Mercury Insurance positions itself as a smart choice for sensible drivers: people who want high-quality coverage for low rates. Its network of local agents offer personalized service and attention, and it offers a wide array of insurance plans and products.
Serving drivers in 11 states, Mercury might not have the same brand recognition as the nationwide insurance giants. However, Mercury Insurance is popular with its customers for offering low rates and good service. As a result, it has built a sterling reputation and has been named one of Forbes’ Most Trustworthy Financial Companies three times.
So is Mercury the best car insurance choice for you? We’ll give you all the information you need to decide.
What is Mercury Auto Insurance?
Mercury is an auto insurance company focused on providing quality insurance at an affordable rate while emphasizing exceptional customer service. The company was formed in 1962 by George Joseph.
He noticed that auto insurance rates were the same for all drivers, regardless of their driving history during his time building the company. This realization led him to believe he thought he could improve the system by forming an insurance company that set car insurance premiums based on varying factors.
Well, there is no question; this revolutionized auto insurance in its day and laid the groundwork for how auto insurers charge drivers for insurance to this day. Mercury has grown from its humble beginnings in Los Angeles, California, now offering insurance to drivers in eleven states including: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia.
While not as well-known as some car insurance companies such as Nationwide, State Farm, Geico, and Progressive, Mercury regularly receives stellar ratings.
With over $5.9 billion in total assets, more than 4,400 workers, and 9,400+ independent agencies, Mercury is a solid choice if you’re in the market for car insurance.
How Does Mercury Auto Insurance Work?
Mercury makes buying auto insurance as simple as possible. Their focus is on matching you with the best policy to fit your needs and budget. You can go online to build a custom plan and get a quote. If you need additional assistance, you can call their toll-free number to speak with an agent.
Mercury Auto Insurance Payments
Making your auto insurance payment with Mercury is quick and easy. You can make your payment online by logging in to your customer account or making a one-time payment online. You also have the option to pay your bill by mail with a check or money order, by calling a billing specialist, or paying using MoneyGram.
Mercury Auto Insurance Rate Increases
There are times when an increase in your auto insurance is inevitable. The most common reason is when there is a change in your driving record, usually when you are in a car accident or get a traffic ticket. An increase in your car insurance rate can also happen if you move, get divorced, begin driving a different vehicle or even if your credit score decreases
Other factors that increase your auto insurance premiums unrelated to you or your driving behavior are the costs to repair your vehicle. When the cost to repair or replace your vehicle increases, insurance companies will usually pass those costs on to their policyholders.
The flip side of this is when you show a history of being a low-risk driver with little to no claims history and years of driving experience, you may get a decrease in your auto insurance rates.
One of the best things you can do when your auto insurance rates increase is compare rates with other companies to see if you can get a lower premium elsewhere. Just be sure you’re comparing apples to apples as you consider the type of coverage.
We make comparing auto insurance rates easy at Compare.com. Just enter your zip code below to get started.
Mercury Auto Insurance Claims
Filing an auto insurance claim with Mercury is simple and easy, regardless of the time or day. That’s because they offer an easy and convenient online claim reporting option that’s available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. If you prefer to speak directly with a claims representative, you can call their toll-free number.
Once your claim has been submitted and reviewed, it will be assigned to an insurance adjuster who will review all the details of your claim. This could include documentation such as photos of your vehicle’s damage and police reports. Your adjuster may also request to take a look at your vehicle in person.
The adjuster will make a final determination as to whether your vehicle should be repaired, deemed a total-loss, or the claim denied. Also, if your car requires repairs, your adjuster will most likely work directly with the auto repair shop you take your vehicle to.
Mercury Auto Insurance Discounts
Mercury offers a generous assortment of discounts to its customers. Many discounts are easy to secure: Sign up for automatic payments or electronic document signing, or insure multiple vehicles, and you’ll save.
Here are some of the discounts Mercury offers:
| Discount | Savings (dropdown) |
|---|---|
| RealDrive Discount | Save 5% for signing up for the RealDrive tracking program, then save more if you’re a low-mileage driver. |
| Good Student Discount | Talk to your Mercury agent about student discounts for maintaining high grades. |
| Good Driver Discount | If you’ve gone for a specified period of time without getting into an accident or receiving a ticket, you can get an insurance discount. |
| Multi-Vehicle Discount | Get a discount for insuring more than one vehicle with Mercury. |
| Paid-in-Full Discount | Get additional savings when you pay your premium in full. |
| Auto Pay Discount | See monthly savings when you make your premium payments automatic. |
| E-Signature Discount | Sign your documents electronically and save. |
| Anti-Theft Discount | Save money if you have any theft-deterring equipment on your vehicle. |
| Multi-Policy Discount
MercuryGo Discount |
Get up to a 15% discount on both your auto and homeowners policies when purchasing them together.
This discount option allows you to secure a discount based on your specific driving behavior. Only Texas drivers can take part in this program. |
While getting a discount is a great way to save on your auto insurance, the best way to get an affordable rate is to ensure your premium is low to begin with. You can do that by comparing the auto insurance rates of multiple carriers. When you enter your zip code below we make it easy by comparing rates of 60+ insurance companies. Then once you have the best rate possible, add discounts on top of it to save even more!
Mercury Auto Insurance Coverage Options
If you’re considering Mercury Auto Insurance to cover your vehicle, it’s important to know the type of coverage options they have available. Mercury offers many of the standard insurance options like collision and comprehensive coverage along with some lesser available coverages like rideshare insurance.
Here is a list of some of their insurance options, but be sure to check with Mercury Insurance about any other coverages that might be available.
Liability Insurance
If you’re at fault during an accident and your vehicle causes damage to another person’s body or property, liability insurance will cover the expenses incurred by the other party. However, there is no compensation for personal bodily injury or damage to your vehicle or property. Most states require a liability-only policy to register and drive your car legally.
Collision Insurance
Regardless of who is at fault, collision coverage protects your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident. The scope includes an accident with another car or an object such as a tree or fence.
When you purchase a collision insurance policy, you have the option to choose how much coverage you want and what you’re deductible will be. A deductible is an amount you pay out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in.
Typical deductibles are between $250 – $1000 or higher, and Mercury also offers a $0 deductible option. Choosing the right deductible can impact your insurance premiums, and the higher the deductible, the lower your premiums.
Your lender may require you to carry collision insurance to finance your vehicle. However, most states do not need it to register your vehicle.
Comprehensive Insurance
If you want to protect your vehicle from damage unrelated to a collision, you should consider comprehensive insurance coverage. It covers theft, windshield damage, fire, falling objects such as tree branches, vandalism, floods, and hailstorms.
Like collision insurance, you can choose a deductible and the amount of coverage you would like. You may also be required to carry comprehensive insurance coverage if you finance your vehicle, but it is not required by most states to register your vehicle.
If you own your vehicle outright and depending on the age, make, and model, you may decide that comprehensive insurance isn’t right for you. In that case, you will be responsible for 100% of non-collision damage done to your vehicle.
Medical Payments Insurance
Frequently, the sole focus when choosing an auto insurance policy is on the vehicle. Medical payments coverage, also known as MedPay, can assist you if you’re injured and incur medical expenses resulting from an accident, regardless of who is at fault. It covers dental injuries, funeral expenses, injuries suffered by you as a pedestrian, or if you and or your passengers are hurt.
Uninsured & Underinsured Motorists Insurance
Being uninsured is against the law in every state except New Hampshire. However, everyday vehicles are driven by people who knowingly have no insurance. Adding uninsured and underinsured coverage to your existing Mercury auto insurance policy is a simple and often cost-effective choice. Here are the options and what they mean:
- Uninsured Motorists Bodily Injury (UMBI). Pays for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering after an accident with an at-fault driver who does not have auto insurance.
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD). Pays to repair or replace your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident with a motorist who does not have insurance.
- Collision Deductible Waiver (CDW). It saves you money on your auto policy if you get into an accident caused by an uninsured driver. It waives or reimburses the deducible payment.
- Underinsured Property Damage Protection (UPDP). Protects you if someone causes an accident and doesn’t have enough insurance coverage to pay for the damages to your property.
Personal Injury Protection
Personal injury protection, also known as PIP is an add on coverage that can pay your medical bills, lost wages and sometimes cover other expenses while you recover including childcare. When you have PIP coverage it can save you a lot of money out of pocket.
Rental Car Coverage
When you’re involved in an accident and left without your vehicle while it’s being repaired or replaced, you likely need to rely on a rental car to get around, but that can be expensive out of pocket. Thankfully when you get rental car coverage, Mercury will provide you with a rental vehicle for up to 30 days while yours is unavailable.
Ride-Hailing Insurance
If you drive for one of the many rideshare companies such as Uber or Lyft, you can secure ride-hailing insurance from Mercury Auto. This coverage will protect you and your vehicle while your app is on, but you’re not transporting a customer.
Roadside Assistance
You can add Roadside Assistance to your plan and receive 24/7 coverage in case of a car emergency. A roadside service member will be available any time any day to fix your flat tire, charge your dead battery, help you get back in your vehicle when you’re locked out or any other emergency so you can get back on the road.
Mercury Auto Insurance Cost
Want to know how much insurance costs at Mercury? We have some averages for you based on common backgrounds. Whether you’re a teen driver, retired or have a spotty driving record, keep reading to get an idea of how much you can expect to pay at Mercury.
How much is auto insurance for teen drivers?
The average auto insurance rate for teen drivers is $152/mo.
How much is auto insurance for young drivers?
Young drivers under 25 years old can expect to pay an average of $192/mo for auto insurance.
How much is auto insurance for retired drivers?
Once you hit retirement age, the average cost for auto insurance is $63/mo.
How much is insurance for women vs. men?
Men pay slightly more for auto insurance at Mercury with an average premium of $92/mo while women pay an average of $84/mo.
How much is insurance for non married drivers?
Single unmarried drivers pay around $88/mo for auto insurance.
How much is insurance for drivers with a ticket on their record?
If you have a ticket on your driving record, your rate will likely increase to an average of $124/mo.
How much is insurance for drivers with multiple tickets on their record?
Have more than one ticket on your record? Prepare to fork out even more for auto insurance at around $163/mo.
How much is insurance for drivers with an accident on their record?
If you’re involved in a car accident, you’ll pay around $115/mo for auto insurance.
How much is insurance for drivers with multiple accidents on their record?
When you have multiple accidents on your driving record you’ll pay an average of $145/mo for your premium.
While these averages give you an idea of what you can expect to pay, the best way to know your rate is to get a personalized quote from Mercury (and over 60 other insurance companies). We can help you compare rates in just 5 minutes. Simply enter your zip code below to get started.
Other Mercury Insurance Options
While Mercury offers high quality auto insurance, they don’t stop there. Here are some additional coverage options available for Mercury Insurance customers.
- Homeowners Insurance
- Condo Insurance
- Renters Insurance
- Landlord Insurance
- Home Systems Protection
- Identity Management Service
- Home Cyber Protection
- Service Line Protection
- Umbrella Insurance
- Mechanical Protection
- Business Auto
If you see an insurance policy listed above that could be beneficial, you might be able to bundle it with your auto insurance and secure a multi-policy discount on your plan.
Where is Mercury Insurance Available?
Mercury serves drivers in 11 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia.
Mercury Auto Insurance Customer Reviews
| Review Platform | Ratings |
|---|---|
| Clearsurance | 3.73/5 – 666 reviews |
| AM Best | A |
| BBB | B- |
| Glassdoor | 3.6/5 |
Mercury Insurance generally gets positive reviews on the consumer review site Clearsurance. Customers praise Mercury’s simple website, responsive service, and low prices. Many say Mercury Insurance made life easier for them when they had a claim, which is what your car insurance company wants.
Mercury gets an A from the independent rating organization AM Best. That means it’s financially solid and stable, so you don’t have to worry about the company being unable to pay a claim.
The Better Business Bureau gives Mercury a B-. This grade indicates that the company usually responds to complaints, has been in business for a while, and generally has sound business practices. (Actual customer reviews are not factored into the BBB rating.)
What’s it like to work for Mercury? Employees praise the spirit of teamwork and the culture but don’t like the low pay rate and high-stress levels. Just under half of employees would recommend working at Mercury to a friend.
Pros and Cons of Mercury Insurance
Pros of Mercury Insurance
Mercury Auto Insurance has many benefits to offer to its customers.
- Positive Reviews: Mercury Insurance has a solid history of offering quality support to their customers. That’s why they have tons of raving reviews. While they’re not all positive, the vast majority of customers enjoy their experience with the company.
- Offer Discounts: Mercury offers you many ways to save – particularly with their discount availability. Here are just a few of the discount options available – autopay, anti-theft, good student, multi-policy and pay-in-full.
- Rideshare Insurance: If you’re a rideshare driver you’ll benefit from Mercury Auto’s rideshare coverage.
- Additional Insurance Options: Mercury can be your one stop shop for insurance if you own a car and a home. Bundle your policies and enjoy a great multi-policy discount. Alternatively, they also offer discounts such as a cyber coverage policy to protect you if you’re found to be a victim of an online attack.
Before you commit to any auto insurance company, however, you should compare customized, real-life quotes. It only takes a few minutes to discover which insurance company can offer you the lowest rates. Just enter your ZIP code to start.
Cons of Mercury Insurance
One of the primary cons of choosing Mercury Insurance is the fact that they don’t offer as many options to customize your auto insurance policy.
How to Know if Mercury Auto Insurance is a Good Fit
Still on the fence about whether you should move forward with Mercury Auto Insurance?
We’ve found this company to be a good fit for you if:
- You have a good driving record and you want affordable car insurance.
- You like the personal service a dedicated agent can offer.
- You’re looking for stress-free insurance you can count on when you need to file a claim.
FAQs About Mercury Auto Insurance
How does Mercury decide how much my insurance will cost?
Mercury says the cost of car insurance depends on a number of factors, including the vehicle you drive, where you live, your driving record, your age, your marital status, and more.
Can Mercury change my rates?
Like any other insurance company, Mercury may adjust your rate up or down from an initial quote, if insurance rates change or your driving record is updated.
Does Mercury have a mobile app?
Yes, but it’s limited in what you can do. The MercuryGo mobile app is only available for Android and tracks your driving habits.
What extra insurance options does Mercury offer?
Mercury offers many coverage options, such as mechanical repair coverage, rental car coverage, and roadside assistance.
Who is Mercury owned by?
Mercury Insurance was founded by George Joseph in 1961 with six team members and 90 agents. They sold their first policy in 1962.
What kind of insurance is Mercury?
Best known for their auto insurance products, Mercury also sells insurance to protect your home and condo. As well as insurance for renters, landlords, and business insurance.
Is Mercury Insurance a big company?
Mercury is relatively small compared to auto insurers like State Farm, Nationwide, Geico, and Allstate. However, it has more than 9,400 independent agents across eleven states. It also has over $5.9 billion in total assets with more than 4,400 employees.
Is Mercury car insurance expensive?
Mercury strives to help drivers save on their auto insurance by providing some of the most affordable rates around. They also provide a wide variety of discount programs to help lower their insurance premiums even more. Some of the available discounts include:
- Auto Pay Discount
- Good Driver Discount
- Multi-Policy Discount
- Good Student Discount
- Anti-Theft Feature Discount
- Multi-Car Discount
