Table of contents
- The verdict
- GEICO
- Mercury
- DriveEasy vs. MercuryGO
- Which is cheapest?
- Compare coverages
- Compare discounts
- FAQs
Table of contents
- The verdict
- GEICO
- Mercury
- DriveEasy vs. MercuryGO
- Which is cheapest?
- Compare coverages
- Compare discounts
- FAQs
GEICO, one of the largest U.S. auto insurance companies, has competitive rates and various car insurance discounts. Mercury is a smaller car insurance company that offers a variety of auto policies in 11 states.
Compare quotes and coverage options from GEICO, Mercury, and more to decide on the best option for your insurance needs. Here’s what you need to know about car insurance offerings from GEICO and Mercury.
Quick Facts
GEICO and Mercury both have usage-based telematics programs to help safe drivers save money on car insurance.
Mercury sells rideshare insurance, but GEICO doesn’t.
On average, U.S. drivers pay $83 per month for liability insurance from Mercury and $54 from GEICO.
GEICO vs. Mercury: The verdict
GEICO typically provides cheaper auto insurance coverage than Mercury. Policyholders with GEICO can save even more on coverage through more than a dozen available discounts. The company serves customers in all 50 states. Mercury also has a solid selection of discounts, but it only offers coverage in 11 states.
Also, GEICO earned higher ratings than Mercury in the J.D. Power 2023 claims satisfaction and customer satisfaction studies. However, if you’d like personalized customer service through a local agent and can lock in competitive premiums and a few discounts, Mercury may still be a good option for you.
| Factor | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Insurify Quality (IQ) Score | 4.4 | 4.0 |
| J.D. Power customer satisfaction score | 818 out of 1,000 | 794 out of 1,000 |
| Average quote: liability only | $54 | $83 |
| Number of available discounts | 16 | 8 |
| Number of states where it operates | 50 | 11 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our editorial team spent 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 5 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. We update ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: We use data from AM Best, S&P, Moody's, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 20,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also considered third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the United States, as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify identified the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share to score availability and reach.
GEICO
Founded in 1936, GEICO is the third-largest auto insurer in the United States by market share.[1] The company has an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best and a below-average number of customer complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for a company of its size.
GEICO sells other insurance products in addition to auto insurance, including homeowners, renters, motorcycle, boat, and business insurance. Drivers can save by bundling two or more policies with GEICO.
Compare personalized, real-time quotes
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 835 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $54/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $118/mo |
A highly recognizable name in car insurance, GEICO is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The company started out as the Government Employees Insurance Company, serving U.S. government workers and military personnel. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO also sells homeowner, flood insurance, life insurance, business insurance, and identity protection, among other products. A.M. Best gives GEICO its highest rating for financial stability and credit. However, GEICO has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.
Pros
Good rates for good drivers, seniors, and young drivers
Accident forgiveness available
Cons
High rates for drivers with certain violations, like DUIs
No rideshare or new car replacement coverage available
Read our GEICO review
Kimberly
- May 22, 2024
Verified
Never Again
They are horrible at handling claims and make you feel bad.
Anita
- May 22, 2024
Excellent
Good customer service. Megan Burrell is very helpful and professional.
Charles
- May 22, 2024
Verified
Good Insurance
Awesome.
…
Mercury
Selling insurance coverage since 1961, Mercury now serves 11 states with basic car insurance products through an insurance agent network. The company earned an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, and a below-average number of customers filed complaints with the NAIC regarding Mercury auto insurance, indicating customer satisfaction.
Mercury sells auto, home, property, umbrella, and business insurance. Customers can also qualify for a bundling discount.
Compare personalized, real-time quotes
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 827 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $83/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $156/mo |
Mercury is a 62-year-old insurance company that sells auto, home, condo, renters, and business insurance. In addition to standard car insurance coverage types, Mercury also offers rental car reimbursem*nt, roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, and more. Mercury customers can save with multiple discounts, and the opportunity to bundle their auto insurance with home or renters coverage. The compay has an A rating from A.M. Best for financial stability. Mercury has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index. However, J.D. Power ranked the company fourth incustomer satisfaction in California.
Pros
Numerous coverage options, discounts, and bundling opportunities
Competitive auto insurance prices
Cons
Only available in 11 states (including California)
Read our Mercury review
Marilyn
- May 21, 2024
Verified
Great Company
It's a great company. I've been with them for years.
Marilyn
- May 21, 2024
Verified
Excellent
Great value.
Elizabeth
- May 19, 2024
Verified
I had full coverage, but then there was a $400 hike per year. I switched to State Law which was $200 lower. I sent a check for $146.00 for renewal, but they claimed it arrived 2 days late. Was it due to snail mail? I think they're lying. The new policy is $600 more per year. Now, I have no insurance. I've had this poor service since I was 16. I might just go without insurance because I no longer care.
I had full coverage, but then there was a $400 hike per year. I switched to State Law which was $200 lower. I sent a check for $146.00 for renewal, but they claimed it arrived 2 days late. Was it due to snail mail? I think they're lying. The new policy is $600 more per year. Now, I have no insurance. I've had this poor service since I was 16. I might just go without insurance because I no longer care.
…
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GEICO DriveEasy vs. MercuryGO
DriveEasy is a telematics program you can enroll in via the GEICO mobile app. If you practice safe driving habits, you can save up to 25% on your insurance premiums, including the 15% initial sign-up discount. The app will track your driving habits, including factors like speeding and hard braking, to determine your discount. Poor driving can lead to higher rates.
MercuryGO is Mercury’s usage-based insurance program for drivers in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. It serves as a virtual driving coach and offers feedback about your driving behavior. You can earn a 5% discount for signing up and up to 40% at the time of renewal, depending on your driving score.
GEICO vs. Mercury: Which is the cheapest?
GEICO offers cheaper car insurance rates than Mercury on average for various coverage options. However, your premiums will ultimately depend on your location, ZIP code, age, motor vehicle type, driving history, credit score, and the discounts you qualify for.
GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
For drivers with a clean driving record, GEICO offers lower premiums, on average.
| Driver Type | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $54 | $83 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
Drivers with speeding tickets will likely find the cheapest car insurance rates with GEICO. People with clean records pay less for an auto policy than high-risk drivers with past incidents.
| Driver Type | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $63 | $112 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
GEICO: Cheapest for teen drivers
Teen drivers and young drivers with limited experience on the road can lock in more affordable car insurance coverage and the lowest rate with GEICO.
| Driver Type | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $73 | $152 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
GEICO offers lower rates for people with bad credit scores. Drivers with good or excellent credit generally pay more for coverage than people with poor credit.
| Driver Type | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $62 | $182 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
GEICO: Cheapest for senior drivers
Senior drivers can typically enjoy cheaper car insurance rates with GEICO.
| Driver Type | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $41 | $106 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
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Compare coverages: GEICO vs. Mercury
GEICO and Mercury both offer all the standard auto coverages, including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist, collision, comprehensive, and full-coverage insurance. Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance.
The companies each have insurance add-ons and endorsem*nts, though the offerings vary. For example, GEICO offers accident forgiveness to prevent your premium from increasing after your first at-fault accident. And Mercury sells ride-hailing insurance that can protect rideshare drivers when their app is on but they haven’t accepted a customer.
Compare coverage offerings from the two auto insurers below.
| Coverage | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Rental car reimbursem*nt | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes | No |
| Ride-hailing | No | Yes |
| Mechanical breakdown | Yes | No |
Compare discounts: GEICO vs. Mercury
GEICO and Mercury both advertise discounts to help you secure a cheaper auto insurance policy and find the most affordable option for your coverage needs and driving history. In addition to lower average rates, GEICO offers more discounts than Mercury. It’s a good idea to contact both car insurance companies to find out which discounts you might qualify for.
Learn more about discount opportunities from GEICO and Mercury below.
| Discount | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Yes | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | No |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | Yes |
| Low mileage | No | No |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | Yes | Yes |
| New car | Yes | No |
| Military/affiliation | Yes | No |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty | Yes | No |
| Autopay | Yes | Yes |
| Student away at school | No | No |
| Homeowner | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative fuel | No | No |
GEICO vs. Mercury FAQs
Deciding on the right car insurance company for you is important. The following information should help answer your remaining questions about coverage from GEICO and Mercury.
What is GEICO’s biggest competitor?
By market share, State Farm and Progressive are GEICO’s biggest competitors. These two top auto insurance companies are the largest and second-largest auto insurance companies. GEICO ranks behind them both with the third-largest share of the market. All three companies have high IQ Scores and quality coverage options.
Is Mercury Insurance a good insurance company?
Yes. Mercury Insurance Group is a good car insurance company that has sold car insurance products to customers since 1961. The company has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, which indicates an ability to pay claims. Furthermore, Mercury has a below-average number of customer complaints filed with the NAIC for a company of its size.
Why is Mercury insurance so cheap?
Mercury policyholders may find cheap rates because of the company’s list of discounts and MercuryGO, the usage-based telematics program. Your specific premium will vary by your location, age, driving history, and more.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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- AAA vs. Allstate: Which Is the Best?
- State Farm vs. Travelers: Which Is the Best?
- Nationwide vs. GEICO: Which Is the Best?
- Farmers vs. Progressive: Which Is the Best?
Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "2022 Property and Casualty Market Share."
 "Compare GEICO vs. Mercury: Quotes, Discounts 2024 (13)")
Anna BaluchInsurance Writer
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen across the internet on many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and the Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
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