Mercury Insurance: Who's Driving?

If you're a Mercury Insurance customer and someone else is driving your vehicle, you should inform your insurance company. Car insurance typically follows the vehicle rather than the driver, so if someone borrows your car, they're also borrowing your car coverage. Mercury Insurance recommends that you contact your insurer to ask about the specifics of your policy and whether you need to increase your coverage. It's also a good idea to get in touch with your insurance agent before lending out your car, so you know what to expect if the person driving your car gets into an accident.

Mercury Insurance's coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers

Mercury Insurance offers ride-hailing insurance to Uber and Lyft drivers to bridge the gap between personal auto insurance and the coverage provided by Transportation Network Companies (TNCs). This is a much-needed service, as private passenger auto insurance policies have historically excluded livery and ride-for-hire services.

Ride-hailing is divided into three phases:

• Phase one: The driver has turned on the ride-hailing app but hasn't accepted a fare.
• Phase two: The driver has accepted a fare and is on their way to pick up the passenger(s).
• Phase three: The driver is transporting passengers to their destinations.

Mercury's ride-hailing insurance covers drivers during phase one, when most private passenger auto insurance providers don't pay for claims, and the TNC's policy coverage is limited. This means that if a driver gets into an accident while waiting for a fare, Mercury Insurance will cover the damage to the other vehicle(s) and any resulting injuries, as well as repair the driver's car at one of their authorised repair facilities.

Cost of Coverage

Mercury's ride-hailing insurance can cost as little as 20 cents a day or 90 cents a day, depending on the source. This equates to less than $30 per month.

Restrictions

Currently, Mercury's ride-hailing insurance is only available to California ride-share drivers. It is also only available for drivers who already have a Mercury personal auto insurance policy.

Mercury's ride-hailing insurance provides valuable peace of mind for Uber and Lyft drivers, ensuring they are covered in the event of an accident during the first phase of the drive cycle.

How to file a claim with Mercury Insurance

If you need to file a claim with Mercury Insurance, you can do so 24 hours a day, seven days a week, either online or by calling their claims hotline at (800) 503-3724.

Auto Insurance Claims

If you are involved in a car accident, you should first check that you are in a safe location and that there are no injuries. If it is safe to do so, call 911. Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and any others involved, as well as the scene of the accident. Exchange information with all parties involved, including any witnesses. Information to exchange includes names, contact details, insurance details, and vehicle information.

Once you have this information, you can call the Mercury Insurance claims hotline to report your loss and initiate the claims process. You can also submit your claim online. The Mercury claims team will explain the next steps and relevant policy coverage. If your vehicle cannot be driven, Mercury will arrange to have it towed, and can help you reserve a rental car or refer you to a rental car partner.

Residence Insurance Claims

If you experience a residence loss, such as burglary or theft, you should first notify the police. Then, contact Mercury Insurance at (800) 503-3724 to file your claim. Take photos of any damage or stolen property, and make temporary repairs or take other action to prevent further damage. If your home is unlivable, vacate the premises and keep itemized receipts for any living-related costs.

Mechanical Protection Claims

For auto glass claims or roadside assistance, call (800) 503-3724.

How to lower your Mercury Insurance premium

There are several ways to lower your Mercury Insurance premium. Here are some strategies to help you reduce your costs:

Multiple Cars and/or Drivers

Adding multiple cars and/or drivers to your policy can often result in savings. Insurance companies want your business, so they offer deals when you insure multiple vehicles or drivers. Typically, multiple drivers must live in the same household and be related by blood or marriage. Keep in mind that adding a teen driver can increase your premium due to the higher risk associated with younger drivers. However, you may be eligible for a good student discount if your child performs well in school and has a clean driving record.

Avoid Accidents and Practice Safe Driving

A clean driving record is essential for keeping your insurance costs low. Accidents, whether minor or serious, can directly impact your premium and may result in the loss of insurance discounts. Practice safe driving habits, such as avoiding distractions like texting or eating while driving, obeying traffic laws and speed limits, and never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Utilizing public transportation or carpooling can also reduce your mileage and lower your premium.

Increase Your Deductible

A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. By choosing a higher deductible, you can lower your premium. For example, raising your deductible to $1,000 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by 40% or more. However, ensure that you have enough funds set aside to cover the higher deductible in case of an accident or incident.

Choose Vehicles with Safety and Security Features

Selecting a vehicle with safety and security features can help lower your premium. Look for vehicles with anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, and tracking systems. These features reduce the risk of accidents and theft, making your vehicle less costly to insure. Additionally, consider the size and type of vehicle—smaller, sportier cars tend to have higher insurance premiums due to the increased risk of accidents. Opting for a modestly priced, medium-sized car is often a more cost-effective choice.

Defensive Driving Course

Completing a defensive driving course can often lead to discounts on your insurance premium. These courses improve your driving skills and reduce the risk of accidents. However, discounts may be restricted to specific age groups, so be sure to check with a Mercury agent before signing up for a course.

Review Your Coverage

Reviewing your comprehensive insurance coverage is crucial, especially if you have an older vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers repairs or replacements due to incidents other than collisions, such as fire, flooding, theft, or vandalism. If your vehicle is worth less than ten times the premium, maintaining comprehensive coverage may not be cost-effective.

Additionally, consider the following tips to lower your premium:

• Anti-theft features: Installing anti-theft devices or tracking systems can lead to discounts.
• Annual vehicle mileage: Driving fewer miles reduces the risk of accidents, so lower mileage can lead to lower premiums.
• Teen driver school grades: Good grades can lead to discounts for teen drivers.
• Number of cars insured: Insuring multiple cars with Mercury can result in a Multi-Vehicle Discount.
• Bundling policies: Bundling your auto insurance with other policies, such as homeowners or renters insurance, can lead to significant discounts.
• Payment options: Paying your premium in full upfront instead of monthly installments may qualify you for a discount.
• Electronic signature: Signing your policy online instead of in-person may provide an additional discount.

What to do in the event of a car collision

Being in a car collision can be stressful and scary, but knowing what to do ahead of time can help you keep a level head. Here is a list of things you should do in the event of a car crash:

During the Collision

• Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself. Getting yourself grounded will make it easier to think clearly.
• Check for injuries. Are you hurt? How about your passengers, other drivers, or bystanders?
• Call emergency services right away if anyone is hurt, if the airbags went off, or if your vehicle isn’t drivable. Stay on the line with the dispatcher until they say it's okay to hang up.

After the Collision

• If the accident was minor and the area around you looks safe, move your car out of traffic. Be sure to never leave the scene of an accident. In some cases, you shouldn’t move your car from the scene of a crash, for example, if someone is hurt or trapped in the car, or if it is not safe to move due to traffic.
• Put on your hazard lights. Set up a warning triangle or emergency flare if you have one. Carefully get out of your car and stay as far away from traffic as possible. If you can't get out or it's not safe to do so, stay buckled and turn on your hazard lights, then call emergency services and wait for help.
• Report the accident by calling the police. If there is an injury or a lot of damage to a car, the police will make a report. If the collision is minor and no one is hurt, the police might not come to the scene, but you should still report the accident by filing a police report. Having a record of the accident could be helpful later when working with insurance companies.
• Swap information with other drivers. Get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license numbers, insurance company, insurance policy number, and license plate number. You can use your phone to take pictures of these.
• Document the scene. Jot down notes about what happened, including the date, time, weather conditions, and any details you can recall. Take pictures of the area or draw a diagram. Take pictures of any damage to your car or theirs. If there were witnesses, get their contact information. Your notes may help the insurance companies sort out the accident.
• Call a tow truck if needed. Depending on how much damage your car sustained, it may need to be towed to a collision repair center. Many police departments will call a tow truck company, and some car manufacturers offer driver assistance programs. Always verify the credentials of a tow truck company and take down their contact information.
• Call your insurance company. It may be tempting to negotiate a cash deal to avoid making an insurance claim, but not notifying your insurance company after a crash can leave you liable for damages stemming from the accident.

What factors determine the cost of Mercury Insurance

The cost of Mercury Insurance is determined by several factors, including:

• The vehicle you drive: The size, make, and model of your vehicle can influence the cost of your insurance premiums.
• Where you live: Your location matters, as rural drivers often pay less for coverage than those in urban areas, even within the same state.
• Your driving record: A clean driving record will help you access the lowest rates. Recent traffic violations or at-fault accidents will make your premiums more expensive.
• Your age: Age is a significant factor, with younger and older drivers typically paying more for coverage than middle-aged drivers. Teenagers usually pay the most.
• Your credit history: Drivers with poor credit generally pay higher insurance rates than those with good credit.
• Your marital status: Marital status is taken into account when determining insurance costs.
• Coverage options: Adding more coverage options to your insurance policy will increase your premiums. Higher coverage limits will also result in higher rates.
• Deductible: Opting for a higher deductible will reduce your insurance premiums, but it will also increase your out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a loss.

Additionally, Mercury Insurance offers various discounts that can help lower your premium, such as multi-policy, multi-car, good driver, good student, and autopay discounts.

Frequently asked questions