Mercury Extended Warranty Reviews

No, we’re not talking about the discontinued car brand – we’re talking about the Mercury extended warranty offered by Mercury Insurance. The company provides extended car warranties in 11 states and is most popular in California, with drivers in the Golden State accounting for 80 percent of Mercury Insurance customers. The Mercury Insurance extended warranty is also called mechanical breakdown protection, and the company only sells it through independent agents.

We’ve reviewed a number of the most popular third-party warranty companies, including Mercury Insurance, and we think a few other providers should be at the top of your list. Our recommendations for the best extended car warranty providers are based on 1,475 hours of research and more than 2,200 data points. We’ve combed through countless online reviews, surveyed consumers, and mystery shopped providers to give you the best and most up-to-date car warranty information.

Mercury is a reputable company that offers several extended warranty options. Plans also have a few perks, like roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits. However, Mercury’s maximum coverage periods are somewhat limited compared with other aftermarket plans.

Mercury Insurance Company 

The Mercury Insurance Group was founded in 1961 and has grown to become the fourth-largest private auto insurer in California. In addition to California, Mercury Insurance provides insurance services and extended warranties through 8,000 agents in the following states:

• Arizona
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• Virginia

Mechanical breakdown protection plans are underwritten by subsidiary American Mercury Insurance, which has an A (Excellent) financial rating from AM Best. Since these warranties aren’t offered by the original automaker, they are also called vehicle service contracts (VSC).

Our team gives Mercury Insurance 3.8 out of 5.0 stars. When we evaluate insurance providers, we consider industry standing, availability, coverage, cost and discounts, customer service, and technology. Our insurance ratings are backed by 8,500 data points, so you can trust that Mercury has a solid foundation for its warranty offerings.

Mercury Insurance has almost 4,000 reviews on its website, with an average rating of 4.6 stars. It also has an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Mercury Select Management Company, the subsidiary that sells warranty plans, has an A+ rating from the BBB. However, most reviews on the BBB are negative.

Mercury Insurance Extended Warranty Complaints 

Here are a few examples of customer reviews for Mercury mechanical protection.

“…I asked to speak to his supervisor. He said ‘No.’ I asked him why he was so rude. He stated, ‘How am I so rude?’ Then he told me he is hanging up the phone. Phone disconnected… I never got any answer about my policy. Very disappointed with his people skills. I am wondering, what is their mission statement about customer service?”

– Jorge V. via BBB

“Mercury Insurance has been completely unprofessional when dealing with my case. They have been lazy, given misinformation, and I have received attitude when trying to address my problems to the managers. The company has treated me poorly as if my situation doesn’t affect their lives and that I am not important to their business…”

– via BBB

Mercury’s mechanical protection plan is available for up to 7 years or 100,000 miles and is applicable to cars still within the factory warranty period. We also found older documentation that said Mercury plans were available for used cars if the driver bought the plan within 10 days of purchasing the car. However, the company’s current website doesn’t suggest this as an option.

Mercury Extended Warranty Plans

There are four Mercury extended warranty plans, ranging from full-coverage Platinum to Bronze powertrain protection.

Mercury Extended Warranty Perks

Mercury also offers a few extras with its protection plans:

• Roadside assistance: Includes towing, lockout services, and more
• Rental vehicle coverage: Pays an allowance you choose toward a rental car if your car is in the shop because of a covered repair
• Tire protection: Repairs or replaces tires damaged during normal use, up to certain limits
• Trip interruption: Reimburses food and lodging costs if you are stranded because of a breakdown over 100 miles from home
• Insurance deductible reimbursement: Reimburses up to $500 toward your deductible if you file a claim with your auto insurance company (only available for Platinum plans)

What Does a Mercury Extended Warranty Not Cover?

As with other extended auto warranties, a Mercury Mechanical Protection plan doesn’t cover damage resulting from an accident, misuse, or lack of regular maintenance. Non-mechanical parts such as glass, trim, and upholstery aren’t covered as well as wear-and-tear components like brake pads, wiper blades, and shock absorbers.

Mercury claims to be a low-cost provider, but since it only offers plans through agents, you’ll have to contact one to get a concrete price. Auto warranty companies typically give drivers 12, 24, or 36 months to pay for a plan. Mercury mechanical protection plans require one deductible per visit, and choosing different deductible amounts might affect the overall cost.

For comparison, we found that the extended car warranty cost from leading warranty providers can be between $109 and $186 per month. Those are prices for a 2014 Ford Fusion with 75,000 miles. Prices for newer cars with fewer miles are usually cheaper.

In March 2022, we surveyed individuals who had purchased extended auto warranties. The chart below shows how much they paid for their plans. You can see that it’s typical to pay somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000 for a long-term vehicle protection plan.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if mechanical breakdown insurance is worth it. From a monetary standpoint, it’s useful for cars that have a history of breaking down and those past their factory warranties. But you also have to factor in the peace of mind that can come with a warranty.

Many people appreciate knowing that a number of repairs are covered under a car warranty. Plus, an extended warranty can help spread out repair costs over time. Having one decreases the likelihood that you’ll have to pay $1,000 or $2,000 for a single repair all at once.

Overall, Mercury extended warranty plans are standard fare and comparable to many other companies. However, most plans only cover up to 7 years or 100,000 miles, which is pretty short for an extended auto warranty. Also, the plans are somewhat limited in that you can only get them in a few states and through independent agents.

Mercury Extended Warranty Alternatives

As with any service, it’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes. Endurance and CARCHEX are two of our top choices for an extended warranty.

Endurance: Best Coverage

Out of all the extended warranty companies, Endurance is our #1 pick. Endurance offers coverage for high-mileage vehicles, six different plan options, and additional perks for members through Endurance Elite Benefits.

Carchex: Best For Used Cars

Carchex is one of our top choices for many reasons. It covers cars with up to 250,000 miles, has five different plans, and has a reputation for customer service. We also like that Carchex lets drivers add protection plans at almost any point in time – even long after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired.

Below are some common frequently asked questions about Mercury extended warranties: