mercury insurance review — Mercury Insurance has been around since 1961. Founded by George Joseph in Los Angeles, it now operates from Brea, California. The company holds roughly 0.7% national market share. However, it dominates in California with about 7.2% of the state’s auto market. Mercury insures over one million vehicles in California alone. This mercury insurance review examines whether its competitive pricing holds up against limited availability. The insurer operates in just 11 states. Those states are Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. For drivers in those markets, Mercury may offer real savings.
Mercury Insurance Coverage Options
Mercury offers all standard auto insurance coverages. These include bodily injury liability, property damage liability, collision, and comprehensive. You can also add medical payments and personal injury protection. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is available too. In most cases, these options match what larger carriers provide. California’s minimum liability limits increased to 30/60/15 on January 1, 2025. Mercury adjusted its policies accordingly.
What stands out in this mercury insurance review are the add-on coverages. Rental car reimbursement pays $30 to $100 per day for up to 30 days. Roadside assistance runs 24/7 with real-time text updates. Mercury also offers rideshare insurance for Uber and Lyft drivers. That coverage starts as low as $0.90 per day. For low-mileage drivers, the Mercury RealDrive program offers pay-per-mile pricing.
The MercuryGO telematics program is another notable option. It tracks driving habits through a mobile app. As a result, safe drivers can earn significant premium reductions. MercuryGO is available in eight states including Arizona, Florida, and Texas. This mercury insurance review finds the telematics savings particularly competitive.
Mercury Insurance Discounts Available
Mercury provides a solid lineup of discounts. The MercuryGO telematics discount reaches up to 40% off premiums. That is among the highest telematics discounts in the industry. Mercury RealDrive offers up to 20% savings for low-mileage drivers. Simply enrolling in either program earns a 5% participation discount. Multi-vehicle discounts can save up to 16%. Bundling auto and homeowners insurance saves up to 14.5% on the auto policy.
For example, good student discounts range from 10% to 15%. Students need a 3.0 GPA or higher to qualify. Good driver discounts reward those with clean records for three or more years. Professional association discounts reach up to 8.2%. Groups like CalCPA, educators, engineers, and first responders qualify. Anti-theft device and anti-lock brake discounts each save up to 1%.
Additional savings come from autopay and e-signature enrollment. A clean payment history of 35 months with no late payments earns another discount. This mercury insurance review notes that stacking multiple discounts can produce meaningful savings. However, not all discounts are available in every state.
Mercury Insurance Review: Customer Ratings and Satisfaction
AM Best gives Mercury an A (Excellent) financial strength rating. This confirms the company can meet its financial obligations. In 2025, Mercury managed over 2,900 wildfire claims and paid more than $1.4 billion. Despite those catastrophe losses, the company posted $541.1 million in net income for full-year 2025. Revenue grew 11.3% year over year in Q4 2025.
However, customer satisfaction scores tell a mixed story. J.D. Power ranked Mercury 12th out of 20 insurers for auto claims satisfaction in 2025. That sits just above the industry average. In the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping Study, Mercury ranked last out of 18 carriers. The NAIC complaint index for auto insurance stands at 1.6. A score of 1.0 represents the expected complaint level. Mercury receives 60% more complaints than expected for its size.
This mercury insurance review also found mixed third-party ratings. Trustpilot users give Mercury 4.3 out of 5 stars. The BBB tells a different story. Mercury is not BBB accredited and holds just 1.26 out of 5 stars from 86 customer reviews. Common complaints mention unexpected rate increases and slow claims processing. The mobile app performs well, earning 4.8 stars on iOS and 4.1 on Android.
Mercury Insurance Pros and Cons
Pros:
- MercuryGO telematics discount up to 40% — one of the highest in the industry
- AM Best A (Excellent) financial strength rating with over 60 years in business
- Rideshare coverage available starting at just $0.90 per day
- Strong mobile app with 4.8-star iOS rating for digital ID cards and claims filing
Cons:
- Available in only 11 states — most drivers cannot get a quote
- NAIC complaint index of 1.6 is 60% above the expected level
- Ranked last in J.D. Power 2025 Insurance Shopping Study out of 18 carriers
- National average rates of $3,470 per year for full coverage exceed the $2,315 industry average
Who Should Choose Mercury Insurance?
This mercury insurance review suggests Mercury works best for California drivers. The company’s deepest agent network and most competitive pricing exist in that state. Californians report saving an average of $1,378 compared to their previous insurer. For drivers in other available states, Mercury is worth quoting but may not always win on price.
Mercury is a strong fit for safe drivers who use telematics. The MercuryGO program’s 40% discount potential is hard to beat. Low-mileage drivers benefit from the RealDrive program. Rideshare drivers for Uber or Lyft will appreciate the affordable coverage add-on. In most cases, professional association members should check for group discounts.
However, this mercury insurance review recommends comparing quotes carefully. Mercury’s national average rates run about 50% higher than the industry average. Drivers outside California may find better pricing elsewhere. Those who value a smooth shopping experience should note the low J.D. Power shopping score. Typically, drivers who prioritize claims satisfaction over shopping convenience will find Mercury adequate but not exceptional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What states does Mercury Insurance operate in?
Mercury Insurance is available in 11 states. Those states are Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. The company has its strongest presence in California.
Is Mercury Insurance financially stable?
Yes. Mercury holds an AM Best A (Excellent) rating. The company posted $541.1 million in net income for 2025. It successfully managed over $1.4 billion in wildfire claims that year. This mercury insurance review confirms strong financial backing.
How much can I save with Mercury Insurance discounts?
Savings vary by state and driver profile. The MercuryGO telematics program offers up to 40% off. Bundling policies saves up to 14.5%. This mercury insurance review found that stacking discounts can significantly reduce premiums for qualified drivers.
How do I file a claim with Mercury Insurance?
You can file claims by phone at (800) 503-3724 around the clock. The Mercury mobile app and online claims portal also accept submissions. Mercury assigns a dedicated adjuster to each claim. This mercury insurance review notes that J.D. Power ranks their claims process slightly above average.
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Official Sources & Resources
For verified information on auto insurance companies and consumer protection:
- NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners): naic.org
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): nhtsa.gov
- AM Best — Insurer Financial Strength: ambest.com
Content last reviewed April 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.