LOS ANGELES, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The claims team at Mercury Insurance is standing by to assist homeowners who were forced to evacuate their homes and suffered property damage from wind-whipped wildfires that ravaged Southern California this past weekend. Claims can be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week 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.
    -- Cover damaged walls, doors, windows and roofs with plastic sheeting or
       plywood.

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

SOURCE Mercury Insurance Group