Mercury vs. Wawanesa: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• In general, Wawanesa offers significantly cheaper prices than Mercury
• Mercury tends to be a much less expensive option for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit
• Wawanesa offers more affordable rates for residents in California

Mercury vs. Wawanesa: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering large discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Mercury or Wawanesa as potential options, but between the two, which one will offer you more affordable premiums?

Looking at nationwide averages, Mercury has average rates that are about 65% per month more expensive than those from Wawanesa.

But Wawanesa may not be the lowest or best option for every driver out there. Car insurance companies use a variety of complex algorithms to calculate rates, so depending on where you live or how good your credit score is (among numerous other factors), you could see wildly different prices from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average premiums from both Mercury and Wawanesa by multiple different rate factors, so read on to find out which carrier is the best for you.

Mercury or Wawanesa: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Mercury and Wawanesa only compete against each other in California, where Wawanesa offers the cheaper average rates. For California residents, Wawanesa offers auto insurance for $104 per month on average. Mercury's average prices come out to be over 15% more expensive, at $125 monthly.

But there's more to calculating insurance premiums than just the state you live in. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers normally pay a lot more for car insurance than any other group of drivers. Generally, that's because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

However, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their auto insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $500 less a month by choosing Wawanesa over Mercury. It's worth noting that Mercury offers car insurance in 11 different states compared to Wawanesa's one, which can skew the average prices a bit, but the difference here is still considerable.

Even so, with both carriers, you'll see your rates lower significantly by the time drivers turn 25. For example, average premiums for Mercury policyholders drop nearly 70% and Wawanesa's rates reduce over 40% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll usually enjoy the most affordable insurance prices you'll ever see. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly premiums for auto insurance.

So, which company offers the best rates to retired drivers? Wawanesa gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $132 less expensive than the national average for Mercury.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

You may not be aware, but car insurance rates tend to be more expensive for single drivers than they are for married couples. This usually boils down to married policyholders having more than one car on their policy -- something a lot of insurance companies will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Wawanesa is the clear winner for single policyholders, with prices around $240 per month more affordable than Mercury, on average. The advantage is also clear for married drivers - Wawanesa offers the cheapest average premiums.

Mercury vs. Wawanesa: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to cause a collision and get into accidents, which means they'll typically end up paying more for auto insurance than women.

Normally, women see prices about 5% a month less with Mercury; everyone gets the same monthly premiums regardless of gender with Wawanesa.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Wawanesa offers the lowest average rates for both men and women. On average, women save about $184 per month and men save around $198 with Wawanesa compared to the average Mercury policyholder.

Mercury or Wawanesa: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

It's no secret that insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different limits and coverages that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (that covers bodily injury and property damage for other drivers and passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Wawanesa normally offers significantly cheaper premiums of $64 compared to Mercury's $184. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Wawanesa again has the edge, with policies about $250 a month more affordable than Mercury, on average.

Is Mercury or Wawanesa Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from car insurance carriers offering great prices for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

Tickets and at-fault accidents will most likely raise your rates, but is Mercury or Wawanesa less expensive for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Mercury policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $57 per month if they get a ticket, while Wawanesa usually raises prices around $31 a month, on average.

That being said, Wawanesa has cheaper rates for drivers in both categories. Drivers with a clean record can save about $163 per month and drivers with a speeding ticket can save around $189 a month with Wawanesa Insurance.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Mercury drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums rise by over $100, while those who have insurance through Wawanesa will see about a $40 increase.

Overall, drivers who use Wawanesa end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $113 compared to Mercury Insurance's $346.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple ticket or even an accident. For example, Mercury increases average rates by over $65 per month -- that's over a 20% increase.

Wawanesa has the overall most affordable premiums for drivers with a DUI on their records at $125 a month, but it's worth noting that Mercury's average rates come from 11 states compared to just one for Wawanesa, so the data may be skewed slightly.

How does Credit Score Impact Mercury and Wawanesa Rates?

You may not realized it, but your credit score can come into play when companies determine your monthly bill. This isn't always the case (for example, Michigan and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect several policyholders out there.

The reasoning auto insurance carriers use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so typically, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with more affordable prices.

Looking specifically at Wawanesa and Mercury, which carrier has the cheapest rates for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

You'll often be rewarded if you have stellar credit. Jumping from a "good" credit score to an "excellent" one will usually save Mercury Insurance customers around $45. On the other hand, because undefined doesn't have data available for credit scores, they most likely don't use credit to calculate your premiums.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Having bad credit normally means you'll also see higher rates with Mercury Insurance. If your credit score is in the "poor" range, at Mercury Insurance, you may pay about $100 more a month compared to those with "fair" scores (and even more compared to drivers with good or excellent scores). Because undefined doesn't have data available for credit scores, they might have better prices for drivers with bad credit over Mercury Insurance.

Is Mercury or Wawanesa Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in your monthly premiums. Typically, the more miles you put on your vehicle each year, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Mercury charges. However, there's a pretty significant difference in monthly rates for Wawanesa, with policyholders who drive 6,000 miles each year paying around $13 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, Wawanesa is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

Mercury vs. Wawanesa: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where your home is can play a sizable role in how much you pay for car insurance. Generally, those who live in urban areas will pay more than drivers in rural areas because there are a lot more cars on the roads in those areas.

Wawanesa tends to offer the most affordable premiums for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the cheapest prices from both companies, but Wawanesa comes out on top with average rates about $95 monthly. Wawanesa also has cheaper average premiums for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 72% and 62% per month respective difference when compared to Mercury policyholders in similar areas.

Mercury vs. Wawanesa Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many auto insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be difficult to find all the ones you're eligible for or to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Mercury and Wawanesa so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Mercury blows Wawanesa away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 25 more discounts than Wawanesa.

Both carriers offer a lot of the same discounts -- like discounts for being a good driver and mature driver discounts -- but Mercury also offers ABS discounts, advance quote discounts, anti-theft discounts, and more that Wawanesa does not.

Wawanesa's discounts come through just two categories -- Good Driving and Mature Driver.

Final Thoughts: Is Mercury or Wawanesa Best for You?

So, you've seen how different factors can affect your car insurance rates. We've broken down the different discounts each company offers, too. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is Mercury or Wawanesa the right carrier for you and your specific driver profile?

Wawanesa might be best for you if....

• You like the personalized touch of a small, local carrier.
• Your neighborhood is in the suburbs.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your insurance.

Mercury might be best for you if...

• Your credit is below-average.
• You have above-average credit.
• You're looking for the company with the most discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Mercury and Wawanesa. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision about your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just Mercury and Wawanesa. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Mercury vs. Wawanesa FAQs

Is Mercury or Wawanesa cheaper?

Looking just at the national average prices, Wawanesa is the more affordable of the two companies, offering average rates of $104 a month compared to $295 for Mercury. However, Wawanesa won't necessarily be the lowest carrier for each policyholder, since there are a bunch of different variables that are considered when it comes to your insurance payment.

Who is better, Mercury or Wawanesa?

Unfortunately, the answer truly is "it depends.". One company is not "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique auto insurance profile looks like. For example, Wawanesa offers less expensive premiums for drivers with an at-fault accident on their record, while Mercury is cheaper for drivers who have less-than-stellar credit scores.

Why do Mercury and Wawanesa offer me different rates?

Car insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different factors when calculating the rates they charge policyholders. Variables like your driving record, where you live, gender, age, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Mercury and Wawanesa calculate prices using different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a range of different companies.

How do I know if Mercury or Wawanesa is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the most affordable price. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Mercury or Wawanesa at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.