Erie vs. Mercury: Which Is the Best? (2025)
Erie is a better insurance company than Mercury because it offers cheaper rates and has higher financial strength ratings.
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Written byAnna Baluch
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4+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
MBA from Roosevelt University
Anna leverages her personal finance and insurance knowledge to create educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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Table of contents
Erie Insurance and Mercury are two midsize car insurance companies. Both have a long-standing history and offer a wide selection of car insurance options and other insurance products, such as home insurance and renters insurance.
Erie offers cheaper rates and more insurance add-ons. Mercury, on the other hand, has a longer list of discounts and a more attractive telematics program.
Here’s what you should know about Erie and Mercury, including how to compare quotes, coverage levels, and discounts so you can choose the right insurer for your unique coverage needs.
Quick Facts
Erie offers accident forgiveness and pet injury coverage, but Mercury doesn’t.
MercuryGO is a usage-based telematics app that actually lets you save on an auto policy, whereas Erie’s YourTurn program only rewards you with gift cards.
Mercury has more discount options, such as good student and safe driving discounts.
Erie vs. Mercury: The verdict
Erie and Mercury are two reputable auto insurance companies. Erie is the better option for low rates and customizable coverage options through a number of add-ons.
While Mercury’s car insurance premiums are higher for most drivers, it might still be a good option if you can lock in affordable coverage through the insurer’s discounts or MercuryGO, the usage-based telematics program. This is particularly true if you’re a driver in one of the 11 states it operates in and want personalized service from a local Mercury insurance expert.
Here’s a look at how these car insurance companies compare.
Factor  | Erie | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 8.4 | 7.5 |
| Customer satisfaction score | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| Average quote: liability only | $78 | $96 |
| Number of discounts | 8 | 8 |
| Number of states where it operates | 12 | 11 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Our editorial team spent more than 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. The team weighted criteria 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 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses 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 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider 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 U.S., 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 scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Erie
Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance offers a variety of insurance services to customers in 12 states.[1] The company has high customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power.
| User Reviews | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.4 /10 |
| 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. | $78/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. | $122/mo |
4.4
Best choiceBased on 424 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
Reviews (207)
Betty
Verified Review
Good
Reviewed in North Carolina on November 2025
I hit a deer and my insurance went up by $50.00.
William
Verified Review
Shop Around
Reviewed in Ohio on November 2025
Car insurance is high, but homeowners insurance is affordable.
Bernard
Verified Review
Excellent
Reviewed in Pennsylvania on October 2025
They are pleasant to talk to, helpful, and explain everything clearly.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
700NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.68A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+Why we picked this company
Erie Insurance has been selling auto coverage since 1925. The company operates in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and also offers more than two dozen types of insurance, including home, life, and business insurance. AM Best gives Erie superior ratings for financial stability and credit strength. The company has a lower-than-expected number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and ranks third in overall customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power rankings. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Pros
Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and AM Best ratings
Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets
Offers numerous optional auto coverages
Cons
Available in only 12 states
Customers can’t buy a policy or file a claim online
Offers fewer discounts than competitors
Mercury
Mercury has been selling insurance since 1961 and offers car insurance, renters insurance, and business insurance through an agent network in 11 states.[2]
| User Reviews | 4.0 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.5 /10 |
| 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. | $96/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. | $163/mo |
4.0
Best choiceBased on 588 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Mercury
Drivers appreciate the attentive customer service and claim handling but dislike the consistent rate increases and lack of transparency in pricing. Some also found the company to be lacking in empathy and flexibility.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Rideshare drivers
Numerous discounts
How drivers feel about Mercury
Drivers appreciate the attentive customer service and claim handling but dislike the consistent rate increases and lack of transparency in pricing. Some also found the company to be lacking in empathy and flexibility.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Competitive rates
Rideshare drivers
Numerous discounts
Reviews (308)
Jeffrey
Verified Review
Mercury - You Can Have 'Em
Reviewed in California on December 2025
Never had a claim, but trying to get a hold of anyone at the office is a lesson in frustration. They jacked up my rates with no notice.
Ingrid
Verified Review
Frustrated
Reviewed in California on November 2025
I was looking for new quotes and found the insurance rate is the best available in my area. However, I found your ads untrue. I did have to provide my age, sex, and phone number to get a quote.
Gregory
Verified Purchase
Saving Money
Reviewed in California on November 2025
In the first month, I saved money!
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
596NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.95A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
AWhy we picked this company
Mercury sells auto, home, condo, renters, and business insurance. In addition to standard car insurance coverages, Mercury also offers rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, and more. Mercury customers can save with multiple discounts, including bundling auto with home or renters coverage. The company has an A rating from AM Best for financial stability. Mercury has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index.
Pros
Numerous coverage options, discounts, and bundling opportunities
Competitive auto insurance rates
Offers gap, custom equipment, and rideshare coverage add-ons
Cons
Only available in 11 states (including California)
Low claims satisfaction score from J.D. Power
Bad 1.6/5 Trustpilot score
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Erie YourTurn vs. MercuryGO
Both Erie and Mercury offer telematics programs that can reward you for safe driving. To participate, you’ll need to download the company’s mobile app, which will track your driving behaviors, such as speeding and phone usage. You’ll then receive feedback to help you improve your driving skills.
Erie provides monetary bonuses that you can redeem for gift cards at more than 25 retailers, Visa prepaid cards, and charitable donations. Mercury offers 5% off (or up to 10% off if you’re a teen driver) just for signing up. Also, if you prove you’re a safe driver, you may secure up to 40% off your premium with Mercury.
Erie vs. Mercury: Which is the cheapest?
Erie has cheaper average rates than Mercury for different drivers and coverage options. Ultimately, your car insurance costs depend on personal factors, such as your location, ZIP code, age, driving record, credit history, and the discounts you qualify for.[3]
Erie: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
Drivers with clean records can find lower rates for liability insurance with Erie.
Driver Type | Erie | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $78 | $96 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
Drivers with a speeding ticket will likely secure the cheapest liability car insurance rates with Erie.
Driver Type | Erie | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $107 | $147 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie: Cheapest for teen drivers
Erie offers more affordable liability car insurance coverage than Mercury for young drivers and teen drivers with limited experience on the road.
Driver Type | Erie | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $147 | $180 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie: Cheapest for senior drivers
Senior drivers can land cheaper liability car insurance rates with Erie.
Driver Type | Erie | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $53 | $72 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
Erie offers cheaper liability auto insurance premiums for drivers with poor credit.
Driver Type | Erie | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $131 | $118 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Compare coverages: Erie vs. Mercury
Erie and Mercury both offer standard auto insurance coverage. These include bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, and full-coverage insurance.
The two auto insurance companies also allow drivers to choose from various add-ons for additional protection. Erie offers a few more options, including accident forgiveness and pet injury coverage.
Here’s a closer look at car insurance coverage options from Erie and Mercury.
Coverage | Erie | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Accident forgiveness | Yes | No |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Gap insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | No | Yes |
| Pet injury coverage | Yes | No |
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Compare discounts: Erie vs. Mercury
Erie and Mercury both advertise a number of discounts to help you score a good deal and save money on an auto policy. It’s a good idea to contact both car insurance companies to find out which discounts you might qualify for.
Erie has a unique defensive driving course discount, but Mercury has a good student discount. In the table below, you’ll find various discounts from Erie and Mercury.
Discount | Erie | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | No | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | No |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | Yes |
| Low mileage | No | Yes |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | Yes | Yes |
| New car | No | No |
| Military/affiliation | No | No |
| Good student | No | Yes |
| Loyalty | No | No |
| Auto-pay | No | Yes |
| Student away at school | Yes | No |
| Homeowner | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative fuel | No | No |
Erie vs. Mercury FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about car insurance products from Erie and Mercury.
Why is Erie insurance so cheap?
Erie offers affordable rates for Erie customers across all categories due to its discount opportunities and the YourTurn telematics program. Keep in mind that factors like your location, ZIP code, vehicle type, and driving record will determine your average annual rate.
Is Erie good at paying claims?
Erie holds an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating and high marks from AM Best, which means it’s good at paying claims and offers great customer service. This can be a huge plus if you choose an Erie car insurance policy and have to file a claim.
Is Erie the same as Progressive?
No. Progressive and Erie are two leading car insurers in the U.S. While Erie offers lower rates to auto owners, Progressive is available in more states.
What are the main differences between Erie and Mercury insurance?
Mercury has more expensive car insurance coverage than Erie. But Mercury has a better telematics program that lets you save money on your rates each year. Plus, Mercury offers more discounts.
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Sources
- Erie Insurance. "Our History."
- Mercury Insurance. "Company Fact Sheet."
- Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
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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.
Anna has been a contributor at Insurify since December 2022.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.