Nationwide vs. Mercury: Which one is the cheapest?
Nationwide state minimum coverage costs an average of $532 annually, while Mercury costs $607.
For full coverage with 100/300/100 in liability and $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision, Nationwide costs an average of $1,548 annually. Mercury is more expensive, with an average cost of $2,314.
It's always smart to compare quotes because prices and required coverage can change depending on your state and 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,548 | $532 | $651 |
| Mercury | $2,314 | $607 | $975 |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: Rates by age group
For teens - one of the most expensive age groups to insure - Nationwide offers the lowest rates at $5,285 per year. Mercury is more expensive, with an average cost of $7,475 for a teen driver.
Age is a major factor in calculating insurance rates. Companies look at speeding and accident trends as well as distracted driving statistics. Teen drivers are one of the riskiest - and therefore most expensive - age groups to insure. Rates drop as you get older.
For example, adults pay an average of $1,533 at Nationwide, while at Mercury the average rate for an adult is $2,369.
| Age group | Nationwide | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Teens | $5,285 | $7,475 |
| Young adults | $2,556 | $3,989 |
| Adults | $1,533 | $2,369 |
| Seniors | $1,456 | $2,344 |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: Rates for high-risk drivers
Mercury 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 is cheaper, with average rates of $3,463.
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 | $2,537 | $4,292 |
| 1 At-fault property damage accident under $2K | $2,481 | $4,280 |
| At-fault bodily injury accident | $2,673 | $4,176 |
| Careless driving | $2,203 | $3,558 |
| DUI | $3,627 | $3,463 |
| Reckless driving | $3,221 | $3,938 |
| Speeding | $2,347 | $3,240 |
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 | $1,345 | N/A |
| Arizona | $1,726 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $1,503 | N/A |
| California | $2,799 | $2,031 |
| Connecticut | $1,766 | N/A |
| Delaware | $1,498 | N/A |
| Florida | $2,150 | $3,358 |
| Georgia | N/A | $2,219 |
| Idaho | $1,505 | N/A |
| Indiana | $1,309 | N/A |
| Kansas | $1,316 | N/A |
| Maryland | $1,363 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $1,363 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $1,331 | N/A |
| Missouri | $1,361 | N/A |
| Montana | $1,394 | N/A |
| Nebraska | $1,216 | N/A |
| Nevada | N/A | $2,156 |
| New Hampshire | $1,145 | N/A |
| New Mexico | $1,806 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $1,513 | N/A |
| North Dakota | $1,152 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | N/A | $2,237 |
| Oregon | $1,411 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $1,196 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $1,911 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $1,526 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $1,632 | N/A |
| Texas | $1,502 | N/A |
| Utah | $1,135 | N/A |
| Vermont | $935 | N/A |
| Washington | $1,658 | N/A |
| Washington, D.C. | $2,558 | N/A |
| West Virginia | $1,215 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $1,287 | N/A |
Nationwide vs. Mercury: 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 Nationwide and Mercury offer to their customers.
| Discounts | Nationwide | Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Payment type | 9% | 13% |
| Lower annual mileage | 12% | 9% |
| Telematics | 8% | N/A |
| Loyalty | 4% | 8% |
| Multi policy | 7% | 10% |
| Homeowner | 5% | 7% |
| Marital status | 7% | 12% |
| Days advanced purchase | 7% | 5% |
| Profession | N/A | 6% |
| Electronic funds transfer | 3% | 5% |
| Paperless/electornic documents | 4% | 2% |
| Electronic signature | N/A | 3% |
| Safety devices | 3% | 1% |
| Air bags | 2% | N/A |
| Anti-theft device | 1% | 1% |
Always be sure to ask about available discounts when you're shopping around for insurance to see what you may qualify for.
Nationwide vs. Mercury: The bottom line
Both Nationwide and Mercury are good insurance companies, but if cheaper rates are your top priority, Nationwide might be the best option for you. Still, it's a good idea to look at more than just price and compare quotes from different companies to find the best car insurance for your needs.
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 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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