Mercury vs. USAA: Which one is the cheapest?
USAA state minimum coverage costs an average of $335 annually, while USAA costs $607.
For full coverage with 100/300/100 in liability coverage and $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision insurance, USAA costs an average of $1,381. Mercury costs more at an average of $2,314.
It's always a good idea to shop around for quotes, however, because prices and coverage vary from state to state and depend on your individual situation.
| Company | Average annual rate for full coverage | Average annual rate for state minimum coverage | Average annual premium for liability-only (50/100/50) car insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | $2,314 | $607 | $975 |
| USAA | $1,381 | $335 | $435 |
Mercury vs. USAA: Rates by age group
For teens - one of the most expensive age groups to insure - USAA has the cheapest rates, coming in at $4,385 per year. Mercury costs an average of $7,475 for a teen driver.
Age plays a major role in calculating insurance rates. Companies look at things like speeding, accidents and distracted driving. Teen drivers are seen as high-risk, which makes them one of the most expensive age groups to insure. Rates usually go down as you get older.
For example, adults pay an average of $4,385 with USAA, while Mercury charges an average of $7,475 for an adult.
| Age group | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| Teens | $7,475 | $4,385 |
| Young adults | $3,989 | $2,159 |
| Adults | $2,369 | $1,406 |
| Seniors | $2,344 | $1,400 |
Mercury vs. USAA: Rates for high-risk drivers
USAA has the best rates for high-risk drivers. A high-risk driver is someone who has multiple speeding tickets, accidents or a serious offense like a DUI on their record. This can make it a challenge to find affordable auto insurance.
For the drivers with DUI, USAA is cheaper, with average rates of $2,786.
Take a look at the table below for Mercury rates compared to USAA rates.
| Type of violation | Mercury | USAA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 At-fault property damage accident over $2K | $4,292 | $2,075 |
| 1 At-fault property damage accident under $2K | $4,280 | $2,066 |
| At-fault bodily injury accident | $4,176 | $2,133 |
| Careless driving | $3,558 | $1,834 |
| DUI | $3,463 | $2,786 |
| Reckless driving | $3,938 | $2,100 |
| Speeding | $3,240 | $1,680 |
Mercury vs. USAA: Rates in your state
Insurance rates vary from state to state. Companies use information from your ZIP code, like weather, crime and traffic patterns, to calculate the risk. The table below shows where you'll find the cheapest rates for Mercury and USAA. Remember, always shop around for multiple quotes as prices will ultimately be determined by your personal situation and driving record in addition to your location.
| State | USAA | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,458 | N/A |
| Alaska | $1,166 | N/A |
| Arizona | $1,581 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $1,090 | N/A |
| California | $1,827 | $2,031 |
| Colorado | $1,559 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $606 | N/A |
| Delaware | $1,463 | N/A |
| Florida | N/A | $3,358 |
| Georgia | $1,562 | $2,219 |
| Hawaii | $1,067 | N/A |
| Idaho | $742 | N/A |
| Illinois | $1,745 | N/A |
| Indiana | $783 | N/A |
| Iowa | $1,165 | N/A |
| Kansas | $1,151 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $1,820 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $1,973 | N/A |
| Maine | $827 | N/A |
| Maryland | $1,043 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $1,442 | N/A |
| Michigan | $1,514 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $1,382 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $1,320 | N/A |
| Missouri | $1,086 | N/A |
| Montana | $919 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $1,328 | N/A |
| Nevada | $1,672 | $2,156 |
| New Hampshire | $852 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $1,054 | N/A |
| New York | $1,557 | N/A |
| North Dakota | $826 | N/A |
| Ohio | $994 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $1,447 | $2,237 |
| Oregon | $1,277 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $1,806 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $1,147 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $1,451 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $1,780 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $1,194 | N/A |
| Texas | $1,812 | N/A |
| Utah | $1,237 | N/A |
| Vermont | $803 | N/A |
| Virginia | $1,192 | N/A |
| Washington | $853 | N/A |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,230 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $1,189 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $984 | N/A |
| Wyoming | $1,230 | N/A |
Mercury vs. USAA: Which offers better discounts?
Discounts are a big draw for customers and can offer significant savings on your annual premiums. Below are some of the discounts Mercury and USAA offer to their customers.
| Discounts | USAA | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Marital status | 9% | 12% |
| Lower annual mileage | 5% | 9% |
| Loyalty | 5% | 8% |
| Homeowner | N/A | 7% |
| Profession | N/A | 6% |
| Days advanced purchase | 5% | 5% |
| Electronic funds transfer | 3% | 5% |
| Multi policy | 4% | 10% |
| Anti-theft device | 3% | 1% |
| Electronic signature | N/A | 3% |
| Paperless/electornic documents | N/A | 2% |
| Payment type | N/A | 13% |
| Safety devices | 1% | 1% |
| Air bags | 0% | N/A |
Always be sure to ask about available discounts when you're shopping around for insurance to see what you may qualify for.
Mercury vs. USAA: The bottom line
Both Mercury and USAA are solid insurance companies, but if rates are what matter most to you, USAA may be the choice for you. However, we always recommend considering more than just rates to find the best car insurance for your needs and comparing quotes from multiple companies.
Methodology
Insurance.com commissioned car insurance rates from Quadrant Data Services for state minimum coverage and full coverage with liability limits of 100/300/100 with $500 deductibles. Base sample rates are based on a 40-year-old male driver with a clean record and good credit driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates were also fielded for multiple age groups and driver profiles compared with the base sample rate.
Company ratings were gathered from third-party sources including J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). We also gathered data from the Insure.com annual survey of car insurance customers.
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