Mercury Insurance 2007 Annual Report Download - page 16

14 MERCURYNOW 2007
we intend to earn their trust, their loyalty and
their business, every chance we get.
Over the years, Mercury has built a reputation
for our steadfast financial prudence. Every year,
we strive to make Mercury a sound investment
for our shareholders. Our own investment
results were outstanding in 2007. Under the
leadership of our chief investment officer, Chris
Graves, our after-tax investment income grew by
8% to $2.51 per share, compared with $2.33 per
share the prior year.
In February 2008, Mercury’s Board of
Directors increased the company’s quarterly
cash dividend to $0.58 per share, marking an
11.5% increase over the quarterly dividend in
2006. Since we first began paying dividends in
1985, we have continued to return capital to our
shareholders by increasing our dividends every
year since. I am proud to say that, over the past
ten years, we have increased our dividends by
an average of approximately 13% per year.
And so, let me end with a new beginning.
We believe we begin 2008 from a position
of strength, with new possibilities and new
opportunities on the horizon. Undoubtedly,
the year will also bring a few challenges, but
we will keep moving forward.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank
our customers for their continued loyalty,
our agents for the trust they place in us, our
shareholders for their support and, above all,
our employees, who remain the engine that
keeps this company running.
Sincerely,
Gabriel Tirador
President and Chief Executive Offi cer
George Joseph
Chairman of the Board
CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
What Our Customers say about Us
LEADERSHIP
IAN F.
(IRVINE, CA)
“Mercury has provided the best service of any company I’ve ever dealt with. Not only
insurance companies, but every company. Everyone I’ve spoken with has treated me like I
was the most important customer on Earth.”
COURTNEY M.
(SANTA CLARITA, CA)
“Very rarely does a company live up to the promises it makes in its advertising, but
Mercury has done that and more. My family saved over $900 a year when we switched
AND we’ve experienced the best service I’ve ever received. Thank you.”
ELIZABETH C.
(CHICAGO, IL)
“Mercury Insurance not only gave me the policy I needed at the right price, but when I fi led
a claim it was handled fl awlessly. Now that’s the measure of a great insurance company!
Mercury, you were fast, professional and I was treated like I was your most important
customer.”
JOHN O.
(ORANGE, CA)
“I’ve saved a lot of money with Mercury over the years, but I never truly appreciated the
value you provided until I had to make a claim when a pipe burst and fl ooded my entire
downstairs. Everything was repaired quickly and now you’d never know anything ever
happened. Thank you.”
REGLA V.
(MIAMI, FL)
“Having your home burglarized is very upsetting, but Mercury and all of the people we
dealt with were wonderful. Your concern, understanding and help will never be forgotten.”
DENISE V.
(SAN DIEGO, CA)
“I switched to Mercury as my insurance provider and was able to save about $700 per
year! Who would imagine I’d get better service, better coverage AND a lower rate!”
LUCY S.
(SNELLVILLE, GA)
“I want to say thank you for all the hard work you put into our homeowners claim.
Everyone at Mercury was so kind and professional. You turned a very troubling event into
a positive experience and for that I am eternally grateful.”