Mercury Insurance Aids Southern California Storm Victims

Mercury's Claims Hotline offers assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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Jan 22, 2010, 11:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mercury Insurance is assisting policyholders whose homes suffered damage caused by the recent series of winter rain storms and destructive winds. The company's mobile response units are already in the field working with impacted customers, processing claims and providing assistance arranging for temporary housing and living expenses.

Customers can report losses through Mercury's Claims Hotline. Claims adjusters are standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (800) 503-3724.

"Rain damage—like flood damage—can be very complex to evaluate, but our claims adjusters are working with policyholders to resolve property coverage claims related to leaking roofs, broken windows and damaged roofs from felled trees or flying debris," said Joanna Moore, chief claims officer for Mercury.

Mercury's claims adjusters are assessing rain damage claims that may be covered under a policyholders' standard homeowners' insurance policy. More significant damage caused by flooding, debris flows and slope failure or mudslides is typically covered by a separate flood insurance policy provided through the National Flood Insurance Program.

"Unless someone lives in a flood zone or is required by their lender to have flood insurance, it's unlikely that they would have that kind of coverage," said Moore. "There are many circumstances, however, that would be covered by a homeowners policy, so it's important to report these claims as quickly as possible so we can get the claims process started and provide assistance."

Mercury recommends that policyholders review their policies annually with their agents, who may recommend purchasing a flood policy if their homes are adjacent to a flood-risk zone or an area where heavy rains could produce a hazardous affect.

To accelerate the claims process, Mercury suggests claimants consider the following tips when filing a claim:

When filing a claim

Contact Mercury immediately to report your loss.
Do not remove debris or damaged property that may be related to your claim.

Steps after filing a claim

Prepare a detailed inventory of destroyed or damaged property.
Offers photos or video tapes of your home and possessions to your claims adjuster, if these are available.
Keep copies of communications between you and your claims adjuster.
Keep records and receipts for additional living expenses, and provide your claims adjuster with copies, if you were forced to evacuate your home.

About Mercury Insurance

Founded in 1962, Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization offering predominantly personal automobile and homeowners insurance through a network of independent agents and brokers in California, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona, New York, Georgia, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia and Pennsylvania.