Consumers will be able to visit an Allstate agent in the Bostonarea for the first time in a generation.

The insurer left the Massachusetts auto insurance marketplace in1987—fed up with the state's government-mandated ratemakingsystem.

Allstate wasn't the only insurer to leave. Less than 20companies wrote auto insurance in Massachusetts before it switchedto a "managedcompetition" system to allow companies to set their ownrates.

After years of "evaluating the atmosphere" of the new ratemakingscheme, Allstate has allowed a new agency in the Boston suburb ofNorth Andover to open—and a handful of others are planned in thenear future, says Allstate spokesman Chris Conner.

"Allstate monitored the progress in the market and kept a closeeye on regulation," he says. "We feel it's the right time for abrick-and-mortar presence in Massachusetts."

Conner says Allstate will look to recruit agency owners in thestate, and says the company is willing to consider candidates fromoutside the insurance world. The insurer will seek entrepreneurswith management experience from various branches of the businessworld, Conner explains. 

The insurer actually reentered the market in 2009, using agentsin the neighboring states of Connecticut, Rhode Island and NewHampshire as well as direct sales.

Since then, Allstate has accumulated about 1.4 percent of themarket. The Mapfre North America Group led all private passengerauto insurers with a 28.4 percent market share in 2011, accordingto A.M. Best Co.

There is no exact goal for increasing market share in the state,Conner says, but an "aggressive ramp-up" in the state is plannedfor 2013, he adds.

"It takes a while to get the brand reintroduced," says Conner."Our initial efforts have been well-received. We think we can growsignificantly."

Allstate joins a number of insurers who have found theMassachusetts auto-insurance market much more appealing withmanaged competition. Geico and Progressive have rejoined the frayas well.