Mercury Insurance 2007 Annual Report Download - page 38

36 MERCURYNOW 2007
There it is again. That voice inside your head. Asking questions like…Am I getting the greatest value from my auto insurance?
Am I paying the lowest rate possible while getting the highest quality of service? What about when my teenager starts
driving? Before that voice turns into a scream, our experts are here to help you navigate the road ahead.
ASK THE EXPERTS
A GUIDE FOR HOW
TO CHOOSE THE
RIGHT INSURANCE
COMPANY FOR YOU
What kind of coverage should I be
looking for?
This is the obvious first question. You should
have choices. You want to make sure you have a
menu of options to choose from to ensure you get
the right coverage for your needs. Below is a list
of the kinds of options you should look for:
Liability: pays for damage caused to others if
you are at fault in an accident;
Collision: covers damage to your vehicle,
regardless of fault;
Comprehensive: protects you in the event your
vehicle is damaged due to theft, vandalism,
flood or other covered perils; and
Uninsured/Underinsured: pays for bodily injury
to you and other passengers of your insured
vehicle for accidents caused by uninsured or
underinsured drivers.
What other types of coverage
are there?
You should inquire if the company provides
small claims assistance. If you are sued in small
claims as a result of a covered loss, the company
can help you prepare your defense and send a
representative to court. Also, ask whether your
insurance covers you when you rent a car. You
shouldn’t have to pay twice even if you’re driving
another vehicle.
If I get into an accident, what
should I expect from my insurance
company?
In your hour of need, your insurance company
should be responsive and available. They should
have a 24-hour toll free claims service that is
available seven days a week. They should be
armed and ready to help make this process as
painless as possible to have you back in your
vehicle and on the road as quickly as possible.
How can I tell if an insurance
company is reputable?
Do your homework. Look at their financial
history. How long have they been in business?
What kind of credit ratings have they received
over the years? What do they stand for? How
strong is their balance sheet? What kind of track
record do they have?
I like the personal attention I might
get with a smaller, local agency but
I also want the security of going
with a larger company. Is there a
way to have the best of both worlds?
Yes. Look for a large, well-established company
that has a broad network of local, independent
agents. This way, you will get the personalized
attention you deserve and enjoy not only the
security that comes from working with a larger
company, but all the efficiencies as well. Yes,
with the right company, you can have it both
ways.
What kind of multiple discounts
might an insurance company offer?
There are several. Look for multiple discounts
like: good driver discounts; multi-car discounts;
professional/association discounts; anti-theft
device discount; good student discount; or a
multi-policy discount.
What about the intangible benefits
that an insurance company can
offer?
This is probably the most important question
of all. Once you are confident that you are
getting a competitive rate, given your needs and
particular situation, you have to ask yourself,
ultimately, do I trust this company? Do they
provide me a sense of security and peace of
mind? Will this company be there for me when
I need them the most?
In the end, what do I look for in an
insurance company?
It comes down to three basic things:
Savings, Service and Security.
Our pick is Mercury.
EDITORIAL