Mercury Insurance Is Ready To Help Victims Of Multiple California Wildfires

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Valley fire – fed by excessive heat and dried brush and trees caused by California's longstanding drought – broke out in Northern California on Saturday, causing Governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency in Lake and Napa Counties. It's the latest to ignite of a dozen fires that are actively burning in the state, including the Rough fire near the Sequoia National Forest and the Butte Fire northeast of Stockton.

Mercury Insurance is ready to assist policyholders who have had to leave their homes or whose property has suffered fire damage. Mercury representatives are available to help with claims, arrange for temporary housing for homeowners customers and provide assistance with living expenses if policyholders suffer a covered loss or were forced to evacuate.

"The drought in California is so severe that the slightest spark or lightning strike can ignite an inferno," says Mercury's Chief Claims Officer Randy Petro. "First and foremost, we want people to be safe and listen to any instructions to evacuate. The Mercury claims team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help customers. Policyholders affected by these fires should call the Mercury Claims Hotline at (800) 503-3724 and we'll do everything we can to help get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible."

Californians can help spread this message by following @MercuryIns on Twitter and ReTweeting: "Mercury policyholders impacted by the CA #wildfires call (800) 503-3724 to file a claim ASAP. #valleyfire #buttefire."

The Valley fire, which is still uncontained, has already burned 61,000 acres and forced 13,000 residents to leave their homes.

Petro advises policyholders follow a few simple procedures to help the claims process.

When filing a claim

• Contact Mercury immediately to report your loss.
• Be prepared to provide your policy number.
• 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 video tapes 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.

ABOUT MERCURY INSURANCE
Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization predominantly offering personal automobile, homeowners and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices. For more information visit www.mercuryinsurance.com or Facebook.com/MercuryInsurance and follow the company on Twitter.

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SOURCE Mercury Insurance