Mercury General - MCY STOCK NEWS

Mercury Insurance has released comprehensive guidance for consumers looking to purchase new or used vehicles, addressing the growing trend of extended car ownership, which now averages nearly 13 years according to PBS.

The guide emphasizes considering the total cost of ownership, including insurance, repairs, and fuel consumption. Justin Yoshizawa, Director of Product Management at Mercury Insurance, advises buyers to be practical and avoid purchasing more car than necessary.

Key recommendations include:

• Defining needs and budget while considering vehicle type, size, and intended use
• Following the 20/4/10 rule: 20% down payment, 4-year repayment term, and limiting transportation costs to 10% of monthly income
• For used cars: thorough inspection, professional evaluation, and vehicle history verification
• Researching market values through resources like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds
• Getting pre-approved for car loans to strengthen negotiating position

The guide also highlights the importance of test drives and considering various powertrain options, including traditional gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles.

Mercury Insurance has released important driving safety tips during Distracted Driving Awareness Month, highlighting that 1.19 million people die annually on global roadways. The company emphasizes that traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for ages 5-29, with distracted driving being a major concern.

Key statistics shared include:

• 11,302 deaths from unbuckled passengers in 2022
• 13,000+ alcohol-related crash fatalities in 2022
• 3,000 distracted driving deaths in 2024 (14% of traffic deaths)
• 2,883 teen driver fatal crashes in 2022

Mercury's Director Justin Yoshizawa outlines essential safety measures including: consistent seatbelt use, proper child car seat installation, sober driving, avoiding distractions, following speed limits, preventing drowsy driving, educating teen drivers, and regular vehicle recall checks. The company notes that maintaining safe driving habits can potentially lead to lower insurance rates.

Mercury Insurance (MCY) has earned a place on Forbes' America's Best Midsized Employers 2025 list, showcasing its dedication to employee growth and company culture. The recognition comes through an independent survey conducted by Forbes and Statista, analyzing over 6.5 million employer evaluations from 217,000 U.S. employees.

The evaluation process incorporated both personal feedback from team members and public opinions, with greater emphasis on employee input. The assessment covered six key areas: image, work atmosphere/development potential, wages, diversity, working conditions, and workplace environment.

CEO Gabriel Tirador highlighted the company's strong culture that promotes growth and innovation. Notable is Mercury's exceptional employee retention, with an average tenure exceeding 12 years - nearly triple the insurance industry average. The company, established in 1962, maintains its focus on supporting team members and fostering a workplace where employees feel valued and empowered.

Mercury General (NYSE: MCY) has announced it will release its first quarter 2025 earnings report after market close on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The company will simultaneously file its quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the SEC.

Mercury General operates as a multiple line insurance organization, primarily offering personal automobile and homeowners insurance through independent producers and direct-to-consumer channels across multiple states.

The company emphasized that the upcoming earnings release should be reviewed alongside their Form 10-Q filing for complete information.

Mercury Insurance has released comprehensive guidance for EV owners planning summer road trips, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation. The advisory, dated April 9, 2025, highlights essential planning strategies around charging stations and vehicle readiness.

Key recommendations include:

• Using apps like PlugShare, EVgo, Electrify America, and Tesla for trip planning
• Understanding different charging levels - from Level 1 (24-hour full charge) to Level 3 DCFC (20-60 minute 80% charge)
• Maintaining battery levels above 20% for optimal battery health
• Ensuring insurance policies include EV-specific roadside assistance
• Creating backup routes and charging plans

The company notes that by end of 2025, most EVs will have access to Tesla's Supercharger network. Despite slowing EV adoption rates, Mercury Insurance emphasizes the growing importance of proper EV trip planning as infrastructure continues to develop.

Mercury Insurance (MCY) has released tax preparation guidance for homeowners, highlighting key deductions that could result in significant savings. The company emphasizes the importance of thorough documentation, especially with the rise in remote work arrangements.

The advisory outlines several important deductions including:

• Mortgage interest deductions up to $750,000 for single filers or married couples filing jointly
• Property tax deductions up to $10,000 for joint filers or $5,000 for single/separate filers
• Home office expenses for dedicated workspace
• Energy-efficient improvement credits available through 2032
• Home equity loan interest when used for home improvements

Mercury's Senior Product Manager, Adam Bakonis, stresses the significance of reviewing these deductions with tax professionals to maximize potential returns.

Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) has launched a new personal umbrella insurance policy in Georgia, marking its sixth state expansion after California, Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Arizona. The launch responds to a 35% increase in average liability claim amounts since the pandemic.

The new policy offers enhanced protection against bodily injury claims starting at less than $1.00 per day. Key features include:

• Multi-policy discounts across auto, homeowners and umbrella policies
• 5% discount for 3-year accident and violation-free drivers
• Uninsured motorist coverage up to $1 million
• Liability coverage options from $1 million to $2 million

The announcement comes as Georgia faces rising costs from multi-vehicle crashes, dog bites, and property-related injuries. Mercury cites a case where a policyholder, who became a doctor, faced significant out-of-pocket expenses after a moped accident due to insufficient coverage.

Mercury Insurance (MCY) reports a concerning trend in U.S. auto insurance, as uninsured motorists increased from 11% to 14% between 2019-2022, meaning approximately 1 in 7 drivers lack coverage. This surge is driving up costs across the industry, with policyholders collectively paying $16 billion for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

The average cost of full coverage car insurance reached $205 per month as of November 2024. Mercury's VP of Auto Claims, Kevin Quinn, emphasizes that both insurers and insured drivers bear the financial burden of uninsured motorists, leading to higher premiums even for those with clean driving records.

The company recommends several protective measures, including carrying uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, considering umbrella policies, and maintaining safe driving habits to minimize accident risks.

Mercury General (NYSE: MCY) reported its Q4 and fiscal 2024 results, showing significant growth in key metrics. Net premiums earned increased 18.1% to $1.35 billion in Q4 2024, while full-year net premiums earned rose 18.7% to $5.08 billion. The company's net income for Q4 2024 was $101.1 million ($1.82 per diluted share), down 47.2% from Q4 2023, while full-year net income increased 385.8% to $468 million.

The combined ratio improved to 91.4% in Q4 2024 from 98.6% in Q4 2023. The California Department of Insurance approved a 12% rate increase for California homeowners insurance, effective March 2025. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.3175 per share, payable March 27, 2025.

Notably, January 2025 wildfires in Southern California are estimated to cause gross catastrophe losses of $1.6-2.0 billion, with net catastrophe losses before taxes ranging from $155-325 million.