N&D Union Mutual Insurance Group auto insurance

Overview

The N&D Union Mutual Insurance Group is an affiliation of two old New England mutual insurers: the Norfolk & Dedham Group (N&D) of Dedham, Massachusetts, and Union Mutual of Montpelier, Vermont. Drivers know them by their separate brands. N&D sells personal auto insurance in Massachusetts, and Union Mutual sells it in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The group ranked #98 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written, with $146.9 million and a 0.04% market share, according to NAIC market share data.

N&D's companies are Norfolk and Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Fitchburg Mutual Insurance Company and Dorchester Mutual Insurance Company. Union Mutual's are Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company, New England Guaranty Insurance Company and the New York-based Community Mutual Insurance Company. Across all lines the group reported record direct written premium of $753 million in 2025, policyholder surplus of $722 million and a 93.2% combined ratio, with more than 200,000 policyholders in eight states. AM Best describes the business as predominantly Massachusetts, with personal and commercial lines also written in New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Both brands sell only through independent agents, about 600 agency partners in all.

History

Norfolk & Dedham dates to 1825, when local property owners in Dedham founded the Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Company to protect homes and businesses from fire; its first president was John Endicott. The N&D group also includes Fitchburg Mutual (founded 1847) and Dorchester Mutual (1855). N&D celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2025, the year it was also named to the Ward's 50 list of top-performing insurers.

The Vermont Legislature chartered Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1874, largely through the work of Montpelier lawyer Samuel Wells, and it issued its first policy in July 1875. Union Mutual moved into Maine and New Hampshire in 1954 and 1955, bought the State Mutual Insurance Company in 1962 and renamed it New England Guaranty, and added Massachusetts in 1979, Connecticut in 1986, Rhode Island in 1987 and New York in 1991. In 1987 it joined a venture that created Champlain Casualty Company to serve auto markets. It affiliated with New York's Eastern Mutual from 2000 to 2019 and with Community Mutual in 2013.

N&D and Union Mutual announced their affiliation in April 2024. After approval by Massachusetts and Vermont regulators it took effect on November 5, 2024, with a combined board of eight N&D and four Union Mutual directors, and Union Mutual Fire joined N&D's pooling agreement, which shares premiums, losses and expenses, on January 1, 2025. Each company keeps its own brand and headquarters, and for the near term its own products and underwriting rules.

Auto insurance coverage

N&D's Massachusetts auto coverage menu includes bodily injury, property damage, personal injury protection, uninsured and underinsured motorist injuries, medical payments, collision and comprehensive, substitute transportation and towing and labor, plus gap coverage, new car protection, customized equipment, airbag restoration and repair, child safety seats and injury to pets riding in the car. Your agent sets which of these are included on your policy.

N&D also sells an accident forgiveness endorsement for $100 a year ($75 with an account credit). It waives the surcharge points Massachusetts' Safe Driver Insurance Plan adds for the first at-fault accident on the policy for five years, and it is available when at least one operator has a Merit Rating code of 99 or 98 under that plan. N&D's example shows a $1,029 premium rising to $1,600 to $1,755 after an at-fault crash without the endorsement.

Union Mutual's policy in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine includes liability, medical payments, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, with optional collision, comprehensive, towing and labor and rental reimbursement. It can insure motor homes, recreational and utility trailers, horse trailers and customized autos.

Discounts and programs

Union Mutual lists discounts for paying in full, an advanced shopper discount when you get a quote at least seven days before the policy starts, multi-car, company car, home and auto with Union Mutual, a customer loyalty renewal credit, good student, driver education, student away at school without a car, vehicle safety features, and credits for higher deductibles, with options up to $2,500. It also uses driver tiers that account for experience and driving record. N&D lists its Massachusetts savings options in a "Ways to Save" brochure on its website. Neither brand advertises a telematics program.

Claims

N&D takes claims 24/7 through your agent or at 800-688-1825, option 1. Its claims staff can work with you by text message, including photos and a self-inspection tool, and it runs Automated Claim Vehicles, equipped with estimating software and driven by appraisers who come to you. It also offers a windshield repair program and, in Massachusetts, a list of referral body shops that honor N&D appraisals. Union Mutual claims go to your agent, online or through the MyUnionMutual portal, to 800-300-5261 during business hours, or to 800-445-2330 after hours; glass claims go to 888-299-0354, and its PARTs direct repair program speeds auto repairs.

Ratings and reputation

On July 15, 2025, AM Best affirmed the A (Excellent) financial strength rating and "a" issuer credit ratings of all six group companies with stable outlooks. It assessed the balance sheet as very strong and operating performance as adequate, noting a below-average loss ratio offset by an above-average expense ratio from the higher commissions typical of New England insurers. Neither brand is among the 13 insurers ranked for New England in J.D. Power's 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

Who it suits

The group suits drivers in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine who want a mutual with two centuries of local history, a local independent agent and the option to place home and auto together. N&D's accident forgiveness endorsement may appeal to Massachusetts drivers, since N&D's own example shows one at-fault accident raising a premium by more than half. Drivers in other states, or those who want online quoting or telematics, will need another insurer.

• Strengths: A (Excellent) AM Best rating and a very strong balance sheet; record 2025 growth with a 93.2% combined ratio; Massachusetts accident forgiveness and mobile Automated Claim Vehicles; Union Mutual's long discount list.
• Weaknesses: Personal auto limited to four states, split between two brands; sold only through agents with no online purchase; no telematics; above-average expenses, according to AM Best.

How to contact N&D Union Mutual Insurance Group