GEICO vs. Mercury: Which Is the Best? (2024)

GEICO’s low rates and plethora of available discounts earn it an Insurify Quality (IQ) score of 4.4 out of 5.

Anna Baluch
Written byAnna Baluch
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Anna BaluchInsurance Writer
  • 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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Katie Powers
Edited byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

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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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 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 March 26, 2024

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GEICO, one of the largest U.S. auto insurance companies, has competitive rates and various car insurance discounts. Mercury is a smaller car insurance company that offers a variety of auto policies in 11 states.

Compare quotes and coverage options from GEICO, Mercury, and more to decide on the best option for your insurance needs. Here’s what you need to know about car insurance offerings from GEICO and Mercury.

Quick Facts
  • GEICO and Mercury both have usage-based telematics programs to help safe drivers save money on car insurance.

  • Mercury sells rideshare insurance, but GEICO doesn’t.

  • On average, U.S. drivers pay $83 per month for liability insurance from Mercury and $54 from GEICO.

GEICO vs. Mercury: The verdict

GEICO typically provides cheaper auto insurance coverage than Mercury. Policyholders with GEICO can save even more on coverage through more than a dozen available discounts. The company serves customers in all 50 states. Mercury also has a solid selection of discounts, but it only offers coverage in 11 states. 

Also, GEICO earned higher ratings than Mercury in the J.D. Power 2023 claims satisfaction and customer satisfaction studies. However, if you’d like personalized customer service through a local agent and can lock in competitive premiums and a few discounts, Mercury may still be a good option for you.

FactorGEICOMercury
Insurify Quality (IQ) Score4.23.6
J.D. Power customer satisfaction score818 out of 1,000794 out of 1,000
Average quote: liability only$54$83
Number of available discounts168
Number of states where it operates5011
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
  • Insurify uses an in-house, proprietary method to rate and review the best car insurance companies. The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 crucial criteria, including average premiums, customer satisfaction, discounts, third-party ratings, and more, to calculate a final score for a company.

    Criteria are weighted by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings. With the IQ Score, Insurify is able to provide quantitative ratings for drivers to better compare car insurance companies and make informed decisions to meet their coverage needs.

GEICO

Founded in 1936, GEICO is the third-largest auto insurer in the United States by market share.[1] The company has an A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best and a below-average number of customer complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for a company of its size.

GEICO sells other insurance products in addition to auto insurance, including homeowners, renters, motorcycle, boat, and business insurance. Drivers can save by bundling two or more policies with GEICO.

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
4.3
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
835
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.
$54/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.
$119/mo

A highly recognizable name in car insurance, GEICO is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. The company started out as the Government Employees Insurance Company, serving U.S. government workers and military personnel. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO also sells homeowner, flood insurance, life insurance, business insurance, and identity protection, among other products. A.M. Best gives GEICO its highest rating for financial stability and credit. However, GEICO has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.

Pros
  • Good rates for good drivers, seniors, and young drivers

  • Accident forgiveness available

Cons
  • High rates for drivers with certain violations, like DUIs

  • No rideshare or new car replacement coverage available

Radera - March 26, 2024
Verified

Don't Recommend

I wouldn't recommend them. They seem to look for any reason to cancel your policy.

Jan - March 25, 2024
Verified

Average

Rigid on pricing.

Linda - March 23, 2024
Verified

Best for the Money

They were helpful in trying to lower my bill.
Read our GEICO review

Mercury

Selling insurance coverage since 1961, Mercury now serves 11 states with basic car insurance products through an insurance agent network. The company earned an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, and a below-average number of customers filed complaints with the NAIC regarding Mercury auto insurance, indicating customer satisfaction.

Mercury sells auto, home, property, umbrella, and business insurance. Customers can also qualify for a bundling discount.

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
3.6
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
827
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.
$83/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.
$152/mo

Mercury is a 62-year-old insurance company that sells auto, home, condo, renters, and business insurance. In addition to standard car insurance coverage types, Mercury also offers rental car reimbursement, roadside assistance, rideshare insurance, and more. Mercury customers can save with multiple discounts, and the opportunity to bundle their auto insurance with home or renters coverage. The compay has an A rating from A.M. Best for financial stability. Mercury has nearly twice as many complaints as expected in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index. However, J.D. Power ranked the company fourth incustomer satisfaction in California.

Pros
  • Numerous coverage options, discounts, and bundling opportunities

  • Competitive auto insurance prices

Cons
  • Only available in 11 states (including California)

Robert - March 18, 2024
Verified

Good So Far, Want a Price Quote

Great, helpful agent.

Jose - March 17, 2024
Verified

Avoid This Insurance, It's a Scam

I'm very upset with their charges and changes.

Corine - March 11, 2024
Verified

Mercury isn't what it used to be

Mercury has been my auto insurer for over 20 years. They recently changed their underwriting rules, and not for the better. Their claims process is less supportive now, mainly being online.
Read our Mercury review

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GEICO DriveEasy vs. MercuryGO

DriveEasy is a telematics program you can enroll in via the GEICO mobile app. If you practice safe driving habits, you can save up to 25% on your insurance premiums, including the 15% initial sign-up discount. The app will track your driving habits, including factors like speeding and hard braking, to determine your discount. Poor driving can lead to higher rates.

MercuryGO is Mercury’s usage-based insurance program for drivers in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. It serves as a virtual driving coach and offers feedback about your driving behavior. You can earn a 5% discount for signing up and up to 40% at the time of renewal, depending on your driving score.

GEICO vs. Mercury: Which is the cheapest?

GEICO offers cheaper car insurance rates than Mercury on average for various coverage options. However, your premiums will ultimately depend on your location, ZIP code, age, motor vehicle type, driving history, credit score, and the discounts you qualify for.

GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record

For drivers with a clean driving record, GEICO offers lower premiums, on average.

Driver TypeGEICOMercury
Clean driving record$54$83
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket

Drivers with speeding tickets will likely find the cheapest car insurance rates with GEICO. People with clean records pay less for an auto policy than high-risk drivers with past incidents.

Driver TypeGEICOMercury
Drivers with a speeding ticket$62$127
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

GEICO: Cheapest for teen drivers

Teen drivers and young drivers with limited experience on the road can lock in more affordable car insurance coverage and the lowest rate with GEICO.

Driver TypeGEICOMercury
18-year-old$74$158
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

GEICO: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit

GEICO offers lower rates for people with bad credit scores. Drivers with good or excellent credit generally pay more for coverage than people with poor credit.

Driver TypeGEICOMercury
Drivers with bad credit$63$164
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

GEICO: Cheapest for senior drivers

Senior drivers can typically enjoy cheaper car insurance rates with GEICO.

Driver TypeGEICOMercury
Senior drivers$41$123
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Compare coverages: GEICO vs. Mercury

GEICO and Mercury both offer all the standard auto coverages, including bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical payments, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist, collision, comprehensive, and full-coverage insurance. Most states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance.

The companies each have insurance add-ons and endorsements, though the offerings vary. For example, GEICO offers accident forgiveness to prevent your premium from increasing after your first at-fault accident. And Mercury sells ride-hailing insurance that can protect rideshare drivers when their app is on but they haven’t accepted a customer.

Compare coverage offerings from the two auto insurers below.

Compare discounts: GEICO vs. Mercury

GEICO and Mercury both advertise discounts to help you secure a cheaper auto insurance policy and find the most affordable option for your coverage needs and driving history. In addition to lower average rates, GEICO offers more discounts than Mercury. It’s a good idea to contact both car insurance companies to find out which discounts you might qualify for.

Learn more about discount opportunities from GEICO and Mercury below.

DiscountGEICOMercury
Clean driving recordYesYes
Defensive driving courseYesNo
Multi-policyYesYes
Multi-carYesYes
Low mileageNoNo
Telematics (safe driving app)YesYes
Anti-theft deviceYesYes
New carYesNo
Military/affiliationYesNo
Good studentYesYes
LoyaltyYesNo
AutopayYesYes
Student away at schoolNoNo
HomeownerYesYes
Alternative fuelNoNo

GEICO vs. Mercury FAQs

Deciding on the right car insurance company for you is important. The following information should help answer your remaining questions about coverage from GEICO and Mercury.

  • What is GEICO’s biggest competitor?

    By market share, State Farm and Progressive are GEICO’s biggest competitors. These two top auto insurance companies are the largest and second-largest auto insurance companies. GEICO ranks behind them both with the third-largest share of the market. All three companies have high IQ Scores and quality coverage options.

  • Is Mercury Insurance a good insurance company?

    Yes. Mercury Insurance Group is a good car insurance company that has sold car insurance products to customers since 1961. The company has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, which indicates an ability to pay claims. Furthermore, Mercury has a below-average number of customer complaints filed with the NAIC for a company of its size.

  • Why is Mercury insurance so cheap?

    Mercury policyholders may find cheap rates because of the company’s list of discounts and MercuryGO, the usage-based telematics program. Your specific premium will vary by your location, age, driving history, and more.

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 50+ 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
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • 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.

Sources

  1. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "2022 Property and Casualty Market Share." Accessed January 8, 2024
Anna Baluch
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.

Katie Powers
Edited byKatie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
Photo of an Insurify author
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

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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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVice President of Engineering
  • 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.

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