Bad Experience with Mercury Insurance

lowrider · July 3, 2006

This applies to my car - An Infiniti G35 Coupe:

On May 13th (A Saturday) I had the misfortune of being hit in the front bumper by an insured of Mercury Insurance. The other driver admitted it was her fault at the scene. I obtained her Insurance Information, and called her Agent, or so I thought, the following Monday. Turns out, it was a broker, that only sells insurance, but doesn’t handle claims. I obtained Mercury’s phone number from them, and called the home office of Mercury Insurance.

After about 30 minutes of answering questions and being transferred from one clerk to another, I was finally connected to an “adjuster”. He took my information, and the information of his insured. He also took a recorded statement from me. I claimed no injuries for either myself or my wife, who was with me at the time of the accident.

I waited a week, and hearing nothing from them, I called the adjuster, and was told he was having trouble reaching his client. Hearing that, I phoned his client, he wasn’t home, so I obtained his cell phone number, and reached him. He then became defensive, and it wasn’t until I threatened him with a small claims court action, did he agree to call the adjuster. Yes, I facilitated the call, Mercury Insurance apparently doesn’t know how to reach it’s clients.

Another week went by, and I called again, and the adjuster told me he would have an estimator come out to my home and view the damage. Three days later, the estimator called to make an appointment, and he showed up the following day. He took pictures of the damage, told me they could repair the bumper cover, and spot paint it. My Coupe has been exhibited in shows, and I knew such a repair would not do. He argued with me, and told me they had a Collision Center in town, a Honda Dealer, and that they would fix it to my satisfaction. He worked up the estimate in his car, and presented me with an estimate for $351.41.

The following day I took it to my body shop, a shop I have used for years, and received an estimate from them for $695.93 to replace the bumper cover. He told me he could do a repair, but on my car, with my standards, he wouldn’t attempt it. I then went to the Mercury recommended Collision Center, and received an estimate for $695.39. I walked in like I was off the street. I asked specifically if they could repair it, and the estimator replied that he could, but when he saw that the price of the raw unpainted replacement bumper cover was only $284.40, he recommended that I replace it, rather than refinish it.

I Furnished all this information to Mercury Insurance and got absolutely nowhere. I even arranged a meeting with the Mercury Insurance estimator and my Body Shop Owner, all to no avail. My Body Shop guy, told me that this kid had no body shop experience, and only told him that their Collision center could repair the cover “all day long.” Folks, the cover was cut, and I think we all know you never spot a panel on a late model show car, you repaint the whole panel. My Body Shop was disgusted by the experience, and the unprofessionalism of the Mercury Insurance estimator.

Anyway, Sorry this was so long, I just wanted to present the facts and make you folks wary of Mercury Insurance. I guess, I have to be thankful the people who hit me were insured at all, and that I collected anything. But, am I still angry, you bet I am! Mercury Insurance will get nothing but bad press from me. I could take it to small claims court, but for $344.52, it really isn’t worth my time to spend a day in court. I guess Mercury Insurance settles claims with a Low Ball, and hopes you will go away. That’s how they make their money.

Lou

asilverblazer · July 3, 2006

Ask for the estimators supervisor, and so forth until they give you a satisfactory repair. Take no prisoners and sette for nothing but perfection on the repair. I would take it to court, as a last ditch, but the more you bug and persist them, you will eventually get through, after all it's only another 300$.

Wingnut · July 4, 2006

I had to fight with Farmers for a month solid in order for them to repair/replace the wheels on my '89 that were destroyed by a guy that ran a red light. He hit my truck from bumper to bumper, and it wound up being in the shop for almost 6 weeks because I refused to accept it without new Centerlines and no repainted pinstriping.

You just have to be tenacious and patient and ruthless...You should be able to get it worked out.

Call YOUR insurance agent and ask about the laws in your state concerning where you can take your car for estimates. I don't think that insurance companies are allowed to tell you where to go for the repairs in most states.