Deciding on a car insurance company can be complicated: rates can fluctuate based on your location, age, and driving history, and companies offer an array of discounts. USAA and Mercury are two of the most popular auto insurance companies, offering competitively priced insurance policies in most states across the US.
In an effort to simplify the process of comparing insurance companies, we collected average insurance premiums from Mercury and USAA. The below cover an array of rating factors, including credit quality, driving infractions, and age. Compare rates and find the perfect policy for you.
If you have extremely bad credit, Mercury could be the way to go. On average, Mercury offers more affordable rates than USAA for drivers with credit scores of less than 580. Insurance shoppers with excellent credit — a score of 800 or better — should opt for USAA, which typically beats Mercury by $527 per year. Check out typical insurance rates by credit tier for Mercury and USAA below.
As Mercury is focused on selling auto insurance in California, the company's rates don't vary much on the basis of credit score. California is one of the several US states that does not allow insurance companies to rely on credit as a rating factor.
| Credit level | USAA avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $2,682 | $1,367 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,247 | $1,367 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,057 | $1,367 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $910 | $1,367 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $840 | $1,367 |
If you have an at-fault crash, speeding ticket, reckless driving citation, or DWI on your driving record, USAA could be a better choice than Mercury. Every auto insurance company has different post-violation pricing structures, so it's worth comparing quotes to find out which insurance company suits you.
| Violation | USAA avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,304 | $1,822 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $947 | $1,125 |
| DUI/DWI | $1,952 | $1,882 |
| Reckless driving | $1,472 | $1,882 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,124 | $1,457 |
Insurers use a driver's age to indicate risk, pricing premiums accordingly. A car insurance policy is often more expensive for teen drivers — thanks to their inexperience — and most affordable for older drivers. Because every car insurance company prices age tiers in a different way, it's wise to compare rates and find a suitable policy.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose USAA over Mercury: USAA offers average yearly savings of $553, compared to Mercury.
| Age | USAA avg. annual premium | Mercury avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $2,864 | $3,417 |
| 20s | $1,261 | $1,554 |
| 30s | $963 | $1,554 |
| 40s | $957 | $1,115 |
| 50s | $889 | $1,086 |
| 60s | $845 | $1,034 |
Aside from finances, USAA and Mercury each have pros and cons, including their customer satisfaction ratings, discount programs, add-ons, and financial stability. Be sure to shop around before settling on an option.
| Discount Comparison | USAA | 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 | USAA | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Superior | Superior |
| JD Power Rankings | Excellent | N/A |
| User Satisfaction | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Other Products | USAA | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Insurance | ||
| Condo Insurance | ||
| Life Insurance | ||
| Homeowners Insurance | ||
| Travel Trailer Insurance | ||
| Renters Insurance | ||
| RV Insurance | ||
| Motorcycle Insurance | ||
| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | USAA | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| About | USAA is known for their award-winning service, distinguished products and making their customers' needs a priority. | Rated A+ by AM Best, Mercury Insurance has been saving customers money on home and auto insurance since 1962. |
| Roadside Assistance | 24-hour roadside assistance is included in all of USAA's Extended Vehicle Protection programs. Pricing varies depending on which plan you select. Roadside assistance will pay up to $100 per occurrence of the following: towing service, flat tire change, emergency gas delivery, battery jump, and locksmith services. Substitute Transportation is available up to $250 per occurrence. Travel/Lodging Reimbursement is available up to $300 per occurrence. | 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 | USAA offers discounts for vehicles with daytime running lights and vehicles in storage, as well as a legacy discount for drivers under 25 years old whose parents have had USAA auto insurance. | Mercury insurance offers additional accommodations to military service members like accepting out of state licenses, physical damage only coverage, and more! |
| Recent Questions |
Am I covered for an accident if my policy had lapsed while without an Uber passenger?
Unfortunately, if there was no coverage in place, no company will honor the claim. Uber coverage is in place while the app is active, though this only covers liability.
Our son-in-law is a USAA member (Navy). Can we join also?
Parents are not eligible for USAA. USAA eligibility flows "downstream" — so descendants, i.e.
Can my brother use his insurance for damage he caused to my vehicle?
Unfortunately, car insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. In this case, he cannot use his own insurance to cover the damage he caused to your vehicle.
Agree to be paid out of pocket with driver with no license
To sum, having her pay out of pocket might be your best option. Let me explain.
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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.
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