LOS ANGELES, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- As major wildfires ravage Southern California's hillsides and canyons, the claims team at Mercury Insurance is standing by to assist homeowners who have been forced to evacuate their homes and have suffered property damage. Claims can be reported 24/7 to Mercury's Claims Hotline by calling (800) 503-3724.

"The Mercury claims team is here for our customers in the event they need to make a claim during this difficult time," said Joanna Moore, Mercury's chief claims officer. "Events such as these fires can be devastating and we will do everything we can to help our policyholders get back to normal as quickly as possible."

Mercury Claims Hotline: 1-800-503-3724

To help speed the claims process, Mercury suggests claimants consider the following tips when filing a claim:

    When filing a claim
    -- Contact Mercury immediately to report your loss.
    -- Do not remove debris or damaged property that may be related to your
       claim.


    Steps after filing a claim
    -- Prepare a detailed inventory of destroyed or damaged property.
    -- Offer photos or videotapes of your home and possessions to your
       adjuster, if these are available.
    -- Keep copies of communications between you and your adjuster.
    -- Keep records and receipts for additional living expenses that were
       incurred if you were forced to leave your home, and provide copies to
       your adjuster.

About Mercury Insurance

Founded in 1962, Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization offering predominantly personal automobile and homeowners insurance through a network of independent agents and brokers in California, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona, New York, Georgia, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

     Contacts:   Kathleen Flood     Melissa Spraul   Erik Thompson
                 MWW Group          MWW Group        Mercury Insurance Group
                 (213) 486-6560,    (213) 486-6560,  (661) 291-6435
                 ext. 318           ext. 313

            http://www.MercuryInsurance.com

SOURCE Mercury Insurance Group

CONTACT: Kathleen Flood, +1-213-486-6560, ext. 318, or Melissa Spraul, +1-213-486-6560, ext. 313, both of MWW Group, for Mercury Insurance Group; or Erik Thompson of Mercury Insurance Group, +1-661-291-6435

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