Mercury General Urges Late‑Winter Home Maintenance to Avoid Rising Repair Costs

Headline: Mercury urges late‑winter home maintenance to head off rising repair costs

LOS ANGELES, Feb 17 (Reuters) — Mercury General’s insurance unit is urging homeowners to use the late‑winter window to complete targeted maintenance projects to avoid escalating repair bills, saying deferred fixes now average more than $5,600 and tend to compound in cost over time. In a company release, Mercury warns that postponing upkeep increases overall costs by roughly 7% per year and that owners who delay can ultimately pay three to five times more than preventive work would have cost. The insurer highlights consequences such as water intrusion, structural deterioration and reduced property value if routine maintenance is neglected.

Adam Bakonis, senior product manager for property at Mercury Insurance, says late winter is an optimal prevention period because the worst weather is typically behind and spring storms remain a risk. Mercury’s guidance focuses on manageable tasks that reduce common winter and spring claims: clearing gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams and water damage; inspecting roofs and attics for loose shingles and moisture; performing a final heating‑system check; and sealing gaps around doors and windows. The company provides a targeted checklist that also recommends HVAC tune‑ups, plumbing leak inspections, weather‑stripping and caulking, and testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Mercury stresses that doing these tasks now mitigates the risk of larger, more expensive repairs during peak storm and renovation seasons, when contractor availability and material costs are often higher. The insurer frames late‑winter maintenance as not only a cost‑saving measure but also a way to reduce claim frequency and severity by addressing issues before they cause loss.

Insurer perspective and homeowner guidance

Mercury presents the push as part of its broader risk‑prevention and education efforts, saying proactive maintenance improves safety, insurance outcomes and long‑term resale value. The company notes that small preventive investments frequently yield substantial savings compared with emergency repairs and the disruption they cause.

Market and operational drivers

The release ties its recommendations to operational concerns insurers face: higher claims in peak seasons strain networks of contractors and can raise claim costs. Mercury is positioning homeowner education and targeted checklists as tools to limit unexpected repair expenses and ease pressure on both policyholders and service markets.