Mercury Insurance Urges Homeowners to Prepare for Winter's Unpredictable Weather

Rhea-AI Summary

Mercury Insurance (NYSE:MCY) on Nov 25, 2025 urged homeowners to prepare for unpredictable winter weather and highlighted steps to reduce costly water damage.

Recommended actions cover yard, exterior, and interior checks: trim branches, secure outdoor items, clean drains and gutters, inspect and repair roofs, treat decks, seal siding cracks, caulk window and door frames, check ducts and sewer lines, and update home inventories and insurance coverage.

Simple Steps Now Can Help Prevent Costly Water Damage and Protect Your Home

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As winter rapidly approaches, homeowners are facing increasingly unpredictable weather, marked by sudden temperature swings, intense storms and heavier-than-normal precipitation. That's why Mercury Insurance is encouraging homeowners to take proactive steps now to ensure their property is ready for whatever this winter brings.

"Water damage is one of the most common types of homeowners insurance claims," said Bonnie Lee, Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer at Mercury Insurance. "It's important for homeowners to do what they can to mitigate damage by readying their property ahead of the rain and snow."

You can't control the weather, but homeowners can prepare ahead of time by conducting a thorough inspection of their home and property before wet weather arrives. Here are a few things you can do to protect your family, pets and personal property before the rain begins to fall:

Yard

• Trim tree branches away from the home and power lines. Branches that break during severe storms could potentially damage your house or cause power outages. Inspect and remove dead branches that may snap easily.
• Move outdoor furniture and tools indoors, including gardening equipment. Cleaning and storing these items inside will prevent weather damage. Consider coating your tools with protective oil to guard against rust.
• Clean your drains. Make sure all of your drains are open and free flowing. Dead leaves and yard debris can clog drains, which will prevent excess rain water from draining properly. This could lead to pooling around your foundation, causing leaks and water damage.

Home Exterior

• Clean gutters and make sure they are securely fastened to your home. This will help direct rainwater away from the foundation of your home. Inspect the condition of gutters and downspouts and seal up any leaks.
• Check your roof for missing shingles, holes and weak spots. Work with a licensed contractor ahead of storms to make roof repairs, if necessary.
• Clean and treat your deck. Remove debris from decks to deter mold and mildew growth. Consider treating decks with a water-resistant coating — like liquid rubber sealant — to prevent weather damage and preserve your deck.
• Check the perimeter of your home for cracks in siding or peeled paint. Fill in any cracks, gaps or holes you encounter, as these can turn into bigger problems later on. Sealing these will prevent moisture from causing structural damage to your home and keep animals from burrowing inside.

Home Interior

• Check for cracked glass in windows and examine window and door frames for leaks and rot. Small leaks can go unnoticed and seep into window panes and frames. Caulk gaps with sealant and remove and replace any rotted frames.
• Examine any basement, crawl space or attic air ducts for leaks. Leaks in these less-used areas of your home can often go unnoticed, and air vents are an easy entry point for water. If the forecast calls for heavy rain, consider covering openings (inside and outside) with durable plastic sheeting.
• Check your sewer lines. A leaky or broken sewer line can allow rainwater to enter the system and backup into your home, so make sure to have your lines inspected.

"A little prep can go a long way, but it's still a good idea to review your insurance policy before winter starts. Update your home inventory and check with your local insurance agent to make sure you have enough coverage," advised Lee.

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 X, Instagram or Facebook or email us at Newsroom@MercuryInsurance.com. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercury-insurance-urges-homeowners-to-prepare-for-winters-unpredictable-weather-302625388.html

SOURCE Mercury Insurance

FAQ

What did Mercury Insurance (MCY) recommend on Nov 25, 2025 to prevent winter water damage?

Mercury recommended inspections and fixes: trim branches, clean drains and gutters, check roof shingles, seal siding cracks, caulk windows and doors, inspect ducts and sewer lines, and update home inventory and coverage.

How should homeowners prepare gutters and downspouts before winter according to Mercury Insurance (MCY)?

Clean gutters, ensure they are securely fastened, inspect for leaks, and seal any gaps so rainwater is directed away from the foundation.

What yard and outdoor steps did Mercury Insurance (MCY) advise on Nov 25, 2025?

Trim tree branches away from house and power lines, move outdoor furniture and tools indoors, coat tools to prevent rust, and remove leaves and debris from drains.

What interior checks did Mercury Insurance (MCY) suggest to reduce winter water damage risk?

Inspect windows and door frames for cracks or rot and caulk gaps, check basement/crawl space/attic ducts for leaks, cover openings if heavy rain is forecast, and inspect sewer lines.

Does Mercury Insurance (MCY) recommend reviewing insurance coverage before winter?

Yes; Mercury advised updating home inventory and consulting your local insurance agent to confirm you have sufficient coverage before winter storms.