Mercury vs. USAA: Which Is Best? (2025)
USAA’s low rates and discount options make it the better choice for active and retired military members.
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Written byAngela Brown
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17+ years in insurance and personal finance writing
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Angela is an insurance and personal finance expert who uses her experience to create content that helps readers understand important and complex topics.
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Edited byKatie Powers
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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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7+ years experience in data analysis
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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
Mercury and USAA are two insurance companies that offer quality coverage at competitive rates. Mercury is a regional insurance company that sells coverage to drivers in 11 states, while USAA offers auto and home insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Choosing the right insurance policy is essential to maximizing protection for your vehicle without paying more than you need to. When shopping for an insurer, it’s a good idea to compare average rates, customer service ratings, discounts, add-ons, and policy options from multiple auto insurers.
Here’s what you need to know about coverage offerings from Mercury and USAA.
Quick Facts
USAA is the only major auto insurance company that sells coverage exclusively to active-duty military members, veterans, and their families.
Mercury and USAA both have telematics programs you can use to save money on coverage.
The average cost of liability insurance is $95 per month from Mercury and $52 from USAA.
Mercury vs. USAA: The verdict
Overall, USAA is a better match for active and retired military members and their families. Mercury doesn’t offer military discounts, has higher rates on average, and sells coverage in only 11 states. USAA has coverage offerings in all 50 states.
Civilian drivers who live in one of the 11 states where Mercury offers protection may benefit from Mercury’s relatively low car insurance rates and wide range of discount options. Though Mercury doesn’t sell coverage nationwide, it’s a large company recognized for excellence in customer satisfaction and employment.
Factor  | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 7.5 | 9.1 |
| Customer satisfaction score | 3.5 | 4.2 |
| Average quote: liability only | $95 | $52 |
| Number of discounts | 8 | 10 |
| Number of states where it operates | 11 | 50 |
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.
Mercury
Mercury Insurance has 0.89% of the private passenger auto insurance market share, making it the 16th-largest U.S. auto insurer.[1] It has an AM Best Financial Strength rating of A (Excellent) and the Digital Experience Study Award from J.D. Power.
| 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. | $95/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 582 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 (306)
Gregory
Verified Purchase
Saving Money
Reviewed in California on November 2025
In the first month, I saved money!
Dolores
Verified Review
It's an okay insurance. They explained my liability very thoroughly. The only thing I didn't like was the location of their office. Parking is awful and there are too many stairs to tackle to their office.
Reviewed in California on November 2025
It's an okay insurance. They explained my liability very thoroughly. The only thing I didn't like was the location of their office. Parking is awful and there are too many stairs to tackle to their office.
Geraldine
Verified Review
Rates Too High
Reviewed in Florida on November 2025
The rates are way too high for someone my age who is a careful and safe driver. I've never had a DUI or any tickets.
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
USAA
USAA is a member-owned company that’s been selling insurance for more than 100 years. USAA is the fifth-largest personal auto insurer, with 6.27% of the market share, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
| User Reviews | 4.9 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 9.1 /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. | $52/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. | $99/mo |
4.9
Best choiceBased on 2,407 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about USAA
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
How drivers feel about USAA
Customers appreciate the insurer’s reliable customer service and claim handling but express concerns about high rates and frequent price increases. Some also find the insurer’s security protocols and communication methods frustrating.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Members of the military community
Outstanding customer service
Competitive rates
Reviews (1,311)
Richard
Verified Review
Pricey Insurance for Seniors with Recent Claims
Reviewed in Minnesota on November 2025
Because of two claims in May-June 2024, my premium has skyrocketed. It sounds like they don't want senior citizens as policyholders, and I have been with USAA for over 55 years!
Tina
Verified Review
Tina's Warning
Reviewed in Oklahoma on November 2025
Do not go with USAA. They changed my amount from $97 to $160, saying their rates went up. To me, that sucks. The only way my rate should change that much is if I increased my coverage or lowered my deductible, but I didn't do any of those. Am I right? Still, it skyrocketed. I had to drop down to just liability on one vehicle. Don't use USAA.
Oscar
Verified Review
I'm just checking prices. Their service is great, but their prices match the service. Just checking prices and coverage. They go hand in hand.
Reviewed in Colorado on November 2025
I'm just checking prices. Their service is great, but their prices match the service. Just checking prices and coverage. They go hand in hand.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
739NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
1.31A.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
USAA exclusively serves current and former members of the military and their immediate families and is still the seventh-largest insurance company in the U.S. by market share. USAA offers banking, investing, and retirement services in addition to numerous insurance products, including auto, homeowners, renters, and more. Auto policyholders can qualify for discounts for bundling, insuring multiple vehicles, and living on a military base. AM Best gives USAA an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating, and the insurer ranked best in most regions in J.D. Power’s Overall Customer Satisfaction Index.
Pros
High customer satisfaction
Low premiums
SafePilot program rewards good driving with up to 30% discount
Cons
Only available to active-duty military, veterans, military spouses, or children of service members or veterans
No 24/7 customer phone support
Customer reviews are mixed for service and claims processing
MercuryGO vs. USAA SafePilot
Both USAA and Mercury offer safe driving programs that can help you save money.
You can earn an immediate 5% participation discount by signing up for MercuryGO. Teen drivers can earn up to 10% off upon enrollment. You can also qualify for up to 40% more off your premium, depending on your driving habits. MercuryGO uses a mobile app to monitor driving behaviors and habits. It also gives real-time feedback with tips for better driving habits.[2]
USAA SafePilot has an enrollment discount of 10%, but you can save up to 30% for safe driving habits. You’ll need to install the USAA SafePilot App and allow it to monitor your driving habits and behaviors. You don’t need to open the app; it runs in the background automatically. When your renewal date hits, USAA will show your discount and reset your driving score.[3]
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Mercury vs. USAA: Which is the cheapest?
Overall, USAA auto insurance has cheaper rates for all driver categories. Though USAA is clearly the cheaper car insurance company, you should consider numerous factors when looking for your best option, including whether the company sells coverage in your state. It’s a good idea to also consider discount availability, coverage options, and insurance requirements in your state.
USAA: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
If your driving history doesn’t include a past car accident or speeding ticket, you’ll pay the lowest rates by driving record. USAA has slightly cheaper liability insurance rates for people with a clean driving record.
Driver Type | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $95 | $52 |
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.
USAA: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
Having a past speeding ticket on your record indicates a higher level of risk to your insurance company. You’ll likely pay higher rates if you have one or more tickets on your record. Between the two companies, USAA has the cheaper rates for liability insurance for drivers with a past ticket.
Driver Type | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $146 | $67 |
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.
USAA: Cheapest for teen drivers
Teenagers face high rates due to their lack of driving experience and a higher likelihood of having an accident. Young drivers can find lower rates for liability insurance with USAA.
Driver Type | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $181 | $97 |
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.
USAA: Cheapest for senior drivers
Senior drivers can find cheaper liability insurance policies from USAA than Mercury. Compare average quotes from both companies below.
Driver Type | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $72 | $40 |
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.
USAA: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
USAA offers lower rates than Mercury for drivers with bad credit. Generally, auto insurance companies charge higher rates for drivers with poor credit.
Driver Type | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $119 | $62 |
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: Mercury vs. USAA
Mercury and USAA both offer all the standard coverage options, including property damage and bodily injury liability, personal injury protection, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage.
The primary difference between the companies’ coverage offerings is who qualifies for coverage with the company. While USAA offers insurance products in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., only members of the military community qualify for coverage. Mercury doesn’t limit its customer base to military personnel, but it only sells coverage in 11 states.
The companies have insurance add-ons that vary slightly. For example, Mercury has gap insurance, and USAA sells car replacement assistance coverage. Add-on availability may vary by state. Compare several offerings below.
Coverage | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Gap insurance | Yes | No |
| Rental car reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Medical payments | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| New car replacement assistance | No | Yes |
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Compare discounts: Mercury vs. USAA
USAA and Mercury both offer a fair number of discount options, including a good student discount and savings for bundling multiple insurance policies, like auto with homeowners or renters insurance.
Military members are likely to save more on coverage with USAA, as Mercury offers no military discount. But Mercury does provide some unique discounts, including discounts for using e-documents and a discount for paying your premium in full twice per year instead of in monthly installments.
Here are several discount offerings from Mercury and USAA.
Discount | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Yes | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | No | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
| Military/affiliation | No | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty | No | Yes |
| Auto pay | Yes | Yes |
| Pay in full | Yes | No |
| Student away at school | No | No |
| Homeowner | Yes | No |
| Alternative fuel | No | No |
Mercury vs. USAA FAQs
To decide on the right insurer for your needs, you should consider your budget, the cost of coverage, your driving record, and more. Learn more about coverage from Mercury and USAA below.
Who is USAA’s biggest competitor?
USAA competes with some of the biggest names in the insurance industry, including State Farm, Progressive, GEICO, and Allstate. USAA is the only major insurance company that exclusively serves military members and their families, so any meaningful competitor will need to offer a military discount.
Is USAA really the cheapest insurance?
USAA offers affordable rates and may offer the lowest rates for customers who qualify for coverage, including active-duty military members, veterans, and their families. But comparing rates, coverage options, and discounts between multiple companies is important for finding the best policy for your needs.
Is Mercury Insurance good at paying claims?
Yes. Mercury has an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent). This indicates that the company has good credit and assets available to pay claims. But Mercury has received some negative customer reviews regarding claims on its Better Business Bureau profile.
What insurance is better than Mercury?
The best insurance for you is the coverage that meets your needs and budget. The best way to find the right fit is to compare average premiums, auto insurance policy options, and discounts from different companies, including Mercury and USAA. This will help you identify which company best matches your needs.
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 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.
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Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "2023 Property and Casualty Market Share."
- Mercury. "How MercuryGO works."
- USAA. "USAA SafePilot."
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Angela Brown
Angela Brown is a freelance writer with 17 years of professional writing and editing experience.
She specializes in finance, real estate, and insurance content. Angela uses her experience to
create easy-to-understand content that helps consumers understand tough topics better. When
she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and planning vacations.
Angela has been a contributor at Insurify since October 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.