Mercury Insurance Offers Top 5 Ways to Make Sure You Aren't a Target of Gift Thieves This Holiday Season

Mercury Insurance (MCY) on Dec. 16, 2025 urged drivers to protect holiday shopping from vehicle break-ins by adopting simple precautions.

Rhea-AI Summary

Mercury Insurance (MCY) on Dec. 16, 2025 urged drivers to protect holiday shopping from vehicle break-ins by adopting simple precautions. The release lists Top 5 ways to avoid gift theft: keep packages out of sight, lock doors and windows, choose well-lit parking, avoid leaving items visible even briefly, and stay aware of surroundings. A bonus tip recommends reviewing auto and personal property coverage before the holiday season.

The company noted its product lines and staffing: auto, homeowners and business insurance sold through a network of agents in 11 states and over 4,700 employees.

Argus Dec 16 session

-0.36% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – MCY

On Dec 16, the day this news came out, MCY closed 0.36% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Dec 16 session.

Market Context

This announcement centers on practical steps to reduce holiday gift theft from vehicles and encourag...

Analysis

This announcement centers on practical steps to reduce holiday gift theft from vehicles and encourages drivers to review auto and personal property coverage. It continues Mercury’s recent pattern of consumer education on risk prevention and policy awareness rather than providing new financial guidance. In this context, investors may focus on previously reported metrics such as net income, revenues and capital levels from recent filings, while monitoring how ongoing outreach supports customer retention and cross-selling opportunities across its 11-state footprint.

Key Figures

Safety tips count: 5 ways Employees: 4,700 employees Independent agents: 8,000 agents +1 more

Safety tips count

5 ways

Top 5 ways to avoid gift theft

Employees

4,700 employees

Company headcount in 11 states

Independent agents

8,000 agents

Network of independent agents

States served

11 states

States where Mercury provides insurance

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 10

5 events

1. Dec 10

   Homeowners guidance

   24h Move

   +0.4%

   Education on homeowners policy limits, exclusions and discounts.

2. Dec 04

   Coverage checkup tips

   24h Move

   -0.4%

   Encouraged annual insurance reviews after major life changes.

3. Nov 25

   Winter prep tips

   24h Move

   +0.1%

   Guidance for homeowners to limit winter weather-related damage.

4. Nov 21

   Winter driving safety

   24h Move

   +3.2%

   Seasonal tips to reduce collisions in adverse winter conditions.

5. Nov 20

   Holiday travel guidance

   24h Move

   +1.0%

   Advice on policy reviews and preparedness for holiday driving.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

mechanical protection, ride-hailing, home cyber protection, home systems protection, +1 more

5 terms

mechanical protection financial

"Mercury offers personal auto, mechanical protection, ride-hailing, condo..."

Mechanical protection means physical features or barriers—like guards, casings, mounts, or shock absorbers—that prevent damage to equipment, products, or people from moving parts, impacts, vibration, or wear. For investors, it matters because good mechanical protection reduces the risk of accidents, costly repairs, product recalls and regulatory fines, and can improve a product’s reliability and marketability much like a sturdy case protects a smartphone from drops.

ride-hailing financial

"Mercury offers personal auto, mechanical protection, ride-hailing, condo..."

A ride-hailing service is a mobile app or online platform that matches passengers with drivers who provide on-demand, paid transportation; think of it like ordering a taxi through your phone the way you order a meal. It matters to investors because these services can scale quickly, generate fees and data without owning many vehicles, and face important factors such as local rules, driver costs, and customer growth that directly affect future profits and risk.

home cyber protection financial

"homeowners, home cyber protection, home systems protection, identity..."

Home cyber protection are products and services designed to keep people’s home devices and networks safe from online threats like hacking, identity theft, malware, and privacy breaches. For investors it matters because demand for these protections drives sales and recurring revenue for technology and security companies, affects customer churn and brand trust much like home insurance or locks influence homeowner decisions, and can change a company’s regulatory and liability risk exposure.

home systems protection financial

"home cyber protection, home systems protection, identity management..."

Home systems protection is a service or insurance-like plan that pays for repair or replacement of major household systems such as heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical when they break down. For investors, these plans matter because they create steady, often subscription-style revenue, reduce unexpected cost exposure for homeowners, and can increase customer loyalty and margins for providers—think of it as a warranty that smooths income and lowers churn like a service contract for a car.

personal umbrella insurance financial

"business auto and personal umbrella insurance in Virginia."

Personal umbrella insurance is an extra layer of liability protection that kicks in after your standard policies (like auto or home insurance) reach their limits, covering large claims for things such as lawsuits or medical bills. For investors, it matters because it reduces the risk that an insured individual’s major legal or medical costs will force asset sales or bankruptcy, and it affects insurers’ exposure to high-cost liability claims—think of it as a safety net stretched above your regular policies.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Don't Let a Grinch Take Away Your Joy

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holiday shopping season in full swing, crowded parking lots and busy shopping trips create ideal opportunities for thieves searching for unattended gifts and valuables left in vehicles. Mercury Insurance encourages drivers to take simple precautions to help keep their cars — and holiday packages — safe.

"Thieves look for quick opportunities, and vehicles filled with visible packages are an easy target," said Kevin Quinn, Vice President of Auto Claims at Mercury Insurance. "A few smart habits can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a break-in, and they help ensure your holiday plans aren't derailed by a loss that could have been prevented."

Based on law enforcement guidance and national crime-prevention recommendations, Mercury Insurance offers these Top 5 Ways to Avoid Becoming a Target of Gift Theft:

1. Keep Gifts and Valuables Out of Sight

Always place gifts and shopping bags in the trunk or a concealed storage area before you park. Visible bags or boxes in the backseat are among the most common triggers of "smash-and-grab" theft.

2. Lock Your Doors and Close All Windows

Even quick trips create opportunities. Always lock the vehicle, close windows fully, and confirm remote-lock signals before walking away.

3. Choose Smart Parking Spots

Park in well-lit spaces with high visibility and foot traffic. Areas monitored by security or cameras help discourage opportunistic theft.

4. Avoid Leaving Items in Plain View — Even Temporarily

If you plan to make multiple stops, consider dropping items at home in between. A blanket or coat over packages is still a visual cue for thieves to investigate.

5. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Avoid distractions when approaching or leaving your vehicle. If something seems off, trust your instincts and notify store security or law enforcement.

Bonus Tip: Review Your Coverage Before the Holiday Rush

While these precautions can reduce risk, no solution is foolproof. Reviewing your auto policy and personal property coverage before the season begins can help ensure you're prepared if the unexpected occurs.

"Break-ins tend to spike during the holidays, and many of the losses we see could have been prevented with a few simple steps," Quinn added. "We want our customers to enjoy the season, shop with confidence, and know Mercury is here to support them when they need us."

Mercury offers personal auto, mechanical protection, ride-hailing, condo, homeowners, home cyber protection, home systems protection, identity management services, renters, service line protection, business auto and personal umbrella insurance in Virginia. 

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 predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance 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 writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home- sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance. 

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an "A" rating from A.M. Best, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com.

Interested media can follow Mercury and receive notifications about new press releases at the new Mercury Insurance Newsroom at https://newsroom.mercuryinsurance.com/, follow the company on Instagram or Facebook or email us at Newsroom@MercuryInsurance.com. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercury-insurance-offers-top-5-ways-to-make-sure-you-arent-a-target-of-gift-thieves-this-holiday-season-302643599.html

SOURCE Mercury Insurance

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What are Mercury Insurance's top tips to avoid gift theft from vehicles?

Keep gifts out of sight, lock doors and windows, park in well-lit areas, avoid leaving items visible, and stay aware of surroundings.

How does Mercury Insurance (MCY) suggest checking coverage before the holidays?

Review your auto policy and personal property coverage to confirm limits and deductibles before heavy holiday shopping.

When did Mercury Insurance issue the holiday gift-theft guidance for MCY drivers?

The guidance was issued on December 16, 2025.

Does Mercury Insurance recommend parking locations to reduce theft risk?

Yes—park in well-lit, high-visibility spots with foot traffic or security/camera monitoring when possible.

Will covering packages with a blanket prevent thieves as Mercury (MCY) advises?

Mercury cautions that a blanket or coat can still signal visible packages and recommends placing items in a trunk or concealed storage.

What lines of insurance does Mercury Insurance mention in the release?

The release lists personal auto, homeowners, renters, condo, business auto, umbrella, mechanical protection, identity and home cyber protections.