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Last updated: October 10, 2024
Mercury Insurance Review 2024
Find out if Mercury auto insurance is right for you.
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Although it’s one of the lesser-known car insurance insurance companies in the country, Mercury Insurance is a household name and the seventh-largest provider in California.1 Mercury is a Los Angeles-based provider that’s been offering auto insurance — as well as a number of other insurance types — since 1961. We named it one of the best auto insurance companies in California.
As a California native, I was surprised to learn that Mercury is available in only 11 states total. If I were shopping around for insurance in one of those 11 states, I would definitely put Mercury’s name in the hat of options. Its average annual rate for full coverage is slightly less than the national average (we’ll look at those numbers more closely below), and it offers all the standard coverages and auto insurance discounts you’d expect from any top provider. On top of that, it offers some specialized insurance options, like rideshare coverage, and great average rates for drivers with a bad record.
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At a Glance: Mercury’s Pros and Cons
Pros
Below-average rates
Rideshare insurance available
Unique mechanical protection coverage for mechanical and car system issues
Affordable option for drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI on their record
Cons
Mercury is available in only 11 states
No accident forgiveness
Who Is Mercury Auto Insurance Best For?
Mercury is best for people looking for solid coverage, individuals with a speeding ticket or DUI, and drivers who want to bundle multiple Mercury policies.
Mercury Is Best for Those Who:
- Live in one of 11 states Mercury is available:
- Plan to bundle with other Mercury insurance products
- Have accidents or DUIs on their records
- Need rideshare coverage
Mercury Is Not Best for Those Who:
- Have bad credit
- Want accident forgiveness or vanishing deductible
FYI:
Unless you’re in California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, or Utah, your credit score will play a role in how insurers determine your premium or eligibility to receive insurance. If you’re in one of the above-mentioned states, insurance providers will be limited in some way from using your credit score. For example, according to California car insurance law, companies can’t take credit information into account at all. Want to learn more? Check out our guide on credit scores and auto insurance.
Why I Would Consider Mercury
As a current State Farm customer, I benefit from a loyalty discount, multi-vehicle discount, and bundling discount from my family’s State Farm plan. All of those insurance discounts make it harder for me to find a better deal outside of State Farm, which is why I’m not really incentivized to seek insurance elsewhere.
However, if I didn’t have those perks, or my rates increased significantly, and I was searching the market for a fresh policy, there are several reasons why I would consider Mercury. For starters, its average rate is $1,872 per year ($156 per month), which is cheaper than the national average of $1,924. It also offers all the standard coverages I’d want in a policy (liability, comprehensive, collision, etc.) with a few add-ons to choose from. Finally, Mercury has been around for a long time, 63 years, and is one of the largest regional providers in California and several other states.
If I recently had a DUI or speeding ticket, I would definitely request a quote with Mercury, even with all the perks I get with State Farm. A speeding ticket in California will raise your insurance rates by an average of 37 percent. Mercury offers some of the cheapest rates in the country to drivers with a DUI or speeding ticket, making it one of the first insurers I would look to if my premium increased as a result of a moving violation.
PRO:
Car insurance premiums tend to spike after speeding tickets, DUIs, accidents, and other serious violations, so it’s important to find the right providers, like Mercury, that offer affordable average rates if you have a bad driving record.
Here’s how Mercury’s full coverage rates compares to other insurers after a DUI and speeding ticket:
| Insurance provider/national average | Annual average rate after a DUI | Average annual rate after a speeding ticket |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $3,328 | $2,453 |
| AAA | $4,665 | $3,462 |
| Allstate | $4,020 | $3,072 |
| Erie | $2,575 | $1,892 |
| Farmers | $3,514 | $2,352 |
| GEICO | $3,729 | $2,496 |
| Liberty Mutual | $3,745 | $2,671 |
| Mercury | $2,762 | $1,987 |
| State Farm | $3,286 | $2,353 |
| The General | $3,440 | $2,274 |
| USAA | $2,543 | $1,784 |
How Much Does Mercury Car Insurance Cost?
On average, Mercury costs drivers $1,872 annually for full coverage ($156 monthly) and $624 annually for minimum coverage ($52 monthly). While your rates may be higher or lower based on your driving profile and coverage needs, this is a good starting point to get an idea of where your costs might lie.
Mercury’s average rates are slightly below average for drivers with a clean record and, as we saw above, far below the average for drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI. Regardless of a provider’s average rates, I think it’s always worth it to ask for and compare quotes (they’re free!) if you’re interested in an insurance company’s policy or coverage options. Because insurance providers determine your premium based on your unique background and driving profile, you never know what your rates will be until you request a quote.
Here’s how Mercury’s rate lines up with other major providers in the country.
| Company | Average annual premium for full coverage | Average annual premium for minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $1,924 | $547 |
| Allstate | $2,639 | $597 |
| American Family | $1,785 | $713 |
| Farmers | $2,320 | $634 |
| GEICO | $1,572 | $413 |
| Mercury | $1,872 | $624 |
| Nationwide | $1,805 | $613 |
| Progressive | $1,891 | $481 |
| State Farm | $1,697 | $482 |
| Travelers | $1,630 | $530 |
| USAA | $1,322 | $356 |
Best Ways to Save With Mercury
As I mentioned above, I benefit from loyalty, safe driver, and bundling discounts that I could only get by being a State Farm for a long period of time and sharing my insurance needs with other family members. Mercury offers many of those same opportunities — bundling and safe driver discounts — along with some other savings that I’ll highlight below.
Here are a few of Mercury’s advertised discounts that can help you lower your auto insurance bill:
- Anti-theft device discount
- Automatic billing discount
- Paperless/e-signature discount
- Paid-in-full discount
- Multi-car discount
- Multi-policy discount (up to 14.5 percent)
- Good student discount
- Good driver discount
- MercuryGO usage-based safety discount (up to 40 percent)
- RealDrive pay-per-mile discount (up to 20 percent)
Discount Highlight #1: MercuryGO
If I was looking for a way to earn significant savings on my policy, one of the first things I’d consider is a usage-based driving program, like MercuryGO. MercuryGO is a tracking program that measures your driving habits, scores you based on how safe you drive, and implements discounts (or premium increases) based on your score.
You can get 10 percent off just for signing up, and you can earn an additional 40 percent at your next renewal if you get a high score. That’s on par with the highest usage-based insurance discounts on the market.
All you need to do is download the MercuryGO app and make sure the app is on and working while you’re driving. That’s it. Mercury will record you driving data and score you based on the following criteria:
- Where you drive
- Miles driven
- Trip duration
- Acceleration
- Vehicle speed
- Braking and turning
- Phone usage
Discount Highlight #2: Smart Payment Options
While many providers offer discounts related to how you pay for your auto insurance, I don’t think these savings get enough attention for how simple they are. They’re extremely easy to sign up for, don’t cost you anything, and can create a more seamless insurance experience by automating your payments so you make your payments on time.
- Auto pay discount: Set up automatic payments to ensure timely and consistent payments. You’ll reduce the chance of a late payment and receive a discount.
- E-signature discount: E-signatures save time, reduce paper, and streamline changes you need to make to your policy.
- Paid-in-full discount: If you can pay for your annual policy upfront, you’ll earn a discount and ensure you don’t have any late payments for the year.
As a State Farm customer, I don’t get the benefit of these discounts since State Farm doesn’t offer them — at least not in California. If they were available, they’d be the first things I sign up for because they’re some of the easiest discounts to earn. Whether you’re working with an agent or managing your payment needs through the app or web portal, these discounts should make your life easier and save you money.
What Types of Auto Insurance Coverage Does Mercury Offer?
On top of all the standard auto insurance coverages (liability, collision, comprehensive, etc.), Mercury offers some additional coverage options that may appeal to you.
Here’s the breakdown of those options:
| Coverage | Coverage description |
|---|---|
| Mechanical protection insurance | This is a unique coverage option that covers the cost of repairs for issues with your car’s engine, electrical system, and transmission. Coverage does not cover damages from collisions or regular wear and tear. |
| Rental car reimbursement | If your car is being repaired or declared a total loss, rental car reimbursement will cover the cost of your rental for your daily needs. |
| Rideshare insurance | For as little $0.90 per day, you can maintain coverage throughout the entirety of your time while working as a rideshare driver, including when you’re waiting to connect with your next customer. |
| Roadside assistance | Get 24/7 roadside assistance to help you with flat tires, towing, dead batteries, and more. |
| Umbrella insurance | Umbrella insurance offers an added layer of liability protection in the event a lawsuit or insurance claim. Mercury insurance provides between $1 million and $5 million in coverage on top of your existing insurance policy. |
Mechanical protection insurance is similar to your vehicle’s warranty. The only difference is the length of protection and cost, which will differ based on where you live and what vehicle you’re driving.
Rental reimbursement coverage is important for people who need a car for their daily needs. If you don’t have a second car to use, don’t know anyone to carpool with, or can’t access public transportation, this is a good option that ensures you’ll have a rental handy in times of need.
I always drive with roadside assistance because I want to be prepared for unexpected but common roadside emergencies. The peace of mind of having a service rep just a few buttons away, day or night, is worth the cost to me.
Umbrella insurance is important if you own a home, vehicles, and items of value (jewelry, collector’s items, etc.).
Pro Tip:
I used to work for a rideshare service as a side job, and I had no idea that I needed additional rideshare insurance on top of my personal plan. Luckily, I never got into an accident while I was working, but that doesn’t mean you need to take the same risks. Check out our guide on rideshare insurance to ensure you have the coverage you’ll need to stay protected throughout your ride.
Mercury: Customer Satisfaction
Although I can’t speak from personal experience, according to third-party data, Mercury has seen a drop in customer service scores in recent years.
Just a couple of years ago, it was among the highest-ranked regional providers for customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction across several rating agencies. It even won J.D. Power’s Digital Experience Study award, given to companies that offer the best digital consumer experience (think managing claims on your phone or navigating an online dashboard).2
In 2023, it scored a bit lower on J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction and auto insurance studies, but it remains high for financial strength. Here’s how those rankings look from some of the country’s top third-party rating systems:
| Third-party rating agency | Mercury Insurance rating/score |
|---|---|
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating3 | A |
| CRASH Network 2023 Insurer Report Card4 | C — No. 58 out of 87 |
| J.D. Power 2023 Claims Satisfaction Study5 | 848 out of 1,000 — 30 points below the average |
| J.D. Power 2023 Insurance Shopping Study6 | 866 out of 1,000 — No. 5 out of mid-sized insurers |
Here’s what those score mean:
- AM Best Financial: AM Best Financial’s Issuer Credit Rating (ICR) rates providers based on their ability to meet financial obligations, like fulfilling claims and financing repairs, to their customers. An A rating is the third-highest rating and a great indication that Mercury is financially stable and able to meet its financial obligations.
- CRASH Network: CRASH Network surveys collision repair shops to find out which providers are easiest to work with when you need a repair. In CRASH Network’s 2024 survey, Mercury received a C+ rating, a slight bump from its 2023 rating of C. While a may not seem very good, it is higher than the D+ average for out-of-network repair shops.
- J.D. Power studies: J.D. Power regularly rates and awards insurers based on how satisfied their customers are. Although Mercury ranked well below the average for auto insurance claims satisfaction, it is ranked fifth highest among all midsize providers in J.D. Power’s Insurance Shopping Study, which is based on responses from over 10,000 prospective insurance customers who requested an auto insurance quote from at least one provider.
Mercury: Digital Tools
Between its website, two auto insurance apps, and informative articles and FAQs, Mercury offers a wide selection of digital tools and resources. You can manage your policy, follow up on bills, and learn more about how to maximize your plan through its digital tools, which we’ll look at closely below.
I rely on my mobile app a lot to manage my insurance needs, so robust digital tools are important to me. Mercury has a highly rated mobile app (more on those ratings below) and offers many of the same major digital offerings that you’d find from any major provider.
With Mercury’s auto insurance app, you’ll be able to:
- Request roadside assistance
- Access your digital insurance ID
- Make changes to your policy, like adding a new vehicle or driver
- File a new claim
- Track the progress of a claim
- Reach out to customer support
- Update your payment method
There’s also a separate app for MercuryGO, the usage-based program covered above, that will give you updates on your current discount amount, your biweekly safe driver score, telematics information on your previous drives, your driving trends, and more. Its insights will help you maintain a pulse on where you excel as a driver and where you may need some improvement.
That said, the MercuryGO app receives lower ratings than the main Mercury insurance app. The main complaints about MercuryGO are that it scores your driving unfairly or inconsistently and that the discount is not as high as some customers hoped. From what I’ve seen in my industry research, these are fairly common complaints for any telematics discount app, especially one that relies on your phone to track trips (rather than a separate device).
Here’s how Mercury’s apps are rated by Android and iOS users.
| App | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Mercury | iPhone — 4.6 stars
Android — 4.3 stars |
| MercuryGO | iPhone — 3.5 stars
Android — 3.7 stars |
Methodology: How We Review Insurance Companies
At AutoInsurance.com, we assess companies in four areas:
- Price (40%): We analyze average rates for full and minimum coverage for various driver profiles. This includes drivers with clean records with good credit, as well as those DUIs, accidents, or low credit. We also consider available discounts. Full coverage averages use the following limits, in addition to state-required coverages:
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
- Claims Handling (25%): We value insurers with prompt, transparent, and efficient claims practices. We assess claims practices through sources like the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card and J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction Report, and financial strength from sources like AM Best and S&P Ratings. Real-life customer experiences are included when available.
- Customer Experience (25%): We evaluate customer experience end-to-end, from receiving a quote, to finalizing policy purchase, to making policy changes or accessing important documents. We consider the availability of local agents, shopping experience, quality of digital services, and more. Our sources include J.D. Power studies, the NAIC complaint index, BBB ratings, and app store reviews.
- Coverage Options (10%): We review each company’s coverage offerings and value providers with options beyond the state required minimums, like roadside assistance, gap coverage, rideshare coverage, and more.
Learn more about our ratings and methodology.
Mercury: Frequently Asked Questions
Is RealDrive available in every state?
According to information on Mercury’s website, RealDrive is advertised only for Californians. I would reach out to your local Mercury agent to find out if RealDrive is available in your state.
RealDrive, Mercury’s pay-per-mile insurance program, works by tracking how many miles you drive each month, scoring you on how little you drive, and generating your premium based on that score. The less you drive, the less you’ll pay for auto insurance.
If you’re considering pay-per-mile insurance, check out my review of Metromile, a dedicated pay-per-mile insurance company.
How do I file a claim with Mercury?
You can file a claim with Mercury online or through the mobile app. Additionally, customers can file a claim 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Mercury’s claims hotline: 800-503-3724.
Who owns Mercury Insurance?
The Mercury General Corporation (MGC) is a publicly traded company. It is not owned by a parent company; its main stockholders as of Dec. 21, 2021, are George Joseph, Gloria Joseph, and public shareholders.
Is Mercury cheaper than GEICO?
The most recent data indicates that Mercury is not cheaper than GEICO on average. GEICO’s average national annual rate is $1,572, which is $300 cheaper than Mercury’s ($1,872).
However, it’s important to note that premiums have been very volatile the past two years as insurers are requesting price increases following the end of premium locks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prices are subject to change on a yearly and even monthly basis.
Does Mercury charge a cancellation fee if I end my policy before the end of my term?
Yes. Mercury Insurance charges around 10 percent of the remaining amount on your policy for a single term. It’s best to speak directly to your Mercury agent to get the most accurate information on how much your termination fee will be.
Staff Writer & Editor
Ali Saleh is a copywriter with nearly 10 years of experience in content writing, editing, and journalism. Ali’s work has been featured on a number of notable sites and publications, including MSN, Business.com’s award-winning newsletter, and Groove Korea, South Korea’s largest English-print magazine. Today, he writes for dozens of brands, providing expert guides and informative articles on auto insurance, healthcare, recruiting technology, business, and more. Ali holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from North Carolina State University.
Citations
2022 Market Share Reports For Property/Casualty Groups and Companies by State and Countrywide. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023, Sep).
https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-msr-pb-property-casualty.pdfProperty & Casualty Insurers Stuck at Providing Only “Good Enough” Digital User Experience, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2021, May 25).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2021-us-insurance-digital-experience-studyAM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Mercury General Corporation and Its Subsidiaries. AM Best. (2024, Feb 15).
https://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?refnum=256157&altsrc=23Top Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2024. Crash Network. (202$).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/Auto Insurers Manage Customer Expectations as Repair Cycle Times Double in Two Years, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, Oct 26).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyAuto Insurance Shopping and Switch Rates Reach New Highs as Premiums Surge, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2023, Apr 27).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-us-insurance-shopping-study
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