Whatever Reality check, a customer can cancel their insurance with you and choose whatever replacement policy they want. They see the application they sign, so it\’s their own fault.
Mercury is a terrible company anyway, poor claims service, an outdated endorsement process, rude customer service reps, pain in the butt underwriters, etc. Maybe you should requote your accounts with another good company.
As far as the customer signing the application, I agree it\’s their fault. However, the agent should be an agent and not misinform or fail to inform them of the coverage gaps from the prior policy. And with the Department of Ignorance in Sacramento, an agent should offer all of the rates to his/her client and let them choose the company. But at the same time, the client usually wants price. If the playing field is level, Mercury wins the majority of the time.
Actually, we represent many good companies and Mercury\’s underwriting has proven time and time again to be sound. I don\’t always agree with it, but underwriting based on lifestyle is accurate better than 80% of the time. We apply the Mercury methods to all of our carriers and the client wins with better rates and policies that are valid(what a concept)! What\’s funny is that our other carriers are benefiting from this practice by our book being more profitable.
Most agents don\’t like the work Mercury has them do. They just want to help(actually hurt) the next customer that walks through or calls. They just like the money and most mills(Geico, 21st Century, AAA, Farmers, Etc.) don\’t care about the client, they only care about the new customer and policy count. Most brokers could care less how long a policy stays on the books since the Fee is fully earned and they\’ll get another one when they rewrite them.
I see that \”competitive pricing\” has FINALLY caught up with this carrier. Perhaps this will \”level the playing field\” a bit for ALL of us NON-Appointed brokers.
Unfortunately, it hasn\’t been \”competitive pricing\” at all. It has been more of the carrier or their employees(non licensed)telling the consumer that they are saving them money without explaining the reductions in coverage. Geico, 21st Century, AAA, Farmers have all taken policyholders from our agency by writing lower limits, policies without med or UM, higher deductibles, and often lying about annual mileage and usage to \”level the playing field\” for themselves. Without proper underwriting and actuarial facts, no company can properly set rates. And, unfortunately, the consumer is left exposed and the carrier could care less. They just like to say they saved the average customer $xxx.00. They don\’t like to say, they\’ve exposed their customer to $xxx,xxx.00 in losses.
We are now requiring replacement decs which will be mailed to the DOI along with the original decs as complaints againt these fraud artists. That way we will all be on a \”level playing field\”!
No, I\’m all for helping the customer, which is why I won\’t use Mercury. Tell me, are you able to run an MVR through Mercury prior to writing the policy? Not here in Texas. How about Mercury calling the customer after you write the policy to check up on an agent\’s work? Insulting. And the customer is inconvenienced. How about Mercury\’s claim department? everything is denied, then they lose in court or arbitration. What about a customer asking how much the price will change for a particular policy change? Can\’t do that with Mercury, you have to call or just submit it and see, after they take a month to process it.
They might be ok rate wise in California, but they sure have turned into the insurer of last resort for Texas independent agents.
And don\’t get me started on billing help. They\’re unhappy and make the customer feel like they\’re going out of their way to help with a billing issue.
As an agent in FL for one of those so called insurance mills I can assure you I do not write policies with lower limits or lacking coverage to beat a price from another carrier. I always explain how lowering coverage is not beneficial. The same goes for the other agents I work with. When a customer informs me that they have found something cheaper (especially if they have done the quote by themselves on line) I ask them to bring it in so we can make sure they are being quoted the same coverage. If a competitor’s quote is better so be it. I will not compromise my name to make a sell or keep a policy. I had Mercury before I became an agent. My broker stopped writing for them becuase of claim denials.
All of your comments have been very enlightening and from Fla. to Texas to my office here in Ca. I find the end results the same: Mercury deserves what they are getting.
It is refreshing to know there are \”other\” brokers across this nation who write policies the way we do in MY brokerage: using accurate information, providing all coverages (which have been fully explained to the applicant) requested and/or needed by the applicant AND offering insurance that will pass the \”test of time\” should the applicant need to reLY on it (if and when the time comes).
And, you have (both) affirmed what we have HEARD so often here in my state: Mercury Insurance\’s (so-called) \”Claims Department\” is a farce: unreliable, undependable and difficult to deal with if called upon for \”coverages\” purchased by the applicant/insured/buyer.
We offer our \”clients/insureds\” accurately quoted, dependable INSURANCE that will NOT \”blow up\” in the face of the insured and/or cause THIS brokerage either embarrassment and/or an E&O claim. WOW….now isn\’t THAT a novel idea that many of our \”competitors\” could learn from if they\’d live up to their licenses.
Enough said…and thanks for your honesty. Believe it or not, our clients DO appreciate it.
Unfortunately in CA, the claims com-plaints against Mercury have been unfounded for the 20+ years we\’ve been writing for them. I guess that\’s because we explain the process and the morally correct way of obtaining insurance to our clients. Of course we\’re in the central valley where morals still exist! Northern and Southern CA lost that long ago. That\’s one of the many reasons we are three states in one.
And if all brokers in CA would follow the \”Golden Rule\”, and consumers were truly informed in CA, maybe this wouldn\’t be an issue. Also, 15/30/5 would have been sufficient in 1967 when the FR section was added to the DMV code. However, I don\’t know too many insured\’s who could afford having 33% of their wage taken away due to a judgement in 2006.
Mercury really came into existence at the same time(1963) schools in the US denied theirs!
Enough said!
Sad But true…..Your Just Jealous. I\’m a Mercury Agent. I am swamped. The phone is ringing off the hook. Those that cant wait to go to the annual luncheon and get paid. Got to go sell more policies. I think I sold 150 polcies last month. If you can\’t compete you must talk bad about the competition. Who\’s Sorry now my Ha Ha. Keep sending your birthday cards to try to retain and I will continue to crush you.
Sorry all you State Farm, Farmers & All State Agents. All My Clients say I love Mercury. S & P??? Who\’s stuffing your pocket.
If Gecko rep lies and says split limits are the same as combined, or says you are getting the same coverage when you are not, then it is not the fault of the insured. The insured is stupid, but thats just his nature so its not his fault.
The lies are mostly done verbally so they wont get caught.
Wow, I have to say reading this made me start to laugh out loud at the jealousy from unappointed agents, or just pure ignorance from \”preferred\” agents. Agencies in California have it made once they get the Mercury appointment. They have is so made that when reps from other carriers come in to visit and find out Mercury has recently appointed that agency, they actually congratulate them sincerely!
I have a five year back ground with Allstate, great company, BUT I heard just as many complaints about their claims service as I do Mercury. Most of the complaints we hear about Mercury claims are from the other party who wanted more payout then was given/deserved. But Mercury has been very honest, complete and decently quick in most cases. Remember, Mercury has grown so much in the last few years that they were having growth issues. It’s hard to hire enough underwriters, claims adjusters, and other inner office staff for a company that is growing so fast. Once you get a few hundred ready to be thrown in the fire, you find out you are already 100 short.
The Texas MVR issue is Texas, not Mercury.
Trust me; those of you who aren’t mercury appointed would be right here with the rest of us if you could sell them. Why wouldn\’t you sell a carrier who pays you 20% commission, and is usually 10-30% less expensive then the competition? Then you get their home, umbrella and landlord policies too!! That equates to more policies, more business, and more commission……NO BRAINER! PLUS, you get a contingency bonus option at the end of the year…..I see why you\’re all jealous!!!
From the relationships I built with Allstate, I do business with many preferred agents, (Allstate, State Farm, Farmers, AAA); many of these agents will refer their customers to me once they get non-renewed due to a DUI or accident. (They do this hoping the customer doesn’t find a random agent who will take all their lines of business.) Then I hear the same question over and over again….”Why would a huge carrier like State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, and AAA cancel me after 30+ years of collecting my money, and me having one bad year behind the wheel?” They feel so upset and betrayed that once the DUI or accident has cleared up and they are eligible for the preferred carrier again, they refuse to go back, and then try to get me to write all their lines of business. (Which I don’t, that’s the agreement I have with the agent who referred it)
Don’t bad mouth Mercury because your carrier can’t compete, just enjoy the market when it sways your way.
That\’s why I won\’t bad mouth the competition. I just don\’t like unlevel playing fields caused by lies in risk or coverage. Mercury is the best carrier when it comes to consistently firing liars and and cheats. They won\’t write bad business and they won\’t break the rules for anybody.
Commissioner Quackenbush called it several years ago when he said \”…there need to be more George Josephs in this business.\”
You can\’t substitute rate or coverage for integrity.
The facts speak for themselves. Competition is good and lying, misinforming or not informing the consumer, to compete is not. Unfortunately, the rule of incompetence applies in the business we\’ve seen go to other carriers previously mentioned. That\’s not bad mouthing. That\’s stating the facts.
As a prior client of Mercury, I am thrilled to see them called on the carpet. Trying to get a fair claims settlement on our homeowners\’s insurance, felt like trying to win a shell game against a sly ole carnie… He\’s an independent broker. No, he\’s a Mercury agent. No, today he is an independent broker, again. Whenever it came to controlling the guy, he was their agent. Whenever it came to responsibility, he was an independent.
If this was posted 6/1 and it takes you a month to respond negativly. No wonder you had problems. Slow people like you should live in the mid west to watch the cow\’s mate & weather change. That\’s about your speed. Mercury will crush and continue to……….. sorry charlie.
You wrote:
\”If this was posted 6/1 and it takes you a month to respond negativly. No wonder you had problems.\”
No it actually took me a year to respond negatively. I foolishly thought they really trying to help. What was the old motto? \”Trust Mercury\”?
\”Slow people like you should live in the mid west to watch the cow\’s mate & weather change. That\’s about your speed.\”
So are you saying you are cool, and fast because you live on the west coast and everyone else in the country is beneath you? Tell me again, what does the \”A\” stand for?
\”Mercury will crush and continue to……….. sorry charlie.\”
Yes. That was my point exactly. Mercury tends to want to crush and to everyone else, including their insured..\’sorry charile\’.
We know why they were downgraded. Its because the courts caught them trying to have their cake and eat it, too. See Krumme vs. Mercury. Mercury can no longer have the freedom to claim their agents are independent brokers. This has caused a major restructering within the organization. Sounds like it maybe it ripped a new hole in your business, too. Huh \”A\”?
Since you want to argue, I Mr \”A\”…. our agency just ended the month selling 120 polcies. Mostly Mercury polcies. Krummy realy hasn\’t affected our preformance. Those who \”think fast\” adjust to change in the market place and don\’t sit and watch the grass grow. Insurance isn\’t a pay and move on. Companies that have that thought process will lose and the \”slow thinkers will profit. As for midwest: No, I just think they are interested in the weather and not always concerned with other things. Ask any midwesterner. They will say \”if you don\’t like the weather….wait a minute. That brings up a valid point. How State Farm doing with the denying of Katrina claim\’s. Wonder how those people feel. I think you know but for some of you skill level let me explain: 1+1=2 article posted 6/1 respond 7/1. a little late??? Why bother. Nobody cares safter a couple days. Your falling on deaf ears.
BYE forever. and try to get a Mercury appointment…………enjoy the ride.
Whatever Reality check, a customer can cancel their insurance with you and choose whatever replacement policy they want. They see the application they sign, so it\’s their own fault.
Mercury is a terrible company anyway, poor claims service, an outdated endorsement process, rude customer service reps, pain in the butt underwriters, etc. Maybe you should requote your accounts with another good company.
As far as the customer signing the application, I agree it\’s their fault. However, the agent should be an agent and not misinform or fail to inform them of the coverage gaps from the prior policy. And with the Department of Ignorance in Sacramento, an agent should offer all of the rates to his/her client and let them choose the company. But at the same time, the client usually wants price. If the playing field is level, Mercury wins the majority of the time.
Actually, we represent many good companies and Mercury\’s underwriting has proven time and time again to be sound. I don\’t always agree with it, but underwriting based on lifestyle is accurate better than 80% of the time. We apply the Mercury methods to all of our carriers and the client wins with better rates and policies that are valid(what a concept)! What\’s funny is that our other carriers are benefiting from this practice by our book being more profitable.
Most agents don\’t like the work Mercury has them do. They just want to help(actually hurt) the next customer that walks through or calls. They just like the money and most mills(Geico, 21st Century, AAA, Farmers, Etc.) don\’t care about the client, they only care about the new customer and policy count. Most brokers could care less how long a policy stays on the books since the Fee is fully earned and they\’ll get another one when they rewrite them.
I see that \”competitive pricing\” has FINALLY caught up with this carrier. Perhaps this will \”level the playing field\” a bit for ALL of us NON-Appointed brokers.
Unfortunately, it hasn\’t been \”competitive pricing\” at all. It has been more of the carrier or their employees(non licensed)telling the consumer that they are saving them money without explaining the reductions in coverage. Geico, 21st Century, AAA, Farmers have all taken policyholders from our agency by writing lower limits, policies without med or UM, higher deductibles, and often lying about annual mileage and usage to \”level the playing field\” for themselves. Without proper underwriting and actuarial facts, no company can properly set rates. And, unfortunately, the consumer is left exposed and the carrier could care less. They just like to say they saved the average customer $xxx.00. They don\’t like to say, they\’ve exposed their customer to $xxx,xxx.00 in losses.
We are now requiring replacement decs which will be mailed to the DOI along with the original decs as complaints againt these fraud artists. That way we will all be on a \”level playing field\”!
No, I\’m all for helping the customer, which is why I won\’t use Mercury. Tell me, are you able to run an MVR through Mercury prior to writing the policy? Not here in Texas. How about Mercury calling the customer after you write the policy to check up on an agent\’s work? Insulting. And the customer is inconvenienced. How about Mercury\’s claim department? everything is denied, then they lose in court or arbitration. What about a customer asking how much the price will change for a particular policy change? Can\’t do that with Mercury, you have to call or just submit it and see, after they take a month to process it.
They might be ok rate wise in California, but they sure have turned into the insurer of last resort for Texas independent agents.
And don\’t get me started on billing help. They\’re unhappy and make the customer feel like they\’re going out of their way to help with a billing issue.
As an agent in FL for one of those so called insurance mills I can assure you I do not write policies with lower limits or lacking coverage to beat a price from another carrier. I always explain how lowering coverage is not beneficial. The same goes for the other agents I work with. When a customer informs me that they have found something cheaper (especially if they have done the quote by themselves on line) I ask them to bring it in so we can make sure they are being quoted the same coverage. If a competitor’s quote is better so be it. I will not compromise my name to make a sell or keep a policy. I had Mercury before I became an agent. My broker stopped writing for them becuase of claim denials.
All of your comments have been very enlightening and from Fla. to Texas to my office here in Ca. I find the end results the same: Mercury deserves what they are getting.
It is refreshing to know there are \”other\” brokers across this nation who write policies the way we do in MY brokerage: using accurate information, providing all coverages (which have been fully explained to the applicant) requested and/or needed by the applicant AND offering insurance that will pass the \”test of time\” should the applicant need to reLY on it (if and when the time comes).
And, you have (both) affirmed what we have HEARD so often here in my state: Mercury Insurance\’s (so-called) \”Claims Department\” is a farce: unreliable, undependable and difficult to deal with if called upon for \”coverages\” purchased by the applicant/insured/buyer.
We offer our \”clients/insureds\” accurately quoted, dependable INSURANCE that will NOT \”blow up\” in the face of the insured and/or cause THIS brokerage either embarrassment and/or an E&O claim. WOW….now isn\’t THAT a novel idea that many of our \”competitors\” could learn from if they\’d live up to their licenses.
Enough said…and thanks for your honesty. Believe it or not, our clients DO appreciate it.
Unfortunately in CA, the claims com-plaints against Mercury have been unfounded for the 20+ years we\’ve been writing for them. I guess that\’s because we explain the process and the morally correct way of obtaining insurance to our clients. Of course we\’re in the central valley where morals still exist! Northern and Southern CA lost that long ago. That\’s one of the many reasons we are three states in one.
And if all brokers in CA would follow the \”Golden Rule\”, and consumers were truly informed in CA, maybe this wouldn\’t be an issue. Also, 15/30/5 would have been sufficient in 1967 when the FR section was added to the DMV code. However, I don\’t know too many insured\’s who could afford having 33% of their wage taken away due to a judgement in 2006.
Mercury really came into existence at the same time(1963) schools in the US denied theirs!
Enough said!
Sad But true…..Your Just Jealous. I\’m a Mercury Agent. I am swamped. The phone is ringing off the hook. Those that cant wait to go to the annual luncheon and get paid. Got to go sell more policies. I think I sold 150 polcies last month. If you can\’t compete you must talk bad about the competition. Who\’s Sorry now my Ha Ha. Keep sending your birthday cards to try to retain and I will continue to crush you.
Sorry all you State Farm, Farmers & All State Agents. All My Clients say I love Mercury. S & P??? Who\’s stuffing your pocket.
If Gecko rep lies and says split limits are the same as combined, or says you are getting the same coverage when you are not, then it is not the fault of the insured. The insured is stupid, but thats just his nature so its not his fault.
The lies are mostly done verbally so they wont get caught.
Wow, I have to say reading this made me start to laugh out loud at the jealousy from unappointed agents, or just pure ignorance from \”preferred\” agents. Agencies in California have it made once they get the Mercury appointment. They have is so made that when reps from other carriers come in to visit and find out Mercury has recently appointed that agency, they actually congratulate them sincerely!
I have a five year back ground with Allstate, great company, BUT I heard just as many complaints about their claims service as I do Mercury. Most of the complaints we hear about Mercury claims are from the other party who wanted more payout then was given/deserved. But Mercury has been very honest, complete and decently quick in most cases. Remember, Mercury has grown so much in the last few years that they were having growth issues. It’s hard to hire enough underwriters, claims adjusters, and other inner office staff for a company that is growing so fast. Once you get a few hundred ready to be thrown in the fire, you find out you are already 100 short.
The Texas MVR issue is Texas, not Mercury.
Trust me; those of you who aren’t mercury appointed would be right here with the rest of us if you could sell them. Why wouldn\’t you sell a carrier who pays you 20% commission, and is usually 10-30% less expensive then the competition? Then you get their home, umbrella and landlord policies too!! That equates to more policies, more business, and more commission……NO BRAINER! PLUS, you get a contingency bonus option at the end of the year…..I see why you\’re all jealous!!!
From the relationships I built with Allstate, I do business with many preferred agents, (Allstate, State Farm, Farmers, AAA); many of these agents will refer their customers to me once they get non-renewed due to a DUI or accident. (They do this hoping the customer doesn’t find a random agent who will take all their lines of business.) Then I hear the same question over and over again….”Why would a huge carrier like State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, and AAA cancel me after 30+ years of collecting my money, and me having one bad year behind the wheel?” They feel so upset and betrayed that once the DUI or accident has cleared up and they are eligible for the preferred carrier again, they refuse to go back, and then try to get me to write all their lines of business. (Which I don’t, that’s the agreement I have with the agent who referred it)
Don’t bad mouth Mercury because your carrier can’t compete, just enjoy the market when it sways your way.
Down bring them down to make you look better!
That\’s why I won\’t bad mouth the competition. I just don\’t like unlevel playing fields caused by lies in risk or coverage. Mercury is the best carrier when it comes to consistently firing liars and and cheats. They won\’t write bad business and they won\’t break the rules for anybody.
Commissioner Quackenbush called it several years ago when he said \”…there need to be more George Josephs in this business.\”
You can\’t substitute rate or coverage for integrity.
WOW! What a rare find, you (reality check) are the only conscientious insurance agent in California. Might want to rethink your previous comments.
The facts speak for themselves. Competition is good and lying, misinforming or not informing the consumer, to compete is not. Unfortunately, the rule of incompetence applies in the business we\’ve seen go to other carriers previously mentioned. That\’s not bad mouthing. That\’s stating the facts.
As a prior client of Mercury, I am thrilled to see them called on the carpet. Trying to get a fair claims settlement on our homeowners\’s insurance, felt like trying to win a shell game against a sly ole carnie… He\’s an independent broker. No, he\’s a Mercury agent. No, today he is an independent broker, again. Whenever it came to controlling the guy, he was their agent. Whenever it came to responsibility, he was an independent.
They were downgraded in my book long ago.
If this was posted 6/1 and it takes you a month to respond negativly. No wonder you had problems. Slow people like you should live in the mid west to watch the cow\’s mate & weather change. That\’s about your speed. Mercury will crush and continue to……….. sorry charlie.
A+ Agent,
Nice post. What does the \”A\” stand for?
You wrote:
\”If this was posted 6/1 and it takes you a month to respond negativly. No wonder you had problems.\”
No it actually took me a year to respond negatively. I foolishly thought they really trying to help. What was the old motto? \”Trust Mercury\”?
\”Slow people like you should live in the mid west to watch the cow\’s mate & weather change. That\’s about your speed.\”
So are you saying you are cool, and fast because you live on the west coast and everyone else in the country is beneath you? Tell me again, what does the \”A\” stand for?
\”Mercury will crush and continue to……….. sorry charlie.\”
Yes. That was my point exactly. Mercury tends to want to crush and to everyone else, including their insured..\’sorry charile\’.
We know why they were downgraded. Its because the courts caught them trying to have their cake and eat it, too. See Krumme vs. Mercury. Mercury can no longer have the freedom to claim their agents are independent brokers. This has caused a major restructering within the organization. Sounds like it maybe it ripped a new hole in your business, too. Huh \”A\”?
Since you want to argue, I Mr \”A\”…. our agency just ended the month selling 120 polcies. Mostly Mercury polcies. Krummy realy hasn\’t affected our preformance. Those who \”think fast\” adjust to change in the market place and don\’t sit and watch the grass grow. Insurance isn\’t a pay and move on. Companies that have that thought process will lose and the \”slow thinkers will profit. As for midwest: No, I just think they are interested in the weather and not always concerned with other things. Ask any midwesterner. They will say \”if you don\’t like the weather….wait a minute. That brings up a valid point. How State Farm doing with the denying of Katrina claim\’s. Wonder how those people feel. I think you know but for some of you skill level let me explain: 1+1=2 article posted 6/1 respond 7/1. a little late??? Why bother. Nobody cares safter a couple days. Your falling on deaf ears.
BYE forever. and try to get a Mercury appointment…………enjoy the ride.
A…um I choose Aristotle…yes a God.
Ha Ha
\”A…um I choose Aristotle…yes a God.\”
Hmmmm? I was thinking of something alittle different, but Aristotle pretty funny. A, the Mercury agent who thinks he is God.
I don\’t want to play anymore. Wish ya the best.