a limited lifetime warranty on repairs, though you may use any shop. ePICS lets you submit photos and a short video of a drivable car through an app, with an appraisal usually emailed within 24 to 48 hours. Glass-only damage goes through a separate auto glass repair program.

Ratings and reputation

AM Best rates MAPFRE's U.S. insurance companies A (Excellent). When MAPFRE announced the Safety deal in July 2026, AM Best left those ratings unchanged with a stable outlook and placed Safety's ratings under review with developing implications.

Customer satisfaction is a weak spot. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, MAPFRE Insurance scored 595 in New England, 11th of 13 insurers and below the 631 regional average; Amica led the region at 702. MAPFRE was not ranked in J.D. Power's 2025 claims satisfaction study.

Who it suits

MAPFRE suits Massachusetts and New England drivers who prefer working through an independent agent and want the state's largest auto insurer, with its own repair network and photo appraisals. Its package endorsements appeal to drivers who want extras like device replacement and a collision deductible waiver. Shoppers outside its 11 states cannot buy it, and those who weight satisfaction scores heavily may prefer higher-ranked regional rivals. The pending Safety acquisition could bring changes for customers of both companies after it closes.

• Strengths: Largest auto and home insurer in Massachusetts; A (Excellent) AM Best rating left unchanged after the Safety deal; CAR EZ repair network and ePICS photo appraisals; broad package endorsements.
• Weaknesses: Sold in only 11 states; 11th of 13 in J.D. Power's 2026 New England ranking; no telematics program; pending Safety merger could bring service and underwriting changes.

How to contact MAPFRE Insurance