The acquisition of Commerce was accomplished through the merger of a subsidiary of MAPFRE, Magellan Acquisition Corp., with and into Commerce, with Commerce as the surviving corporation. The business will continue to be known as The Commerce Group, Inc.

About MAPFRE S.A.

MAPFRE is the largest Spanish insurance group and has a presence in 43 countries, especially in direct insurance, reinsurance and assistance markets in Latin America, where it is the largest in Non-life insurer. The MAPFRE Group, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2008, has more than 31,000 employees and over 13 million clients around the world. In 2007, MAPFRE achieved a net result of over €730 million, with revenues above €15,200 million.

About The Commerce Group, Inc.

The Commerce Group, Inc. is headquartered in Webster, Massachusetts. Property and casualty insurance subsidiaries include The Commerce Insurance Company and Citation Insurance Company in Massachusetts, Commerce West Insurance Company in California, American Commerce Insurance Company in Ohio, and State-Wide Insurance Company in New York. Through its subsidiaries’ combined insurance activities, the Company is ranked as the 20th largest personal automobile insurance group in the country by A.M. Best Company, based on 2006 direct written premium information. The Company and its insurance subsidiaries are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.

Forward-Looking Statements

It should be noted that this release might contain certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements. The Commerce Group refers you to its 2007 Form 10-K for a description of the Company’s business environment and important other factors that may affect its business, including its language regarding forward-looking statements.

The Commerce Group, Inc.
Randy Becker, 508-949-4129
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer