Can I discard damaged items?

Wait until the adjuster documents the loss or grants approval. If disposal is necessary for health/safety, photograph and video items thoroughly first.

Should I obtain multiple repair estimates?

Yes. Multiple estimates can clarify scope/pricing and support discussions if discrepancies arise.

Essential Tips for Filing Claims with Mercury Insurance

Q: Which natural disasters are covered?

Coverage depends on your policy and endorsements. Wind/hail and fire are often included; flood and earthquake typically require separate policies. Review your declarations page for specifics.

Q: How long will my claim take?

Simple claims can resolve within weeks; catastrophe claims may take longer due to volume. Prompt documentation and responses help accelerate timelines.

Filing an insurance claim can feel overwhelming—but with the right preparation, you can move through Mercury’s process faster and with fewer surprises. This guide distills essential best practices for both everyday losses and catastrophe events (storms, wildfires, etc.), so you know exactly what to do, when to do it, and what documents to save.

Understanding the Claims Process with Mercury

1) Protect people first, then prevent extra damage. If there’s an emergency, call local services. Take reasonable steps to stop things from getting worse (shut off water/gas, tarp a roof, move items away from leaks). Keep receipts for emergency supplies and temporary fixes—they’re often reimbursable.

2) Document the loss clearly. Take photos and video from multiple angles, make a quick room-by-room list of damaged items, and note dates, model/serial numbers, and any relevant details. A simple timeline (what happened, when you noticed it, what you did next) can speed up the claim.

3) File the claim and review the estimate. Submit through the app, website, or phone with your policy number, loss date/time, and a brief description. When the estimate arrives, compare it to what was actually damaged and your deductible/limits; if something is missing or unclear, request clarification, a reinspection, or add a contractor estimate.

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Pro tips: Keep a single folder (digital or paper) with your claim number, adjuster emails, photos, estimates, receipts, and call notes. It saves hours later.

What to Expect After You File (Timeline + Next Steps)

After your claim is submitted, the process usually moves through a few predictable checkpoints: confirmation, assignment (or triage), inspection/estimation, and settlement. The fastest claims are the ones where the documentation is clear and decisions are easy—so focus on organized photos, a clean inventory list, and quick responses when Mercury asks follow-up questions.

If the loss is widespread (storm, wildfire, major outage), insurers may use catastrophe workflows. That can mean longer scheduling windows, remote/photo-based inspections, or preferred-vendor options for temporary repairs. You don’t have to accept the first repair path offered—ask what choices you have, what timelines look like, and what paperwork is required so you don’t get stuck waiting on a missing detail.

Claim stage	What Mercury may request	Your best move	Quick watch-outs
Claim confirmation	Policy number, loss date/time, brief description, contact details	Save the claim number and start a simple claim log (dates, names, decisions)	Write down the exact loss description you submitted so it stays consistent
Documentation review	Photos/video, item list, receipts for emergency mitigation	Label files by room/item; keep receipts together for fast upload	Don’t toss damaged items until they’re documented (photo everything first)
Inspection / estimate	Property access, damage details, contractor notes (optional)	Walk the adjuster through “must-fix” items first; ask what’s excluded and why	Hidden damage can appear later—ask how supplements work
Coverage decision	Deductible/limits, endorsements, prior loss info (if relevant)	Confirm deductible type (flat vs. %); verify which endorsements apply	Check whether depreciation and “actual cash value” vs. replacement cost applies
Settlement + repairs	Invoices, repair plan, extra estimates, ALE receipts (if eligible)	Compare scope vs. real damage; request a reinspection if key items are missing	Keep all hotel/meal receipts if you’re displaced and ALE is available

If you’re reviewing your policy while the claim is in motion, it can help to compare your current limits, deductibles, and available credits so you know what to adjust at renewal. Start with compare Mercury insurance quotes by ZIP code to see how pricing shifts when you fine-tune coverage choices.

After a Natural Disaster: What’s Different?

Coverage varies by peril. Wind, hail, and fire are commonly included; flood and earthquake typically require separate policies. Check your declarations page and endorsements.
High volume can slow timelines. Catastrophe events mean many claims at once—file early and respond quickly to adjuster requests.
Use licensed, insured contractors. Be cautious with door-to-door offers. Avoid signing over benefits unless you fully understand the agreement.
Temporary repairs vs. permanent work. Make only necessary temporary fixes until the adjuster documents damage, unless further delay would worsen the loss.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Under-documenting the loss. Take wide shots + close-ups, and keep receipts.
Accepting the first estimate without review. Ask questions; provide competing estimates if needed.
Delaying your claim. Report promptly—late reporting can complicate coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use these quick answers to double-check what’s included, what’s excluded, and which add-ons are worth asking about. If you want a fast baseline to compare coverage language and pricing, you can also start with a Progressive online quote by zip and then match limits/deductibles across carriers for a true apples-to-apples comparison.

Which natural disasters are covered?

It depends on your policy and endorsements. Wind/hail and fire are often included; flood and earthquake are usually excluded unless you carry separate flood/earthquake coverage. Review your declarations page.

How long will my claim take?

Simple losses may resolve in weeks. Catastrophe claims can take longer due to volume. Prompt responses and complete documentation help speed things up.

Can I toss damaged items?

Not until they’re documented or your adjuster approves. If there’s a health risk, photograph/video thoroughly before disposal.

Should I get multiple estimates?

Yes—competing estimates can clarify scope and pricing, and help address discrepancies.