Choosing a car insurance company can be hard: rates may vary by location, age, and driving history, and insurers offer a variety of perks. Mercury and Erie are two of the most popular insurance companies, providing high-quality insurance policies across large swaths of the US.
To help simplify the insurance-shopping process, we have gathered average rates from Erie and Mercury. These take into consideration a variety of pricing factors, chief among which are credit, driving history, and age. Take a look at these rates and find the perfect policy for you.
Find out more: Consult our comprehensive reviews of Mercury and Erie.
If you have very poor credit, Mercury could be preferable to Mercury. Typically, Mercury offers more affordable rates than Erie for drivers with credit scores of less than 580. Insurance shoppers with exceptional credit — a score of 800 or higher — should lean toward View typical insurance rates by credit tier for Erie and Mercury:
| Credit level | Mercury avg. annual premium | Erie avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $1,115 | $2,402 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,115 | $1,040 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,290 | $894 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,115 | $743 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,115 | $726 |
If you are carrying an at-fault collision, speeding violation, reckless driving violation, or DUI in your recent history, Erie could be a better choice than Mercury. Each insurer prices its policies differently, so don't be afraid to shop around to figure out which insurer is best for you.
| Violation | Mercury avg. annual premium | Erie avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,822 | $893 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,125 | $772 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,882 | $1,163 |
| Reckless driving | $1,882 | $760 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,457 | $747 |
Car insurance companies rely on age to indicate risk, assigning rates accordingly. A car insurance policy is usually priciest for teen drivers — thanks to their inexperience — and more affordable for older drivers. Because each insurance company prices age tiers differently, it's smart to shop around and find a great rate.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose Erie over Mercury: the former's average annual rates are $1,179 less than the latter's..
| Age | Mercury avg. annual premium | Erie avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $3,417 | $2,238 |
| 20s | $1,554 | $1,108 |
| 30s | $1,131 | $1,108 |
| 40s | $1,115 | $755 |
| 50s | $1,086 | $692 |
| 60s | $1,034 | $676 |
Aside from finances, Mercury and Erie each have pros and cons, including their discount programs, add-ons, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Dive into the data before making your decision.
| Discount Comparison | Mercury | Erie |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mercury | Erie |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Superior | Superior |
| JD Power Rankings | Below average | Above average |
| User Satisfaction | N/A | N/A |
| Other Products | Mercury | Erie |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Insurance | ||
| Condo Insurance | ||
| Life Insurance | ||
| Homeowners Insurance | ||
| Travel Trailer Insurance | ||
| Renters Insurance | ||
| RV Insurance | ||
| Motorcycle Insurance | ||
| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | Mercury | Erie |
|---|---|---|
| About | Rated A+ by AM Best, Mercury Insurance has been saving customers money on home and auto insurance since 1962. | Erie Insurance provides customers with the flexibility to customize their car insurance by offering over 30 extra policy features, along with the highest levels of customer service. |
| Roadside Assistance | 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. | Erie provides 24-hour roadside assistance for an additional fee on your policy that covers reasonable auto towing and required labor cost at the site of your vehicle breakdown. |
| Additional Discounts | Mercury insurance offers additional accommodations to military service members like accepting out of state licenses, physical damage only coverage, and more! | Erie offers an additional discount called "Reduced Usage" that provides a lower rate on your policy if your vehicle is unused for 90 consecutive days during the policy period. |
| 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. See More Questions | Will Erie reinstate my policy after non-payment? It's very likely they will reinstate your policy if you pay the amount past due and any potential fees associated with the cancellation. Because each company has their own administrative rules regarding reinstatement, it's very likely for you to be able to get your policy active again. See More Questions |
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