Auto Insurance: 21St Century Vs Mercury - Who Wins?

When it comes to auto insurance, there are many factors to consider when choosing a provider. 21st Century and Mercury are two companies that offer competitive rates, but which one is the best fit for you? 21st Century has lower average premiums for drivers with clean records, whereas Mercury offers more discounts and has better rates for drivers with spotty records.

On the one hand, 21st Century is more affordable for retired drivers and those with speeding tickets or accidents on their record. They also have cheaper rates for young drivers and offer liability-only coverage. On the other hand, Mercury has a wider range of discounts, including for good students, autopay, and multi-policy holders. Mercury is also a better option for drivers with poor credit and offers ride-sharing insurance for Lyft and Uber drivers.

Both companies have their pros and cons, so it's essential to consider your specific needs and compare quotes to find the best option for you.

Discounts and savings

21st Century Insurance markets itself as a low-cost car insurance provider and includes free perks like roadside assistance. The company offers 14 types of discounts, including:

• Anti-lock brake system discount: 5% off bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverages.
• Anti-theft device discount: 5% off comprehensive coverage.
• Air bags/automatic seat belt discount: Up to 30% off.
• Driver training discount: 10% off bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, personal injury protection (PIP) and collision coverages.
• Teen driver discount: Applicable to licensed single drivers under the age of 19.
• Good student discount: Applicable to drivers under the age of 25 with a "B" or better grade average.
• Away at school discount: Available to unmarried students who live with the policyholder but are away at school more than 100 miles away.
• Defensive driver discount: Applied to all vehicles on the policy, regardless of the number of drivers who take the course.
• Multi-car discount: Up to 30% savings for insuring two or more vehicles on the same policy.
• Early shopping discount: Applicable if the insured purchases a policy seven or more days prior to the current policy effective date, with no lapse in coverage.
• Mature driver discount: Applicable to drivers aged 55 and above who have completed a state-approved course in the past three years.
• New car credit: A one-term discount applied to vehicles with a model year equal to or greater than the current year.
• Alternative fuel discount: Applicable when the original factory-installed vehicle fuel type is electric, gasoline hybrid, etc.
• Auto-homeowner policy discount: Applicable if the person named on the auto policy, or their spouse, is also named on a homeowners policy.
• Auto-renter policy discount: Applicable if the person named on the auto policy, or their spouse, is also named on a renters policy.

Mercury Insurance also offers some of the most affordable car insurance rates and provides 10 types of discounts, including:

• Anti-theft feature discount: For vehicles equipped with an anti-theft device.
• Auto pay discount: For customers who set up auto-pay for their premium.
• E-signature discount: For signing policy documents electronically.
• Good driver discount: For avoiding at-fault accidents and traffic violations for a specified period.
• Good student discount: For students who maintain at least a "B" grade average and are aged 16-25.
• Multi-car discount: For insuring more than one car on the same policy.
• Multi-policy discount: For customers who bundle car insurance with a homeowners, condo or renters insurance policy.
• Pay-in-full discount: For paying the bill upfront for the entire auto insurance term.
• RealDrive discount: For signing up for Mercury's RealDrive program and tracking your mileage.
• MercuryGo discount: Applicable in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia, offering up to a 40% discount based on driving habits.

Customer service and satisfaction

When it comes to customer service and satisfaction, 21st Century and Mercury Insurance offer distinct advantages and drawbacks. Here is a detailed comparison of the two companies in this area:

21st Century Auto Insurance

21st Century auto insurance has received generally positive reviews for its customer service. The company is known for offering affordable rates, especially for drivers who haven't received any speeding tickets or been involved in collisions in recent years. This makes it an attractive option for those seeking cost-effective coverage. Additionally, 21st Century provides liability-only coverage at competitive prices, making it a good choice for those seeking basic protection.

Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance has a more mixed reputation when it comes to customer service. On one hand, the company offers a wide range of coverage options and discounts, which can be advantageous for customers. They also have a low level of car insurance complaints made against them with state insurance departments. However, Mercury's rates are often higher than competitors, and they offer fewer discounts than some other providers. Their claims handling has received some criticism, with complaints related to claim delays, unsatisfactory claim settlement offers, and claim denials. Mercury's J.D. Power rating for customer satisfaction is 848/1,000, which is below the industry average.

Overall Comparison

In terms of customer service and satisfaction, 21st Century appears to have a slight edge over Mercury Insurance. 21st Century's affordable rates, especially for drivers with clean records, make it a cost-effective choice. However, Mercury offers a broader range of coverage options and discounts, which can be beneficial for customers seeking more comprehensive protection. It's important to note that individual experiences may vary, and it's always recommended to research and compare multiple insurance providers before making a decision.

Cost and affordability

When it comes to cost and affordability, 21st Century and Mercury have some notable differences. While Mercury is available in only 11 states, 21st Century offers significantly more affordable prices at a national level. 21st Century's premiums are less expensive for policyholders without speeding tickets or collisions in their recent history. On the other hand, Mercury may help customers save more money as they offer more discounts than 21st Century.

For young drivers, 21st Century is a more affordable option, with rates almost 70% lower per month than Mercury for 18-year-olds. Similarly, retired drivers aged 65 and above can benefit from lower premiums with 21st Century, which offers rates that are $97 cheaper than Mercury's national average.

When it comes to gender, 21st Century provides the same rates regardless of gender, whereas Mercury's rates differ by about 5% per month, with women typically paying less. On average, male drivers save about $156 per month, and women save around $142 with 21st Century compared to Mercury.

For drivers with spotty records, 21st Century is generally the more affordable option. After a speeding ticket, 21st Century's rates increase by about 21%, while Mercury's rates go up by 19%. After an accident, 21st Century's rates rise by around $80, compared to an increase of $109 with Mercury. For drivers with a DUI charge, 21st Century's rates climb by 54%, while Mercury's rates typically increase by about 22%.

In terms of credit score impact, Mercury takes credit scores into account when determining rates, which can result in higher prices for those with poor credit. 21st Century, on the other hand, does not appear to consider credit scores in the same way.

For drivers who work from home or have short commutes, 21st Century offers slightly lower rates for those driving 6,000 miles per year compared to 12,000 miles. Overall, 21st Century remains the cheaper option for both categories of drivers.

When comparing urban, suburban, and rural drivers, 21st Century consistently offers lower rates than Mercury. For urban drivers, 21st Century's rates are about 62% less than Mercury's. Suburban drivers can expect to pay around 47% less with 21st Century, while rural drivers can save about 33% by choosing 21st Century over Mercury.

In summary, while Mercury offers a range of discounts and considers factors like credit score, 21st Century consistently offers more affordable rates across various categories of drivers, including young drivers, retired drivers, those with spotty records, and urban, suburban, and rural drivers.

Coverage options

21st Century Insurance is now part of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies and offers auto insurance exclusively to residents of California. The company markets itself as a low-cost car insurance provider, and includes free perks like roadside assistance.

The types of coverage available from 21st Century include:

• Antique auto insurance
• Specialty homeowners insurance (seasonal home, landlord, rental, etc.)
• RV insurance – recreational and utility trailers and motor homes
• Liability coverage
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
• Rental reimbursement
• SR-22 insurance filings
• Roadside assistance
• Antique car insurance

Mercury Insurance, on the other hand, is available in 11 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. Mercury offers a range of coverage options, including:

• Liability protection
• Collision protection
• Comprehensive coverage
• Medical payments coverage
• Personal injury protection (PIP)
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
• Rental reimbursement
• Roadside assistance
• Ride-hailing insurance

Claims handling

When it comes to claims handling, both 21st Century and Mercury have their own processes and offerings.

21st Century Claims Handling

21st Century Insurance does not provide detailed information about its claims handling process on its website. However, it is known for offering affordable prices and having less expensive premiums for policyholders with a clean driving record. The company also provides various discounts, such as the good driving discount and the paperless discount.

Mercury Claims Handling

Mercury Insurance, on the other hand, offers a clear and detailed outline of its claims handling process. They have a 24/7 claims hotline that customers can call to report a claim and receive assistance. Mercury's claims team guides customers through the entire process, from filing the claim to finding a preferred body shop for repairs. They also offer a digital claims platform for customers who prefer to submit their claims online.

Mercury provides a checklist to help drivers collect vital information at the scene of an accident, including taking photos of the damages, exchanging information with all parties involved, and obtaining a police report. The company also offers additional services, such as towing and rental car assistance, if needed.

In terms of customer reviews, Mercury receives mixed feedback. While some customers praise the company's responsive and knowledgeable customer support, others have reported issues with claim delays, unsatisfactory claim settlement offers, and claim denials.

Frequently asked questions