Mercury Insurance Analyzes Traffic Accident Data
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 19 2026
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- Peak Accident Times: Mercury Insurance's analysis reveals that crash volume peaks between 3:00 and 3:10 PM on weekdays, yet the risk of serious injuries escalates significantly between 4:00 and 4:10 PM, indicating that as traffic speeds increase, the severity of collisions also rises.
- Weekend Risk Shift: On weekends, both crash volume and injury risk peak earlier around 12:00 to 12:10 PM, with approximately 19,000 individuals involved in accidents during this window, showing a clear midday risk spike despite slightly lower injury rates compared to weekdays.
- Injury Rate Consistency: While the number of crashes fluctuates throughout the day, injury rates remain relatively stable, generally ranging from 9% to 12%, suggesting that time of day primarily affects exposure rather than the likelihood of injury in a single incident.
- Driving Behavior Recommendations: Mercury Insurance encourages drivers to minimize distractions, maintain safe following distances, and adjust their driving behavior in response to evolving traffic patterns during the afternoon commute, treating it as a changing risk environment.
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About MCY
Mercury General Corporation is an insurance holding company engaged in writing personal automobile insurance business. The Company writes homeowners, commercial automobile, commercial property, mechanical protection and umbrella insurance. Its automobile coverage includes collision, property damage, bodily injury, comprehensive, personal injury protection, underinsured, and uninsured motorists, and other hazards. Its homeowners’ coverage includes dwelling, liability, personal property, and other coverages. It offers standard, non-standard and preferred private passenger automobile insurance. It also offers homeowners insurance in approximately 10 states, commercial automobile insurance in approximately four states, and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Its subsidiaries include Mercury Casualty Company, California Automobile Insurance Company, Orion Indemnity Company, American Mercury Insurance Company, Animas Funding LLC, and Mercury Insurance Company of Illinois.
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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- Critical Zone Management: Following CAL FIRE's guidance, it is recommended to minimize combustible materials within the first five feet around homes by using non-combustible materials like stone and concrete, thereby protecting properties from wildfire threats.
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- Hardscaping Design: Incorporating hardscaping elements like stone walkways and retaining walls not only beautifies the environment but also effectively interrupts fire spread, enhancing the fire safety of homes and ensuring resident safety during fire seasons.
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- Critical Area Management: Following IBHS and CAL FIRE guidelines, reducing combustible materials within five feet of the home by using non-combustible materials like stone and concrete can significantly lower ignition risks, enhancing the home's survival chances during wildfires.
- Plant Selection Recommendations: While no plant is entirely fireproof, experts recommend choosing plants with higher moisture content and lower oil or resin levels, emphasizing proper spacing and maintenance to mitigate fire spread risks and enhance yard safety.
- Maintenance and Cleanup: Regularly clearing outdoor areas of leaves, dead vegetation, and debris, especially in gutters and under decks where embers may accumulate, is crucial for improving fire resistance and protecting homes from wildfire threats.
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- Lack of Renters Insurance: Approximately 45% of U.S. renters do not carry renters insurance despite owning thousands of dollars in personal belongings, which poses a risk of substantial financial loss in the event of unforeseen incidents, affecting young adults' financial security.
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- Misconceptions About Renters Insurance: Many first-time renters mistakenly believe that their landlord's insurance covers their personal belongings, while in reality, such insurance typically only covers the building itself, potentially exposing renters to significant financial loss in case of theft or damage.
- Impact of Relocation on Auto Insurance: Moving or changing jobs can affect auto insurance coverage and rates, as new cities or states may alter insurance requirements and risk exposure, prompting graduates to update their insurance information promptly after relocating.
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- Maintenance Recommendations: The company advises homeowners to regularly clean roofs and gutters to prevent leaves and debris from igniting when embers land, as keeping these areas clear can significantly reduce the risk of home ignition.
- Importance of Defensible Space: Both IBHS and CAL FIRE stress the necessity of maintaining a non-combustible zone within five feet of the home, using safer materials like gravel or concrete instead of dry vegetation, which can effectively minimize fire spread opportunities.
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- Firescaping Concept: During Wildfire Preparedness Month, Mercury Insurance advocates for 'firescaping' to optimize yard design, reducing fire risk while maintaining aesthetic appeal, emphasizing that small landscaping changes can significantly enhance a home's fire resilience.
- Critical Zone Management: Following CAL FIRE's guidance, it is recommended to minimize combustible materials within the first five feet around homes by using non-combustible materials like stone and concrete, thereby protecting properties from wildfire threats.
- Plant Selection and Maintenance: While no plant is entirely fireproof, Mercury Insurance suggests choosing plants with higher moisture content and lower oil or resin levels, stressing the importance of proper spacing and ongoing maintenance to slow fire spread.
- Hardscaping Design: Incorporating hardscaping elements like stone walkways and retaining walls not only beautifies the environment but also effectively interrupts fire spread, enhancing the fire safety of homes and ensuring resident safety during fire seasons.
See More
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- Fire Preparedness Strategy: During Wildfire Preparedness Month, Mercury Insurance encourages homeowners to adopt 'firescaping' by optimizing yard designs to reduce fire risks while maintaining aesthetic appeal, demonstrating the company's commitment to community safety.
- Critical Area Management: Following IBHS and CAL FIRE guidelines, reducing combustible materials within five feet of the home by using non-combustible materials like stone and concrete can significantly lower ignition risks, enhancing the home's survival chances during wildfires.
- Plant Selection Recommendations: While no plant is entirely fireproof, experts recommend choosing plants with higher moisture content and lower oil or resin levels, emphasizing proper spacing and maintenance to mitigate fire spread risks and enhance yard safety.
- Maintenance and Cleanup: Regularly clearing outdoor areas of leaves, dead vegetation, and debris, especially in gutters and under decks where embers may accumulate, is crucial for improving fire resistance and protecting homes from wildfire threats.
See More
Graduates Urged to Review Insurance Coverage
- Knowledge Gap: According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, only about 25% of Gen Z adults can accurately define basic insurance terms like 'deductible' and 'copay', indicating a significant lack of understanding that could lead to poor financial decisions in the future.
- Lack of Renters Insurance: Approximately 45% of U.S. renters do not carry renters insurance despite owning thousands of dollars in personal belongings, which poses a risk of substantial financial loss in the event of unforeseen incidents, affecting young adults' financial security.
- Financial Decisions for Graduates: Justin Yoshizawa, Senior Product Manager at Mercury Insurance, highlights that as graduates move into new apartments or start new jobs, their insurance needs change, and understanding basic coverage considerations early can help them avoid costly mistakes later on.
- Importance of Insurance Education: Mercury Insurance emphasizes that insurance is not merely a checkbox but a crucial tool for protecting the new life graduates are building, and the sooner they grasp how coverage works, the more confident and financially prepared they will be moving forward.
See More
Graduates Urged to Review Insurance Coverage Gaps
- Knowledge Gap in Insurance: According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, only about 25% of Gen Z adults can accurately define basic insurance terms like 'deductible' and 'copay', indicating a widespread lack of essential insurance knowledge that could lead to costly financial decisions.
- Misconceptions About Renters Insurance: Many first-time renters mistakenly believe that their landlord's insurance covers their personal belongings, while in reality, such insurance typically only covers the building itself, potentially exposing renters to significant financial loss in case of theft or damage.
- Impact of Relocation on Auto Insurance: Moving or changing jobs can affect auto insurance coverage and rates, as new cities or states may alter insurance requirements and risk exposure, prompting graduates to update their insurance information promptly after relocating.
- Need for Additional Coverage: Engaging in gig work or delivery driving may necessitate additional insurance coverage, as using a personal vehicle for these activities can create coverage gaps if drivers lack the appropriate protection, thereby increasing their financial risk.
See More
Mercury Insurance Offers Practical Steps for Wildfire Preparedness Month
- Wildfire Risk Awareness: Mercury Insurance highlights that wind-driven embers are a leading cause of home ignitions, with research indicating that embers can travel miles ahead of a wildfire, urging homeowners to focus on this often-overlooked risk.
- Maintenance Recommendations: The company advises regular cleaning of roofs and gutters to reduce the risk of embers igniting flammable materials, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a non-combustible zone within five feet of the home to lower fire ignition chances.
- Vent Inspection: Mercury Insurance recommends homeowners inspect vents and openings, suggesting the installation of ember-resistant vent covers to minimize the risk of embers entering attics and crawl spaces, thereby protecting homes from fire threats.
- Outdoor Furniture Management: During heightened wildfire risks, homeowners are advised to bring outdoor furniture and cushions indoors or move them away from the home to reduce pathways for fire spread, ensuring family safety.
See More
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- Wildfire Risk Awareness: Mercury Insurance highlights that wind-driven embers are a leading cause of home ignitions during wildfires, with research indicating these embers can travel miles ahead of flames, igniting many homes, especially in dry and windy conditions.
- Maintenance Recommendations: The company advises homeowners to regularly clean roofs and gutters to prevent leaves and debris from igniting when embers land, as keeping these areas clear can significantly reduce the risk of home ignition.
- Importance of Defensible Space: Both IBHS and CAL FIRE stress the necessity of maintaining a non-combustible zone within five feet of the home, using safer materials like gravel or concrete instead of dry vegetation, which can effectively minimize fire spread opportunities.
- Vent Inspection: Mercury Insurance recommends installing ember-resistant vent covers to reduce the risk of embers entering attics and crawl spaces, ensuring homes remain safe during wildfire conditions.
See More
