Mercury General Increases Dividend 11.6 Percent

Los Angeles-based Mercury General Corp. has declared a first quarter dividend of $0.48, an annual rate of $1.92, representing an 11.6 percent increase over the rate paid in 2005. The dividend will be paid on March 30, 2006, to shareholders of record on March 15, 2006.

Since dividends were instituted in the first quarter of 1986, Mercury General’s dividend has increased at least once each year with the overall compound rate of increase over twenty years averaging approximately 20 percent.

For more information, visit http://www.mercuryinsurance.com/.