Essential Vehicle Checks Before Summer Road Trips
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 02 2026
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- Tire Check Importance: Ensuring proper tire pressure and condition before summer travel can reduce the risk of blowouts and improve fuel efficiency, thereby enhancing safety and cost-effectiveness during long drives.
- Dashboard Warning Light Management: Addressing dashboard warning lights, especially those related to the battery and cooling system, before departure can prevent more serious issues during long trips, ensuring safer driving conditions.
- Battery and Cooling System Testing: High summer temperatures significantly impact batteries and engines, and regular checks of these systems can minimize breakdowns due to overheating, ensuring vehicle reliability in hot conditions.
- Emergency Kit Preparation: Even well-maintained vehicles can face unexpected issues, so preparing a basic emergency kit, including first aid supplies and extra food, can provide essential support in emergencies, ensuring a smooth family trip.
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About MCY
Mercury General Corporation is an insurance holding company. The Company is primarily engaged in writing personal automobile insurance and provides related property and casualty insurance products to its customers through 12 subsidiaries in approximately 11 states, principally in California. It writes about homeowners, commercial automobiles, commercial property, mechanical protection, and umbrella insurance. Its automobile coverage includes collision, property damage, bodily injury (BI), comprehensive, personal injury protection (PIP), underinsured, and uninsured motorists, and other hazards. Its homeowner's coverage includes dwelling, liability, personal property, and other coverage. It offers standard, non-standard, and preferred private passenger automobile insurance in over 11 states. The Company also offers homeowners insurance in 10 states, commercial automobile insurance in 4 states, and mechanical protection insurance in most states.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Safety Charging Recommendations: Mercury Insurance advises homeowners to follow five lithium-ion battery safety tips to mitigate fire risks, including proper charging, storage, and maintenance of batteries, emphasizing that simple precautions can greatly reduce the likelihood of fire incidents.
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- Importance of Scheduled Maintenance: Delaying oil changes and brake services can shorten vehicle lifespan and increase future repair costs, with Mercury advising adherence to manufacturer maintenance schedules.
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- Scheduled Maintenance: Delaying oil changes and brake services can lead to mechanical failures and shorten vehicle lifespan, so owners should adhere to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.
- Pre-Trip Inspections: Conducting vehicle inspections before long trips can help identify issues early, preventing roadside problems; it is recommended to schedule checks several weeks in advance for safe travel.
See More
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See More
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- Competitive Edge: In the 2026 Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards, Mercury earned honors for 'Outstanding for Competitive Rates' in both Auto and Homeowners Insurance, further solidifying its value proposition in the insurance market and attracting more customers.
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See More
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- Increased Fire Risk: As summer temperatures rise and rechargeable devices become more common, the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries charging in homes and garages significantly escalates, especially during high temperatures and frequent equipment use, potentially leading to rapidly spreading fires.
- Safety Charging Recommendations: Mercury Insurance advises homeowners to follow five lithium-ion battery safety tips to mitigate fire risks, including proper charging, storage, and maintenance of batteries, emphasizing that simple precautions can greatly reduce the likelihood of fire incidents.
- Technology and Fire Prevention: Holly Sacks, Director of Portfolio Underwriting and CAT Management at Mercury Insurance, highlights that as technology becomes increasingly integral to daily life, homeowners must pay more attention to technology-related fire prevention to ensure the safe use of battery-powered devices.
- Insurance Service Background: Since its establishment in 1962, Mercury Insurance has offered a variety of insurance services, including personal auto, homeowners, and commercial insurance, and has earned an
See More
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- Impact of Outages: According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average American electricity customer experiences over seven hours of power interruptions annually, with weather-related incidents being the leading cause, affecting millions of households and posing safety and property risks.
- Emergency Preparedness: Mercury Insurance advises homeowners to prepare a basic emergency kit that includes flashlights, a first-aid kit, and non-perishable food to mitigate inconveniences and potential safety hazards during outages.
- Protecting Electronics: Power surges can occur when electricity is restored, so homeowners should consider using surge protectors and unplugging sensitive equipment during extended outages to prevent damage.
- Rising Weather Risks: With the increase in extreme weather events, the risk of power outages is also rising, and Mercury emphasizes the importance of homeowners understanding their risks and taking preventive measures to minimize the impact of outages.
See More
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- Risk of Maintenance Neglect: Mercury Insurance highlights that many drivers continue to operate their vehicles after dashboard warning lights appear, which can lead to serious mechanical issues and increased repair costs, underscoring the importance of timely inspections.
- Tire Pressure Checks: Regular tire pressure checks are crucial, especially during the summer heat, as neglecting this can lead to faster tire wear and reduced fuel efficiency, ultimately impacting driving safety.
- Importance of Scheduled Maintenance: Delaying oil changes and brake services can shorten vehicle lifespan and increase future repair costs, with Mercury advising adherence to manufacturer maintenance schedules.
- Maintenance as an Investment: Mercury emphasizes that maintenance should not be viewed as a cost but as a means of protecting one's investment, where timely small service bills can prevent larger repair expenses down the line.
See More
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- Importance of Maintenance: Mercury Insurance emphasizes that ignoring dashboard warning lights can lead to vehicle breakdowns and increased repair costs, advising drivers to check them promptly to avoid larger expenses.
- Tire Checks: Regular tire pressure checks are crucial, especially in summer heat, as underinflated tires can wear out faster and reduce fuel efficiency; drivers are advised to check at least once a month.
- Scheduled Maintenance: Delaying oil changes and brake services can lead to mechanical failures and shorten vehicle lifespan, so owners should adhere to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.
- Pre-Trip Inspections: Conducting vehicle inspections before long trips can help identify issues early, preventing roadside problems; it is recommended to schedule checks several weeks in advance for safe travel.
See More
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- Consumer Recognition: Mercury Insurance has been named the Best Automobile Insurance Provider in the Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards, reflecting its ongoing commitment to delivering reliable coverage and competitive pricing, thereby enhancing consumer trust in the brand.
- Competitive Awards: In the 2026 Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards, Mercury earned honors for 'Outstanding for Competitive Rates' in both Auto and Homeowners Insurance, further solidifying its value proposition in the insurance market.
- Parental Trust: Mercury was recognized in USA TODAY's 2026 Brands Most Trusted by Parents study, showcasing its strong performance in trust, credibility, and reliability, particularly among family consumers.
- Commitment to Service: Since 1962, Mercury Insurance has focused on providing affordable coverage and personalized support, ensuring effective protection for customers facing unexpected events through a network of over 4,200 employees and more than 6,340 independent agents.
See More
Mercury Insurance Earns Multiple Consumer Recognitions
- Consumer Recognition: Mercury Insurance has been named the Best Automobile Insurance Provider in the Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to delivering trusted coverage and competitive rates, thereby enhancing its brand image among consumers.
- Competitive Edge: In the 2026 Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards, Mercury earned honors for 'Outstanding for Competitive Rates' in both Auto and Homeowners Insurance, further solidifying its value proposition in the insurance market and attracting more customers.
- Parental Trust: Mercury was recognized in USA TODAY's 'Most Trusted Brands by Parents 2026', showcasing its credibility and reliability among parents, which strengthens its competitive position in the market.
- Sustained Growth: Since 1962, Mercury has focused on providing affordable insurance coverage and personalized support, leveraging a network of over 4,200 employees and 6,340 independent agents to ensure high-quality service for customers in uncertain markets.
See More
