Mercury Insurance Review 2023

Mercury earned 4 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.

Mercury Insurance has a large auto insurance customer base in California, but it also operates in 10 other states and offers additional products such as home, renters and condo insurance. Its policies are sold through a network of independent agents.

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Mercury insurance coverage

When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle. Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Read about the most common types of car insurance coverage to see how they work.

Mercury provides basic auto insurance coverage options, including rental car coverage and roadside assistance. In addition, any repairs made at a repair facility approved by Mercury are guaranteed for as long as you own your vehicle.

Rideshare insurance is available as an add-on for those who have a personal auto insurance policy with Mercury and drive for services like Uber or Lyft. Typically, when you work for a rideshare service, you are covered by the insurance provided by that company — but only while you have passengers or are en route to pick up passengers. Mercury’s rideshare insurance guarantees you’re also covered when you’re waiting for a fare.

» MORE: Compare auto insurance rates 

Auto insurance discounts

Depending on your state, you may be able to get a discount with Mercury by:

• Enrolling in autopay.

• Installing an anti-theft device in your vehicle.

• Using electronic signatures (paperless billing).

• Meeting Mercury’s requirements as a good driver.

• Meeting Mercury’s requirements as a good student.

• Signing up for Mercury’s driver behavior tracking app, MercuryGo. (You may qualify for an additional discount for good driving.)

• Signing up for Mercury’s mileage-based rates program, RealDrive.

• Insuring multiple cars with Mercury.

• Having multiple policies with Mercury (bundling).

• Paying premiums on time and in full.

Pricing based on tracked driving habits

Mercury’s pay-per-mile car insurance program, RealDrive, bases your premium rate on how many miles you drive. You’ll get a 5% discount when you sign up.

Mercury also has a usage-based app, MercuryGo, that provides additional discounts based on a calculated driving score. MercuryGo is currently only available for customers in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia.

Mercury home insurance coverage

Mercury’s options for home insurance include all the standard types of coverage, plus a few additional features, including:

• Identity theft protection and management that pays for prevention and costs related to fixing identity theft, up to $25,000.

• Coverage for large appliance and equipment repairs, including air conditioning systems, kitchen and laundry appliances, water heaters, electrical panels and more.

• Service pipe coverage, which pays up to $10,000 per claim for repairs to or replacement of damaged service lines, such as sewer, water and gas pipes. Without this coverage, you would be on the hook for these repairs, even though they connect to city-owned or utility-owned lines.

• Extended replacement cost coverage, which pays up to 150% of your dwelling limit to rebuild your home if you experience a covered loss.

• Additional coverage for valuables, such as jewelry or fine art.

• Cyber coverage that pays out if you’re the victim of an online attack such as online fraud or extortion, up to $50,000 with a $500 deductible.

• Difference in conditions endorsement, which is offered only to customers with a California FAIR Plan policy and covers the gaps in the policy, such as theft and water damage from broken pipes.

» MORE: The best homeowners insurance companies

Home insurance discounts

Home insurance policyholders may be able to save by:

• Owning a newer home.

• Selecting a higher deductible.

• Using fire-resistant construction materials to build their home.

• Living in a gated community.

• Having multiple policies with Mercury (bundling).

• Installing protective devices in the home.

• Taking steps to prevent wildfires or living in a community recognized by the National Fire Protection Association as a Firewise USA site (California only).

Complaints and customer satisfaction

Mercury had close to the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

More about Mercury insurance

Website: You can make payments, download ID cards and view policy documents via Mercury’s website. The company also has a blog with articles on various insurance topics, as well as tips for safer driving.

App: Mercury offers two mobile apps for its auto insurance customers. Its primary app lets you access your digital ID card, pay bills and contact roadside assistance. Its usage-based app, MercuryGo, monitors your driving habits. You earn a discount for enrolling and may receive an additional discount at renewal for demonstrating good driving behavior. It is only available in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia.

Other insurance coverage from Mercury