2023 Mercury Review

Despite middling customer satisfaction ratings, Mercury is well suited for California residents who need basic home and auto coverage or more extensive commercial insurance options.

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Mercury Insurance offers a relatively small number of insurance products and is only available in 11 states, meaning most shoppers throughout the nation shouldn’t expect to have all of their insurance needs met by Mercury. Nevertheless, the company receives few car insurance complaints and can provide coverage for a diverse array of small business owners.

If you’re looking for basic home and auto coverage to meet your state or lender’s requirements or are looking to buy personal coverage from the same company that insures your business, Mercury may be a good fit for you, especially if you live in the company’s largest market, California.

For more in-depth information about where you can obtain coverage and what discount opportunities are available, you can check out the rest of our Mercury Insurance review below.

Mercury auto insurance review summary: Mercury Insurance offers all of the basic coverage types you might expect from a full coverage policy and a small number of extra coverages such as rideshare insurance and roadside assistance. The company received a relatively low number of car insurance complaints in California in 2022, so policyholders can reasonably expect a hassle-free policy management experience.

Mercury home insurance review summary: Similarly, Mercury should meet the most common home insurance needs and can also provide coverage for identity theft, cyberattacks, appliance breakdowns and damaged service lines. However, the company doesn’t sell home insurance in Florida and only sells some coverage types like home-sharing and landlord coverage in California.

Mercury Insurance Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Works with 9,400+ independent agents

Only operates in 11 states and some coverage types aren’t available outside of California

Low rate of car insurance complaints for a company with its market share according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Limited range of insurance products compared to other major insurance companies

Offers commercial insurance packages tailored to the needs of multiple kinds of businesses

Unimpressive customer satisfaction ratings according to J.D. Power

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance started out selling car insurance policies in 1962 and then added home insurance a decade later. While the company was founded in California, it expanded into 10 other states from 1989 to 2004.[1] Rather than employing captive agents, Mercury Insurance currently offers various coverage types through a team of more than 9,400 independent agents.[2]

Availability

Mercury Insurance only operates in 11 states and primarily focuses on California, where about 86% of the company’s premium revenue comes from. Nevertheless, you may also be able to buy coverage from Mercury in the following states:[2]

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

mercury insurance approved states in US maps illustrations

Furthermore, the availability of certain coverage types depends on the state you live in. For example, Mercury only offers home-sharing coverage and business owners policies (BOPs) in California. On the flip side, the company doesn’t sell homeowners insurance at all in Florida.[2]

Coverage

While Mercury may offer a limited range of insurance products compared to other major insurance companies, it still offers multiple coverage types such as the following:[2]

  • Home
  • Renters
  • Condo
  • Landlord
  • Home-sharing
  • Auto
  • Rideshare
  • Commercial
  • Umbrella

Consumer Experience

Line of Business

J.D. Power Score (Out of 1,000)[3]

NAIC Complaint Index[4]

NAIC Share of Complaints in U.S. Market[4]

Auto*

794

0.84

0.59%

*California only

Customer Service

Customers who visit the Mercury Insurance website can ask questions and receive general customer support via phone, audio chat or text chat.[5] In addition, the website hosts resources that can help customers understand the company’s claims and payment procedures or find vehicle repair shops.[6]

Mercury had a below-average score of 794 for overall customer satisfaction regarding auto insurance in California, the only region where it was rated in J.D. Power’s most recent car insurance study.[3] However, its score of 866 for overall customer satisfaction regarding the auto insurance shopping experience was slightly above average compared to other midsize car insurance companies.[7]

Despite its unspectacular customer satisfaction ratings, Mercury Insurance does stand out thanks to its low rate of complaints. The company received slightly fewer car insurance complaints than expected given its market share in California in 2022.[4] Meanwhile, Mercury Insurance Company of Illinois received zero complaints across all lines of business in 2022.[8]

Features

Mercury Insurance’s main app allows users to access their policy information, view identification cards and request roadside assistance, among other features. Mercury Insurance reviews are generally favorable for the mobile app on both the App Store and Google Play, although neither version of the app has received more than 1,000 reviews as of the time this article was written.[9][10]

Platform

Number of Reviews

Star Rating

App Store

838

4.8/5

Google Play

484

4.1/5

App Store (MercuryGO)

201

3.4/5

Google Play (MercuryGO)

219

3.9/5

The company also offers a usage-based insurance (UBI) program through its MercuryGO Safe Driving App. You can get an upfront 10% discount by enrolling in MercuryGO, followed by a discount of up to 40% when you renew your policy depending on your driving habits. However, you should note that the MercuryGO app has somewhat less favorable reviews, especially on the App Store, with some users complaining about the accuracy of the app’s telematics technology.[11][12]

Pricing

You may find starting rates for some of Mercury’s insurance products on the company’s website including less than $3 per month for identity management services and less than $1 per day for rideshare insurance.[13][14] However, for the most part, you’ll need to contact the company directly for more accurate quotes. Keep in mind that your rates will depend on factors like your location, claims history and policy details.

Claims

Mercury customers have two main options for filing claims. They can either type their information into an automated digital portal on the Mercury Insurance website or call the company’s claims hotline at 800-503-3724. Both options are available 24/7.[5]

Mercury Car Insurance

Mercury Insurance offers all of the coverage types that are commonly required by law or by lenders, although the company doesn’t offer many car insurance add-ons.

What’s Covered

A Mercury car insurance policy may include the following coverage types:[6]

What Isn’t Covered

Mercury hasn’t published a list of standard exclusions among its car insurance policies, so exclusions may vary from policy to policy. In general, auto insurance policies tend to exclude coverage for the following:

  • Wear and tear or poor maintenance
  • Property stolen from your vehicle
  • Modifications and upgrades
  • Intentional losses
  • Racing, off-roading and similar high-risk activities
  • Excluded drivers and unlisted vehicles

Mercury Home Insurance

Mercury’s line-up of home insurance coverages includes a mix of standard coverage types and optional residential coverage types that can enhance your policy beyond the minimum amount of coverage your mortgage lender may require.

What’s Covered

You may be able to add the following coverage types to your policy whenever you buy home insurance from Mercury:[15][16][6]

What Isn’t Covered

See below for a list of exclusions you are likely to find in a Mercury homeowners insurance policy. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, so it’s important to pay attention to the details of your policy so you know what perils and liability risks won’t be covered.[17]

Additional Policies Mercury Offers

Mercury doesn’t offer as wide a range of insurance products as many other major insurers. For example, you won’t be able to buy motorcycle, RV, ATV or life insurance from Mercury. Nevertheless, the company does sell some additional coverage types like the ones explained below.

Commercial

Mercury offers three main categories of commercial insurance including habitational insurance for business owners who rent out residential properties, lessors risk insurance for commercial property owners and small business insurance designed to cover various types of business owners ranging from barbers to health care professionals. These insurance packages can include coverage types like the following:[18][19][20]

  • General liability insurance
  • Commercial property insurance
  • Business interruption insurance
  • Professional liability insurance
  • Commercial auto insurance
  • Commercial ordinance or law coverage
  • Liquor liability insurance
  • Employment practices liability insurance
  • Cyber and data breach coverage
  • Equipment breakdown insurance
  • Employee dishonesty coverage
  • Commercial water backup and sump pump overflow coverage
  • Bed bug liability coverage
  • Bailee’s customer insurance
  • Outdoor signs coverage
  • Spoilage coverage

Renters

Renters insurance from Mercury primarily insures your belongings against covered perils while also providing personal liability and medical payments coverage to protect you from various liability risks. A renters policy from Mercury can even include workers’ compensation coverage if you employ any domestic workers.[21]

Condo

Condo insurance protects both the inner structure of your condo unit and the possessions you store inside of it in case they are damaged by a peril your policy covers. This type of policy can also include coverage for additional living expenses, liability issues and, like Mercury’s renters insurance policies, workers’ compensation.[22]

Mercury Insurance Discounts

You can view the tables below for an overview of the Mercury car insurance discounts and Mercury home insurance discounts that can lower insurance prices for eligible customers. Keep in mind that the availability of some discounts depends on the state you live in.[23][24]

Auto Insurance Discounts

Discount Name

Description

Anti-Theft Feature

Mercury Insurance offers lower rates to drivers who install anti-theft devices to make theft-related claims less common and easier to resolve whenever they are necessary

Auto Pay

You could get a discount if you sign up for a system that automatically withdraws your premium payment each month

E-Signature

Signing your policy digitally can lower the use of unnecessary paperwork and make you eligible for a discount

Good Driver

You may qualify for a good driver discount if you go an extended period of time without getting into a car accident or receiving any speeding tickets

Good Student

The eligibility requirements for a good student discount can vary but you should be prepared to show certain documents such as your transcript

Multi-Car

Mercury rewards customers who add multiple vehicles to the same policy with a discount

Multi-Policy

This discount is available to policyholders who bundle their car insurance coverage with their home, renters or condo insurance

Pay in Full

You’ll also qualify for a discounted rate if you pay your car insurance premiums for the entire coverage period up front rather than paying in monthly installments

Home Insurance Discounts

Discount Name

Description

Fire Protective Device

If you have a fire extinguisher, smoke detector, fire alarm or sprinkler system in your home, you may be eligible for a discount on your homeowners insurance premiums

Theft Protective Device

Similarly, you can get a discount for lowering your exposure to theft by living in a gated community or installing devices like deadbolts and burglar alarms

Water Leak Detection

You can qualify for a lower rate by installing a system that automatically turns your water off or notifies a third party anytime there is a leak

New Home

If your home is less than 10 years old, you can earn a new home discount from Mercury Insurance

Homeowners Association

Homes and condos that are part of a homeowners association (HOA) are also eligible for a discount

Wildfire Mitigation - Property Level

This discount applies if your home meets certain defensible space and home-hardening requirements

Wildfire Mitigation - Community Level

Meanwhile, this discount applies if the community you live in has established annual fuel mitigation efforts or if it has been recognized by the Firewise USA Recognition Program or designated as a shelter-in-place community

Loss Free

Policyholders who go at least three years without filing a homeowners insurance claim may get to pay less for coverage

Multi-Policy

This discount is available to policyholders who bundle their home insurance coverage with their car insurance or a California Earthquake Authority policy

FAQs

Who is Mercury Insurance best suited for?

Mercury Insurance is best suited for residents of California and potentially a few other states who need basic home and auto coverage or in-depth financial protection for their businesses and are not put off by the company’s mediocre customer satisfaction ratings.

How can I contact Mercury Insurance?

Mercury Insurance customers can file claims through an online portal or by calling 800-503-3724. Meanwhile, they can ask other questions over the phone or in an online audio or text chat on the company’s website.[5]

How do I buy Mercury home and car insurance?

You can request home and auto insurance quotes from Mercury Insurance by inputting your information online or calling the number listed at the bottom of any page on the company’s website.

Are there penalties if I cancel a Mercury Insurance policy?

While Mercury will give you a prorated refund when you cancel a policy, the company may also deduct a cancellation fee from that refund in order to cover administrative costs.[25]

Where does Mercury Insurance provide coverage?

Mercury Insurance provides coverage in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia.[2]

How Does Mercury Compare to Other Car Insurance Companies?

Mercury vs Chubb

Mercury vs Cincinnati

Mercury vs Erie

Mercury vs Esurance

Mercury vs Gainsco

Mercury vs Hanover

Mercury vs Sentry

Mercury vs Shelter

Sources

  1. Mercury Insurance. “Our Story.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  2. Mercury Insurance. “Mercury Insurance Company Fact Sheet,” Pages 1, 2 and 6. Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  3. J.D. Power. “2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  4. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “Mercury Ins Co National Complaint Index Report.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  5. Mercury Insurance. “Contact Mercury Insurance.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  6. Mercury Insurance. “Site Map.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  7. J.D. Power. “2023 U.S. Insurance Shopping Study.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  8. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “Mercury Ins Co of IL National Complaint Index Report.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  9. App Store. “Mercury Insurance.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  10. Google Play. “Mercury Insurance: Home & Auto.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  11. App Store. “MercuryGO: Safe Driving App.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  12. Google Play. “MercuryGO: Safe Driving App.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  13. Mercury Insurance. “Identity Management Services.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  14. Mercury Insurance. “Rideshare Insurance for Uber & Lyft.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  15. Mercury Insurance. “Homeowners Insurance: Get a Home Insurance Quote.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  16. Mercury Insurance. “Benefits of Homeowners Insurance.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  17. Mercury Insurance. “Homeowners Insurance Guide: Terms and Definitions.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  18. Mercury Insurance. “Habitational Insurance for Rental Properties.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  19. Mercury Insurance. “Lessors Risk Insurance Policy.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  20. Mercury Insurance. “Small Business Insurance: Get a Quote.” Accessed Nov. 13, 2023.
  21. Mercury Insurance: “Renters Insurance: Get a Rental Insurance Quote.” Accessed Nov. 14, 2023.
  22. Mercury Insurance. “Condo Insurance: Get a Quote Online.” Accessed Nov. 14, 2023.
  23. Mercury Insurance. “Car Insurance Discounts: Save on Auto Insurance.” Accessed Nov. 14, 2023.
  24. Mercury Insurance. “Homeowners Insurance Discount Guide 2021.” Accessed Nov. 14, 2023.
  25. Mercury Insurance. “Moving Insurance.” Accessed Nov. 14, 2023.
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