Mercury Insurance Shares Steps Homeowners Can Take to Prepare for Power Outages Before the Lights Go Out

Rhea-AI Summary

Mercury Insurance (NYSE:MCY) outlines practical steps homeowners can take to prepare for power outages driven by summer heat, severe weather and grid strain. The guidance highlights emergency kits, food safety, electronics protection, medical and communication plans, and understanding home vulnerabilities to reduce safety risks and property damage.

According to U.S. Energy Information Administration data cited, Americans average over seven hours of power interruptions annually, excluding major catastrophic events, underscoring the value of advance outage preparedness for households nationwide.

Market Context

This announcement highlights Mercury Insurance’s focus on homeowner preparedness for power outages, ...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Mercury Insurance’s focus on homeowner preparedness for power outages, emphasizing safety, food protection, and continuity of communications. The content is educational rather than explicitly financial, and there is no recent news history to connect to clear market patterns. Investors may watch for future updates that link these risk-prevention efforts to loss trends, customer engagement, or broader strategic initiatives, especially during periods of extreme weather.

Key Figures

Annual outage duration: more than seven hours Freezer food safety window: 48 hours Refrigerator cooling window: four hours

3 metrics

Annual outage duration more than seven hours Average power interruptions per American electricity customer annually

Freezer food safety window 48 hours Full freezer can keep food safe if unopened during outage

Refrigerator cooling window four hours Refrigerator may keep food cold if unopened during outage

Key Terms

power surges, sump pumps

2 terms

power surges technical

"Power surges can occur when electricity is restored."

Power surges are sudden, brief spikes in electrical voltage that can damage machinery, computers and other equipment or interrupt operations; think of them like a sudden strong wave hitting a boat and jostling everything aboard. Investors care because repeated or severe surges can lead to repair or replacement costs, production downtime, warranty and insurance claims, regulatory scrutiny or lost revenue, all of which can affect a company’s profitability and stock value.

sump pumps technical

"Power outages can affect sump pumps, garage doors, security systems"

A sump pump is a mechanical device installed in a low point of a building or equipment pit to remove unwanted water by pumping it away from foundations or machinery. For investors, sump pumps matter because they protect physical assets from water damage, reduce the likelihood of costly repairs or downtime, and can affect property value and insurance costs—think of them as an automatic drain keeping a basement or factory floor dry.

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

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

Americans lose hours of power each year. Mercury shares steps homeowners can take before the next outage.

LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercury Insurance (NYSE/NYSE TX: MCY) is encouraging homeowners to prepare now for potential power outages as summer heat, severe weather and increased strain on the electrical grid continue to challenge communities across the country. While many outages last only a few hours, longer disruptions can damage appliances, spoil food, interrupt communications and create safety hazards inside and outside the home.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average American electricity customer experiences more than seven hours of power interruptions annually, excluding major catastrophic events. Weather-related incidents remain the leading cause of large-scale outages, with storms, extreme heat, wildfires and high winds contributing to disruptions that affect millions of households each year.

"Power outages are often viewed as an inconvenience, but they can quickly become a safety and property protection issue," said Adam Bakonis, Homeowners Product Manager at Mercury Insurance. "A little preparation before an outage occurs can help homeowners protect their families, avoid unnecessary expenses and recover more quickly when the power returns."

Five Ways Homeowners Can Prepare for a Power Outage

1. Build a Basic Emergency Kit
Every household should have flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, bottled water, nonperishable food and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio readily available. Avoid relying on candles, which can increase fire risk during an outage.

2. Protect Refrigerated and Frozen Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed during an outage whenever possible. A full freezer can generally keep food safe for about 48 hours if unopened, while a refrigerator may keep food cold for approximately four hours.

3. Safeguard Electronics and Appliances
Power surges can occur when electricity is restored. Homeowners should consider using surge protectors for valuable electronics and unplugging sensitive equipment during extended outages to help prevent damage.

4. Plan for Medical and Communication Needs
Families should identify backup charging options for mobile devices and ensure anyone who relies on electrically powered medical equipment has an emergency plan in place. Portable battery packs can provide an additional layer of preparedness.

5. Know Your Home's Vulnerabilities
Power outages can affect sump pumps, garage doors, security systems and smart home devices. Homeowners should understand which systems may be impacted and consider backup solutions where appropriate.

Extreme Weather Continues to Drive Outage Risk

Weather-related power interruptions have become more common as communities face increasingly severe storms, extreme temperatures and wildfire threats. Utility providers across the country continue to invest in grid upgrades, but homeowners remain an important part of the preparedness equation.

"Preparedness is one of the most effective ways to reduce the disruption caused by an outage," Bakonis said. "Understanding your risks and taking a few preventive steps today can make a significant difference when the unexpected happens."

For more information about protecting your home and preparing for unexpected events, visit the Mercury Blog.

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. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Media interested in receiving updates from Mercury can learn more at the Mercury Newsroom.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercury-insurance-shares-steps-homeowners-can-take-to-prepare-for-power-outages-before-the-lights-go-out-302797591.html

SOURCE Mercury Insurance Services, LLC

FAQ

What power outage preparation tips does Mercury Insurance (MCY) recommend for homeowners in 2026?

Mercury Insurance recommends building an emergency kit, protecting food, safeguarding electronics, planning for medical needs, and knowing home vulnerabilities. According to Mercury Insurance, these steps can help protect families, reduce unnecessary expenses, and speed recovery when electricity is restored after an outage.

How long can food stay safe in a refrigerator or freezer during a power outage?

Food safety duration depends on keeping doors closed. According to Mercury Insurance, citing FDA guidance, a full freezer can generally keep food safe for about 48 hours unopened, while a refrigerator may keep food cold for approximately four hours during an electrical outage.

Why does Mercury Insurance say homeowners should prepare for power outages now?

Mercury Insurance notes that summer heat, storms, wildfires and grid strain are increasing outage risks. According to Mercury Insurance, Americans already average more than seven hours of annual power interruptions, making advance planning important to reduce safety hazards and property damage in homes.

What emergency kit items does Mercury Insurance suggest for home power outage readiness?

Mercury Insurance suggests flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, bottled water, nonperishable food, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. According to Mercury Insurance, homeowners should avoid relying on candles during outages because they can increase the risk of fire inside the home.

How can homeowners protect electronics and appliances when power is restored after an outage?

Homeowners can use surge protectors and unplug sensitive devices during extended outages. According to Mercury Insurance, power surges may occur when electricity returns, so safeguarding valuable electronics and appliances can help prevent damage and reduce replacement costs following service restoration.

What does Mercury Insurance advise for people with medical or communication needs during outages?

Mercury Insurance advises arranging backup charging for mobile devices and ensuring plans for electrically powered medical equipment. According to Mercury Insurance, portable battery packs and clear emergency planning can help maintain essential communication and health support when the power goes out unexpectedly.