Peerless Insurance Back in Mass. Auto Business

Peerless Insurance, a Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional company, this week issued its first Massachusetts personal auto insurance policy in more than 20 years.

After announcing last November its intention to re-enter the Massachusetts marketplace under the new managed competition auto insurance system, Peerless Insurance issued its first auto policy through Berkshire Insurance Group, Inc. an agency in western Massachusetts with 10 full-service locations.

“We are absolutely delighted to be back and look forward to providing consumers with another quality choice in the marketplace,” said Michael Christiansen, president and chief executive officer, Peerless Insurance. “Based on our success and tradition in the Northeast, we know the value our customers place in working with our independent agents to understand and choose their coverages.”

In addition to offering competitive rates, Peerless Insurance will provide substantial discounts to its new policyholders, including account credits for auto (15%) and home (10%), and auto discounts for annual mileage, driver training, driving years, good students, multi-car, and tenure. All auto policies come with a Special Provisions Endorsement, which provides New Car Replacement and Mechanical Parts Replacement for no additional premium. The company also offers first accident forgiveness, diminishing deductibles, and a package of enhanced coverages with its Ultra-Plus Endorsement.

Peerless Insurance has approximately 250 agent locations throughout Massachusetts. The company is piloting its personal lines offerings this month and anticipates rolling-out its products and services to the full agent force in early July. Ross Gorman, president, Berkshire Insurance Group, issued the company’s first policy, as one of 10 piloting agencies.

“Peerless has a great track record for making it easy for us to quote and issue business on the commercial side, and we are thrilled they are making the same technology investment for personal lines in Massachusetts,” said Gorman, who has been a Peerless appointed agent since 2001.

In addition to plans to increase its agent force in the coming years, Peerless Insurance intends to add as many as 40 Massachusetts-based employees to its claims, underwriting, marketing, and information technology operations between now and the end of 2010.

In its eight state Northeast territory, Peerless Insurance ranks eighth for personal lines market share among companies that sell products through independent agents. In 2007, the company wrote more than$1 billion in commercial and personal lines premium in its territory, with approximately $67 million in commercial lines premium in Massachusetts.

Consumers who would like a rate quote or wish to learn more about Peerless Insurance products and services can go to www.peerless-ins.com and locate an agent from the search engine on the home page. Agents who are interested in obtaining an appointment with Peerless Insurance may contact Robert Rooney, vice president, marketing at 603-358-4453 or Tim Hall, regional vice president, Massachusetts at 603-357-9520.