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We start by identifying the questions people are asking, the issues that matter most to consumers, and the latest industry or product updates. This helps us choose relevant and useful topics.
Mercury Insurance Editorial Standards
Mission of Mercury Insurance Content
At Mercury Insurance, our goal is to create content that educates, informs, and empowers readers to make better insurance decisions. Every article is designed to answer real consumer questions, break down complex topics, and provide practical guidance that helps you protect what matters most.
Editorial Principles and Values
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of editorial integrity. Our values include:
- Accuracy: All content is based on credible sources, data, and expert knowledge.
- Clarity: We communicate complex insurance information in everyday language.
- Helpfulness: Our content is created to empower consumers, not overwhelm them.
- People-first: We write with empathy, inclusivity, and respect for diverse perspectives.
- Unbiased: Information is objective and transparent, so readers can trust what they find.
Our Authors
Every article in Mercury’s blog and resource center is created and reviewed by a knowledgeable team of professionals. Our contributors include licensed insurance specialists, seasoned claims leaders, and experts in areas such as risk management, fire safety, weather and catastrophe modeling, and consumer protection.
Get to know the people behind our content who bring valuable insight and a passion for helping you make confident decisions:
Adam Bakonis
Senior Product Manager at Mercury Insurance
Adam Bakonis is a Senior Product Manager for Mercury Insurance, overseeing homeowners and landlord products for California. Bakonis originally joined Mercury as a casualty adjuster and has worked in multiple roles, including claims examiner, property field adjuster, claims project and analytics manager.
Douglas Kent
MS, MLA
Eco-land Specialist Douglas Kent is a noted and published expert on wildfires with 30+ years working in the field in California. Kent conducts workshops on firescaping for public agencies. And is the author of 9 books, including the recently released “Ecological Land Management.”
Kelly Butler
VP, Chief Underwriting Officer for Mercury Insurance
Kelly Butler is the VP, Chief Underwriting Officer for Mercury Insurance, where she is responsible for combining analytics with traditional underwriting to evaluate wildfire risk and exposure. Her wildfire training includes the completion of a two-day National Fire Protection Association course “Assessing Structure Ignition Potential From Wildfire,” which identifies the most effective mitigation techniques. Butler received a BA in Marketing and an MBA from CSU Fullerton.
Kevin Quinn
VP, Claims at Mercury Insurance
Kevin Quinn is Vice President of Claims for Mercury Insurance, where he leads auto claims adjusting nationally. Quinn has been with Mercury since 2015 and has been in the industry – starting as a claims adjuster – for more than 20 years. Quinn received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from New York Institute of Technology and also holds a Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law.
Larry Anderson
Director of Underwriting Operations at Mercury Insurance
Larry Anderson is the Director of Underwriting Operations for Mercury Insurance, where he leads several teams including Audit, Training, and Regulatory Compliance. Anderson has been with Mercury since 2002 when he began as an underwriter. Anderson received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.
Sam Jarman
Financial Expert, Mercury Content Partner
Sam Jarman is a seasoned Content Creator and Real Estate Investor. He has been creating engaging social media content for six years, focusing on finance topics to educate and inspire his audience. In addition to his content creation experience, Jarman has been investing in real estate since 2010, successfully managing and growing a diverse property portfolio. His expertise in finance content and real estate investment uniquely positions him as a versatile professional in both industries.
Steve Ward
Director of Strategic Planning and ERM at Mercury Insurance
Steve Ward, Director, Strategic Planning & Enterprise Risk Management at Mercury, has been with the company for more than 14 years, heading up Mercury’s ERM initiatives. He leads the company’s climate risk reporting and sustainability governance programs, including initiatives that minimize the company’s impact on the environment. Steve has been a leader in the IT/Innovation industry for more than 40 years. He has a BS from Cal Poly Pomona and earned his Master’s Degree from USC. Steve, his wife Sylvia and their two sons live in Redondo Beach.
Justin Yoshizawa
Director of Product Management at Mercury Insurance
Justin Yoshizawa is Director of Product Management for Mercury Insurance, overseeing California’s personal lines, including auto, homeowners, landlord, and umbrella. He has led major initiatives such as the rollout of the aligned umbrella product across all Mercury territories and serves as a company spokesperson on auto-related topics. Yoshizawa holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Applied Mathematics and Applied Statistics from UC Santa Barbara.
Chong Gao
Director of Research and Development at Mercury Insurance
Chong Gao is the Director of Research and Development at Mercury Insurance and is responsible for personal auto ratings plan research and development for all of the Mercury 11 states. Chong led the personal private auto (PPA) research and development team through the analysis, development, and implementation of the Mercury Advantage 1.0 project, a product update where all major components were solved using Mercury data. Chong has been with Mercury for XX years and holds a BA in Business Economics and a BS in Mathematics from UCLA.
Stephen Bennett
Senior Director of Mercury Insurance’s Climate and Catastrophe Science
Stephen Bennett is Senior Director of Mercury Insurance’s Climate and Catastrophe Science Division, where he leads the company’s strategy on climate risk and catastrophe modeling. With experience advising companies like Apple and Unilever, supporting weather-informed investment at Citadel, and quantifying storm risk at Demex, Bennett brings a deep background in climate science. He serves as a councilor of the American Meteorological Society, chairs its Forum on Climate Linked Economics, and teaches risk management at UNC Chapel Hill. He holds a BS in Meteorology from the University of South Alabama and a JD from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
Sylvie Widjaja
Regional Vice President for California Personal Insurance
Sylvie Widjaja is Mercury's Regional Vice President for California Personal Insurance. Her primary responsibility is to drive agency success, leadership of the sales team, and formulating strategy using market insights and data. With over 20 years in the industry and six years at Mercury, she brings experience across Commercial Claims, Product Management, Underwriting, and Sales. Widjaja has played a key role in initiatives like the Commercial Multi-Peril program redesign and the CA Contingent Commission Bonus program. She holds a degree from Cal State Fullerton.
Mercury Team
The Mercury Marketing Team is made up of professionals in the fields of Content Creation, Public Relations, Social Media and Journalism. The team works together to deliver professionally written and researched content to provide information for consumers.
Editorial Process
We want you to feel confident that the information you read on Mercury’s site is accurate and helpful. That’s why every article goes through a thoughtful process before it’s published:
1
Topic Selection:
2
Content Creation:
Our in-house writers and trusted contributors take those topics and turn them into clear, easy-to-read articles that explain complex ideas in a straightforward way.
3
Editorial Review:
Editors carefully check each piece to make sure it’s accurate, easy to read, and true to the Mercury voice.
4
Expert Validation:
Subject matter experts (SMEs), including licensed insurance professionals, review the content to confirm technical accuracy and add additional insight or context.
5
Publication:
Content appears on our site only after passing multiple reviews to guarantee accuracy and trustworthiness.
6
Ongoing Updates:
We regularly revisit and update articles to reflect new regulations, product changes, and evolving consumer needs, so you always have access to the most up-to-date information.
What is a Verified Page?
You may notice a “Verified” badge on certain articles across our blog and resource center. This badge is our promise to you that the content you’re reading meets the highest standards of accuracy and reliability. In an age where misinformation can spread quickly, we believe it’s important to provide you with trustworthy advice regarding your insurance and safety needs.
How is a Page Expert Verified?
When you see the Verified badge, it means the content has been rigorously fact-checked by a dedicated subject-matter expert (SME) for accuracy, timeliness, and relevance. These SMEs are true authorities in their respective fields, ranging from licensed insurance agents to seasoned claims adjusters and risk management professionals.
The verification process involves a comprehensive review where our experts:
- Validate Facts: Ensure all data, statistics, and insurance terms are accurate and up to date.
- Confirm Context: Verify that the advice provided is practical, actionable, and appropriate for the intended audience.
- Update Information: Check that the content reflects current regulations, policy details, and industry best practices.
This collaborative effort between our writers, editors, and experts ensures that the information you receive is clear and carefully vetted for your peace of mind.
Read Mercury Articles
Ready to learn more? Check out our resource center for expert-backed guidance on insurance, safety, saving tips, and more.
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