MAPFRE ASSISTANCE - Your life. Our world

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history

MAPFRE ASISTENCIA was inaugurated in October 1989 in Spain. We are the youngest company within the MAPFRE GROUP and we have evolved from being a single-product firm (Travel Assistance) to a multi-service, multi-product company (Assistance and Claims Management, Specialty Risks, Travel Insurance and Travel Assistance Programmes), with a presence in five continents: Europe, America, Africa, Australia and Asia.

Following, in chronological order, a list of the most noteworthy events that have marked our international development

1986

  • In order to offer Road Assistance to its insured, MAPFRE MUTUALIDAD creates the Assistance Department; MAPFRE ASISTENCIA is born.

1987

1989

  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA is set up as an international Insurance and Reinsurance Company.
  • Implementation of SISTEMA INTERNACIONAL DE ASISTENCIA MAPFRE (SIAM), an entity that comprises of all MAPFRE ASISTENCIA companies.
  • Creation of VENEASISTENCIA (Venezuela).

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

  • Creation of: ALLMAP-ASSIST GMBH (Germany), QUETZAL ASISTENCIA (Guatemala) and the General Agency of MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in Ireland.

1998

  • Creation of: ASISTENCIA BOLIVIANA, COSTA RICA ASISTENCIA, IBEROASISTENCIA (Philippines), MAPFRE ASISTENCIA (Russia), PANAMÁ ASISTENCIA, and the general agencies of MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in France and Greece.
  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA receives the Seguros e Riscos "Melhores de 1997 - Assistência 24h" Award by the Academia Nacional de Seguros e Previdência to the best Assistance company.

1999

  • MAPRE ASISTENCIA becomes the Operative Unit of the GRUPO MAPFRE.
  • The rating agency A.M. Best awards the company its rating A (Excellent) in recognition of its international presence, strong capitalisation and financial strength.
  • Acquisition of 10 per cent of Quavitae, a Spanish company specialising in services to the Elderly. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA offers specific products to this demographic group since 1995.
  • Acquisition of Club Vida, a travel company of MAPFRE VIDA, changing its corporate name to VIAJES MAPFRE.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA is awarded the Club Senior Prize in recognition of its dedication to the Elderly sector.
  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA receives the Seguros e Riscos Award for the second time, as well as the Jornal Cobertura Performance "Melhor Empresa em Quantidade de Clientes no Setor de Seguros" Award.
  • Incorporation of: MAPFRE ASISTENCIA (United Kingdom), BENELUX ASSIST (Belgium), EL SALVADOR ASISTENCIA, NICASSIST (Nicaragua), IBEROASISTENCIA (Honduras) and IBEROASISTENCIA (Paraguay). MAPFRE ASISTENCIA completes its presence in Latin America, with the exception of Cuba.

2000

  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA receives, for the third year running, the Seguros e Riscos and the Mercado de Seguros Awards given by Seguro Total magazine as the best 24-hour Assistance company in Brazil.
  • The rating agency AM Best confirms MAPFRE ASISTENCIA's A (Excellent) rating in recognition of the company's international presence, strong capitalisation and financial strength.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA makes a 1 billion peseta capital increase.

2001

  • The financial rating company A.M. Best reviews the rating assigned to the company in 1999, awarding it an A+ rating (Superior) in recognition of its financial strength.
  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA obtains the NBR ISO 9001 quality certificate.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA again receives the Club Senior Award in recognition of its dedication to the Elderly sector.
  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA receives the following awards: Seguros e Riscos, by the Academia Nacional de Seguros e Previdência; Mercado de Seguros, by Seguro Total magazine; and Jornal Cobertura Performance 2001, by Cobertura magazine.
  • Creation of: IBEROASISTENCIA (Hungary) and NOR ASSIST (Canadá). With the latter, MAPFRE ASISTENCIA completes its presence in North America..

2002

  • The financial rating agency Moody's awards MAPFRE ASISTENCIA the A1 rating for financial strength.
  • VIAJES MAPFRE acquires the retail business of Viajes Tívoli, the largest agency in the region of Aragon, mostly owned by the Sehrs tourism group.
  • Mediphone 24 is recognised as one of the "Best 100 Ideas of the Year" by the Spanish magazine Actualidad Económica.
  • Creation of: SIAM CONSULTING

2003

  • Acquisition of ROAD AMERICA MOTOR CLUB, a U.S. automobile club, and the Italian company NUOVI SERVIZI AUTO; the latter marks the entry of MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in the warranty extension business.
  • Acquisition of 50 per cent of the tour operator Meliatour.
  • Creation of MAPFRE ASISTENCIA ORO, a services company specialising in resource management and social and health services to the Elderly.
  • Opening of CARIBE BÁVARO Playa Bávaro, Dominican Republic), the first centre of the international medical network of MAPFRE ASISTENCIA.
  • VIAJES MAPFRE obtains the "Q" for Tourism Quality, certified by the Spanish Institute for Tourism Quality (Instituto para la Calidad Turística Española, ICTE), and the Expert Travel Agency certification in the Czech Republic awarded by the Tourism Office of the Czech Republic in Spain.
  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA receives, for the third time, the Excellence in 24-hour Assistance Service Award by Seguro Total magazine.

2004

  • With the creation of ROAD CHINA ASSISTANCE, GRUPO MAPFRE initiates its activities in China. Creation of MAPFRE QUAVITAE, the first Spanish company dedicated to comprehensive social and health assistance for the Elderly.
  • VIAJES MAPFRE begins its international expansion by opening an office in Chile. In Spain, the company acquires Viajes Norda, in Barcelona, and its travel agency network reaches more than 60 sales points.
  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA receives the Seguros e Riscos "Melhores de 2003 - Assistência 24h" Award.

2005

  • Acquisition of the British company Abraxas, which operates in the Pecuniary Losses branch, with GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance programmes and Mechanical Breakdown Guarantee among other products.
  • Incorporation of Viajesmapfre.com, the new GRUPO MAPFRE travel web site.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA obtains the ISO 9001:2000 quality certification.
  • VIAJES MAPFRE creates Viajesmapfre.com, the travel web site of GRUPO MAPFRE, and continues its international expansion by opening offices in Argentina, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Brazil.
  • Opening of CARIBE CANCÚN, the new centre in the international network of medical clinics of MAPFRE ASISTENCIA.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA receives the ITIJ 2005 Award, the most prestigious in its sector recognising the entity as the best assistance company in the world in 2005.
  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA obtains the Segurador Brasil "Mérito na Prestação de Serviços de Assistência 24h" and Clube Vida em Grupo/RJ "Destaque em Assistência 24h 2004/2005" Awards.

2006

  • Acquisition of Canadian Roadside & Recovery INC., a Canadian automobile club providing road assistance services.
  • BRASIL ASSISTÊNCIA renews the ABS ISO 9001 quality certification.
  • Constitution of the MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Representative Office in Jordan.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA is present with its own offices in 39 countries.
  • AFRIQUE ASSISTANCE and ANDI ASISTENCIA awarded ISO 9001 quality certificate.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA begins operating in Poland.
  • ROAD CHINA ASSISTANCE starts providing travel assistance services.
  • URUGUAY ASISTENCIA receives the Har de Oro award, in the Assistance category.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA inaugurates in Columbus (Georgia) its second call center in the United States, managed by its company ROAD AMERICA.
  • ROAD AMERICA joins the US Connected Vehicle Trade Association (CVTA).

2007

  • Creation of INDIA ASSISTANCE.
  • Constitution of the MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Representative Office in Egypt.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA extends its insurance classes in Europe with Civil Liability and Accidents.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA commences Pecuniary Loss operations in Germany.
  • ROAD CHINA ASSISTANCE, GULF ASSIST, AFRIQUE ASSISTANCE and VIAJES MAPFRE obtain the ISO 9001:2000 standard certification.
  • SABIA Bioingeniería Aragonesa has been selected as a finalist in the Príncipe Felipe Awards for Business Excellence in the Information Society and Information and Communications Technologies category, bestowed by the Spanish Ministry for Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
  • MAPFRE QUAVITAE has received the Award for Excellence in Residential Management 2007, bestowed by the Spanish publishing group Júbilo.
  • VIAJES MAPFRE has obtained the following certifications: Classifications L 05 and U 04, superior -D- category, from the Spanish Ministry for Economy and Finance; Q for Quality in Tourism in Castilla La Mancha, awarded by the Regional Council of Castilla La Mancha; Qualitur, awarded by the department of Quality and the Environment of the Valencian Tourism Agency, Consellera de Turisme de la Generalitat Valenciana; and the Spanish Tourism Quality System Certificate (SCTE), awarded by the Chamber of Commerce of Zaragoza.
  • The Chartered Insurance Institute, CII, of the United Kingdom has recognised the e-learning programme of MAPFRE ABRAXAS aimed at its vehicle dealer network.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Germany has become a member of ARGE Latin America, an association formed by over 60 companies in the tourist sector aimed at promoting Latin American tourism among German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland).

2008

  • SPA. ROADSIDE ASSIST. ALGERIE, MAPFRE ASISTENCIA's subsidiary in Algeria, is set up.
  • This MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Representation office has been set up in Dubai. It coordinates business throughout the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
  • IBERO ASISTENCIA Philippines is certified as conforming to the ISO 9001:2000 Standard.
  • MAPFRE ABRAXAS has received the Automotive Insurance Solutions Provider award from the Institute of Transport Management.
  • Three new medical centres are opened in Latin America: CENTRO MÉDICO CARIBE SAMANÁ (located in this coastal area in the north of the Dominican Republic), CENTRO MÉDICO CARIBE HONDURAS (in Tegucigalpa) and CENTRO MÉDICO PLAYA DEL CARMEN (in Quintana Roo, Cancun). In addition to these centres, MAPFRE ASISTENCIA also owns the CENTRO MÉDICO CARIBE BÁVARO (Dominican Republic) and four primary care surgeries in El Salvador.
  • MAPFRE reaches an agreement to transfer VIAJES MAPFRE to Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), the leading travel management company.
  • Launch of European Motor Pack, the most comprehensive range of motor products in Europe: Warranty Extension for new vehicles, Warranty Extension for used vehicles (previously Mechanical Breakdown Warranty), GAP Insurance -Full Finance Protection product-, Tyre Insurance and Roadside Assistance. European Motor Pack is marketed under the brand name MAPFRE WARRANTY, MAPFRE ASISTENCIA’s European brand specialising in the motor sector.
  • Participation in the World Youth Student and Educational Travel Confederation (WYSET) fair, held in New York (USA) from 13 to 19 September.
  • Inauguration of a new commercial office in Ecuador for the sale of Segurviaje (travel insurance) in Latin America. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA also has another travel insurance retail sales office in Peru
  • IBERO ASISTENCIA Philippines launches its auto club’s website: www.iberoautoclub.ph

2009

  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA’s company in Libya, LIB ASSIST, is inaugurated.
  • International alliance with the US insurance group Protective Insurance Co. for joint development of the vehicle warranty extension business.
  • Home 3 is set up, a British company specialising in integral management of 24-hour home assistance and repairs. Launch of iWARRANTY, the first Mechanical Breakdown Warranty product designed exclusively for insurance companies on the international market.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA participates in the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC), held from 22 to 25 September in the British city of Manchester.
  • MAPRE ASISTENCIA’s business unit in Mexico obtains the UNE-EN ISO 9001:2000 certification.

2010

  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in Brazil received the Best Company 2009 award.
  • Inauguration of the new MAPFRE ASISTENCIA offices in London by the Spanish Ambassador in the United Kingdom.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA acquired the company INSUREANDGO in the United Kingdom.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA sponsored Mega Event 2010, one of the most important commercial aviation conferences in the whole world, held in Canada on 12–14 October.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in the Philippines participated in the East Asian Insurance Congress (EAIC).
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in Turkey achieved the ISO 9001:2008 quality certification. Awarded by Bureau Veritas Certification, this certificate confirms the maturity and effectiveness of the management and operation of the 24-hour call center service provided by MAPFRE ASISTENCIA, a company dedicated to the provision of roadside, home and travel assistance services, claims management, the Warranty and Specialty Risks systems, as well as the design of products for similar services.
  • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in Turkey participated at the Travel Turkey 2010 tourism fair, held in Izmir on 9–12 December.

2011

  • New introductions
    • In Hong Kong, with the vehicle Extended Warranty product.
  • Participation in trade fairs
    • FANAF (Fédération des Sociétés d'Assurances de Droit National Africain), held 20–23 February in Dakar (Senegal). MAPFRE ASISTENCIA promoted its travel insurance policies.
    • Thirtieth edition of ANATO, the most important tourism industry trade fair in Colombia, held in the country's capital 23–25 February. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA promoted Segurviaje, with its stand proving to be one of the most widely visited at the fair.
    • BTL International Tourism Fair of Lisbon (23–27 February, Lisbon). Our company promoted its travel insurance policies, a product for which ten modalities are on offer under the brand name TravelProtect, and relaunched the image of the same (link to new image – facilitated in the aaff Siam News 34 page 72)
    • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA participated in the four editions of the ITIC (International Travel Insurance Conference) and acted as the official provider of travel assistance for the delegates.
    • 31 March–1 April 2011. For the third time, MAPFRE ASISTENCIA took part in the International Airlines Congress (CILA), which was held in Buenos Aires (Argentina). It also sponsored the biennial event and was the official travel assistance provider for 150 professionals from around one hundred companies attending.
    • On 9–10 April, MAPFRE ASISTENCIA participated in the German automotive show TROST 2011.
    • 20 April. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA participated in the Automotive News Conference congress, a noteworthy international event for the motoring world, which is organised each year and consists of conferences held in three cities in Europe, Asia and USA.
    • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA sponsored a conference in Turkey titled The future of the automotive sector III", organised by the Association of Authorised Automobile Dealers which is the largest and most important event within the automotive sector in Turkey.
    • 10-12 May. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in Italy participated in the Automotive Dealer Day, the only European event devoted to car dealers, held this year in Verona.
    • 11-12 May. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in the UK was present for the first time at BIBA (British Insurance Brokers' Association) trade fair in Manchester, which brings together brokers and companies from the British insurance sector. The MAPFRE ASISTENCIA stand was awarded best small stand from those participating at the event.
    • 23-25 May. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA was present at the AIO African conference (Zimbabwe). This event, now in its 38th year, serves as one of the principal annual meeting places for African insurance and reinsurance companies.
    • 29-30 June. MAPFRE ASISTENCIA sponsored the Automotive News Europe congress, one of the most important automotive industry events in Europe.
  • Innovation
    • ROAD AMERICA launched its LocateMe Service, a solution using GPS technology for locating with precision and in a matter of seconds the site of the breakdown of a vehicle belonging to clients who call from any landline phone, mobile or smartphone.
    • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA launched MAiassist, an application for Blackberry, iPhone and Android smartphones which enables our partners in the insurance sector to offer an automatic roadside assistance service to their clients.
    • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in Ireland starte the first Extended Warranty programme for car manufacturers in Europe.
  • Other Milestones
    • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA started operating in South Africa.
    • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA inaugurated its second call center in China. It is located in the city of Shanghai.
    • MAPFRE ASISTENCIA in the UK moved into the warranty business under the MAPFRE WARRANTY brand.
    • MAPFRE WARRANTY Portugal is sponsoring the vehicle driven by Durval Costa in the FIA Cup for Cross-Country Bajas in Portugal.

Your life. Our world