American Commerce Auto Insurance Review [MAPFRE Insurance]

It isn’t easy to find an auto insurance plan that meets your needs. You can spend hours researching various companies and still not find the best auto insurance company.

If you’re looking for auto insurance, we’re here to help. We’ve gathered American Commerce Auto Insurance Company reviews and ratings from trusted sources to create a comprehensive guide to the company’s reputation. We’ll also take a look at what kind of car insurance they offer.

American Commerce Insurance Company was founded in 1946 as an auto insurance provider in the state of Massachusetts. The company has since been acquired by Spanish insurer MAPFRE, SA, which makes its home in Madrid.

American Commerce is one of five American subsidiaries selling insurance under the MAPFRE brand name. They are the single largest auto insurance carrier in the state of Massachusetts, but they have policies available in 18 states and 43 different countries.

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American Commerce Auto Insurance & MAPFRE Auto Insurance Rates

Although MAPFRE is higher than Geico, it’s lower than Allstate which means it’s worth looking at their coverage when comparing rates if they are available in your area.

MAPFRE requires you to contact an independent agent to get a quote for their policies.

Is MAPFRE the same as Commerce Insurance? To clarify, MAPFRE owns American Commerce, which operates as a subsidiary. So they are the parent company, and American Commerce sells insurance in that name. MAPFRE also operates under a few different names and locations, including MAPFRE Insurance of New York, MAPFRE Florida, and Citation Insurance Company.

Typically, smaller insurance companies or companies that require independent agents have higher rates than some larger insurers, but they may offer unique products or stellar customer service to make up for the difference. If these things are important to you, reach out to an independent agent in your area to find out more.

In what states does MAPFRE write car insurance?

MAPFRE is currently available in the following states:

• Arizona
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Washington

Despite their international status, MAPFRE is a smaller insurance company than many people are used to thinking about. When most people think about auto insurance, big names like Geico and State Farm are what typically come to mind. That doesn’t mean there are no benefits to using a smaller insurance company, however.

MAPFRE is a global insurance organization with operations in 43 countries and millions of clients. The company has earned numerous awards including one of Business Week’s “40 World’s Best Companies” for 2009.

They were also ranked as one of the best performing insurance companies for 2009 and 2000 by Ward’s, and ranked among the top 20 insurance writers for private passenger vehicles in 2009.

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American Commerce Auto Insurance & MAPFRE Auto Insurance Coverages Offered

Does insurance pay for towing? What if you are hit by an uninsured driver? Like most companies, MAPFRE offers a variety of types of auto insurance coverage, including:

Liability – Liability insurance protects your financial well-being by paying for damages to the other person’s vehicle if you are at fault in an accident. It also covers medical bills in the event of bodily injuries someone else sustained in an at-fault accident. The table below shows average liability rates by state.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage – Uninsured motorist coverage, often referred to as UM, is mandatory in some states and optional in others. It covers you at the same levels as your liability coverage if you are in an accident where an uninsured driver was at fault.

Collision – Collision insurance protects you by paying for damages to your vehicle if you are at fault in an accident, whether you hit another vehicle or a stationary object such as a wall or mailbox. If you have a loan on your car, you may be required by the lender to have collision insurance on your policy. Here’s a look at average rates for collision coverage across the U.S.

Comprehensive – Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car that isn’t caused during an accident. Some examples of what might be covered under a comprehensive policy are hail damage, theft, and vandalism. It will also cover you if your car is stolen. Below you can see state averages for comprehensive coverage.

Medical Payments – Medical payments cover necessary medical and funeral costs for yourself and your passengers in the event of an accident.

AutoMaster® Package Endorsement (ACIC states) – According to the MAPFRE website, AutoMaster coverage includes:

• Bail Bonds: Personal Belongings
• Loss of Earnings: Seat / Belt Air Bag Death Benefit
• Transportation: Expense Waiver of Collision Deductible
• Cellular Phone: Replacement Digital Media Device Replacement
• Laptop Computer: Replacement New Car Replacement Coverage

Substitute Transportation – If you need a rental car because of an accident, substitute transportation coverage will cover that cost.

Towing and Labor – When it comes to tow trucks or basic repairs on the side of the road, towing and labor coverage would help cover the cost of those services.

What are MAPFRE’s bundling options?

In addition to auto insurance, MAPFRE offers a variety of other coverages, including:

• Property Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Travel Insurance
• Business Insurance
• Umbrella Insurance
• Motorcycle Insurance
• Watercraft / Boat / Yacht
• Recreational Vehicles

If you have (or need to have) any of these policies in place, speak with your independent agent about the possibility of bundling your policies through MAPFRE for a multi-line discount.

What discounts are offered by MAPFRE?

Some companies offer discounts for good driving records, high grades for student drivers, hybrid vehicles, and many more. MAPFRE has a number of available car insurance discounts, including:

• AAA Member Discounts – members of this auto group are entitled to a discount through MAPFRE,
• Multi-line discounts – If you have more than one insurance plan through MAPFRE, they will give you a discount for bundling your coverage.
• Welcome Back credit (when prior Loyalty applies) – Former MAPFRE customer? You may be entitled to a discount.
• Paid-in-Full discount – If you pay your bill all at once rather than month-by-month, you’ll receive a discount on your insurance.
• Good Student discount – B average or higher? That’ll earn young drivers a discount.
• Student away from home discount – Going to college away from home? You may be entitled to a discount for that. Check with an agent to find out American Commerce’s definition of a qualifying student.
• Annual Mileage discount – If you drive less, you pay less.
• Smart driver discount – Get a discount for letting MAPFRE track your driving behavior with an app or a device.
• Multi-Car discount – Insure two or more vehicles to receive a multi-car discount.
• Green discount – Hybrid or other environmentally friendly vehicles are entitled to the Green discount.

These are not the only discounts available, so be sure to ask your agent about other possible discounts if you choose to sign up for a plan with MAPFRE.

What programs are available from MAPFRE?

MAPFRE has a number of programs available, including:

• Disappearing deductible – Your safe driving can help you reduce your deductible over time.
• Accident forgiveness – MAPFRE offers accident forgiveness for a wide range of drivers and experience levels, but most companies only offer this as a paid option, so check with your insurance agent to see if this will cost extra on your policy.
• Auto Glass repair program – When the damage from an accident or comprehensive incident is glass only, MAPFRE has streamlined the process of having your glass repaired or replaced.
• Car EZ – This program is designed to make getting a car repaired after an accident as stress-free as possible.
• DriveAdvisor – The DriveAdvisor® Program monitors new drivers and provides feedback to help them improve their skills on the road for up to a 5% discount.
• ePICS – ePICS lets you submit pictures after an accident rather than wait for a field appraiser to physically inspect your vehicle.
• TeenSMART – TeenSMART provides an interactive computer-based training experience with in-car exercises to educate your teen about safe driving habits, which can help reduce the risk of accidents.

Canceling Your MAPFRE Auto Insurance Policy

Before you decide to cancel your MAPFRE auto insurance, make sure you have a new policy in place. Canceling auto insurance without having new coverage in place could leave you with a gap in coverage, which could also increase your rates for your new policy.

Once you have a new policy in place, you will need to think about the questions below:

Is there a MAPFRE Insurance Cancellation Fee?

The MAPFRE website doesn’t specify if there is a cancellation fee for terminating your policy. Given that each state has different rules and regulations when it comes to insurance, you may or may not be required to pay a cancellation fee.

You may also be required to pay a processing fee, depending on where you are located and how you pay your bill. If you pay directly through their site or a third party vendor can impact whether or not you will be charged a processing fee.

Is there a refund?

The answer to this question is similar to the statement above regarding cancellation fees.

The laws and rules vary from state to state, so customers in some places may be entitled to a refund while others may not, or may only be entitled to a partial refund.

If you have insurance through MAPFRE, you should reach out to your independent agent who arranged your policy and find out whether or not you will receive a refund.

How do I cancel my MAPFRE insurance policy?

Your first step should be to reach out to your independent agent and let them know you would like to cancel your policy. If you used them to purchase a new policy, they may have already put things in motion to cancel your policy through MAPFRE without any additional work on your part.

You may also find that your new insurance company will take care of your cancellation for you, so make sure to ask when you are setting up your new policy if you are still responsible for canceling your previous coverage.

If you don’t want to reach out to your agent, you can call the MAPFRE customer service department in your state, and they can connect you to someone who can help you get your policy canceled.

When can I cancel?

Most states allow you to cancel an auto insurance policy at any time as long as you have a new policy to replace it to prevent a gap in coverage. Some states may have different rules, however, so check with your state’s insurance website or your independent agent to make sure you know when you are able to cancel your policy.

Policies typically go into effect at midnight and are terminated effective 11:59 p.m. This is the best way to guarantee you are never left with a gap in coverage.

How to Make a MAPFRE Auto Insurance Claim

MAPFRE offers several different methods whereby individuals can make a auto insurance claim for the first time. The company prefers is that you contact the appropriate claims office for your region directly.

Their website provides phone numbers for both claim centers; that information should also be included in your policy documents and your individual identification cards.

The second option is to contact your local agent and allow him or her to file your auto insurance claim. If you use this option, keep in mind that you’ll ultimately have to deal with MAPFRE at some point in order to complete your claim.

Your local agent will be able to take all the necessary information, fill out some of the paperwork for you, and get you in touch with a representative at your regional claims center.

The third option is to file an online claim form, which can be found at the MAPFRE website. This claim form is a six-step process that can be used either by existing customers filing a claim against their own policy or non-customers filing a claim against a current policyholder.

The company website does offer detailed information, as well as tips and advice for expediting a claim, in the claims section of their website. Customers are urged to read this information thoroughly before making a claim.

The online MAPFRE insurance claims system is shown below:

Once you have selected what type of claim you are filing, you will move onto the next screen.

You can use this option to file a claim on your own insurance or to file a claim against another driver.

If you are filing a claim on your own policy, your next screen will ask for your policy information.

Once you have filled in your policy information, clicking through the next keys will submit your claim to an adjuster who will reach out to you within 24—48 hours.

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How to Get a MAPFRE Auto Insurance Quote

While many of the largest insurance companies in the country offer online quote systems, MAPFRE requires you to contact an independent agent to get a quote.

If you have questions about how to find an independent agent in your area, you can always search online or use the find an agent section of MAPFRE’s website. However, it is always best to find an agent separate of an insurance company.

Using an independent agent who is not affiliated with any insurance company is the only way you can be certain that there is no conflict of interest.

MAPFRE: Auto Insurance Ratings

Is MAPFRE a good insurance company? There are various organizations that rate insurance companies on everything from financial stability to customer complaints, making it easier for customers to choose which insurance company is right for them.

The ratings for MAPFRE are as follows:

A.M. Best – As of 2019, A.M. Best gives MAPFRE an A rating on financial stability. Their scale goes from A++ to D, so this is a solid rating, but nowhere near the best possible rating for the company.

Better Business Bureau – The Better Business Bureau rates companies on ethics and consumer complaints by state. While the BBB gives MAPFRE an A+ rating in Massachusetts, MAPRFE insurance reviews on the BBB by consumers on the site only rate the company one star, so it may be worth your time to do some research before making a purchase.

Moody’s – Moody’s rates companies based on financial aspects, from Aaa to C, with Aaa being the highest rating and C being the lowest. Most recently, Moody’s upgraded MAPFRE from A3 to A2.

Standard & Poor’s – Standard & Poor’s, otherwise known as S&P, also rates insurance companies based on their financial abilities. On a scale from AAA to D, the company gives MAPFRE an A+ rating in 2019, which is an improvement from their previous A rating.

JDPower – According to JDPower and Associates, “MAPFRE Insurance ranks highest in the shopping segment with a score of 811. Progressive (803) ranks second, and Erie Insurance (798) ranks third.”

MAPFRE: Auto Insurance History

MAPFRE Insurance originated in Massachusetts as The Commerce Group, Inc., founded in the town of Webster, Massachusetts, in 1972.

MAPFRE provides a full range of insurance products, including coverage for automobiles, homes, motorcycles, watercraft, and businesses. MAPFRE Insurance is part of the MAPFRE Group, a global insurance company present on five continents.

MAPFRE employs more than 38,000 people across the globe and services approximately 34 million clients. In 2011 MAPFRE was ranked by Fortune and Forbes as among the “500 Best and Most Admired Companies in the World.”

How is MAPFRE’s online presence?

The MAPFRE website is excellent, giving you significant amounts of information in an easy-to-use format.

The only drawback to MAPFRE’s website is that you are not able to get a quote online. Because they require you to get a quote from an independent agent, you cannot use their online system to compare prices with other insurance plans.

Does MAPFRE have commercials?

This may seem like a silly question, but not all insurance companies produce commercials, especially if you need an agent to sign up for a policy.

MAPFRE does produce TV commercials for some of their markets. The commercial below is from Pennsylvania:

While commercials are not available for every market, it is safe to assume they are advertising (in some fashion) in all 18 states where they do business in the U.S.

Is MAPFRE involved in the community?

MAPFRE is involved in every community where they sell insurance. They have a corporate volunteer program that allows their employees to get out into their local communities, they sponsor walks for autism and organizations such as Boston Children’s Hospital, and they offer mentoring programs.

Because they have locations all over the world, they have volunteers all over the world, too. The above video is in Spanish with English subtitles because they are doing work in communities in Spain the same way they do work in communities in the United States.

What do MAPFRE employees have to say?

American Commerce maintains four different locations around the country; their Massachusetts office, an Ohio office, and two claim centers on either side of the country.

Although business records indicate the Massachusetts office is their primary address, the company website lists the Ohio dress as their main office. For your convenience, we have provided information on the Ohio office here:

American Commerce Insurance Company
3590 Twin Creeks Drive
Columbus, OH 43204
Phone: (800) 848-2945

Employees at all of these locations and many others have rated their employers on sites like Glassdoor and Payscale.

According to Glassdoor.com, employees rate MAPFRE as three out of five stars when it comes to being a good place to work, and 53 percent of employees would recommend them to a friend as a good place to work.

Seventy-eight percent of employees at MAPFRE approve of the CEO, which can be an important point to consider when applying for a job.

Payscale shows that the company is in line with their competition when it comes to salary, paying anywhere from $42,000 to $118,000 annually depending on your job title, experience, and seniority.

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Design of MAPFRE Website and App

American Commerce and its fellow MAPFRE subsidiaries are a group of companies committed to utilizing technology to enhance customer service. Their state-of-the-art claims centers, internet portal, and agent network all strive to make your experience with them as profitable and convenient as possible.

The corporate website offers customers a wide range of helpful information ranging from safe driving tips to homeowner advice.

Furthermore, their internet portal offers the possibility of managing your account and policies completely online. By signing up for an online account, customers can make payments, modify policies, purchase new policies, and learn all there is to know about auto and homeowners insurance.

Their smartphone app, GO MAPFRE, is available through the Google Play store, but the reviews are not good. Most reviews of the app are only one star, with an average rating of 2.8.

The Bottom Line: American Commerce Auto Insurance & MAPFRE

MAPFRE tends to be a little more expensive than their competitors, but they have excellent rankings in most categories that have shown improvement over time.

If you feel that doing business with an independent agent is the best choice for you, it may be worth your time to consider purchasing a policy from American Commerce/MAPFRE. Ask your agent for a quote and if they know of any other products that might be a better fit for your needs.

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