Mercury Auto Insurance Review

Last Updated on January 7, 2026

Mercury General Corporation (Mercury Insurance) is a Los Angeles-based insurer founded in 1961. Mercury sells auto insurance in 11 states and works with a large network of independent agents. It’s best known for car and home insurance, but the company also offers umbrella and business coverage in many areas.

If you live in Mercury’s coverage area and prefer working with a local agent (instead of buying entirely online), Mercury can be a strong option—especially if you qualify for discounts, drive fewer miles, or need add-ons like rideshare coverage.

Mercury Auto Insurance at a Glance

• Availability: Auto coverage in 11 states (regional carrier, not nationwide).
• Best For: Drivers who want agent support, competitive pricing in select markets, and practical add-ons like rental reimbursement and rideshare coverage.
• Standout Features: Guaranteed repairs at authorized shops, usage-based/mileage-based savings programs, and a broad discount menu.

Where Mercury Auto Insurance Is Available

Mercury sells personal auto insurance in the following states:

• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• Virginia

Keep in mind: coverages, discounts, and even the ability to buy online can vary by state. If you’re unsure what’s offered where you live, your agent can confirm what’s available and what’s not.

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage Offered by Mercury

Mercury offers the same “core” coverages you’ll see with most major insurers, plus a handful of useful extras. Depending on your state, you can buy anything from minimum liability to full coverage.

• Liability Coverage: Pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. This includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Helps pay for non-collision losses like theft, vandalism, hail, falling objects, and many weather-related claims. Learn how comprehensive coverage works.
• Collision Coverage: Helps repair or replace your vehicle after an at-fault accident (or a single-car collision). Here’s what collision coverage typically includes.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Helps protect you if you’re hit by a driver with no insurance (or not enough). See whether uninsured motorist coverage makes sense in your state.
• Medical Payments (MedPay): Helps pay medical bills for you and passengers after an accident—regardless of fault. More on medical payments coverage.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): In “no-fault” states, PIP can help cover medical costs and sometimes lost wages. Here’s a breakdown of personal injury protection.

Optional Add-Ons and Extras Worth Considering

Optional coverages can make a policy much more useful in real life. With Mercury, these are some of the most common add-ons drivers ask about:

• Roadside Assistance: Helpful for towing, lockouts, jump-starts, and flat tires. If you’re comparing add-ons, start with Mercury’s roadside assistance coverage details.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: Covers a rental car while yours is being repaired after a covered claim. Mercury typically lets you choose limits (commonly $30–$100 per day) for up to 30 days.
• Rideshare Insurance (Uber/Lyft): Mercury offers a rideshare endorsement in select states to help fill common coverage gaps when you’re driving for a transportation network company. If you’re new to gig driving, read this first: Will my insurance cover me if I start driving for Uber or Lyft?
• Mechanical Breakdown/Mechanical Protection: This can function like an extended warranty for certain covered repairs (availability and eligibility vary). Learn the basics of mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI).

What Makes Mercury Auto Insurance Different?

Mercury isn’t trying to be the biggest insurer in the country. Instead, it competes as a regional carrier with a heavy agent focus and a few benefits that stand out—especially in California.

• Guaranteed Repairs at Authorized Shops: Mercury advertises guaranteed repairs (paint, bodywork, and workmanship) when repairs are completed at a Mercury-authorized facility.
• Mileage/Usage-Based Savings Options: If you don’t drive much—or if you’re comfortable sharing driving/mileage data—Mercury may offer additional savings opportunities.
• Agent Support: Mercury sells many policies through independent agents, which can be a big plus if you want help building the right coverage and applying discounts correctly.

RealDrive vs. MercuryGO: How Mercury’s Tracking Programs Work

Mercury offers more than one way to potentially save based on how (or how much) you drive. The key is understanding what each program measures and whether it fits your comfort level.

RealDrive

RealDrive is primarily designed for drivers who log fewer miles. Program rules and discounts vary by location, but the concept is simple: lower mileage can mean lower risk—so low-mileage drivers may qualify for meaningful savings.

MercuryGO

MercuryGO is an app-based program that can measure driving behaviors (like braking, acceleration, and speeding) to calculate a driving score and potential discount. Like most telematics programs, availability and savings depend on your state and driving profile. If you’re on the fence, start here: Is usage-based car insurance right for you?

Mercury Auto Insurance Discounts

Discounts can make or break your final premium—especially as rates have risen across the industry. Mercury offers a wide discount menu, and your exact options depend on your state, vehicle, and driver profile. Here’s an overview of Mercury insurance discounts.

Common Mercury auto discounts include:

• Anti-Theft Discounts: Savings may apply for factory-installed or aftermarket theft deterrent devices. See how anti-theft device discounts typically work.
• Automatic Payments: Many insurers discount policies paid through recurring payments. Here’s what to know about automatic payment options for car insurance.
• Multi-Car Discount: Insuring multiple vehicles on one policy can reduce per-car costs. Learn more about multi-car discounts.
• Multi-Policy Bundling: Bundling auto with homeowners or renters insurance is one of the most common ways to save. Use this guide on bundling auto and homeowners insurance to compare offers.
• Good Student: Young drivers with strong grades may qualify. Details here: good student discount for car insurance.
• Good Driver: A clean driving record can translate to significant savings. Here’s how good driver discounts work.
• Mature/Defensive Driver Discounts: Some drivers can save after completing an approved course. Learn about defensive driving course discounts.
• Group/Association Discounts: Certain employers, alumni groups, and professional associations may qualify. See which organizations often unlock insurance discounts.

Other discounts may include pay-in-full, paperless/e-signature, vehicle safety features, EV discounts, and state-specific programs. The fastest way to confirm everything you qualify for is to ask an agent for a full discount review.

How Much Does Mercury Auto Insurance Cost?

Mercury’s pricing varies widely by state and driver profile (age, ZIP code, driving record, vehicle, coverage limits, and deductibles). It’s also important to zoom out: auto insurance rates have increased significantly in recent years, so older “average premium” numbers are often misleading.

Instead of relying on a single national average, use Mercury’s quote as a benchmark and compare it to at least 2–3 other insurers with the same coverage limits. And if you’re shopping in California, Mercury is commonly included among competitive options—start your comparisons here: best car insurance in California.

Mercury Customer Experience: Claims, Repairs, and Digital Tools

Mercury markets a few practical features that matter when you actually need to use your policy:

• 24/7 Claims Reporting: Mercury offers around-the-clock claims reporting (exact options vary by state and claim type).
• Repair Network Options: You typically have the right to choose your repair shop, but using an authorized shop may come with added guarantees.
• Mobile App Support: Mercury’s app can help with basics like proof of insurance, bills, and policy access (features vary by state).

Mercury Reviews and Third-Party Ratings

Like most insurers, Mercury’s customer experience can look very different depending on where you live, your claim type, and how complex your situation is.

For broader context, third-party organizations publish ongoing industry research and financial strength updates. For example, J.D. Power publishes an annual Auto Insurance Study tracking customer satisfaction by region (not every insurer appears in every region). You can review the latest findings here: J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.

On the financial side, A.M. Best has recently affirmed Mercury’s Financial Strength Rating at the A (Excellent) level, while also discussing outlook considerations tied to catastrophe exposure. You can read the rating action here: A.M. Best rating action for Mercury (2025).

Mercury has also highlighted recognition from Forbes in recent years (methodology and list criteria vary year to year): Mercury’s Forbes recognition announcement.

Pros and Cons of Mercury Insurance

Pros

• Solid lineup of core coverages plus useful add-ons (rental reimbursement, roadside, rideshare in select states)
• Strong discount potential and agent guidance to apply discounts correctly
• Guaranteed repairs when using authorized repair facilities
• Options for mileage/telematics-based savings programs

Cons

• Limited availability (only 11 states)
• Coverage options, discounts, and online purchasing tools vary by state
• Telematics/usage programs aren’t a fit for every driver (privacy and data-sharing comfort levels vary)

FAQs on Mercury Auto Insurance

Final Word on Mercury Insurance

Mercury can be a smart choice if you live in one of its 11 states and want agent support, practical add-ons, and discount opportunities. The best way to know if it’s “worth it” is to compare Mercury’s quote to similar coverage from other insurers and make sure you’re getting the right limits—not just the lowest price.

If you have questions about quotes, billing, or claims, start here: Mercury customer service contact information.

Mercury Insurance Contact Information