The 24 Hour MKI Claim Reporting Center

Welcome to our 24 Hour Online Claim Reporting Center. We have implemented a 3 step system to insure you receive prompt service and attention. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Email MKI.

Send us an email and notify us of your situation. Please send as much info as you can about this claim. Someone from our office will be in contact with you and help guide you through this process.

Name (First, Middle Initial, Last)

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Policy #

Phone

Email

Type of Claim

Auto

Home

Life

Other

Step 2: Notify The Carrier.

Please select the carrier you wish to contact. Besides notifying MKI, we would encourage you to call this number and report the claim to the company. This way MKI will be able to work with the company and insure the claim runs smoothly.

Peerless Insurance: 800-522-7152

Travelers: 800-252-4633

Progressive: 800-274-4499

Foremost Insurance Group: 800-532-4221

GMAC Insurance: 800-468-3466

Safeco: 800-332-3226

RI Joint Reinsurance Association: claims must be faxed to 800-851-8424

Rhode Island Auto Insurance Plan:
Call: (401) 946-2600

Infinity Insurance

Beacon Mutual: Toll-free (888) 886-4450 or (401) 825-2667

If you have fire, windstorm, water or other damage that requires immediate attention, please call Insurance Reconstruction Services at (401) 231-3130.

Providence Fire Restoration, Inc. (PFR) is a prominent building/content restoration company located in Pawtucket, RI. Founded in 1988, PFR was established to provide Southeastern New England with quality, dependable, and efficient fire and water damage restoration services. PFR's years of experience has set us apart from our competitors and has made us a leader in the industry. Call 800-421-3380

Step 3: MKI Follow Up.

If this is your first claim with a carrier, it makes a lasting impression with you. We would like to make this as easy as possible. Make sure to keep in contact and use all the resources MKI has to offer you.

MKI Past and Present

A Brief History

MKI’s history and stability in the Rhode Island insurance market is founded on sound financial principals that stretch back to the early decades in the 1900’s.  The very fact that the agency started in the economic climate of the Post Great Depression and then soldiered on through decades of change in America shows a steady strength. One of the keys to a successful long standing company is the ability for each generation of leadership to add to the institution. This history and experience is what makes MKI so unique. The firm was founded on the fundamentals of honesty and integrity. The only type of foundation an insurance agency should have. Our knowledge and years of experience have taught us that our clients are the reason we come to work each day. We’ve been protecting people’s lives and families for many years. MKI has seen families grow and prosper. Many generations have trusted us. Our goal has never changed.

1936: Starting an Early Tradition

Founded in 1936 by Louis J. Mercier, The Mercier Insurance Agency, started out humbly in the city of Central Falls, Rhode Island. Louis Mercier believed that his friends and community held a special bond. Located originally on Chestnut Street, his customers were within walking distance of the agency. If you asked a Mercier client how they felt about Louis, the response was always “honest” or “trustworthy”. Some accounts that started on the books in the 40’s remain in the MKI family. Louis often made home visits to collect weekly premiums at the request of the clients. The insurance salesman became a fixture in households and many considered Louis family. It was during this time American small businesses began to prosper and it was not uncommon for a whole family to help out a business. The Mercier Insurance Agency carried on through the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s until it was purchased by Yvonne Mercier, Louis’s daughter who had always worked with him. She took helm of the company after her father passed and continued to run and maintain the agency until Richard Kosinski took ownership in 1983.

1982: A New Direction

Richard Kosinski, a graduate of Providence College class of 1968, had a impressive financial background working in the banking field with such companies as Hospital Trust and Old Stone Bank. He also had a knack for communication, and people trusted what he had to say. His father has owned a small venetian blind company in Pawtucket, RI and in the eyes of his son, had a very successful career owning a business he loved. Richard decided he wanted to take a chance and revitalize an insurance agency of which he saw great potential for advancement.

The turbulent and excessive financial climate of the 1980’s proved to be a pivotal time in RI for small business. Richard began to appreciate that he ventured out of the corporate world and had acquired the agency from Yvonne Mercier. At this time, he took the company in a new direction by building it up financially and investing all his energies to make the company known to the public again. Richard renamed the agency Mercier and Kosinski Insurance, Inc. In 1983, the company moved from Central Falls, to Lincoln, RI on Smithfield Avenue. The agency continued to grow and thrive based on solid business relationships and hard work.

2002: A New Twist on an Old Favorite

Having grown up in a household buzzing with insurance talk, Joseph Kosinski was never a stranger to the world of insurance agencies. However, wanting to explore marketing and sales, Joseph pursued a different path to entrepreneurship. Always having a plan to own some type of business, Joseph wanted to be a marketer first. With a BS from Providence College, practical real world job experience from such companies as GTECH, Hirsch Speidel, and a marketing company called the BRW Group in Providence, Joseph took some chances and signed on to explore a new prospect. It became clear to him that the goal of overall job satisfaction could be found working on his own and he yearned for more of a permanence of client relationship. That’s where Mercier and Kosinski Insurance fell into the equation. This great institution of insurance opened up a world he never really knew existed. In 2002, Joseph Kosinski signed on to become a producer at Mercier and Kosinski Insurance. Joseph submersed himself in the pool of clients and learned the insurance business had many differences to corporate America. Joseph brought a new twist to the insurance business by implementing an advertising and marketing strategy.

The year 2005 saw many changes to Mercier and Kosinski Insurance. This year saw Joseph step into the principal agent’s seat. The agency increased overall volume and took a new direction focusing on products like commercial insurance as well as overall insurance plans for existing clients of the agency. Internally the transformation had begun to develop a new team that could suits the needs of a new kind of insurance world. One that is based on technology and new ways of communication, while trying to keep the original charm that had made the agency such a success in the past. For instance, a new logo prominently displays an abbreviation of Mercier and Kosinski Insurance that still imbues the firm’s history and pride.

Fast forward to 2009 and the launch of a new brand. The company continues to refine their market presence. Witness the new MKI Logo. A rebirth and continuation of a 72 year old pursuit of insuring and helping clients succeed at business and life long plans. Today we’re charged and excited about the new innovations and technology that will improve customer relations with clients. We haven’t forgotten about how we started. Louis Mercier’s spirit and dedication lives on in MKI.

Meet the MKI Team

Joseph Kosinski

Agency Principal

I’d describe myself as an honest, hardworking and outgoing person who is ready to make an impact in people’s lives. What I value most in my life isn’t a possession or an object. Many experiences in 2005 (and through out my life) have taught me that life can be fleeting; the most important thing we can do is live each day to the fullest with positive steps.

Ask anyone who knows me, insurance is my alter ego. From an early age, it was in my blood. I’m also a bona fide car guy. I also enjoy traveling to places like California as well as international travel abroad. I’ve found so much culture and tradition can be captured by seeing how people live around the world.

This agency has given me the opportunity to work hard and feel a sense of pride with everything I do. We have a nice staff that work hard and always give 100 percent! It may sound cliché, but we have some of the most wonderful clients. Loyal, friendly people who give me a reason to come to work each day and work for them. Each client gives our agency a purpose to exist and we strive to make their experience thoughtful.

For more information on me, you can find me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkIn.

Denise S. Kosinski

Agency Account Manager, Vice President, "Granddaughter to the Founder"

Denise is meticulous with the details and balances the books to the penny. That’s why she’s our bookkeeper extraordinaire. Her talents run much deeper, as she manages and motivates the staff on a daily basis. Her values are a major asset to the agency. Her loyalty to our business is immeasurable. Denise has been in the business for over 50 years being in the third generation of this four generation agency. You just cannot find someone more devoted to her job. “We’ve lasted this long because of honesty, integrity and commitment to our customer family. We hope to be doing business with our clients their whole lives.” Denise’s sentiments are sincere and her knack for customer service makes her the backbone of our agency.

Kris Zarli-Bloomquist, ACSR

Personal Lines Account Manager

Kris has worked in the insurance industry for more than 10 years. She has a bachelor’s degree from Johnson and Wales University and worked in the food service industry for 20 years prior to her career in the insurance world. With her knowledge of personal lines insurance she is the person to speak to when you have a question about your home or auto. When she is not in the office she spends time with her Black Lab Remy, volunteers at the Swedish club, the Lions Club and spends time with her family and friends.

George M. Coyne, AAI

Commercial Lines Account Manager

George understands that his clients come first and their needs are his first priority. What separates him from other agents is his knowledge, experience and dedication to helping his clients purchase the right coverage at the best possible price. A University of RI graduate, George started his professional insurance career as a claims adjuster working for multiple insurance companies so you know your claim will be settled fairly and expeditiously. From claims to commercial line sales or account management, he has done it all. George is married with two children and he understands the importance of developing, nurturing and maintaining solid relationships with his clients. You can feel confident in knowing that you will be treated like a family member, not just a client. When it comes to expert advise and counsel, George consistently comes through.

Affiliations

Restoration Companies

Insurance Reconstruction Services

1.888.231.3130 / www.insurancerecon.com

PFR Water 7 Fire Cleanup Specialists

1.800.421.3380 / www.pfrinc.com

Preferred Body Shops

Lindbergh’s Auto Body

401.722.8294

Wilson’s Auto Repair

401.725.2255

Driving Schools in RI

Larue’s Blackstone Valley Driving School

401.722.1864 (Rose A. Nickerson)

Mortgage Companies

Ocean Gate Mortgage Co., Inc.

www.oceangate.com

Rental Car Referral

Hertz Local Edition

401.274.4043

Local News

The Valley Breeze

www.valleybreeze.com

Lincoln Town Website

www.lincolnri.org

Company Websites for Insured

Peerless Insurance

www.peerless-ins.com

Travelers Insurance

www.travelers.com

Progressive Insurance

www.progressiveagent.com

GMAC Insurance

www.gmacinsurance.com

RI Joint Reinsurance

www.rijra.com

Encompass Insurance

www.encompassinsurance.com

Foremost Insurance

www.foremost.com

The Andover Companies

www.theandovercomapnies.com

SafeCo Insurance

www.Safeco.com

Trusted Choice: Independent Agents of RI

www.IIARI.com

Rhode Island DMV

www.dmv.ri.gov

Designers

This website was designed by Greene House Design
in collaboration with Solid Uncoated.

Greene House Design

www.greenehousedesign.com

Solid Uncoated

www.soliduncoated.com

Business Insurance

Insurance for Your Business World

One of the great perks of insuring your business with MKI is our knowledge and expertise working with businesses of many sizes and personalities. We understand the pressures and deadlines you need to make and realize that your time is valuable. This is why it is important to have an intelligent agent who can quickly and efficiently manage your business accounts as well as get back to you on a timely basis. Here at MKI we will make the right recommendations and then effectively implement them into your business insurance plan. MKI has the experience and commitment to work for you no matter how big or small your business is. The less you have to worry about your insurance, the more you can concentrate on your own business and goals.

Business Owners Policy (BOP)

This package policy is tailored by MKI for small and medium sized business owners. It covers property and liability exposures as well as a loss of income. This means that if there was a fire or other sort of property damage to your business and it is unable to operate until damages were repaired, your BOP would compensate your monthly earnings as well as cover your payroll for up to twelve months. Purchasing a BOP is a good idea because it provides a complete coverage for a lower price when compared to separate policies for the same coverage.

Commercial Package Policy

We bet you’ve heard the term package pricing. But how can it impact your business. Having all of the necessary policies with one agent can mean critical savings and better management of accounts. We are also focused on cost saving, so if you have an existing plan, let us shop it with our companies.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical care and rehabilitation for employees who are injured on the job or contract a work-related illness. Workers’ compensation also covers disability benefits, a portion of an employee’s lost wages as well as death benefits for dependents of employees killed in work related accident. We have many markets to quote many different kinds of insurance.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Commercial auto insurance provides coverage for company owned vehicles in the event of an accident that causes bodily injury or physical damage. Coverage can be for cars, trucks, buses or other types of vehicles. A common endorsement (which is a specification added to an existing insurance policy to modify its coverage) to commercial auto coverage is employers’ non-ownership and hired auto liability insurance. Employers’ non-ownership coverage would protect an employee’s personally owned vehicle if he or she needed to use it for work and got into an accident. Hired auto liability insurance is an option that would protect a rented vehicle for business use as long as it was rented for less than 30 days.

General Liability Insurance

This policy covers your business if it is sued for something the business did, or failed to do, and resulted in a bodily injury or property damage. This kind of protection can also compensate for any damages and/or settlements stemming from a lawsuit, up to the policy limits. In addition, general liability policies can cover attorneys’ fees and other costs associated with lawsuits.

Professional Liability Insurance

This policy is specialized for each type of business MKI insures. Coverage is assigned according to the amount of risk a client might have doing their business. It can protect you against financial losses from lawsuits filed against you by your clients. At MKI, we write a variety of professional liability insurance. Please contact us for further information regarding this policy.

Builder’s Risk Insurance

Building a new house or office building? THINK MKI. We have some great companies who offer some of the best rates in RI and MA. Renovating? This type of policy also covers a building during the course of construction or renovation. Builder’s risk insurance not only protects the building, it also protects building materials in transit, building materials at temporary locations, soft costs, and rental income. In addition, the policy covers the costs of labor and materials for new construction.

Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance

This form of insurance is for directors and officers of a company or a corporation in order to cover damages or defense costs in the event they are sued for wrongful acts while they were with that company. This type of liability insurance is also available to not-for-profit and private organizations. For not-for-profit organizations, private organizations, and for some small companies, coverage is often extended to employees in addition to the directors and officers of that company.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance

This policy provides protection for an employer against claims made by employees, former employees, or potential employees. It covers discrimination (age, sex, race, disability, etc.), wrongful termination of employment, sexual harassment, and other employment-related allegations. This policy will reimburse your company against the costs of defending a lawsuit in court and for judgments and settlements. It also covers legal costs, whether your company wins or loses the suit.

Liquor Liability Insurance

A Liquor Liability policy covers the legal liability imposed on a business that sells, distributes, manufactures, or serves alcoholic beverages. This type of insurance can protect your business against loss or damages claimed as a result of a patron of your business becoming intoxicated and injuring themselves or others. Some examples of businesses that should carry liquor liability insurance include bars, restaurants, hotels, motels, liquor stores, convenience stores, and grocery stores that sell liquor.

Special Events Liability Insurance

Special events liability coverage is a commercial general liability policy designed to provide insurance for the organization hosting an individual special event. Examples of some special events are concerts, arts and crafts shows, fundraisers, carnivals, golf tournaments, conferences/conventions, and festivals. Contact one of our agents for further information on coverage available for different events.

Surety Bonds

Ask us about Surety Bonds. We have binding authority with many companies. Fast and Easy, many can be done over the phone.