Water Leak Detection Services
Frequently Asked Questions

Mercury is partnering with Flume and Beagle Services to help policyholders better protect themselves from water damage. Flume is a leader in smart water loss leak detection and prevention technology, offering a cost-effective smart DIY monitoring device. Beagle Services is a professional plumbing services company that works with multiple smart device manufacturers and helps you choose and install smart leak detection and automatic shutoff solutions. You can pick the option that is best for you and your home.

After the device is installed, current Mercury homeowners customers in AZ, CA, GA, IL, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA will receive a discount on their homeowners policy. The average annual homeowners premium savings is about $70 for a device like Flume and about $95 for a qualifying device with an automatic shutoff. Actual savings depend on multiple factors, so actual savings may be less or substantially more. Since the amount of savings varies by state and home, please speak with your agent to determine how much you may save.

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, CA, GA, IL, 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.

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, IL, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA.

If you are interested in Flume’s smart DIY option, please visit www.flumewater.com/partners/Mercury and follow the instructions on how to receive an offer for the water leak detection program. If you would like to have a smart water leak detection device with an automatic shutoff installed, please fill out a form here to start the process with Beagle Services.

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.

1. Start by getting a fast, free online homeowners insurance quote.
2. Purchase the policy and enroll in Mercury’s water leak detection program
3. Purchase Flume at www.flumewater.com/partners/Mercury/.
4. After you’ve installed the device, 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, CA, GA, IL, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA.

As a Mercury homeowners policyholder, you can purchase the Flume 2 device for $99 (plus tax and shipping) + $49/year (1^st year is free) instead of the regular retail price of $249 (+ tax and shipping).

For $49/year, you receive the following benefits:

• 24 x 7 x 365 Monitoring and Leak Detection for your home plumbing system, appliances, and fixtures connected to it.
• Lifetime Warranty on Flume Hardware.
• Lifetime Free Battery Replacements.
• Real-time notifications via companion app.
• Live Customer Support in the event of a detected leak.

You are not obligated to continue paying the $49/year, but you will lose access to the items listed above, including access to the app, monitoring, and support.

Some water districts provide rebates for water leak detection devices like Flume. We encourage you to check your eligibility for water district rebates at https://flumewater.com/rebate. You may be able to save even more by claiming a rebate after your purchase or by purchasing through your water district instead!

Yes, the annual fee to continue using the Flume app is $49 (waived the first year). The following items are included with this fee:

• 24 x 7 x 365 Monitoring and Leak Detection for your home plumbing system, appliances, and fixtures connected to it.
• Lifetime Warranty on Flume Hardware.
• Lifetime Free Battery Replacements.
• Real-time notifications via companion app.
• Live Customer Support in the event of a detected leak.

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, CA, IL, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA.

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

You must install and keep active a qualifying smart water leak detection device before your first renewal. If the device is not installed and active by then, your policy will not be eligible for renewal. For guidance and device options, visit mercuryinsurance.com/leak-detection.

A smart water leak detection device monitors the usage and flow of water in your home or senses water in key areas. If it detects something unusual, it alerts you right away. This early warning gives you time to act quickly and prevent the kind of damage that leads to costly repairs and household disruption.

Non-weather water leaks are a leading cause of property damage. Some homes, especially older ones, are more likely to experience unexpected leaks from pressurized plumbing lines. These leaks can cause major damage to floors, walls, personal belongings, and even irreplaceable items. This simple step can offer you peace of mind by catching leaks early, preventing costly water damage, and potentially even lowering your insurance premiums.

Yes. If your home was fully re-piped with copper or PEX for all hot and cold pressurized lines within the last 30 years, you may request an exemption. To qualify, you must submit proof from a licensed plumber or plumbing company, such as an invoice or inspection letter, or a final permit inspection. Partial re pipes do not qualify. Homes with a Coverage A - Dwelling limit of $3 million or more do not qualify for this exception.

You must install a smart or centrally monitored device from one of these categories:

• Whole Home Water Flow Monitoring Devices (e.g., Flume): continuously track the flow of water for your property and home and send alerts when something unusual occurs.
• Smart or Centrally Monitored Leak Detection and Shutoff (e.g. Beag: Smart Devices with Automatic Shutoff: monitor your water flow and automatically shut off water to help prevent further damage when a leak is detected. If the home is a secondary or seasonal residence with a Dwelling (Coverage A) limit of $2 million or more, you are required to install this type of device. Beagle Services can install several qualifying devices.
• Smart Point of Leak Sensors (e.g., Notion, Ring): detect water when it touches the sensor and send an alert. If you choose this option, you must install at least the number of sensors equal to your number of bathrooms + 2.

Not always. Many whole home flow monitors, including Flume, can be installed by the homeowner. Shutoff valves often require a licensed plumber. See additional details below.

Yes.

• Flume offers a cost effective, do it yourself solution for constant water flow monitoring. Flume is compatible with about 95% of water meters. Some locations – including homes in zip codes 91351, 92673, and 93036 are not compatible. For other locations, Flume may need more details to validate compatibility – for example, a portion of homes in zip codes 92078 and 92024 will be incompatible. Check Flume’s website for more details (www.flumewater.com/mercury). Also check https://flumewater.com/rebate to see if there are options to purchase subsidized devices or to receive a rebate through your water district.
  • If the home is a secondary or seasonal residence with a Dwelling (Coverage A) limit of $2 million or more, Flume does not qualify. In this scenario, you are required to install this type of device. Beagle Services can install several qualifying devices.
• Beagle Services offers professional installation and a variety of shut-off devices. Vendor availability varies by area. Compatibility and details can be found at mercuryinsurance.com/leak-detection. Beagle Services is not available in all areas. They have coverage in much of Southern California (excluding the Mountains, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley) and the Bay Area. Contact Beagle for more information (www.beagleservices.com)

Please refer to https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/leak-detection/ for more information on preferred vendors.

No. You may choose any qualifying device. However, using a preferred vendor may provide product discounts and simplify the process of validating your installation.

If you use a preferred vendor, Mercury may validate your installation directly. Otherwise, send:

• Photos of the installed device,
• App screenshots showing it is active (and showing the required number of sensors, if applicable), or
• An invoice or certificate from the manufacturer or installer that includes your insured address.

Submit proof through your agent or email Policydocs@mercuryinsurance.com with your policy number in the subject line.

Yes. You must keep your device installed and active for as long as your policy is effective. Mercury may request re validation at renewal to maintain coverage and the water leak detection discount.

Yes. Qualifying devices earn an average discount of up to 4.6% on your annual homeowners premium (actual savings may vary). The discount applies once your device is installed, verified, and active.

If the device is not installed and active before your first renewal, your policy will not be renewed. To qualify for a reinstatement or a new policy, you will be required to meet the same requirement.

Place sensors in areas most prone to water exposure or where damage would be greatest:

• Under kitchen sinks
• Behind or under the washing machine
• Near the water heater
• In all bathrooms (at toilet bases and under vanities)
• Below any second floor bathrooms
• Near HVAC condensate pans, if applicable

Please contact your agent with additional questions. Your agent’s phone number is located on the Declarations Page included with your policy.

You will be eligible for your discount after a qualifying device is installed and active. Discounts can be applied in the middle of a policy term. For Flume, and similar devices, a discount is available in AZ, CA, GA, NJ, NV, OK, TX, and VA.

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.

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.

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 may be releasing hundreds of gallons of water every week that just ends up going down a storm drain.

We encourage you to check your eligibility for water district rebates at https://flumewater.com/rebate. You may be able to save even more by claiming a rebate after your purchase or by purchasing through your water district instead!

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)

We encourage you to check your eligibility for water district rebates at https://flumewater.com/rebate. You may be able to save even more by claiming a rebate after your purchase or by purchasing through your water district instead!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 4 years. Replacement batteries are shipped free of charge with an active Flume subscription.

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

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.

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.

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.

Beagle Services is a full-service plumbing company that specializes in smart water security, installing leak detection devices like automatic shutoff valves to prevent costly water damage. As a full-service plumbing company, they can complete additional plumbing-related services as well, including water heater installations and repairs, fixture replacements, supply line replacements, and more.

Beagle installs devices from multiple manufacturers, including Flo by Moen®, Phyn®, and others. Contact Beagle to learn more about your options, what may work best for your home, and pricing.

Fill out a form here to start the process with Beagle Services. Filling out the form does not commit you to a service with Beagle Services – but the information provided will help Beagle determine which leak detection device options may be best for your home.

Pricing varies based on the device and installation details. Contact Beagle for pricing information.

Yes! Mercury policyholders are eligible for discounted hardware and labor costs. Since Beagle works with multiple manufacturers, the discounts may vary. Please contact Beagle for additional information.

Beagle operates throughout most of Southern California (excluding the Mountains and High Desert areas) and the Bay Area. Beagle also operates in select metropolitan areas in other states, including, but not limited to, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Virginia. Contact Beagle for more information.

Installation times can vary, but it can take up to 2 hours to install the device. The water will be shut off during installation.

Is there a power outlet within 10′ of the water main pipe going into your home?

• All valves, no matter the brand, require power.
• Appropriate extension cord(s) may be purchased at the time of installation or some customers choose to get an outlet installed near the water main pipe (electrician required, we do not provide).

Do you have a WiFi signal near the water pipe going into your home?

• The device must have a WiFi signal to be able to send communications to you through a smart phone app.

Providing pictures of the main water pipe going into home are recommended to ease the experience and prepare Beagle’s professionals for installation.

Watchdog is a subscription-based service that monitors homes for leaks, notifying homeowners and the Beagle Services team if a leak is detected. Subscribers to Watchdog can receive service discounts and other benefits. Visit https://www.beagleservices.com/watchdog for additional information.

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.

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.

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

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.