- Rates well below the national average for minimum coverage.
- AM Best A (Excellent) financial strength.
- Strong C+ CRASH Network grade.
- MercuryGO telematics with signup discount.
- Gap insurance and rideshare coverage available.
- Claims satisfaction near the bottom of J.D. Power studies.
- Available in only 11 states.
- Does not file SR-22.
- Customers commonly complain about renewal rate increases.
- Above average NAIC complaint volume.
Mercury car insurance: Jerry’s verdict
Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance has built its business around affordable rates for drivers in a handful of states… primarily California, where it ranks as the fourth largest private passenger auto insurer by market share. It now operates in 11 states and offers a product menu that includes gap insurance, rideshare coverage and a telematics program, alongside discounts to reward most driver profiles.
Pricing is Mercury’s most compelling argument, with minimum coverage rates that come in well below the national average, according to Jerry’s own data. Mercury’s financial benchmarks are also solid: this insurer holds an AM Best A (Excellent) rating and CRASH Network grade of C+. This CRASH score is the highest of any carrier in Jerry’s review set, and serves as a signal from collision repair shops that Mercury’s claims handling practices are better than many of its peers.
Where Mercury struggles is with claims satisfaction, ranking near the bottom of multiple J.D. Power insurance studies over the last few years. Customer reviews consistently flag claims delays, problematic adjusters and rate increases after filing claims. Its NAIC complaint index for private passenger auto policies also runs above the industry baseline.
Mercury does not file SR-22 or FR-44 documents, so high-risk drivers needing those forms will need to look at other carriers.
Who Mercury is best and worst for
A driver in one of Mercury’s 11 states who wants below-average rates. Mercury’s minimum coverage pricing is among the most competitive available through Jerry in its markets, and qualified drivers with clean records can often find big savings.
A safe driver who wants telematics savings. MercuryGO is available in nine of Mercury’s 11 states and rewards smooth braking, controlled speed, limited phone use and avoiding aggressive cornering. Drivers who sign up receive a discount immediately.
A driver who needs gap insurance or rideshare coverage from a regional carrier. Mercury has a broader add-on menu than many carriers of its size, offering things like rideshare insurance and custom equipment coverage.
A driver who prioritizes claims satisfaction. Mercury’s J.D. Power claims performance has been near the bottom of the national study for multiple consecutive years. Drivers for whom claims experience is the primary decision factor should compare it carefully against higher-rated alternatives.
A high-risk driver who needs SR-22 filing. Mercury does not file SR-22 or FR-44 documents, so drivers with this requirement will need to look elsewhere.
Compare 100+ insurers through Jerry in less than 5 minutes
Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance
How much does Mercury car insurance cost?
The average cost for car insurance coverage with Mercury is $154 per month among Jerry drivers, about 45% cheaper than the national average.Your premium is determined by a number of factors, including your age, location, the type and age of your vehicle, your driving record, other drivers on your policy and the amount of coverage you want.
Based on our analysis of 379,569 real Mercury customers who bought through Jerry, here are the typical monthly premiums by driver coverage level.
Minimum
$62 – $119/mo
Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your own car.
Full
$117 – $241/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is often required if your car is financed or leased.
Standard
$162 – $314/mo
Includes uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage, which is especially valuable since nearly 18% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.
Preferred
$194 – $369/mo
Offers higher liability, lower deductibles and extras like towing and rental reimbursement for maximum protection.
Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.
Learn more: Best car insurance companies
Industry ratings of Mercury car insurance
Mercury’s CRASH Network grade and AM Best rating are its strongest benchmarks. Claims satisfaction is the most significant gap.
| Rating | Mercury’s score |
| NAIC consumer complaint index (2025) | Below average (0.82). |
| CRASH Network report card (2026) | C+. |
| J.D. Power auto insurance shopping study (2025) | No. 18 of 18. |
| J.D. Power auto insurance claims study (2025) | No. 12 of 20. |
| AM Best (2025) | A (Excellent). |
-
NAIC details
-
CRASH Network details
-
J.D. Power details
-
AM Best details
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
Mercury car insurance coverage options
Like most insurers, Mercury offers general coverages like collision, comprehensive, bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Optional add-ons including things like:
-
Rental reimbursement to pay for a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered claim.
-
Rideshare coverage to extend your personal policy for periods when driving for a rideshare platform. Mercury says that this coverage can cost as little as $0.90 per day.
-
Gap insurance to cover the difference between your car’s actual cash value and your remaining loan or lease balance, if the vehicle is totaled.
-
Roadside assistance for towing, fuel delivery, tire change and locksmith services.
-
Custom equipment coverage for damage to upgrades that are made after purchase, such as a custom audio system.
In addition to car insurance, Mercury also offers other coverages like home and business insurance. Bundling home and auto insurance together saves Jerry drivers up to 40% on their overall premium, and you can even mix-and-match coverage from different insurers.
-
Coverage Definitions
-
Who it pays: The other person, for injuries when you’re at fault in a crash.
-
What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages and legal costs for people injured in an accident you cause.
-
How it pays: Up to your policy limits, shown as two numbers. For example, 50/100 means $50K per person and $100K per accident.*
-
Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least 100/300.
Property damage liability (PD)
-
Who it pays: The other person, for property you damage in a crash.
-
What it covers: Costs to repair or replace another person’s car, fence, mailbox or other property you hit.
-
How it pays: Up to your policy’s limit. For example, $50K.*
-
Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least $100K.
*Bodily injury liability and property damage liability are typically shown as three numbers on your policy, like 100/300/100. The first two numbers represent your bodily injury limits per person and per accident, while the third number represents your property damage limit.
-
Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
-
What it covers: Costs to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another car or object, like a guardrail or pole.
-
How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
-
Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
-
Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
-
What it covers: Damage from non-crash events like theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, falling trees, fire or hitting an animal.
-
How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
-
Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
-
Who it pays: You and your passengers, for injuries and property damage.
-
What it covers: Your own injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your costs, including hit-and-runs in many states.
-
How it pays: Up to your chosen limits, which often match your BI limits. There’s usually no deductible for UM, but UIM may have one.
-
Do you need it? Required in some states, but Jerry recommends every driver get it, since about 1 in 8 drivers does not have car insurance.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
-
Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills and lost income, no matter who caused the accident.
-
What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages, childcare, funeral costs and other expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
-
How it pays: Up to your policy limit. There’s usually no deductible, though this varies by state.
-
Do you need it? Required in no-fault states. If available in your state, it’s worth considering.
-
Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills.
-
What it covers: Medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
-
How it pays: No deductible. Pays up to your policy’s limit.
-
Do you need it? Optional in most states, but can be valuable if you don’t have health insurance or have a high-deductible health plan.
-
Mercury car insurance discounts
Mercury offers a solid discount menu for a regional carrier, though some qualification criteria are less specific than competitors.
🔒
Anti-theft device. Vehicle equipped with a qualifying anti-theft system.
💳
Autopay.
Set up automatic premium payments.
📄
E-signature.
Sign policy documents electronically.
🌟
Good driver.
Maintain a record without accidents or citations for a qualifying period.
🎓
Good student.
Maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 as a qualifying student.
🚗
Multi-car.
Insure more than one vehicle on the same policy.
🏠
Multi-policy.
Bundle auto with a Mercury home, condo or renters policy.
💰
Pay in full.
Pay your entire premium upfront.
Does Mercury offer insurance based on driving behavior?
Yes, MercuryGO is Mercury’s telematics program, available in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. (It is not available in California or New York, even though Mercury operates there.)
Drivers receive a discount for enrolling, then the app monitors braking and acceleration, speed, cornering and phone use while driving. At renewal time, Mercury evaluates scores from the final 91 days of the policy period to determine whether additional savings can be applied.
Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.
Filing a claim with Mercury
Mercury provides multiple ways to file a claim and manage the process digitally.
File online, by phone or through the app
Claims can be filed at mercuryinsurance.com, through the Mercury mobile app or by calling 800-503-3724. The claims line is available 24/7.
Work with a claims representative
After filing, Mercury assigns a representative to assess the damage and manage the process. Given the documented pattern of claims delays and post-claim rate increases in customer reviews, document every interaction from the moment you file: dates, names and what was discussed.
Repair and rental
Mercury will provide a repair estimate. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, Mercury will authorize a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired.
Settlement or payout
For total losses, Mercury settles based on actual cash value (ACV). Drivers with gap coverage may be eligible for an additional payout if they owe more on their loan than the ACV.
Customer reviews of Mercury
Hundreds of Jerry customers have reviewed Mercury auto insurance and given the company a relatively strong overall score. Pricing satisfaction drives most of the positive feedback; claims and renewal experiences account for most of the negative reviews.
Is Mercury a good insurance company?
Mercury’s rates are genuinely competitive and its C+ CRASH Network grade means repair shops think reasonably well of how Mercury handles repairs, which is worth noting. But a last-place finish in J.D. Power’s shopping study suggests that the customer buying experience still needs work.
If you’re in one of Mercury’s 11 states, it’s always worth getting a quote through Jerry to compare your options. This will tell you where Mercury’s pricing falls for your specific car and driving profile, so you can choose the best option for you.
See coverage options for your car.
How to contact Mercury
There are a few different ways to contact Mercury, depending on whether you’re looking to buy or change coverage, file a claim or ask a policy question.
- Get a quote: mercuryinsurance.com or through a broker like Jerry
- Policy questions: mercuryinsurance.com/contact
- Claims (24/7): 800-503-3724
- App: Mercury Insurance (iOS and Android)
- Website: mercuryinsurance.com
Related guides
FAQ
-
What are the pros and cons of Mercury car insurance?
-
Does Mercury file SR-22s?
-
What states does Mercury operate in?
-
Does Mercury offer usage-based insurance?
-
How do I file a claim with Mercury?
Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.
Methodology
Statistics, rates and conclusions in this article are based on Jerry’s proprietary database of real-world car insurance quotes, not third-party models or estimates. As a licensed insurance broker in all 50 states, Jerry has firsthand visibility into how quotes are generated and validated, and all data is aggregated and anonymized to protect privacy. With millions of quotes delivered each year (often multiple offers per driver), our datasets are large enough to avoid bias toward any one region, insurer or driver type.
Unless otherwise indicated, quotes shown are from drivers with clean records in the last 12 months. Quotes involving accidents, violations or credit use the last 18 months to ensure a reliable sample.
How we rate car insurance companies
Jerry’s team of car insurance expert writers and editors analyzes real customer ratings, regulatory data and industry reports to evaluate each insurer across the factors that matter most when shopping for and using auto insurance: claims handling, customer satisfaction, complaint volume, coverage breadth, cost and discounts, financial stability and direct customer feedback from Jerry shoppers.
To calculate our 2026 Jerry Score rating, we analyzed over 1,200,000 actual policy quotes for real Jerry customers last year, across 100+ different insurers. This was used alongside data from independent industry sources covering financial strength, claims handling, customer satisfaction and customer complaints to create a proprietary score for our top insurance companies.
We regularly reassess insurers’ star ratings and fact-check these reviews to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date. Each factor rolls up into a weighted composite score on a 1 to 5 scale.
What we measure
- Claims and repair experience (16%)
- J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction Study (5%)
- CRASH Network Insurer Report Card — collision repair professionals’ ratings of how well insurers’ practices support quality repairs (4%)
- J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study — regional customer satisfaction with policy experience (7%)
- Customer complaints (11%)
- NAIC Complaint Index — current complaint volume relative to industry average (8%)
- NAIC three-year trend — direction of complaint volume over time (3%)
- Cost and value (11%)
- Loss ratio — share of premium dollars paid out in claims, with scoring tuned to identify insurers in the healthy 65% to 78% middle ground (5%)
- Discount and program density — count of available discounts and savings programs (6%)
- Financial stability (15%)
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating (12%)
- AM Best Outlook (3%)
- Coverage and features (13%)
- Breadth of optional coverages, telematics programs and rider availability
- Customer experience (24%)
- Clearsurance peer reviews — aggregated policyholder ratings (10%)
- Mobile app — availability and average rating across iOS and Android (7%)
- Better Business Bureau rating (7%)
- Jerry customer reviews (10%)
- Direct feedback from Jerry customers who hold or have held a policy with that insurer
Insurers must have data coverage of at least 60% across these measures to receive a composite score.
Editorial integrity
We’re all about balanced, unbiased and helpful content at Jerry. None of our articles are sponsored by advertisers or insurance companies, so you can trust the information we provide. As a comparison platform that works with 100+ insurers, Jerry has no reason to favor one insurer over another. Our job is to help you find the best fit for your situation.
Jerry does earn a commission from insurers when you purchase a policy through our platform. This does not affect our editorial ratings or insurer assessments, though, which are determined independently by our insurance experts. Click to read more about Jerry’s data gathering and verification processes.
Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.
