Mapfre Insurance homeowners insurance

Overview

Mapfre Insurance is the U.S. personal lines business of Mapfre S.A., the Madrid-based insurer that calls itself the largest Spanish-owned insurer in the world. Its core is The Commerce Insurance Company of Webster, Massachusetts, which Mapfre bought in 2008, and it sells home, condo, renters, auto and umbrella coverage through more than 3,000 independent agents and brokers. The NAIC group also includes Mapfre PRAICO in Puerto Rico. MAPFRE Insurance Group ranked #44 among U.S. homeowners insurance groups by 2025 direct premiums written, with $556.2 million (0.29% of the national market), according to NAIC market share data.

Massachusetts is where Mapfre matters most. It was the largest homeowners insurer in Massachusetts in 2025, with $400.4 million in premiums and 9.93% of the market, ahead of Liberty Mutual, Safety Insurance and Andover. Massachusetts alone supplies about 72% of the group's homeowners premium, based on NAIC data. In Puerto Rico, Mapfre was the second-largest homeowners writer ($48.5 million, 30.59% of the island's market). Mapfre says it protects more Massachusetts homes and cars than any other carrier.

History

Mapfre's mainland U.S. expansion began with the purchase of Western Pioneer Insurance Company in California, renamed Commerce West in 1995. In 1999 it acquired the Automobile Club Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, in a joint venture with AAA; that company became American Commerce Insurance Company. It expanded into New Hampshire in 2001 and New York in 2007. The defining deal came in 2008, when Mapfre acquired The Commerce Group, Inc., parent of The Commerce Insurance Company, founded in Webster in 1972. The U.S. holding company became Mapfre U.S.A. Corp. in 2010, and the companies now operate under the Mapfre Insurance brand.

Rapid growth outside Massachusetts did not pay off. On December 1, 2017, Mapfre USA said it would focus on 11 core states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Ohio, California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho) and leave New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. In June 2018 it agreed to sell its New York company to Plymouth Rock Assurance and to move its New Jersey auto and homeowners books to Plymouth Rock's Palisades companies (see Plymouth Rock Assurance). Mapfre Insurance Company of Florida now handles only claims and service for existing Florida business.

The next chapter is expansion at home. On July 23, 2026, Mapfre USA agreed to acquire Safety Insurance Group, the Boston-based insurer, for $1.54 billion in cash. Mapfre says the combination would be the largest homeowners and commercial auto insurer in New England and the second-largest private passenger auto writer. The deal needs regulatory and Safety shareholder approval and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. Jaime Tamayo is chief executive of Mapfre North America.

Homeowners coverage

Mapfre writes homeowners, condo (unit-owners), renters and dwelling fire policies; the exact forms vary by state. Its Massachusetts page lists options that include extended replacement cost up to 150% of the Coverage A (dwelling) limit, identity fraud expense coverage, limited water backup and sump discharge or overflow coverage, and blanket "valuable possessions" coverage for jewelry, furs, cameras, musical instruments, firearms, silverware and fine art.

Home Systems Protection covers breakdowns of boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, water heaters, well pumps, built-in generators, chair lifts, and pool and spa equipment. It is paired with service line coverage for underground water, power and communications lines, including the cost of digging up landscaping and, if needed, temporary lodging. Both come with eligible package endorsements; service line is not available on condo policies. Flood is excluded. Massachusetts homeowners who can't find private coverage can turn to the state's FAIR Plan, the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association.

Discounts and savings

Mapfre's Massachusetts page names two homeowners discounts: an account discount for insuring home and auto with Mapfre, and a protective device discount for burglar alarms, fire alarms or sprinklers. Its property page also advertises multi-policy bundling and says discounts vary by state. Mapfre also insures more Massachusetts cars than any other carrier, by its own account, so the account discount is worth asking about if your auto policy is there too.

Where it sells and recent market moves

Mapfre lists homeowners coverage in 11 states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Ohio, California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. Those are the 11 core states it picked in 2017. The policy may be issued by The Commerce Insurance Company (active in the six New England states), American Commerce Insurance Company (Ohio and a range of other states) or Commerce West (Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington), so the name on your declarations page may not say Mapfre. In Puerto Rico, homeowners coverage is sold by Mapfre PRAICO, whose history goes back to 1920.

The Safety acquisition is the event to watch. If it closes, Massachusetts' first- and third-largest homeowners insurers of 2025 will be under one roof, with about 17% of the state's homeowners market between them (9.93% and 7.25%), based on NAIC data. Mapfre says Safety will keep operating within the group, and AM Best said on July 27, 2026 that the deal leaves its ratings of Mapfre's operating subsidiaries unchanged. Policy and agent changes, if any, would come after closing.

Claims

Property claims can be reported 24/7 at 877-224-5677 or online through Mapfre's claims portal; Massachusetts customers can also use 800-221-1605. A property claim specialist calls back during business hours, and staff can arrange emergency board-up, cleanup or temporary lodging. For small losses such as damaged fences, sheds, landscaping or outdoor furniture, the ePICS program lets you upload photos for a remote estimate, often settled within days. The Mapfre Select Home Restoration Program connects you with contractors that promise to start emergency services within two hours and give a five-year limited warranty on their work. You may still choose your own contractor.

Ratings and reputation

Mapfre Insurance says its companies are rated A (Excellent) by AM Best. On July 27, 2026, AM Best said the A (Excellent) financial strength ratings and "a+" issuer credit ratings of Mapfre's rated operating subsidiaries, with stable outlooks, were unchanged by the Safety announcement. It described Mapfre's balance sheet as very strong and its operating performance as strong. At the parent level, S&P Global raised Mapfre S.A.'s issuer rating to A (stable) on July 24, 2026, and Fitch rates it A (stable) as of July 28, 2026. No J.D. Power ranking was found.

Who it suits

Mapfre suits Massachusetts and New England homeowners who use an independent agent and want home and auto with the region's dominant writer, backed by a large international parent. It suits less well people outside its 11 states or Puerto Rico, anyone who wants to deal directly with the insurer rather than an agent, and shoppers wary of a company in the middle of a major merger.

• Strengths: largest homeowners insurer in Massachusetts in 2025 and second in Puerto Rico; A (Excellent) from AM Best, unchanged in July 2026; extended replacement cost to 150% of the dwelling limit in Massachusetts; 24/7 property claims line and a restoration program with a five-year limited warranty.
• Weaknesses: about 72% of homeowners premium in one state; exited five states in 2017–2018 and Florida is claims-only; sold through agents; the pending Safety merger could change products and service in 2027.

How to contact Mapfre Insurance