Safeco to Take Personal Lines Renewal Business of Main Street America

Liberty Mutual’s Safeco Insurance has agreed to take the personal lines business of Main Street America, marking the second time in two months that Safeco has stepped in to assume a personal lines book of business from another insurer.

Main Street America, a Jacksonville, Florida-based insurer founded about 100 years ago in Keene, New Hampshire said in late August it was going to focus on commercial lines for small businesses. It also writes farm and ranch and fidelity and surety bond products.

“This represents one of the largest book transfer opportunities for Safeco and our agents and reinforces our position as a leading personal lines carrier for independent agents,” said Luke Bills, president of independent agent distribution, U.S. Retail Markets, Liberty Mutual Insurance.

“This partnership will amplify our growth potential in several states and pave the way to expand our network of agency relationships,” he added.

Main Street America’s renewal book of business includes auto, home, renters, condo, umbrella, landlord, motorcycle, RV, and watercraft policies, and expands Safeco’s presence in 22 states.

In September, Safeco Insurance said it entered into a book transfer agreement with Columbia Insurance Group, a Central and Midwest regional carrier. The Columbia, Missouri-based mutual agreed to transfer its entire personal auto and umbrella lines business in eight states to Safeco, effective for renewals at the start of 2025. In 2021, title insurer First American Financial Corp. got out of the property/casualty insurance business with a book transfer agreement with Safeco and Heritage Insurance Holdings.

Personal auto made up about 11% of Columbia Insurance Group’s direct premiums written in 2023, according to AM Best, who has given the insurer a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent).

Safeco and Main Street America said the transition will begin in the second quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

Main Street America became a part of American Family Insurance in 2018 and rebranded to Main Street America Insurance from Main Street America Group in 2020. The company said it writes more than $1.1 billion in annual premium—all via independent agents.

Richard Vaughn, head of sales at Main Street, said the agreement with Boston-based Safeco “offers another option for our agents to continue to provide high quality service and protection for their personal lines clients.”

The insurer said many of its 4,000 independent agents are appointed with Safeco, and those who are not will be able to apply.