)
4-plus years of insurance writing
Bylines in top personal finance publications
Alani specializes in writing empathetic, actionable articles about insurance and personal finance. Her work has appeared in top publications like U.S. News and Fortune.
Featured in
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ 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
)
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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.
Updated
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
GEICO and Mercury Insurance are both considerable names in the auto insurance industry, but they serve drivers in different ways.
GEICO, part of the Berkshire Hathaway Group, is the third-largest car insurance company by market share in the U.S.[1] It may appeal to customers seeking affordable car insurance and robust digital management tools.
Mercury, the 15th-largest U.S. insurance company, stands out for its extensive network of independent agents and specialized coverages, such as rideshare and gap insurance.
Here’s what you need to know about how GEICO and Mercury compare, including their car insurance rates, coverage options, discounts, and customer service ratings.
GEICO sells car insurance policies in all U.S. states, but Mercury sells coverage in only 11 states.
Both insurers have telematics programs. Drivers can potentially save on coverage through MercuryGO and GEICO’s DriveEasy.
The average monthly cost of liability insurance is $86 from GEICO and $96 from Mercury.
GEICO vs. Mercury: Our verdict
Founded in 1936, GEICO has established a reputation for affordable, reliable insurance coverage and simple digital management. It’s available in all 50 states and offers plenty of discounts, making it a cost-effective choice for most people.
That said, Mercury may appeal to drivers who value personalized service. If you’d rather work with a local independent agent who can shop multiple auto insurance companies for you, or if you need specialty coverages like gap or rideshare insurance, Mercury could be a better fit.
Before making a decision, compare insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies. The cheapest car insurance company for you can depend on where you live and your driving habits.
GEICO vs. Mercury
Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $114/mo* | Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $129/mo* |
Overall rating 4.0 | Overall rating 4.0 |
Value for money 3.8/5 | Value for money 3.2/5 |
Customer service 4.0/5 | Customer service 3.0/5 |
Claims handling 4.1/5 | Claims handling 3.5/5 |
Special highlight Teen driversAI-generated from 7284 user reviews | Special highlight Competitive ratesAI-generated from 314 user reviews |
GEICO: Best for most drivers
| 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. | 9.2 /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. | $86/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. | $142/mo |
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
GEICO has low insurance premiums, nationwide availability, and a suite of online tools that make managing your auto insurance policy easy. It offers more than two dozen discounts, giving policyholders ample ways to save on car insurance coverage. GEICO is a great car insurance company for a wide range of drivers who want insurance coverage without hassle.
Accident forgiveness available
Offers classic car insurance
Lots of discount options
No gap insurance
No rideshare insurance
Limited access to independent agents
Mercury: Best for drivers with specialized needs
| 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. | $161/mo |
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.
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.
Mercury may not have GEICO’s scale, but it offers ways to personalize your auto insurance coverage. With a network of independent agents, Mercury provides access to real people who can help you compare policy features, adjust your deductibles, and customize coverage to fit your lifestyle.
Gap and rideshare insurance available
Savings of up to 40% through the MercuryGO telematics program
Can cover custom equipment, like aftermarket parts
Available in only 11 states
Higher average costs than GEICO
Basic online management tools
Mercury vs. GEICO: Which is cheaper?
GEICO offers cheaper average insurance costs than Mercury across various driver types — from young drivers to seniors and people with tickets or accidents.
But it’s worth comparing average insurance quotes from both insurers, as rates can differ widely based on your driver profile and location.
Below, you can compare average insurance quotes from GEICO and Mercury by driver type. The quotes reflect average liability coverage costs unless otherwise specified.
Driver Type | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Adult drivers | $84 | $93 |
| Liability-only coverage | $86 | $96 |
| Full coverage | $142 | $161 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $117 | $148 |
| Drivers with a DUI | $125 | $155 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | $109 | $163 |
| Poor credit drivers | $104 | $116 |
| Good credit drivers | $65 | $79 |
| Teen drivers | $152 | $181 |
| Senior drivers | $63 | $71 |
Shop for Affordable Car Insurance
Liability quotes start at $44/mo.
GEICO vs. Mercury car insurance discounts
Both insurers offer solid savings opportunities, but GEICO has more discounts in terms of volume and variety. GEICO offers more than 20 discounts, including popular insurance discounts for military members, federal employees, and good students.
Mercury’s most significant savings opportunity is its MercuryGO telematic program, which offers drivers the ability to earn up to 40% off their insurance rates by maintaining a strong score. Mercury also offers discounts for electric vehicle owners.
Both companies allow you to bundle your car insurance with home and renters insurance for even more savings. Compare discount offerings below.
Discount | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Safe driver | ✔ | ✔ |
| Defensive driving course | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-policy | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-car | ✔ | ✔ |
| Low mileage | ✖ | ✖ |
| Telematics | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti-theft device | ✔ | ✔ |
| New car | ✔ | ✖ |
| Military/affiliation | ✔ | ✖ |
| Good student | ✔ | ✔ |
| Loyalty | ✖ | ✖ |
| Auto pay | ✔ | ✔ |
| Student away at school | ✔ | ✔ |
| Homeowner | ✔ | ✖ |
| Alternative fuel | ✖ | ✔ |
| Pay in full | ✔ | ✔ |
Compare customer satisfaction and financial strength
Both car insurance companies have strong financial strength ratings and maintain low customer complaint ratios, indicating financial stability and customer satisfaction.
For customer satisfaction, GEICO earned above-average scores across several regions in J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, while Mercury earned a below-average ranking in California, the only region it ranked for.[2]
Compare customer satisfaction and financial strength scores below.
Score | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 9.2 | 7.5 |
| Customer reviews | 4/5 (15,025 reviews) | 4/5 (620 reviews) |
| J.D. Power | 645 | 594 |
| AM Best rating | A++ (Superior) | A (Excellent) |
| NAIC complaint index | 0.53 (below average) | 0.95 (below average) |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.11 out of 5 stars | 1.02 out of 5 stars |
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.
Recent customer reviews of GEICO car insurance
Insurify gathers verified reviews from actual customers. Below, you can learn how current and former GEICO drivers feel about their coverage, claims, and overall experience.
Recent customer reviews of Mercury car insurance
These verified Mercury reviews come from real customers who’ve shared their experiences — from working with insurance agents to managing claims and payments. Learn more below.
GEICO DriveEasy vs. MercuryGO
GEICO and Mercury both offer telematics programs — DriveEasy and MercuryGO, respectively — that potentially help you earn lower car insurance rates if you display safe driving habits.
Here’s the difference between telematics and pay-per-mile insurance:
Telematics: A technology that monitors driving behavior, such as speed, braking, phone use, and time of day. Insurers that offer telematics programs use the collected driving data to determine insurance costs.
Pay-per-mile: A type of insurance plan that uses telematics technology to calculate your rate based on how many miles you drive.
If you’re a relatively low-mileage driver with safe driving habits, you could potentially save on coverage through a telematics program. Both insurance companies have solid telematics programs if you’re interested in this type of coverage. The best option for you will depend on where you live and how you prioritize potential savings or specific telematics features.
See how the GEICO DriveEasy and MercuryGO telematics programs compare below.
Feature | GEICO DriveEasy | MercuryGO |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Nationwide availability and accident assist feature | Higher potential savings and gamification features |
| Savings potential | Up to 15% based on driving behavior | Up to 40% at renewal (including up to 10% for signing up) |
| How it works | Uses your smartphone to track habits like braking, acceleration, and phone usage to create a driving score | Uses your smartphone to track similar habits and assigns a score (out of 100) over a 91-day driving period |
| Availability | 44 states and D.C. (not available in CA, HI, ME, NH, RI, and VT) | Nine states (not available in CA or NY) |
| Data tracked | Time, location, trip distance, acceleration, braking, speeding, cornering, and phone use | Time, location, trip distance, acceleration, braking, speed, and phone use |
| App rating (App Store, Google Play) | 4.8/5 4.5/5 | 3.9/5 3.8/5 |
| Driver feedback tools | In-app dashboard with driving tips and the accident assist feature | Driving insights, coaching tools, and family member score sharing |
| Gamified rewards | Light gamification with progress tracking and driving streaks | Leaderboards, achievement badges, and driving streak rewards |
| Compatibility | GEICO mobile app works with iPhone and Android devices with a data plan and text capability | MercuryGO app works with most iPhones with iOS 11 or later and Android phones with OS 7 or later |
Find Cheap Car Insurance
Insurify partners with 120+ insurers for real quotes
Compare coverages: GEICO vs. Mercury
Both insurance companies offer the standard coverage options of liability insurance, comprehensive insurance, and collision insurance. You can also increase your protection with various optional add-ons, including roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance.
But the insurers have a few key differences in coverage offerings you should keep in mind. Mercury allows you to add gap insurance, rideshare coverage, and custom equipment protection, while GEICO offers classic car insurance and accident forgiveness.
Learn more about how coverage offerings from GEICO and Mercury compare below.
Coverage | GEICO | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (BI) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Property damage liability (PD) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Collision | ✔ | ✔ |
| Comprehensive | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roadside assistance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rental reimbursement | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gap | ✖ | ✔ |
| Classic car | ✔ | ✖ |
| Rideshare | ✖ | ✔ |
| Mechanical breakdown | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accident forgiveness | ✔ | ✖ |
| Custom parts equipment | ✖ | ✔ |
GEICO vs. Mercury FAQs
The following information can help answer your remaining questions about how GEICO and Mercury compare in terms of coverage, locations, and more.
Which is cheaper: GEICO or Mercury?
GEICO has lower average rates, but your price will depend on your driving record and location. It’s always a good idea to compare quotes from multiple insurers before deciding on an insurance policy.
Do GEICO and Mercury operate in every state?
GEICO operates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Mercury Insurance sells coverage in only the following 11 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia.
Which company is better for digital policy management, GEICO or Mercury?
GEICO offers a more comprehensive digital experience, featuring app-based services such as vehicle care and a virtual chatbot. Mercury offers core tools (bill pay, ID cards, roadside assistance) and quick access to a live agent.
Does either company charge a cancellation fee if you switch companies?
GEICO doesn’t charge a cancellation fee, though some North Carolina customers may see a small prorated charge. Mercury charges $10 in California and $50 in other states if you cancel your policy before it ends.
Which is the better insurance company: GEICO or Mercury?
GEICO is the better insurance company in terms of affordability, customer satisfaction, and digital convenience. But Mercury is a better option for drivers who need gap or rideshare insurance, as GEICO doesn’t offer these coverages.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 190 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 500+ 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
- 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.
Related articles
)
List of National and Regional Car Insurance Companies
)
Travelers Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
)
USAA Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
)
State Farm Insurance Review: 14,737+ User Ratings
)
Liberty Mutual Insurance Review: 3,459+ User Ratings
)
GEICO Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
)
Farmers Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
)
Allstate Insurance Review: 8,794+ User Ratings
Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "2024 Property/Casualty Market Share."
- J.D. Power. "It’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds."
)
Alani Asis is a personal finance freelance writer with more than four years of experience. She’s written about insurance, investing, and other personal finance topics for leading publications and brands like Insider, Fortune, LendingTree, and more. Alani aims to make personal finance approachable through fun, relatable, and digestible content.
Alani has been a contributor at Insurify since January 2023.
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ 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
)
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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.
)
)
)
)