INSURANCE

Mercury Elevates Curtius, Reports Earnings: Mercury General Corp. named Michael D. Curtius to the newly created office of president and chief operating officer, the Los Angeles-based auto insurer announced. Curtius, 45, an 18-year Mercury employee who was chief claims officer and executive vice president, is the first person to hold the president’s post other than company founder George Joseph, who retains the titles of chairman and chief executive. Meanwhile, Mercury reported a first-quarter profit of $18.5 million, or 68 cents a share, compared to $17.8 million, or 65 cents a share, in the first quarter of 1994.