Mercury Insurance Offers Tips for
"Weathering the Storm"
LOS
ANGELES, May 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In
advance of the official start of 2024 hurricane season in June,
Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is offering consumers tips on
how to prepare for hurricane season. This guidance will help
prepare and safeguard your home and coincides with National
Hurricane Preparedness Week from May 5-11.
In conjunction with Insurance Institute for Business and Home
Safety (IBHS), the following are key tasks a homeowner should
complete to ensure you and your family are prepared for any
eventuality:
- Create a plan for your family and home and choose someone
outside of the danger zone as a central point of contact.
- Stay informed – set up reliable weather information and alerts,
and purchase a NOAA Weather Radio.
- Review your insurance, document your belongings and create a
home inventory video.
- Have a licensed professional inspect and prepare your roof,
vents, skylights and chimneys; conduct preventative maintenance,
where necessary.
- The next time you replace your roof, consider materials and an
installation that meets IBHS Fortified Roof requirements.
- Trim trees and tidy your yard. Keep all trees trimmed and away
from your house and make sure loose yard furniture and other
equipment is secure.
- Regularly service your generator and store it in a safe, dry
location. And if you don't have a generator, consider purchasing
one.
A complete checklist is available at Insurance Institute for
Business and Home Safety Hurricane Ready Guidance.
"These tips from IBHS are best practices for all homeowners, but
especially for those who live in hurricane zones like the
Southeast," said Mike Dawdy,
director, state product management, at Mercury Insurance. "By
preparing your home for the upcoming storm season ahead of time,
you can provide a safer environment for your family and save money
if you sustain weather-related damage."
Should a hurricane strike your area and your property is
damaged, Mercury Insurance will have a team ready to assist its
policyholders. Dawdy explains that the first step for Mercury
customers is to call your Mercury independent agent and Mercury
Insurance for assistance.
"In the event of any catastrophic weather event, our team will
be standing by to help as quickly and efficiently as possible,"
says Dawdy.
When Filing a Claim
Mercury customers can report their loss or damage online anytime
through Mercury's automated digital experience by submitting a
claim at Mercury Insurance Claims or by calling the
claims hotline at (800) 503-3724.
- Be prepared to provide your policy number.
- Provide all of your contact information so your adjuster can
reach you. It's important to provide all your phone numbers, even
if temporary.
- Take account and be prepared to provide a complete description
of your damage. Have photos of your damage ready to share with your
assigned adjuster.
- If available, have any pre-loss photos/videos of your property
or its contents ready to share with your adjuster. This will assist
your adjuster with the damage evaluation process.
- Do not remove any debris or damaged property that may be
related to your claim. If it is unsafe to keep any damaged
personal items, please take photos of the unsafe items for your
adjuster to review as part of your claims, then properly discard
unsafe items.
- Keep records – copies of communications between you and your
adjuster, receipts for living expenses incurred in the event you
have been displaced, etc.
Here are some additional key hurricane facts that may be
helpful heading into the 2024 season that everyone should be aware
of:
- Hurricane activity tends to peak in mid-September, according to
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- According to the Weather Channel, the 2024 hurricane season
will likely be one of the most active on record, with 24 named
storms and 11 hurricanes expected.
- According to the National Weather Service, an average of 12
tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and
Gulf of Mexico every year. Many of
these remain over the ocean, and of the 12 tropical storms,
six will become hurricanes each year.
Additional hurricane preparedness resources:
- NOAA National Weather
Service: www.weather.gov/safety.php
- American Red
Cross: www.redcross.org/getprepared
- Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.ready.gov
Headquartered in Los Angeles,
Mercury Insurance provides auto, homeowners and business insurance
through more than 4,700 employees and a network of more than 8,000
independent agents in 11 states.
About Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance
carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance
directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents
in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New
Jersey, New York,
Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in
Florida. Mercury also writes
business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril
and mechanical protection insurance in various states.
Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value
for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with
excellent customer service. Mercury has earned "A" ratings from
A.M. Best and Fitch, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company"
designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit
www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on Twitter or
Facebook.
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SOURCE Mercury Insurance