Mercury Auto Insurance: Good Option For North Carolina?

Mercury Insurance is a Los Angeles-based insurance company that has been offering auto insurance since 1961. It is the seventh-largest provider in California and is licensed to do business in 39 states, including North Carolina. Mercury Insurance has an average annual rate for full coverage that is slightly less than the national average, making it a good choice for price-conscious customers. However, it is only available in 11 states and has received mixed reviews for its customer service.

Mercury Insurance's customer service and reputation

Mercury Insurance has a reputation for offering some of the best rates for auto and homeowners insurance, with cheaper-than-average rates and a wide range of coverage options. However, its poor customer service has led many customers to seek insurance coverage elsewhere.

Mercury Insurance is ranked 16th overall for customer experience, with customers praising the service they received from agents and the company's willingness to work with high-risk drivers. However, others have complained about issues with the claims process, citing delays and difficulty in contacting the company.

The company has received recognition for its customer service and reputation from various organizations, including Forbes, J.D. Power, and Insure.com. Here are some of the awards Mercury Insurance has received:

• Forbes, 2022 Best Insurance Companies
• Forbes, 2020 Best Employers for Women
• Forbes, 2017-2019 America's Best Mid-Size Employers
• J.D. Power U.S. 2021 Insurance Digital Experience Study, #1 in Customer Satisfaction: Digital Insurance Shopping Experience
• Insure.com, 2017-2021 Top Insurance Companies in the U.S.

In addition, Mercury Insurance has been recognized as one of the World's Best Insurance Companies in 2023 by Forbes and Statista, based on a survey of 30,000 policyholders in 15 countries.

Overall, while Mercury Insurance offers competitive rates and coverage options, its customer service has received mixed reviews, with some customers reporting positive experiences and others expressing dissatisfaction.

Mercury's insurance rates in North Carolina

Mercury Insurance is available in North Carolina, and the company has been recognised as one of the best insurance companies in the world by Forbes. Mercury Insurance offers some of the best rates for auto and homeowners insurance. However, it is only available in 11 states, and its customer service has been described as poor, with a high rate of complaints and a reputation for delays.

Mercury Insurance offers rates that are cheaper than average for minimum and full coverage, even for drivers with a prior accident. The company also offers a wide range of discount opportunities, including for good students, safe driving, autopay, multi-vehicle insurance, and anti-theft features.

The average cost of car insurance in North Carolina is $2,040 annually for full coverage and $609 annually for state-required minimum coverage. Mercury Insurance offers full coverage at an average cost of $1,044 per year for minimum coverage and $3,002 for full coverage.

Mercury's insurance coverage options

Mercury Insurance offers a range of coverage options to its customers. The company provides all six standard car insurance choices that can be customised to meet individual needs. In addition, Mercury offers the following add-ons:

• Emergency roadside assistance: This optional 24/7 coverage provides roadside services such as towing, lockouts, tire repair or replacement, and battery charging.
• Rental car insurance: Reimbursement of $30–$100 per day for a rental car if your vehicle is unusable after an accident.
• Ride-hailing insurance: This covers drivers working for ride-sharing services such as Uber or Lyft. The coverage protects you and your vehicle from the time you turn on the ride-hailing app until you accept a customer.
• Mercury mechanical protection: This covers unexpected repairs, including major mechanical issues like transmission failure, for up to 7 years/100,000 miles. It also includes 24-hour roadside assistance, rental vehicle assistance, road hazard tire protection, and trip interruption coverage.

Mercury Insurance also offers a range of discounts to its customers, including multi-policy, multi-car, anti-theft feature, good driver, and good student discounts.

Mercury's insurance discounts

Mercury Insurance offers a wide range of discounts to its auto insurance customers. These discounts can help reduce premiums and make Mercury's services more affordable, especially for price-conscious customers.

Mercury RealDrive® Discount

Mercury offers a discount of up to 20% for policyholders who sign up for the RealDrive® program. This program tracks the number of miles driven, and lower mileage can lead to cheaper rates. Policyholders may need to provide their odometer reading before renewal.

Multi-Policy Discount

Mercury offers a bundling discount for customers who combine their home, condo, or renters insurance policy with their auto insurance.

Multi-Car Discount

Insuring more than one vehicle with Mercury qualifies customers for a discount on their car insurance policy.

Anti-Theft Feature Discount

Mercury provides a discount for vehicles equipped with anti-theft devices, such as LoJack. These devices help reduce and resolve theft claims.

Auto-Pay Discount

Customers who set up automatic payments for their premiums through their bank account or credit card are eligible for a discount.

E-Signature Discount

Mercury offers a discount for customers who use electronic signatures to sign insurance documents, saving time and paperwork.

Good Driver Discount

Mercury rewards good drivers who have gone a specified period without accidents or tickets. This discount encourages safe driving habits.

Good Student Discount

Students who maintain good grades in school, typically a "B" average or higher, can receive a discount on their auto insurance. This discount is available for young drivers aged 16-25 who are enrolled full-time in high school or college.

Pay-in-Full Discount

Mercury provides a discount for customers who have the means to pay for their entire auto insurance term upfront, removing the worry of remembering to pay monthly bills.

MercuryGO Discount

The MercuryGO program offers discounts of up to 40% for drivers in specific states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. This program tracks driving habits, including braking, acceleration, and speed, through a mobile app.

It's important to note that discount availability may vary by state, and customers are advised to check with Mercury customer service or a local agent to determine their eligibility for specific discounts.

Mercury Insurance's availability in North Carolina

Mercury Insurance is a good option for drivers in North Carolina, especially those with a history of accidents or DUIs. The company offers affordable rates, unique coverage options, and good customer service.

Mercury Insurance is the seventh-largest provider in California and has been offering auto insurance since 1961. It is available in only 11 states, including North Carolina, and provides all the standard coverages and auto insurance discounts that you would expect from any top provider.

Mercury's average annual rate for full coverage is $1,872, which is slightly less than the national average. The company also offers specialized insurance options, such as rideshare coverage, and great average rates for drivers with a bad record. For example, a speeding ticket in California will typically raise your insurance rates by 37%, but Mercury offers some of the cheapest rates in the country to drivers with a DUI or speeding ticket.

In addition, Mercury has a good selection of discounts, including multi-policy, multi-car, anti-theft feature, good driver, and good student discounts.

Mercury Insurance has a slightly better-than-average reputation for auto coverage customer service. However, it has received some negative reviews for delays in processing insurance claims.

Overall, Mercury Insurance is a good choice for drivers in North Carolina, especially those with a history of accidents or DUIs, as it offers affordable rates, unique coverage options, and good customer service.

Frequently asked questions