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MAPFRE car insurance review
Rely on local agents for answers and assistance, but the company could work on its claims process.
finder.com's rating: 4 / 5
★★★★★
- Get a quote if you want a local agent in New England.
- Pick something else if you want wider coverage or online support.
- Safe drivers, loyal customers and AAA members get the best discounts
Included free
Roadside assistance
New car protection
Accident forgiveness
Details
| States served | Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington |
|---|---|
| Roadside assistance | Included free |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes |
| New car protection | Yes |
| Pay schedule | 12 months, monthly |
| Claims methods | online |
| Rideshare coverage | Yes |
| SR-22 support |
Pros
- 24/7 claims processing
- Local agents
- Manage your policy online
- Sophisticated app
- Safe driving programs
- Financially strong
Cons
- Limited reach
- Expensive base rates
- No centralized claims line
- No live chat function
| Anti-theft device discount | Yes |
|---|---|
| Bundling discount | Yes |
| Defensive driving discount | Yes |
| Good student discount | Yes |
| Loyalty discount | Yes |
| Homeowner discount | Yes |
| Military discount | No |
| Safety device discount | Yes |
| Special employment discount | No |
| Usage-based discount | No |
Review by
Katia Iervasi
katia.iervasi@finder.comKatia Iervasi is a staff writer who hails from Australia and now calls New York home. Her writing and analysis has been featured on sites like Forbes, Best Company and Financial Advisor around the world. Armed with a BA in Communication and a journalistic eye for detail, she navigates insurance and finance topics for Finder, so you can splash your cash smartly (and be a pro when the subject pops up at dinner parties).
Expert review
As one of the top 20 largest auto insurers in the country, MAPFRE combines the financial strength of an international insurer with the personalized service of a company that’s run by a network of local agents.
It also helps you save money with its $0 deductible on glass repairs and its long list of discounts, including for AAA members. But while customers praise its helpful local agents during the buying process, MAPFRE could work on speeding up its claims process and accurate billing.
If you’re looking for personalized service through a local agent, MAPFRE is worth a quote if you live in the 19 states it services. But if you prefer more self-service or coverage options, consider getting quotes from other insurers.
How to get a free quote for MAPFRE car insurance
If you live in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington, you can get a quote online.
- Go to MAPFRE’s website.
- On the homepage, click Get a quote.
- Select your state from the dropdown and click Start quote.
- Enter your personal information, and answer the questions about your driving history, cars and who will be driving them.
- Review and adjust your coverage options.
For all other states, you’ll need to hop on the phone or contact a local agent to get a quote.
What info do I need to apply?
You’ll need your driver’s license number plus details on your driving history, the car you’re insuring and the people who will be driving it.
What discounts can I get with MAPFRE?
With MAPFRE, there are a few ways to cut the cost of your premium and squeeze more value out of your policy with these discounts:
- Affiliate. MAPFRE has a longstanding association with AAA, and members of the auto club score a discount of up to 10%.
- Antitheft device. Is your car equipped with safety features? You can expect a discount.
- Bundling. If you purchase auto and home insurance, you’ll earn a discount. Add umbrella insurance to slash your premium even further.
- Disappearing deductible. Safe drivers are awarded $50 in credits for each continuous year of clean driving. In the fifth year, you will get a $100 credit. The maximum credits you can earn is $300.
- Good driver. Do you have a clean driving record free of accidents and traffic violations for the past three years? You might earn a discount. If you participate in MAPFRE’s teenSMART or InControl Crash Prevention training programs, the provider will also cut down your premium by 10% to 15%.
- Good student. Maintaining a B average or being on the honor roll will add another discount.
- Low mileage. Don’t drive that much? Since you’re less of a risk, MAPFRE may offer you a discount.
- Loyalty. Switching to MAPFRE when you’ve stayed for more than one policy term before will earn you a welcome-back credit.
- Multicar. The more cars you insure with the company, the lower your premium.
- Payments. Pay your premium up front, and you’ll be eligible for a discount. You can also earn a discount for enrolling in paperless billing, but you can’t get both of these discounts at once.
- Student away from home. If your kid is at school more than 100 miles away, and is listed as a driver of a car on your insurance, you may earn a discount.
- Switch and save. For new policyholders who’ve made the switch to MAPFRE, this discount applies if you’ve had no lapse in coverage within the last three years.
- Teen driver program. Aimed at young drivers, this program combines computer-based training with in-car exercises that teach teens about safe driving habits. When your teen completes the program, MAPFRE will apply a discount of up to 15% to your policy, and keep it there until they reach the age of 21.
- Telematics. Use the MAPFRE telematics program to monitor and get feedback on your driving habits. You can potentially earn a 5% discount for good driving.
What add-ons and perks does MAPFRE offer?
If you choose auto insurance with MAPFRE, you can add a variety of optional coverage or enjoy its free perks or programs.
- Accident forgiveness. Unlike most insurers, MAPFRE offers accident forgiveness for new and inexperienced drivers and renewing customers. If you opt into this coverage, getting into one at-fault accident won’t increase your premium.
- Auto glass repair. When the damage to your car is limited to the windshield or windows, MAPFRE will pay to repair the glass for you. If the glass needs to be replaced, that’ll affect your deductible.
- Extended coverage package. Available in some states, the AutoMaster Package Endorsement add-on includes coverage for cell phones, laptops, personal belongings and loss of earnings as a result of an accident.
- New car replacement. If your car is declared a total loss, you can replace it with a similar make and model.
- Repair assistance. Accidents are stressful, and MAPFRE tries to make the repairs process as seamless as possible. For its Car EZ program, the provider has partnered with repair shops around the country to arrange to pick up your car, organize a rental car if necessary, repair and clean your car before delivering it back to you.
- Rental car. When your car is in the repair shop after an accident, the substitute transportation coverage can pay for a rental car.
- Towing and labor. When your car can’t be driven, this covers the cost of towing it to a repair shop.
MAPFRE car insurance reviews and complaints
MAPFRE has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2016 and holds an A+ rating as of April 2021. The BBB has closed nearly 50 complaints in the last three years, most related to issues with billing, collection and delayed or denied claims.
In J.D. Power’s 2020 Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Study, MAPFRE ranked no. 24 out of 25 insurers surveyed, scoring well below the industry average for its claims process.
Customers also filed nine complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 2020. These complaints leave the company with a high complaint ratio based on its business size. It scored a 10.46 on the NAIC complaint index, well above the industry standard of 1.00.
In stark contrast to these ratings, Trustpilot gives the company a score of 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on over 1,500 customer reviews. Positive reviews focus on the company’s helpful service through local agents and cheap premiums.
Our star ratings for MAPFRE, explained
Our car insurance experts rated MAPFRE with 4 out of 5 stars for its balance of coverage, overall pricing and strong financial ratings. MAPFRE offers more coverage than the necessities, though not as many options as our highest-rated insurance companies. It also gets high marks from the Better Business Bureau for how it handles customer complaints and an A rating from AM Best, proving that it can back claims. Plus, MAPFRE’s high Trustpilot ratings boost its overall customer service score.
Compare alternatives to MAPFRE
What car insurance coverage does MAPFRE offer?
MAPFRE offers a standard mix of coverage types.
- Collision and comprehensive. Collision covers the cost of damage to your car caused by a collision with another car or object. Comprehensive, also known as Other Than Collision (OTC) coverage, this pays for damage to your car caused by things out of your control like fire, floods, hail and theft. They’re optional, unless you’ve leased or financed your car.
- Liability. If you cause an accident, bodily liability coverage covers the cost of injuries, damages and potential legal costs. Property damage liability coverage pays for the damage your car causes to someone else’s property as the result of an accident. As a legal requirement in most states, MAPFRE suggests purchasing enough coverage to protect your assets.
- Medical payments. In the event of an accident, this helps to pay for any medical and funeral expenses up to the coverage limits you select.
- Underinsured and uninsured motorist. Underinsured protection helps to pay for medical expenses if someone injures you in an accident, but doesn’t have enough liability insurance. Uninsured motorist protection covers the damages and injuries if you’re injured in an accident caused by a hit-and-run driver or someone who doesn’t have liability insurance.
Where can I get MAPFRE car insurance?
While MAPFRE’s reach in the US is limited to 19 states, it has the financial resources of a massive global company. It also has local agents familiar with the auto insurance laws that apply to each state and conditions that affect drivers. It’s worth looking into MAPFRE if you live in these areas:
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
- Washington
How do I find a local agent near me?
- Head to the website and click Find an agent in the red box on the homepage.
- Enter your city and state, and a list of local agents and their contact details will appear.
- Pick an agent to contact. All of them will know the ins and outs of your state, but if you prefer in-person contact, choose one that’s close to you.
Pros and cons of MAPFRE car insurance
Pros
- Local agents. The company has more than 4,600 agents across the US to offer specialized knowledge and attention.
- Extensive add-ons. Get protection for your laptop and smartphone, lost wages and more with the line of add-ons available from MAPFRE.
- Sophisticated app. Use the mobile app to make payments, file claims and upload accident photos and witness statements.
- Safe driving programs. Those who sign on to do the teenSMART or InControl Crash Prevention programs are rewarded with discounts.
Cons
- Limited reach. Policies are limited to 19 states.
- Expensive base rates. MAPFRE’s agent-based policies are on the higher side. However, the insurer has a good discount program.
- No high-priced cars. MAPFRE tends to steer clear of classic, collector and high-end luxury cars.
How to make a claim with MAPFRE
You can file a claim online, on the app or over the phone 24/7. The quickest way to submit a claim is online. The company doesn’t have a dedicated claims department line, so if you want to call, your best bet is your local agent.
Make an online claim
- On the homepage, click Report a claim.
- Select Auto claim.
- Select MAPFRE Policyholder/behalf of policyholder.
- Enter your policy number, ZIP code, license plate number, last name and incident date. Click Next.
- Enter your driver’s license number and details about the accident or incident as well as any damage caused.
- Submit photos and other supporting documents.
You’ll then be assigned a claim representative and an appraiser to inspect your vehicle.
If the damage is minor and impacts two parts or panels of your car, like two doors or a door and a window, you can use MAPFRE’s online system to send photos via email within 48 hours. This eliminates the need to drive to an appraisal facility or wait for an agent to come to the scene.
For more extensive damage, the claims department will send an appraiser to the site to inspect your vehicle, answer questions and offer advice. And if you’re in Massachusetts and can still drive your car, you can head to one of the drive-in appraisal centers. To find a location, go to the MAPFRE website.
How to contact MAPFRE
While you can get in touch with MAPFRE by phone or mail, it’s much easier to contact your local agent. The contact details are on your policy documents, or you can use the search function on the website.
By phone
There are a bunch of numbers listed on the Contact page. Scroll down to your state, and if you’re a new customer, dial any of the phone numbers that appear.
There are two to four numbers listed for each state, including numbers for MAPFRE’s subsidiaries. If you’re an existing policyholder, look at your policy documents to find out the underwriter for your policy, then call that number.
By mail
Send mail to your local agent’s office or MAPFRE’s headquarters. The address is: MAPFRE Headquarters, 211 Main Street, Webster, Massachusetts 01570
Frequently asked questions about MAPFRE
Car insurance ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
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