Updated October 31, 2026 · Facts checked against mercuryinsurance.com, AM Best and the NAIC on October 31, 2026
Mercury Insurance is a California-based carrier, founded in 1962, that sells auto policies in eleven states mainly through independent agents, with the option to start online or by phone. It carries an AM Best financial strength rating and covers the standard range of auto protections, plus a telematics app called MercuryGO. The catch is service reputation: Mercury draws more complaints to state regulators than a company of its size would be expected to, so it suits drivers who care more about agent access and discount stacking than about a spotless customer-satisfaction record.
Key facts
- Financial strength (AM Best)
- A
- Complaint index (NAIC)
- 1.64
- US market share (NAIC)
- 1.0% (2025)
- Sold in
- 11 states
- Safe-driving program
- MercuryGO
- How you buy
- Independent agents, Online or phone
Good for
- Drivers in Mercury's eleven states who want a local independent agent
- Households bundling auto with home or renters cover
- Families with a student driver who earns good grades
- Safe drivers willing to try a telematics app for a discount
Watch out for
- More complaints to regulators than expected for a company its size
- Only sold in eleven states — no coverage if you move away
- Florida customers cannot bundle; auto is the only product there
- Gap insurance was not found among the listed auto coverages
- Service quality varies with the independent agency you choose
Where Mercury sells, and who it will insure
Mercury writes personal auto insurance in eleven states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. California is its home market and the largest part of its book.
There is no membership requirement, no military or professional affiliation to qualify — anyone in an operating state can apply. Note that in Florida, auto is the only Mercury product on offer; there is no Mercury homeowners policy there to bundle with.
If you move out of Mercury's eleven states, you will need a new carrier, which is worth bearing in mind if a relocation is likely.
How to buy
Mercury's main distribution channel is the independent agent. You can start a quote on Mercury's website or over the phone, but the company does not run a captive agent force — local independent agencies sell and service the policies.
That has a practical upside: the same agent can quote Mercury alongside other carriers they represent, so you get a comparison without doing the legwork yourself. It also means your service experience depends heavily on which agency you pick. Ask how claims support works at that agency, who answers when you call, and whether they handle mid-term changes themselves or send you to the carrier.
If you prefer a fully self-serve, app-first insurer with no human in the middle, Mercury is not really built that way.
Coverage and the MercuryGO app
The coverage menu is conventional and complete for most drivers: liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured-motorist, personal injury protection, medical payments, rental reimbursement and roadside assistance.
MercuryGO is the company's usage-based telematics program — a phone app that scores how you drive and can translate safe driving into a discount. As with any telematics product, read the terms before enrolling: understand how braking, speed and phone handling are measured, how long the monitoring period runs, and whether your score can push your rate the wrong way as well as the right way.
Gap insurance was not found among Mercury's listed auto coverages, so if you are financing a new car and want loan/lease payoff protection, confirm with the agent before you assume it is included.
Discounts worth asking about
The discounts Mercury names on its auto pages include:
- Multi-policy — bundling auto with a Mercury home or renters policy (not available in Florida, where auto is the only product).
- Multi-vehicle — more than one car on the same policy.
- Good driver — a clean record with no accidents or violations.
- Good grades — for young drivers doing well in school.
- Anti-theft — for vehicles equipped with an alarm or GPS tracking device.
There may be more; Mercury maintains a fuller savings page, and availability varies by state. Because policies are sold through independent agents, the most reliable way to find every discount you qualify for is to walk through the list with the agent rather than relying on an online quote form to catch them all.
Mercury does not appear to run a separate named young-driver program — the good grades discount is the main lever for families adding a teen.
The service record
This is the main reservation. Across the complaint data regulators collect, Mercury receives more complaints relative to its size than the industry average would predict. Complaint records cluster around billing disputes, claim delays and claim settlement amounts, and a pattern of elevated complaints is worth taking seriously even when the pricing looks attractive.
On the financial side the picture is better: Mercury holds a financial strength rating from AM Best, which speaks to its ability to pay claims rather than how pleasantly it handles them.
The sensible reading is that Mercury can be a sound value for drivers in its states, particularly through an agent who will advocate for you at claim time — but if a smooth, low-friction claims experience is your top priority, compare it against carriers with cleaner complaint records before you commit.
Discounts Mercury Insurance lists
- Anti-Theft Discount — Equip your vehicle with anti-theft features such as an alarm or GPS tracking device.
- Multi-Policy Discount — Bundle your Mercury auto policy with a home or renters insurance policy.
- Good Driver Discount — Maintain a clean driving record with no accidents or violations.
- Multi-Vehicle Discount — Insure more than one vehicle on the same Mercury auto policy.
- Good Grades Discount — Be a young driver who keeps good grades in school.
Questions
Which states does Mercury Insurance cover?
Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. If you move outside those states, you will need to find a different carrier.
Can I buy a Mercury policy online, or do I need an agent?
You can start online or by phone, but Mercury works through independent agents rather than its own captive sales force. Most buyers end up dealing with a local agency for the final quote and ongoing service.
What is MercuryGO?
It is Mercury's usage-based telematics program. A phone app tracks driving behaviour and safe driving can earn a discount. Check the program terms in your state before enrolling so you know how your score is calculated.
Is Mercury financially stable?
Mercury holds a financial strength rating from AM Best, shown alongside this review. That measures its capacity to pay claims, which is separate from its customer service record.
Does Mercury insure teen drivers?
Yes, and it offers a good grades discount for young drivers who do well in school. There does not appear to be a separately branded young-driver program beyond that, so ask your agent how adding a teen affects the whole policy.
Should the complaint record put me off?
Not automatically, but treat it as a reason to compare. Mercury draws more complaints than expected for its size, so get quotes from at least two other carriers and weigh any savings against the service risk.