So, you’re checking out your bank statement or credit card bill as usual, and suddenly you see a strange charge labeled “MTN LAUREL ASSC.” That looks confusing, right? You might even think it’s some fishy charge or that somebody else has access to your account. But hold on—it is actually a legit charge in most cases.
What Does “MTN LAUREL ASSC” Mean?
The first thing to understand is that the strange name “MTN LAUREL ASSC” is simply a way for a bank to give a short description of where the money is withdrawn from your account. It isn’t a sneaky trick, just one of two pretty simple things.
- Mountain Laurel Assurance Company: A subsidiary of Progressive Insurance in Ohio. They handle auto, motorcycle, and other vehicle insurance, as well as homeowners coverage. If you’ve purchased an insurance plan from Mountain Laurel or Progressive, this charge is likely your regular premium payment. Sometimes, it shows up in slightly different formats, like “CHKCARD MTN LAUREL ASSC” or “POS Debit MTN LAUREL ASSC.”
- Mountain Laurel Homeowners Association: In some cases, the abbreviation refers to the homeowners association that manages the collection of maintenance fees for neighborhoods or condos.
Why Is This Charge Showing Up?
This charge isn’t new or random—it’s usually tied to a subscription or recurring payment. For example:
- Insurance premiums: These renew automatically every month once you’ve signed up, whether online or by phone. Many people forget the date of payment, so it can feel like a surprise when it shows up.
- HOA fees: If it’s from the homeowners association, then it represents fees for living in the Mountain Laurel community, like shared repairs or neighborhood maintenance.
- Test transactions: In rare cases, you might see a very small one-time amount (like $1–$5). That’s usually just a verification check.
People began reporting this fee as far back as early 2022, so you are definitely not alone in noticing it.
How Much Does It Cost?
The amount depends on the purpose of the charge:
- Insurance via Mountain Laurel Assurance: Often between $70 and $150 per month, with $76 or $112 being common for basic car coverage. For annual totals, charges can reach $200 to $500.
- Homeowners association fees: Typically $100 to $350 every few months, depending on location. These may increase slightly over time.
- Small test charges: Usually $1–$5, which often disappear after verification.
How Do I Know It’s Legit?
If you’ve actually bought an insurance plan from Mountain Laurel Assurance Company (via Progressive), then the charge is legitimate, and you have nothing to worry about. The best way to be sure is to pick up the phone and call the insurance company directly, giving them the details of the charge so they can confirm it.
What If I Don’t Recognize This Charge?
If you’re certain you never signed up for insurance with Mountain Laurel or don’t belong to the homeowners association, then it’s time to take action:
- Temporarily block your credit card.
- Call your bank or credit card company and report the suspicious charge. They’ll investigate and help secure your account.
Looking for other unknown charges? See our full list here: Unknown Bank Charges List.
