Water Leak Detection Services
Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is Mercury’s water leak detection program?

Mercury is partnering with Flume, a leader in smart water loss detection and prevention technology, to provide the Flume 2 device at a discounted price: $159 instead of $199 (+ tax and shipping).

After the device is installed, current Mercury homeowners customers in AZ, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA will receive a discount on their homeowners policy. The average annual homeowners premium savings are up to about $40, depending on the state. Since the amount of savings in dollars varies by state and by home, please speak with your agent to determine how much you may save. In some cases, a policy may not qualify for a discount until renewal.

Why should homeowners participate in Mercury’s water leak detection program?

Mercury’s smart home insurance initiative is aimed at better protecting homeowners from the leading non-weather-related cause of loss – water. Due to a water loss, homeowners may lose access to their kitchens or bathrooms and, in some cases, homeowners may have to move out entirely for months.

After the device is installed, current Mercury homeowners customers in AZ, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA will receive a discount on their homeowners policy.

In addition, reducing water waste is a benefit to the environment, especially during a drought.

Where is Mercury’s water leak detection program available?

The program is available to single-family homeowners with a Mercury homeowners policy in AZ, CA, GA, IL, NJ, NV, NY, OK, TX, and VA.

At this time, policy discounts tied to the installation of Flume are only available in AZ, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA.

How does a Mercury policyholder participate in it?

Mercury policyholders should visit www.flumewater.com/partners/Mercury/ and follow the instructions on how to receive an offer for the water leak detection program.

What if I’m not currently a Mercury homeowners policyholder, but I want to participate in the program?

If you’re not currently a Mercury customer, you’ve been missing out! Don’t worry, signing up for Mercury’s homeowners insurance and water leak detection services with a discount is simple.

Start by getting a fast, free online homeowners insurance quote.
Purchase the policy and enroll in Mercury’s water leak detection program
Purchase Flume at www.flumewater.com/partners/Mercury/.
After you’ve installed the device, if you are in AZ, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, or VA, Flume will provide electronic evidence of device installation. Provide proof of installation to your agent, so that you can ensure the discount is added to your policy. A discount is currently only available in AZ, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA. In some cases, a policy may not qualify for a discount until renewal. Please speak with your agent to determine when the discount would apply.

Why should I go with the offer from Mercury Insurance vs. purchasing the device on the flumewater.com websites, Amazon, or other retailers?

As a Mercury homeowners policyholder, you can purchase the Flume 2 device at a discounted price of $159 (+ tax and shipping) instead of the regular retail price of $199 (+ tax and shipping).

Is there a monthly fee for using Flume?

No. All leak detection features are freely available to all users. There are no subscription fees.

Can my premium increase by participating in this program?

No. Participation in the program can reduce your premium because of Mercury’s water leak detection service discount. There are no surcharges associated with the use of a water leak detection device or water flow monitoring.*

*Currently, a discount is available in select states, including AZ, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA.

How can I get more information about Mercury’s water leak detection services?

Speak to your local Mercury Insurance agent for more information about how to protect your home from water damage.

Discounts and Rebates

When will I receive my discount?

In AZ, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA, you will be eligible for your discount after the Flume device is installed and active. Flume will provide verification of installation and activation via email and this information can be forwarded to your agent to ensure the discount is added to your policy.

At this time, the discount is not available in other states. In some cases, a policy may not qualify for a discount until renewal. Please speak with your agent to determine when the discount would apply.

Does participating in Mercury’s water leak detection guarantee me a discount?

You will qualify for a discount after Flume 2 is installed if you are located in AZ, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, or VA. In some cases, a policy may not qualify for a discount until renewal. Please speak with your agent to determine when the discount would apply.

How do I see my discount?

Mercury water leak detection discount will be shown on the policy Declarations Page. The Mercury water leak detection discount will be included on renewals and shown on the renewal Declarations Page.

What happens to my discount if I change my mind and no longer wish to participate in the Mercury water leak detection program?

If you decide to opt out of the program, then the water leak detection discount will be removed from the policy effective the date you deactivate the device.

Does Mercury’s water leak detection program qualify me for a water district rebate?

Yes. Some water districts provide rebates for water leak detection devices like Flume because the devices can detect large and small leaks, including hidden leaks. Even small leaks can waste a lot of water in the district when you consider leaks across multiple homes in the same area.

Though some of the leaks may have only a marginal impact on your water bill, there are cases where the leaks add up. For example, a sprinkler leak you are unaware of maybe releasing hundreds of gallons of water every week that just ends up going down a storm drain.

How do I check for a water district rebate for Flume?

Check your local water district website to see if they have a rebate available for Flume. Rebate availability and qualification criteria are subject to change and are fully outside of Mercury, Flume’s control. For reference, the following water districts in California may offer a rebate that you can submit for after purchase of Flume through Mercury’s program:

EBMUD (Bay Area, CA)
Foothill (La Canada/Flintridge, CA)
Helix (La Mesa, CA)
MWD (Southern California)
SAWS (San Antonio,TX)

Flume Smart Home Water Monitor

How does Flume work?

Flume reads the magnetic signal coming off the spinning disc in your mechanical water meter. The Water Sensor translates the signal into real-time water usage, then sends your water usage to the Wi-Fi Bridge inside the home. You are then able to view your water usage in detail, create budgets, adjust your leak settings and more, all from the Flume mobile app or from your computer.

What do I need for Flume to work at my home?

You will need Wi-Fi and a compatible water meter – Flume is compatible with about 95% of water meters. To check the compatibility of your water meter, you can check the list of models. You can also upload an image of your water meter to the chat box on the Flume website or email an image of your meter to support@flumewater.com.

Can I install it myself?

Yes! At Flume, we believe gaining access to your home’s water data should be easy. That’s why we designed Flume to be a simple and easy installation with no extra tools, cutting pipes, or professional plumbing assistance required. The Flume app walks you through the entire installation step-by-step in 10 minutes or less, and our world-class support team is available from 7am-7pm, 7 days a week if you have any questions.

My water meter is pretty far from my house, will Flume work?

Because the Flume water sensor uses radio frequency to communicate with the Flume Bridge, Flume has been installed on meters that are over 1,000 ft. away from the home.

How long will my batteries last?

Your Flume water sensor is powered by a self-serviceable battery pack that is included with your device. Battery life can vary, but your batteries should last on average 2 years.

Can Flume detect low flow water leaks?

Flume can detect flow rates between 0.01 and 0.03 gallons per minute. That’s precise enough to catch a dripping faucet!

How accurate is Flume?

Independent testing has confirmed that Flume is more than 99% accurate and, in almost every situation, Flume agrees with your water meter within +/-1%. This gives you an extremely accurate look into your water use trends and habits.

Does it work with a well?

Because Flume reads the magnetic disc inside of water meters, a water meter is required to install Flume. If your well is connected to a water meter, you’re set to install your Flume.

My water meter is in a pit that frequently fills up with water. Will Flume work in it?

Yes! Your Flume Water Sensor is waterproof, and should still function normally in an underwater pit. The sensor is watertight and will continue operating even under as much as 2 ft. of water. Furthermore, Flume is certified to withstand temperatures ranging from as low as -40 degrees to as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is ever an issue, the Flume 2 device has the capacity to continue capturing water use data offline for up to 60 days. Once it reconnects, it will backfill all water use events to the appropriate date and time.

Privacy

Does Mercury Insurance share my water usage information with outside entities?

No. Mercury Insurance respects your privacy and will not share personally identifiable water usage data with any third party except to service the administration of the Mercury water leak detection discount for your homeowners insurance policy.

Mercury Insurance maintains strict guidelines and follows best practices to guard and keep your data safe and secure.

What data is collected and where is it stored?

Flume gathers water usage information by the minute and can summarize that information over different time periods, including days, weeks, months and years. This information is stored in secure cloud platform.

Customer Support

How do I contact Flume Support for help?

Check out Flume’s Help Center chat with Flume Support at support@flumewater.com if you have any more questions!

Who can I contact for help with my homeowners policy?

Mercury Insurance policyholders should contact their local Mercury agent. Mercury Insurance customer service is able to answer general questions about the Flume water leak detection devices at (877) 537-2468. Our customer service department is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. PT.