Kemper vs MAPFRE: which is better for car insurance in 2026?
Across our six scoring categories, Kemper comes out ahead in 0, MAPFRE in 5, with 1 too close to call. MAPFRE edges the weighted overall score by 1.6 of a point, on the strength of price, complaint record, financial strength, discounts, digital experience. That is not a reason to skip Kemper: it scores higher on none of our categories, though it may still quote you less, and a quote that comes in lower beats a review that scores higher. MAPFRE is the safer default; Kemper is worth a quote if you are among drivers turned down elsewhere because of their record or credit.
Kemper vs MAPFRE, side by side
Sources: average premiums from NerdWallet's August 2026 rate analysis (Quadrant Information Services), for a 35-year-old driver with a clean record and good credit in a 2023 Toyota Camry LE at 12,000 miles a year, 100/300/50 limits with $1,000 deductibles — national average $2,356. Claims satisfaction from the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study (segment average 700). Complaint record from NerdWallet's analysis of NAIC complaint data, 2022–2024. Financial strength from AM Best. Discounts and app data from each carrier's published pages and the Apple App Store / Google Play, retrieved August 2026. Updated August 2026.
Category by category
Price
MAPFRE aheadMAPFRE averages $1,474/yr for full coverage against Kemper's $2,422/yr — about $948 a year, or 79 dollars a month, in MAPFRE's favor for this profile.
$2,422 a year for full coverage on our standard benchmark, 3% above the national average — but Kemper's actual customers are drivers who would pay far more, or be refused outright, almost anywhere else.
$1,474 a year for full coverage — 37% below the national average and the lowest figure of any carrier we review, USAA included.
Claims satisfaction
Too close to callNeither pulls ahead on claims satisfaction: Kemper posts Not rated and MAPFRE Not rated, a difference too small to choose on.
Not in the J.D. Power claims study, which samples only the largest insurers.
MAPFRE is not in the J.D. Power claims study, which samples only the largest insurers. That is a permanent absence, not a pending one.
Complaint record
MAPFRE aheadMAPFRE takes complaint record on Fewer than expected against Kemper's Far more than expected.
Far more complaints than expected for its size. Non-standard carriers tend to run high on this measure, which is context rather than an excuse.
Fewer complaints than its size predicts.
Financial strength
MAPFRE aheadMAPFRE takes financial strength on A against Kemper's A-.
AM Best A- (Excellent). Parent Kemper Corporation is publicly traded.
AM Best A (Excellent). The US arm is owned by MAPFRE S.A. of Spain.
Discounts
MAPFRE aheadMAPFRE takes discounts on 9 published against Kemper's 6 published.
A shorter list than standard-market carriers, plus Kemper Co-Pilot telematics with a 10% signup discount.
Nine published discounts, though MotionSmart — the telematics program — is offered in Massachusetts only.
Digital experience
MAPFRE aheadMAPFRE takes digital experience on 4.40 iOS / 4.1 Android against Kemper's 2.44 iOS / 3.6 Android.
2.44 on the App Store and 3.6 on Google Play. The current app relaunched in mid-2026, so those scores reflect a new listing rather than a settled one.
4.40 on the App Store across 13,400 ratings and 4.1 on Google Play. Solid, and a far larger rating base than most carriers this size.
So which one?
Pick Kemper if…
- You are among drivers turned down elsewhere because of their record or credit.
- Availability fits: 38 states, specialising in non-standard auto.
Pick MAPFRE if…
- You are among new england drivers who want the lowest average premium here.
- Price is your first filter — MAPFRE averages $1,474/yr for full coverage on our benchmark profile.
- You want the lower complaint record — MAPFRE sits at Fewer than expected.
- Financial strength is a priority; MAPFRE holds A from AM Best.
Kemper vs MAPFRE, answered
The questions people ask before switching between these two.
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