Nationwide or Mercury: Which Company is Best for You?
Deciding on an auto insurance company is difficult: rates fluctuate by driving history, age, and location, and insurers offer a variety of perks. Nationwide and Mercury are two of the most popular insurance companies, offering competitively priced insurance policies in most states across the US.
To simplify the comparison process, we have gathered typical rates from Mercury and Nationwide. These rates cover an array of rating factors, including credit rating, driving record, and age. Compare rates and find an affordable policy today.
Want to find out more? Check out our reviews of Nationwide and Mercury.
Compare Nationwide vs. Mercury auto insurance rates
Nationwide vs. Mercury: prices by credit level
If you have very poor credit, Mercury could be the best option for you. On average, Mercury offers more affordable premiums than Nationwide for drivers with credit scores of less than 580. Drivers with exceptional credit — a score of 800-plus — should favor Nationwide, which typically beats Mercury by $78 annually. View common insurance rates by credit score for Mercury and Nationwide below.
RATES BY CREDIT SCORE: MERCURY VS. NATIONWIDE
| Credit level | Nationwide avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $1,593 | $1,115 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,262 | $1,115 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,283 | $1,290 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,109 | $1,115 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,037 | $1,115 |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: high-risk insurance rate comparison
If you've got an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, reckless driving citation, or DUI offense on your driving record, Mercury could be a better choice than Nationwide. Every insurer enacts rate penalties differently, so always do your due diligence and compare quotes to find out which insurance company suits you.
RATES BY VIOLATION: MERCURY VS. NATIONWIDE
| Infraction | Nationwide avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,836 | $1,822 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,475 | $1,125 |
| DUI/DWI | $2,691 | $1,882 |
| Reckless driving | $2,508 | $1,882 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,469 | $1,457 |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: rates by age
Insurance companies rely on a driver's age to indicate risk, pricing policies accordingly. Auto insurance is commonly expensive for young drivers — due to their inexperience — and relatively affordable for middle-aged drivers. Since each insurance company prices ages in a different way, it's a smart move to shop around.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose Mercury instead of Nationwide: the former's average annual rates are $207 less than the latter's.
AGE BRACKET INSURANCE RATE COMPARISON: MERCURY VS. NATIONWIDE
| Age tier | Nationwide avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $3,624 | $3,417 |
| 20s | $1,582 | $1,554 |
| 30s | $1,163 | $1,554 |
| 40s | $1,151 | $1,115 |
| 50s | $1,114 | $1,086 |
| 60s | $1,028 | $1,034 |
Affordability aside, Nationwide and Mercury come with pros and cons, including their discount programs, add-ons, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Be sure to shop around before settling on an option.
| Discount Comparison | Nationwide | 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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| Home Owner |
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| eSign or ePay | ||
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| Military |
| Ratings Comparison | Nationwide | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Superior | Superior |
| JD Power Rankings | Average | N/A |
| User Satisfaction | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Other Products | Nationwide | Mercury |
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| Life Insurance |
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| Travel Trailer Insurance |
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| RV Insurance |
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| Motorcycle Insurance |
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| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | Nationwide | Mercury |
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| About | Auto Insurance from Nationwide gives you peace of mind when you're on the road. Save money without sacrificing coverage by participating in one of our usage-based discount programs, and save even more with multi-policy discounts. With our On Your Side Claims® Service, you'll get a written guarantee on repairs and a choice of qualified car repair shops you can trust. | Rated A+ by AM Best, Mercury Insurance has been saving customers money on home and auto insurance since 1962. |
| Roadside Assistance | Nationwide's Roadside Assistance is available in select states. Two levels of emergency Roadside Assistance coverage—Basic and Plus—are available. Nationwide Roadside Assistance Basic applies to everyone on your policy, in any car you might occupy with coverage that includes towing up to 15 miles, ditch extraction service, emergency fuel, battery jump-start, locksmith services up to $100 and tire changes. Nationwide Roadside Assistance Plus includes all the previously listed services in addition to a tow up to 100 miles and trip interruption coverage that may reimburse your expenses up to $500 for alternate transportation, lodging and meals if you find yourself broken down 100 or more miles from home. | 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 | Nationwide offers additional savings through a Family Discount, which allows you to share discounts with members of your family. | 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.
See More Questions
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| Top States | Arizona California Florida Illinois Michigan New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas | Arizona California Florida Georgia Illinois Nevada New Jersey New York Texas Virginia |