GEICO or Mercury: Which Company is Best for You?
Picking a car insurance company can be tricky: every company's rates differ based on your driving record, location, and age, and insurers offer a variety of perks. GEICO and Mercury are among the most popular car insurance companies, providing competitively priced coverage across many states.
In an effort to take the sting out of shopping for car insurance, we've pulled average insurance rates from Mercury and GEICO. These take into account myriad pricing factors, including credit score, driving behavior, and age. Take a look at these rates and find an affordable policy today.
Looking for in-depth analysis? Check out our full reviews of GEICO and Mercury.
GEICO vs. Mercury: premium comparison
GEICO vs. Mercury: prices by credit level
If you have very poor credit, Mercury could be preferable to GEICO. Typically, Mercury offers cheaper prices than GEICO for prospective clients with credit scores of lower than 580. Drivers with outstanding credit — a score of 800-plus — should consider GEICO, which typically beats Mercury by $51 per year. View common insurance rates by credit score for Mercury and GEICO below.
RATES BY CREDIT SCORE: MERCURY VS. GEICO
| Credit level | GEICO avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $2,051 | $1,115 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,358 | $1,115 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,485 | $1,290 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,120 | $1,115 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,064 | $1,115 |
GEICO vs. Mercury: costs for high-risk drivers
If you have an at-fault accident, ticket, reckless driving violation, or DUI offense on your record, Mercury could be a better choice than GEICO. Every car insurance company prices its policies differently, so it's worth comparing quotes to understand which insurer suits you.
HIGH-RISK INSURANCE RATE COMPARISON: MERCURY VS. GEICO
| Infraction | GEICO avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,857 | $1,822 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,580 | $1,125 |
| DUI/DWI | $2,550 | $1,882 |
| Reckless driving | $2,238 | $1,882 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,395 | $1,457 |
GEICO vs. Mercury: rates by age bracket
Auto insurance companies use age to indicate risk, assigning rates accordingly. Insurance is usually priciest for young drivers — because of their inexperience — and more affordable for middle-aged drivers. Because every insurance company prices age brackets differently, it's worth doing some comparison shopping.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose Mercury over GEICO: the former's average annual rates are $91 less than the latter's..
RATES BY AGE BRACKET: MERCURY VS. GEICO
| Age tier | GEICO avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $3,508 | $3,417 |
| 20s | $1,438 | $1,554 |
| 30s | $1,218 | $1,554 |
| 40s | $1,189 | $1,115 |
| 50s | $1,160 | $1,086 |
| 60s | $1,065 | $1,034 |
Affordability aside, GEICO and Mercury both have pros and cons, including the insurers' discount programs, add-ons, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Be sure to shop around before settling on an option.
| Discount Comparison | GEICO | Mercury |
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| Good Student |
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| Multiple Policies |
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| Multiple Vehicles |
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| Anti-Theft Device(s) |
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| Anti-Lock Brake System |
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| Air Bags |
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| Good Driver |
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| Defensive Driver |
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| Student Away at School |
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| Driver Training |
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| Green Vehicles | ||
| Affinity Membership Alum |
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| Advanced Purchase |
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| Pay in Full |
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| eSign or ePay | ||
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| Ratings Comparison | GEICO | Mercury |
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| Financial Strength | Superior | Superior |
| JD Power Rankings | Average | N/A |
| User Satisfaction | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Other Products | GEICO | Mercury |
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| Travel Trailer Insurance |
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| Other Features | GEICO | Mercury |
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| About | GEICO uses a direct-to-consumer sales model rather than relying on independent agents to provide exceptional service and superior coverage to their valued customers. | Rated A+ by AM Best, Mercury Insurance has been saving customers money on home and auto insurance since 1962. |
| Roadside Assistance | You can use a mobile app to request service from GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service, which will assist you if you need a tow, are locked out of your car, run out of gas, have a dead battery or flat tire. | 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 | GEICO offers an additional discount for vehicles with daytime running lights as well as discounts for federal employees. Moreover, the company offers the policy feature of accident forgiveness. | Mercury insurance offers additional accommodations to military service members like accepting out of state licenses, physical damage only coverage, and more! |
| Recent Questions |
Will comprehensive insurance cover damages caused by road debris?
Sorry to hear about your accident. If you have comprehensive coverage, it should cover any damages caused by debris.
Does State Farm match auto insurance quotes with other companies?
In truth, no. Car insurance companies determine their rates based on their previous years' filings (loss to revenue ratio) in addition to other factors.
Do I claim my stolen vehicle with Lyft or GEICO?
One of the companies should be covering you via your comprehensive coverage. Check out our page on Lyft's insurance requirements for more information.
Will a hit and run impact my car insurance premium in CA?
Yes, when your company has to pay out on a claim, it will impact your rates. If you filed a police report and have uninsured motorist property damage coverage, this coverage will pay for the damages and will be considered a not-at-fault accident.
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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.
See More Questions
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