Mercury Insurance continues to make digital moves

Mercury Insurance has launched its digital First Notice of Loss channel. The company’s user web-based claims portal allows policyholders to file claims immediately after an accident through the use of its intuitive user interface, which employs recognizable prompts, maps and emoji-driven questions to guide users through the claims process. 

Brian Hudson, senior divisional manager, claims transformation at Mercury Insurance, told Digital Insurance: 

“The new application was developed in response to policyholder feedback. The main goal when developing Mercury’s FNOL channel was to make filing claims and reporting accidents as easy as possible for policyholders. We made the system simple to use so no matter what your tech comfort level is, users are able to navigate the software. The process is simple, while filing a claim, policyholders will be given access to connect either through the app, web portal, an integrated URL link, or by telephone that will match their information. “

The digital channel is a welcome addition to the insurance company’s burgeoning digital infrastructure, a suite of services that also includes the usage-based insurance app MercuryGo, which was developed in partnership with mobile technology provider Cambridge Mobile Telematics. Not only does the app help users file digital claims, MercuryGo’s telematics-enabled software acts as a virtual driving coach, assessing driving behavior and providing feedback in real-time. 

“Mercury Insurance wants to leverage technology to make driving safer, and we also want to reward drivers for being cautious behind the wheel,” said Mike Dawdy, director of product management at Mercury, in a press release. “MercuryGO is an intuitive and easy-to-use app that helps you stay safe in the driver’s seat and it puts money back in your bank account.”

This month, the company announced its plans to launch the app in Virginia, a state that recorded 967 motor vehicle traffic fatalities and 161 injuries a day, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The addition of Virginia grows Mercury’s UBI footprint to eight states, making the telematics service available to Virginia, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, Oklahoma, Florida, Arizona, and New Jersey drivers. 

“Mercury Insurance is utilizing the [Cambridge’s] DriveWell platform to help drivers reduce distracted driving, speeding, and hard braking by keeping them engaged and providing timely feedback,” said Ryan McMahon, CMT’s vice president of insurance and government affairs, in a press release.

The company also announced a partnership with Roof RX, a roof diagnostics and repair company, to deliver drone-powered roof inspection services in California. Roof RX reports that the average lifespan of a roof can be more than 30 years, “However only a certain portion make it halfway through their life cycle. With most homes having a rooftop weighing approximately 6,000 pounds, an unnecessary re-roof quickly turns into a substantial amount of landfill trash,” according to a press release.

California’s push towards sustainability and waste management has propelled companies like Mercury Insurance to use technology to achieve sustainability obligations. The drone footage will assist technicians to diagnose roof damage, which in turn can save consumers money and reduce waste from unnecessary repairs.    

Mercury plans to roll out its roof maintenance service in two ways, the first being an inspection-only service that will cost policyholders $25.00 after an instant rebate, and an inspection and preventive maintenance plan that will cost $99.00 for inspections and basic preventive services such as roof leaks and sealing pipe vents. Although Mercury didn’t specify how much repairs would cost, the company states that “once recommended repairs are completed by Roof Rx, the insured will receive a one-year total roof warranty valued at $329.00, at no charge.”

“We’re creating so much waste that takes a very long time to break down in our landfills,” said Adam Bakonis, product manager for homeowners at Mercury, in a press release. “Too many simple roof repairs are turning into complete re-roofing jobs and that’s bad for homeowner’s wallets and the planet. Mercury Insurance is taking an environmentally-friendly position by identifying ways to better protect policyholder’s property while leaving a gentler footprint on earth.”