- Which is cheaper overall: Nationwide or Mercury?
- Nationwide vs. Mercury: Which company is cheaper by age group?
- Nationwide vs. Mercury: Which company is cheaper for high-risk drivers?
- Nationwide vs. Mercury: Rates in your state
- Nationwide vs. Mercury: Which company offers better auto insurance discounts?
- Bottom line: Should you choose Nationwide or Mercury?
- Methodology
- FAQ: Company comparison
Which is cheaper overall: Nationwide or Mercury?
For full coverage with 100/300/100 in liability coverage and $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision insurance, Nationwide costs an average of $2,463. Mercury Insurance costs more at an average of $3,237.
Mercury Insurance costs an average of $796, while Nationwide has average rates for state minimum coverage of $808.
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 | $3,237 | $796 | $1,347 |
| Nationwide | $2,463 | $808 | $945 |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: Which company is cheaper by age group?
Nationwide has cheaper average rates for teen drivers at $7,821 per year, compared to Mercury Insurance with an average rate of $12,251.
Insurance companies weigh age-based risk data heavily when calculating rates. Rates reduce over time as drivers gain experience on the road..
For adults, $2,431 charges Nationwide on average, while at Mercury Insurance the average rate for an adult is $3,304.
The takeaway: Teens often pay more than double what adults do, but there are companies with cheaper rates for teens, so take the time to compare quotes.
| Age group | Nationwide | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Teens | $7,821 | $12,251 |
| Young adults | $3,824 | $5,405 |
| Adults | $2,431 | $3,304 |
| Seniors | $2,299 | $3,160 |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: Which company is cheaper for high-risk drivers?
Mercury Insurance 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, Mercury Insurance is cheaper, with average rates of $4,846.
Take a look at the table below for Nationwide rates compared to Mercury rates.
| Type of violation | Nationwide | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| 1 At-fault property damage accident over $2K | $4,051 | $6,004 |
| 1 At-fault property damage accident under $2K | $4,003 | $5,989 |
| At-fault bodily injury accident | $4,254 | $5,842 |
| Careless driving | $3,506 | $4,977 |
| DUI | $5,771 | $4,846 |
| Reckless driving | $5,126 | $5,510 |
| Speeding | $3,742 | $4,546 |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: 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 Nationwide and Mercury. 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 | Nationwide | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,963 | N/A |
| Arizona | $2,636 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $2,673 | N/A |
| California | $4,227 | $2,782 |
| Connecticut | $2,675 | N/A |
| Delaware | $1,936 | N/A |
| Florida | $3,335 | $4,144 |
| Georgia | N/A | $3,495 |
| Idaho | $1,802 | N/A |
| Kansas | $2,119 | N/A |
| Maryland | $1,834 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $2,515 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $2,559 | N/A |
| Missouri | $3,067 | N/A |
| Montana | $2,180 | N/A |
| Nevada | N/A | $3,036 |
| New Hampshire | $1,475 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $2,547 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $2,452 | N/A |
| North Dakota | $1,250 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | N/A | $2,871 |
| Oregon | $1,836 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $1,809 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $2,866 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $2,130 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $2,442 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $2,373 | N/A |
| Utah | $1,188 | N/A |
| Vermont | $1,554 | N/A |
| Washington | $2,408 | N/A |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,847 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $1,825 | N/A |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: Which company offers better auto insurance discounts?
Discounts are a big draw for customers and can offer significant savings on your annual premiums. Below are some of the discounts Nationwide and Mercury offer to their customers.
| Discounts | Nationwide | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 2% | N/A |
| Anti-theft device | 1% | 1% |
| Comp and coll deductibles | 11% | 6% |
| Days advanced purchase | 6% | 6% |
| Electronic Funds Transfer | 4% | 4% |
| Electronic Signature | N/A | 3% |
| Homeowner | 5% | 6% |
| Lower annual mileage | 13% | 9% |
| Loyalty | 19% | 6% |
| Marital status | 8% | 14% |
| Multi policy | 8% | 10% |
| Paperless/Electornic documents | 4% | 2% |
| Payment type | 9% | 13% |
| Primary use | 10% | N/A |
| Profession | N/A | 5% |
| Safety devices | 4% | less than 1% |
| Telematics | 9% | N/A |
| Years insured | 15% | 29% |
| Years Licensed | 23% | N/A |
Always be sure to ask about available discounts when you're shopping around for insurance to see what you may qualify for.
Bottom line: Should you choose Nationwide or Mercury?
If rates are what matter most to you, Nationwide 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.
Consider company reputation and available coverages to make your decision, and be sure to compare quotes from multiple companies.
Methodology
National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.
Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:
- Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
- Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
- Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
- 40-year-old driver
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
Additional rate data is drawn based on:
- Ages ranging from 16 to 75
- Excellent, fair and poor credit
- All available traffic violations
- One or more at-fault accidents
- All available year, make and model data
Rates were fielded by Quadrant Information Services, with more than 220 companies and 34,588 ZIP codes surveyed.
FAQ: Company comparison
How often should I compare auto insurance quotes?
You should compare auto insurance quotes at least once a year, or every time your policy renews.
Is it better to choose the cheapest insurer or the one with better customer service?
It's generally worth paying more for great customer service, but you should choose a carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims. that provides a balance between low rates and high customer satisfaction.
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