Selecting an auto insurance company can be tricky: rates may vary based on your driving record, location, and age, and companies offer an array of discounts. American Family and Mercury are two of the US' top insurance companies, providing competitively priced policies in most regions.
In an effort to make shopping for car insurance easier, we collected average rates from Mercury and American Family. These take into account myriad pricing components, including credit rating, driving history, and demographics. Examine these figures and find the perfect policy for you.
Looking for more information? Check out our comprehensive reviews of American Family and Mercury.
If you have extremely bad credit, Mercury could be a better option for you. Typically, Mercury offers cheaper rates than American Family for drivers with credit scores of 579 or less. Drivers with exceptional credit — a score of 800 or better — should lean toward American Family, which typically beats Mercury by $174 per year. Check out average insurance costs by credit tier for Mercury and American Family below.
| Credit level | American Family avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $1,931 | $1,115 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,294 | $1,115 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,220 | $1,290 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,009 | $1,115 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $941 | $1,115 |
If you are carrying an at-fault collision, speeding ticket, reckless driving citation, or DUI in your rear view mirror, American Family could be a better choice than Mercury. Every insurer has different post-violation pricing structures, so don't be afraid to shop around to understand which insurance company suits you.
| Violation | American Family avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,763 | $1,822 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $990 | $1,125 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,857 | $1,882 |
| Reckless driving | $1,857 | $1,882 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,270 | $1,457 |
Insurers rely on age to indicate risk, pricing premiums accordingly. Car insurance is typically more expensive for young drivers — thanks to their inexperience — and most affordable for middle-aged drivers. Since every insurance company evaluates ages differently, it's worth shopping around and finding the best rate for you.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose Mercury before American Family: the former's average annual rates are $393 less than the latter's..
| Age bracket | American Family avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $3,810 | $3,417 |
| 20s | $1,685 | $1,554 |
| 30s | $1,101 | $1,554 |
| 40s | $1,089 | $1,115 |
| 50s | $1,089 | $1,086 |
| 60s | $986 | $1,034 |
Costs aside, American Family and Mercury both have pros and cons, including their discounts, perks, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Be sure to shop around before settling on an option.
| Discount Comparison | American Family | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Good Student | ||
| Multiple Policies | ||
| Multiple Vehicles | ||
| Anti-Theft Device(s) | ||
| Anti-Lock Brake System | ||
| Air Bags | ||
| Good Driver | ||
| Defensive Driver | ||
| Student Away at School | ||
| Driver Training | ||
| Green Vehicles | ||
| Affinity Membership Alum | ||
| Advanced Purchase | ||
| Pay in Full | ||
| Home Owner | ||
| eSign or ePay | ||
| Telematics | ||
| New Vehicle | ||
| Annual Mileage | ||
| Military |
| Ratings Comparison | American Family | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Excellent | Superior |
| JD Power Rankings | ||
| User Satisfaction | A | A+ |
| Other Products | American Family | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Insurance | ||
| Condo Insurance | ||
| Life Insurance | ||
| Homeowners Insurance | ||
| Travel Trailer Insurance | ||
| Renters Insurance | ||
| RV Insurance | ||
| Motorcycle Insurance | ||
| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | American Family | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| About | American Family strives to provide their customers with industry-leading service, an exceptional claims experience and products that build long-term relationships. | Rated A+ by AM Best, Mercury Insurance has been saving customers money on home and auto insurance since 1962. |
| Roadside Assistance | American Family’s Emergency Roadside Service covers reasonable costs you can incur if you're car breaks down. These costs may include mechanical labor for up to one hour at the place of your vehicle’s breakdown, towing to the nearest place where the necessary repairs can be made, delivery of gas and oil, the cost of labor for a tire change or battery charge (not including the cost of any delivered item), and the cost of labor for locksmith services (not including the cost to replace locks or keys). | Mercury offers roadside assistance as an optional addition to your policy which provides coverage 24/7 for things like reimbursement for locking keys in your car, a flat tire change, and even a tow up to the limit on your policy. |
| Additional Discounts | None Available | Mercury insurance offers additional accommodations to military service members like accepting out of state licenses, physical damage only coverage, and more! |
| Recent Questions | Can I use my roadside assistance if I'm in my friends car? When you have roadside assistance through your insurance company, the service is only available on the vehicle that the coverage is listed. There are other roadside companies that will allow you to use the roadside no matter whose vehicle you are in. What do I do if my vehicle was totaled while parked?I would definitely involve your insurance company and let them know about the situation. The other driver's insurance company should be paying for your damage up to the limit of that policy, but if it doesn't cover everything then your current company should be able to help cover the rest. Do I need a police report to file a claim?Accidents that occur on private property do not require a police report in order to file a claim. Your familiarity with the other driver does not impact your ability to file a claim, however the fact that he is uninsured means that you will have to pay your deductible for the repairs. Do I contact the other driver's insurance company if they hit me while at the gas station?If the other party hit your vehicle, and it's pretty clearly they're at fault, then you should contact their insurance for repairs. Parking lot accidents or accidents that occur on private property can be difficult to determine fault, but it sounds like the incident is pretty straight forward. See More Questions | |
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