What Mercury Insurance Is and Who Sells It
Mercury Insurance is a car insurance company that sells policies in most U.S. states. It is not a government program — it is a private business that competes with other insurers like State Farm, Geico, and Progressive. You buy a policy directly from Mercury, either online, by phone, or through an agent, and you pay them a monthly or annual premium in exchange for coverage if you get into an accident or your car is damaged.
Mercury has been operating since 1962 and is owned by a larger holding company. The company focuses on drivers who have had accidents, tickets, or lapses in coverage — people who might find it harder to get low rates elsewhere. That does not mean Mercury is only for high-risk drivers; many people with clean records use Mercury and pay competitive rates.
The states where Mercury operates change over time, and not all states have the same coverage options. Before you get a quote, you can check Mercury's website to confirm they sell policies in your state.
Key Takeaways
- Mercury Insurance is a private company that sells car insurance policies; it is not a government program or subsidy.
- You can get a quote online, by phone, or through an agent, and rates depend on your driving history, age, location, and the type of car you drive.
- Mercury offers standard coverage types — liability, collision, comprehensive — and discounts for things like bundling policies or taking a defensive driving course.
- If you have an accident or file a claim, you contact Mercury's claims department, and they assign an adjuster to assess the damage and process payment.
- You can cancel your policy at any time, though some states allow Mercury to charge a cancellation fee if you leave before your policy term ends.
The Types of Coverage Mercury Offers
Mercury sells the same basic types of car insurance that most insurers offer. Liability coverage pays for damage or injuries you cause to someone else in an accident; your state sets a minimum amount you must carry. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own car if you hit another vehicle or object. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from things not related to a crash — theft, weather, vandalism, or hitting an animal.
You can also add uninsured motorist coverage, which protects you if someone without insurance hits you, and medical payments coverage, which covers medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident. Mercury also offers roadside information, rental car reimbursement, and gap insurance (which covers the difference between what you owe on a car loan and what the car is worth if it is totaled).
When you get a quote, Mercury will ask you to choose coverage limits and deductibles for each type. A higher deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in — lowers your monthly premium. A lower deductible raises your premium but means you pay less when you file a claim.
How Rates Are Set and What Affects Your Quote
Mercury calculates your rate based on several factors. Your driving history is the biggest one: accidents and traffic violations raise your rate, sometimes significantly. Your age matters — younger drivers and very elderly drivers typically pay more. Your location affects the rate because some areas have more accidents or theft. The type of car you drive changes the cost because some vehicles are more expensive to repair or are stolen more often.
Other factors include how far you drive, whether you use the car for work, your credit score (in states where insurers are allowed to use it), and whether you have had a lapse in coverage. Mercury also offers discounts — for bundling home and auto policies, for completing a defensive driving course, for paying your premium in full upfront, or for having safety features in your car.
The only way to know what Mercury will charge you is to get a quote. You can do this on their website in a few minutes by entering your driver's license number, vehicle information, and coverage preferences. Mercury will show you a quote, and you can compare it to quotes from other insurers before you decide.
How to Get a Quote and Buy a Policy
You can start a quote on Mercury's website without creating an account. You will need your driver's license, vehicle registration, and current insurance information (if you have it). The online quote tool asks about your driving history, the coverage you want, and your deductible preferences. Most quotes take 5 to 15 minutes.
After you see your quote, you can buy the policy right away online if you want coverage to start when ready. You can also call Mercury's phone number to speak with an agent, who can answer questions and help you choose coverage. Some people prefer to work with an independent agent who represents Mercury, though this is less common than buying direct.
Once you buy a policy, Mercury sends you a confirmation email and a policy document that lists your coverage, limits, deductibles, and premium. You can access your policy anytime through Mercury's online account portal or mobile app.
What Happens When You File a Claim
If you are in an accident or your car is damaged, you contact Mercury's claims department to file a claim. You can do this online, by phone, or through the mobile app. Mercury will ask you to describe what happened, provide photos of the damage, and give them the other driver's information if another vehicle was involved.
Mercury assigns an adjuster to your claim. The adjuster may inspect your car in person or review photos you submit. They determine how much damage there is and whether the damage is covered under your policy. If it is, Mercury pays for repairs (either to a repair shop of your choice or one Mercury recommends) or pays you directly, depending on your policy and the situation.
The time it takes to settle a claim varies. straightforward claims with clear liability may be resolved in days; complex claims or disputes over damage can take weeks. Mercury is required by state law to acknowledge your claim within a certain timeframe and to communicate with you about the status.
Discounts and Ways to Lower Your Premium
Mercury offers several discounts that can reduce your monthly cost. A multi-policy discount applies if you bundle auto and home insurance with Mercury. A defensive driving course discount applies if you complete an approved defensive driving class (usually online and takes a few hours). Some insurers offer this discount every three years; Mercury's rules vary by state.
You may also get a discount for safety features in your car — anti-theft devices, airbags, or automatic braking systems. Some Mercury customers get a discount for paying in full instead of monthly. A few states allow Mercury to offer a discount for having a good credit score, though this varies by location.
The discounts you see depend on your state and your specific situation. When you get a quote, Mercury will show you which discounts you may be able to use. If you think you may have access to for a discount you do not see, you can ask an agent when you buy or call customer service after you have a policy.
Canceling Your Policy and Switching Insurers
You can cancel your Mercury policy at any time by calling customer service or logging into your online account. Some states allow Mercury to charge a cancellation fee if you cancel before your policy term ends (usually six months or one year). Other states do not allow this fee. Mercury will tell you whether a fee applies when you cancel.
If you are switching to another insurer, make sure your new policy starts before your Mercury policy ends so you do not have a gap in coverage. A gap in coverage can raise your rates with future insurers and may be illegal depending on your state. You can overlap policies for a day or two to make sure there is no lapse.
Before you switch, get quotes from at least two or three other insurers to compare rates. Your situation may have changed since you last shopped — a clean driving record for a few years, a newer car, or moving to a different area can all lower your rate with a new insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mercury Insurance work in my state?
Mercury operates in most states but not all. You can check their website to see if they sell policies where you live. The states they serve can change, so if Mercury did not work in your state before, it may now, or vice versa.
What if I have a bad driving record?
Mercury specializes in insuring drivers with accidents, tickets, or coverage lapses. You will likely pay more than someone with a clean record, but Mercury may offer you a rate that is better than other companies. Get quotes from Mercury and at least one other insurer to compare.
Can I change my coverage or deductible after I buy a policy?
Yes. You can log into your online account or call customer service to make changes. Changes usually take effect on your next billing date, though you can request an when ready change for an additional fee in some cases.
How do I pay my Mercury Insurance premium?
Mercury accepts payment by credit card, debit card, bank account transfer, and check. You can set up automatic monthly payments so you do not have to remember to pay each month. You can also pay your full premium upfront for a discount on some policies.
What if Mercury denies my claim?
If Mercury denies your claim, they must send you a written explanation of why. You can appeal the decision by contacting their claims department. If you disagree with the outcome, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner, who can investigate whether Mercury followed the law.