Is Mercury Auto Insurance Good for New York Drivers?
Last Updated on October 2, 2021
As a driver in New York, you have a wide range of options when it comes to car insurance. With so many choices available, it can be difficult to decide which company can provide the best car insurance policy for your needs. Mercury Insurance is one of the many companies that offer car insurance in the State of New York. In this article, we’ll take a look at Mercury’s car insurance options to help you decide if they’re a good fit for you.
About Mercury Insurance
Mercury Insurance was founded in 1961 in Los Angeles as a low-cost alternative to the expensive carriers that were on the market at the time. They still have their headquarters in L.A., but now have offices in Georgia and Illinois. In total, they provide coverage in 11 states, including New York. In addition to car insurance, they also offer home insurance, renters insurance, and many other types of policies.
| Mercury Insurance Company Information | |
|---|---|
| Address | 4484 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90010 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-503-3724 |
| Online Contact | https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/contact.html |
| Website | https://www.mercuryinsurance.com/ |
Mercury Insurance Coverage Options
Mercury Insurance offers all of the standard types of car insurance that consumers expect, as well as some add-ons that you can use to customize your policy. This includes the liability coverage to meet New York State’s legal requirements, as well as standard collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage. While these coverage types aren’t required by New York state law, they are highly recommended because they protect you in a variety of different situations.
In addition to this, Mercury also offers roadside assistance as an add-on. Roadside assistance includes features like towing, fuel delivery, locksmith services, and other emergency services. They also offer rental car coverage, which covers the cost of a rental car if you file a claim and your car is in the shop.
Mercury also offers coverage for rideshare drivers, which has been in high demand lately. However, this coverage is not yet available in New York State yet. Finally, Mercury has started offering their RealDrive low-mileage coverage. This is a great option for New York customers who work from home or take public transit frequently. You’ll get an automatic discount for signing up, and you can save even more by keeping your mileage low.
Mercury Insurance Pricing and Discounts
Mercury Insurance is relatively affordable for most people. However, the price you pay will depend on your individual situation. Pricing for car insurance policies is complex and takes many different factors into account. When you apply for a car insurance policy, you’ll typically be given a quote based on your demographics, driving history, and the type of car you have, among other things.
Like many other car insurance companies, Mercury offers a full selection of discounts to help you save money on your monthly premiums. These include standard discounts for things like insuring multiple cars, paying your yearly bill in full, or bundling your car insurance policy with home insurance. They also offer discounts for having a good driving history, being a good student, or installing anti-theft devices in your car. One unique discount that Mercury offers is an educators discount, which could incentivize teachers and others in the education field to sign up.
Mercury Insurance Financial Ratings
Before signing up for any insurance policy, it’s very important to make sure your provider is financially stable. It’s very important for car insurance providers to be able to pay their claims regardless of the current economic climate. Right now, Mercury Insurance has an A rating from AM Best, an organization that rates the financial stability of insurance companies. While this isn’t the highest rating possible, it does indicate that Mercury Insurance is financially stable.
Mercury Insurance Customer Service
Mercury Insurance generally gets below-average reviews for its customer service. They only have a 3.9/5 rating from JD Power, and their complaint ratio is currently higher than average for an insurance company of their size. They also are not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, although they do have an A+ rating from them.
Many of these complaints were about long wait times for customer service and delays in processing claims. Mercury also doesn’t offer many of its services online, which many customers find inconvenient. While you can get a quote online, you cannot actually purchase a policy online – you’ll still need to speak with an agent in order to do this.
The easiest way to file claims with Mercury is to call their 24/7 claims hotline. They currently do not offer an option to file claims online. However, they do have a mobile app where you can pay your bill, access a digital insurance card, and get roadside assistance service.
Advantages of Mercury Insurance
The biggest advantage of using Mercury Insurance for your coverage is their price point. They offer very reasonable rates, which means they could be a good choice for New York drivers on a budget. While they don’t have a huge selection of add-ons, they do offer options like roadside assistance and other emergency coverage. They offer particularly good rates for young drivers. Drivers in their teens and twenties often struggle to find viable coverage options because they are considered a higher risk, so this could be a good option.
Disadvantages of Mercury Insurance
While there are some advantages to using Mercury Insurance, there are also some disadvantages that consumers should be aware of. Although Mercury Insurance offers affordable pricing, they are known for having less-than-stellar customer service. Many consumers have complained of delays when filing claims and dealing with customer service.
They also don’t offer the option to file a claim online, although you can pay your bill and manage other aspects of your policy online. For those with a busy schedule who may not have time to talk to an agent, this could be a major downside of working with Mercury Insurance.
Final Thoughts on Mercury Insurance
Car insurance in New York can be expensive. Mercury Insurance could be a good option for New Yorkers who are on a budget and need an affordable policy. However, when it comes to customer service, they don’t quite measure up to the competition. When searching for an insurance provider in New York, it’s always best to get quotes from multiple companies. Since every company uses its own formula to determine pricing, one company might be significantly cheaper than another. It’s also important to consider the value and make sure that you’re selecting an insurance company that meets your coverage needs.
