Mercury Insurance To Pay $250,000 in California Claims Handling Settlement

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced that Mercury Insurance Group will pay a $250,000 settlement for alleged claims handling violations.

“I’m pleased that Mercury has agreed to this settlement, which demonstrates that claims handling violations will not be tolerated in California,” Poizner said. Mercury recently announced that it is reducing rates for policyholders, and I am hopeful that the company will continue to put its customers first. The Department of Insurance continues to make sure that all insurance companies are obeying the laws in place to protect consumers. “

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) conducted a review of consumer complaints filed with the Department against Mercury Insurance, Mercury Casualty and California Automobile Insurance Companies, collectively known as Mercury Insurance Group. Of the 121 files reviewed, a total of 258 violations were discovered to have occurred from January 2004 through December 2005. The violations involved several of the company’s claims-handling practices, including unreasonable delays in affirming or denying coverage and issuing claim payments.

Mercury Insurance Group will pay the DOI $250,000 in monetary penalties, as well as $50,000 for CDI’s legal fees and enforcement costs associated with the case. Additionally, if Mercury Insurance does not improve its performance standards — as evidenced by a 15 percent reduction in justified complaints — by Dec. 31, 2008, it may be ordered to pay an additional $200,000, the DOI said.

For more information, visit http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/0070-2008/upload/MercurycasesStipWaiver.pdf and http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0400-news/0100-press-releases/0070-2008/upload/MercurycasesStipWaiver.pdf.

Source: DOI

Latest Comments

• August 1, 2008 at 5:48 am

  Janice says:

  Karma will get you! You could be the agent let go due to the $250.000. Stick to the facts not your opinions. The company lost and is paying monies due to hard working people ... read more
• August 1, 2008 at 7:08 am

  Made in the shade says:

  Posted by Just the facts: read it moron. Facts state Farmers & others have same complaints.......they are picking on them. Get a clue...before you speak. Retard!
• July 2, 2008 at 12:03 pm

  The customer says:

  The DOI audits all carriers, but the big boys make the news. This is a price for being a large company. Not my problem. This is no excuse to be exempt from being found respons... read more