Mercer Auto Insurance
Mercer is an independent West Virginia insurance agency that connects customers with auto coverage from a handful of providers.
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Key Points:
- Mercer is an independent agency that serves several Virginia and West Virginia counties.
- Erie Insurance and Progressive are two of the largest providers Mercer connects customers with.
- Mercer receives solid reviews on Google.
The first thing to know about Mercer Insurance Associates is that this West Virginia company isn’t an insurance provider. Mercer is an independent insurance agency, which means it helps customers find coverage from a handful of auto insurance companies. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at Mercer’s auto insurance options from Progressive, Erie Insurance, and Dairyland.
Our research team spent 1,950 hours researching and analyzing more than 4,000 online reviews to determine the best auto insurance companies. We examined millions of data points from Quadrant Information Services to include information about the average rates charged by providers in Mercer Insurance Associates’ network. After this extensive research, we give the insurance broker an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5.0 stars.
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Our Mercer Auto Insurance Review And Methodology
Though Mercer Insurance Associates partners with seven companies, only four are car insurance providers. One of them (West Virginia National Auto Insurance Company) isn’t well known or widely available. In this review we’ll focus on the other three: Progressive, Erie Insurance, and Dairyland.
How We Rated Mercer Auto Insurance
We refresh our review standards multiple times per year to keep our information current. Overall, our insurance research falls into six main categories:
- Reliability
- Availability
- Coverage
- Cost
- Service
- Technology
We give Mercer an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5.0 stars based on these areas. For more detail, here’s how Mercer Insurance Associates performs in each category:
Reliability: 3.8
Because Mercer Insurance Associates only serves Mercer County, West Virginia, and nearby parts of West Virginia and Virginia, there aren’t many reviews of the agency online. We give Mercer 3.8 out of 5.0 stars due to the lack of industry ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot.
Mercer does get credit for having been in business since 1995 and for offering coverage from two of the car insurance industry’s most popular providers. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Progressive is the second-largest auto insurer in the United States, and Erie is number 13.
Availability: 3.4
With the exception of West Virginia National Auto Insurance–which only serves West Virginia–all of the auto insurers Mercer works with are available in both Virginia and West Virginia. We give Mercer a rating of 3.4 out of 5.0 stars for availability.
Coverage: 4.6
Between Progressive, Erie, and Dairyland, Mercer offers a wide range of auto insurance coverage and add-ons. There isn’t much information online about West Virginia National Auto Insurance. We give Mercer auto insurance 4.6 out of 5.0 stars for its coverage options.
Cost: 4.1
Car insurance companies with lower prices and many discounts get the highest scores in this category. While Mercer sells car insurance from four companies, we only have rate data for two of the broker’s providers: Progressive and Erie. Rate averages from Quadrant Information Services are based on up to 10 of the top providers in each state.
We give Mercer 4.1 out of 5.0 stars because the average full-coverage rates from Erie and Progressive in West Virginia and Virginia are lower than the national average.
Note that, the rate averages in this review weren’t compiled through quotes from Mercer. We included some of the most popular insurers in Virginia and West Virginia, but excluded providers we didn’t have rate information on for both states.
Service: 3.9
Due to Mercer Insurance Associates’ small size, we didn’t find any information about the company on the BBB’s site. Because Mercer is a broker and not an insurer, it isn’t rated by AM Best or in consumer studies by J.D. Power.
Mercer gets an average rating of 4.1 out of 5.0 stars on Google, but that score is based on just 27 reviews. Since there’s limited information about the company’s customer service, we give it 3.9 out of 5.0 stars in this category.
Technology: 2.8
Auto insurers with mobile apps, advanced online services, and telematics are more likely to meet consumer needs. Three out of four auto insurance providers in Mercer’s network have mobile apps: Progressive, Erie Insurance, and Dairyland.
In 2022, we surveyed nearly 7,000 people about their experiences with their auto insurance providers. In that survey, customers gave Progressive’s app an average rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 and gave Erie’s app a 4.0 average. There were no ratings for the other two car insurance companies Mercer works with.
The mobile apps from Dairyland, Erie, and Progressive allow customers to view policy documents, make payments, and more. It’s tough to give Mercer full credit for that, so we give the company 2.8 stars out of 5.0 for technology.
Mercer Insurance Associates Quick Facts
Founded: 1995
Availability: Mercer County, West Virginia, and surrounding counties in West Virginia and Virginia
Policies and accounts: Auto, home, life, property, and business insurance
Based in Princeton, West Virginia, Mercer Insurance Associates has been in business since 1995. As an insurance agency, Mercer doesn’t sell its own policies. Instead, it sells coverage through the following insurance providers:
- Dairyland
- Erie Insurance
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia
- Municipal Mutual Insurance Company
- Progressive
- West Virginia National Auto Insurance Company
- Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
Why use an insurance agency instead of contacting providers directly? Many consumers appreciate working with an agent who can help navigate coverage options. Agents may also be helpful in finding the lowest rates based on your driver profile. However, there are pros and cons to consider when working with an insurance agency.
Mercer Auto Insurance Pros And Cons
Pros
- Local customer service
- Relationship with providers could enable special deals
- Positive reviews on Google
Cons
- As an insurance broker, its service fees could lead to higher rates
- Certain providers may be encouraged more than others
Mercer Auto Insurance Industry Ratings
Mercer Insurance Associates has 27 reviews on Google, for an average rating of 4.1 stars out of 5.0. Typically, we look to the BBB to get an idea of a company’s reputation. However, Mercer Insurance Associates doesn’t have a BBB profile, likely due to its size.
Reviews on Google are mostly positive, with some negative reviews from customers who complain about response times. Most negative reviews received a response from Mercer telling the reviewer to call or visit the office.
In the following table, we break down the industry ratings for each car insurance provider in Mercer’s network.
| Provider | BBB
Rating | AM Best Financial Strength
Rating | Trustpilot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dairyland | A+ | A+ (Superior) | 4.5 out of 5.0 |
| Erie Insurance | A+ | A+ (Superior) | 2.2 out of 5.0 |
| Progressive | A | A+ (Superior) | 1.2 out of 5.0 |
| West Virginia
National Auto Insurance | N/A | Not rated | N/A |
How Much Does Mercer’s Car Insurance Cost?
We compared average auto insurance rates in West Virginia and Virginia to the nation’s average cost for full-coverage car insurance. These rates are based on a single, 30-year-old male driver with good credit and a clean driving record who drives a 2020 Honda CR-V.
How Much Does Full Coverage Cost?
According to Quadrant Information Services, the driver described above pays an average of $1,482 for full-coverage insurance in Virginia and $1,570 per year in West Virginia. Both of these figures are well below the national average of $1,968. Erie and Progressive, the two Mercer auto insurance partners we have rate data for, tend to be cheaper than the national average in these locations.
The table below shows the average premiums drivers pay for Erie and Progressive coverage in the two states and the U.S. as a whole.
| Car Insurance
Provider | National
Average Annual Cost | West Virginia
Average Annual Cost | Virginia
Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie Insurance | $1,680 | $1,136 | $1,009 |
| Progressive | $1,809 | $1,645 | $1,433 |
What Affects The Cost Of Car Insurance?
How much you pay for auto insurance depends on a number of factors, including information about you and your vehicle.
Common factors that impact car insurance rates include:
- Age
- Gender
- Marital status
- Location
- Vehicle age, make, and model
- Driving record
- Credit score
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What Is Mercer’s Cheapest Auto Insurance Coverage?
Requirements for minimum-coverage car insurance vary from state to state. If you cause a car accident, liability coverage takes care of the other party’s repair and medical expenses. Some states’ minimum-coverage requirements include uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, which covers your repair and medical expenses if another driver causes an accident and has little to no car insurance.
Virginia allows drivers to opt out of having car insurance by paying a $500 fee. For Virginia drivers who choose to get insurance, minimum-coverage limits apply. The table below shows minimum limits for Virginia and West Virginia.
| State | Bodily Injury
Liability | Property Damage
Liability | Uninsured
Motorist Bodily Injury | Uninsured
Motorist Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $25,000
per person and $50,000 per accident | $25,000
per accident | $25,000
per person and $50,000 per accident | $25,000
per accident |
| Virginia* | $30,000
per person and $60,000 per accident | $20,000
per accident | $30,000
per person and $60,000 per accident | $20,000
per accident |
*Applies to policies effective between 1/1/22 and 12/31/24
We recommend carrying more than the minimum to fully protect yourself and others in the event of a car accident. Otherwise, you might have to pay out of pocket for medical expenses and property damage.
Mercer Insurance Associates Discounts
Each car insurance company’s discounts differ. In the following tables, we break down details about Progressive’s and Erie’s discounts.
Progressive Discounts
Based on the kinds of discounts Progressive offers, it’s a good fit for teenagers, college students, and good drivers.
| Progressive Discount | Eligibility Details |
|---|---|
| Snapshot® | Progressive’s Snapshot discount is a usage-based program that rewards good driving habits $231, on average. Bad drivers might see their premiums go up. |
| Multi-policy | Save seven percent, on average, when you bundle policies like home, boat, and motorcycle with auto coverage. |
| Multi-vehicle | List multiple cars on your policy to save an average of 12 percent. |
| Good student | If you have a full-time student with a B grade average or better, you can save up to 10 percent when you add them to your policy. |
| Distant student | The full-time student must be 22 or younger, live more than 100 miles from home, and not have a car while at school. The amount of this discount varies. |
| Automatic payment | Get a discount for setting up autopay. Savings vary. |
| Pay in full | Pay your full premium up front to get a discount. Savings vary. |
| Paperless | Get a discount for choosing to receive documents by email. |
| Continuous insurance | When you switch to Progressive, the company rewards you with a discount. The amount varies based on how long you’ve been continuously insured. |
| Teen driver | Offset the cost of adding a driver who’s 18 or younger to your policy. |
| Deductible savings bank | Also known as a diminishing deductible, this option rewards drivers for avoiding accidents and violations. |
| Homeowner discount | Save nearly 10 percent on average for being a homeowner, even if you don’t insure your home with one of Progressive’s partners. |
Erie Insurance Discounts
Erie Insurance offers good incentives for safe driving, young drivers, safety equipment, and more.
| Erie Insurance Discount | Eligibility Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-policy | Insure your car and home with Erie to save 16–25 percent depending on what state you live in. |
| Multi-vehicle | You save by adding more than one vehicle to your policy. |
| First accident forgiveness | If you’ve been an Erie customer for at least three years, you won’t be surcharged for your first accident. This doesn’t apply in all states or if you have a rate-protection endorsement on your policy. |
| Diminishing deductible option | Save $100 on your deductible for each year you don’t file a claim (up to $500 max). This requires the Erie Auto Plus® endorsement, and eligibility depends on the state you live in. |
| Vehicle storage | When you store your car for 90 days in a row or more, you can get a discount. |
| Safety equipment | Having factory-installed features such as airbags, anti-theft devices, and anti-lock brakes gets you a discount. |
| Payment perks | Pay your annual premium up front to get a discount. |
| Youthful driver | There’s one discount for unmarried drivers under 21 who live with their parents, one for unmarried youth who’ve spent consecutive years on Erie policies, and one for drivers under 21 who complete training courses. |
| Student away at school | If your college student is away at school without a car, you could get a discount. |
Dairyland Insurance Discounts
Based on the kinds of discounts Dairyland offers, it’s a good fit for safe drivers and people who plan ahead.
| Dairyland Insurance
Discount | Eligibility Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-vehicle | Get a discount if you have more than one car in your household. |
| Defensive driving | Take a defensive driver course to earn a discount. |
| Payment frequency | Pay your premium every three, six, or twelve months and you could save money. |
| Advanced quote | Save money when you get a quote at least a week before you need insurance coverage. |
| Transfer discount | Get a discount when you’ve had car insurance with another provider for at least six months and start a new policy with Dairyland. Depending on your location, you may get a discount even if you’ve had a short lapse in coverage. |
| Homeowner discount | If you insure your home, this discount will save you money. This also applies to renters in West Virginia. |
Mercer Insurance Associates Usage-Based Insurance Discount
If you have a Progressive insurance policy through Mercer, consider using Snapshot, a telematics program that uses GPS-enabled technology to monitor your driving habits. You’ll get a discount for participating in Snapshot, and you could save more the first time you renew your policy after completing the program.
Progressive’s website says drivers who get a discount with this usage-based program save an average of $156 when they renew their policies. However, bad drivers may see their rates increase.
Snapshot monitors these driving behaviors:
- When you drive
- By how much you drive
- When you hard brake
- When you accelerate rapidly
- By your location
- By mobile phone usage
None of the other auto insurers available through Mercer Insurance Associates offer telematics programs.
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Mercer Auto Insurance Coverage
Because Mercer Insurance Associates isn’t a direct insurance provider, your coverage will vary depending on which car insurance company it works with on your behalf. Some of the standard types of auto insurance include:
- Liability car insurance (bodily injury/property damage): When you cause an accident, liability insurance covers the other party’s car repairs and medical bills.
- Collision insurance: If your car is damaged in a collision with a car or a stationary object, your repairs are covered.
- Comprehensive car insurance: Your car is covered for environmental damage, falling objects, theft, vandalism, and collisions with animals.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM): If someone without enough car insurance causes an accident, your medical and car expenses are covered.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): Medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, and certain home services are covered for you and your passengers no matter who’s at fault for an accident. PIP isn’t available in West Virginia, and it’s optional in Virginia.
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay): Medical bills for you and your passengers are paid for no matter who causes an accident. MedPay is optional in West Virginia and Virginia.
Does Mercer Insurance Associates Cover Rideshare Drivers?
Progressive and Erie Insurance offer rideshare insurance for people who drive for companies like Uber and Lyft.
Can Mercer Insurance Associates Cover Classic Cars?
Progressive and Erie both offer classic car insurance, which covers older cars that are generally considered collectibles. Unlike most vehicles, classic cars appreciate in value over time. So while most other types of car insurance are based on a vehicle’s actual cash value, classic car insurance is based on what’s known as agreed-upon value. Progressive uses Hagerty auto insurance to insure classic cars.
Erie Insurance usually lets you add your classic car to the same policy as your other cars. If you drive the vehicle 500 miles or less per year, you could get a discount. Erie insures classic cars that are at least 10 years old, antique cars that are at least 25 years old, and special-interest cars with value that is maintained or increases.
Can Mercer Insurance Associates Cover SR-22 Insurance?
While Erie Insurance doesn’t offer SR-22 coverage, Progressive and Dairyland do. In some places (including Virginia but not West Virginia), a driver who has serious driving violation convictions must file an SR-22 form with their state. Infractions could include:
- Getting DUI or DWI convictions
- Driving without insurance
- Repeat offenses in a short period of time
What Mercer Insurance Associates Is Missing
While it’s unclear what West Virginia National Auto Insurance offers, Mercer Insurance Associates has a good mix of auto insurance products with its three other providers: Progressive, Erie, and Dairyland.
However, none of the three offer these options:
- Accident-free or “good driver” discount
- Military discount
- Alternative energy discount
- Customer loyalty discount
The downside of getting insurance through Mercer is that you have minimal options compared to getting coverage directly through car insurance companies.
Mercer Insurance Associates Customer Reviews
In Google reviews, customers praise Mercer for its staff, fast response times, and reasonable rates. But in negative reviews, customers mention slow response times or not getting responses at all.
Mercer Auto Insurance Positive Review
“Mark Mercer has been my agent for decades. The thing I love the most about him is being able to directly contact him 9 times out of 10. In the rare occasion I have to leave a message, he gets back to me almost immediately. I have been able to talk to while I was at the scene of an accident and if he can't help me, he tells me exactly who to contact with phone numbers. He takes the time to talk to me on a personal level. He handles my auto insurance, condo insurance and homeowners insurance. My entire immediate family has used him and I will continue to recommend him to anyone who needs a reliable agent.”
– Cindy McIntire via Google
Mercer Auto Insurance Complaints
While there are mostly positive reviews on Google, some say the staff at Mercer Insurance Associates take a long time to get back to them or never get back to them.
“Extremely slow response time. Their callback feature does not work with mobile phone[s], and so one is forced to stay in [the] waiting queue.
– Sam P. via Google
“Anywhere else is better than here. They will never get back to you about anything. They will go out of their way to find excuses to not cover you. We have never filed a claim, never gave them problems, but I guess they just don’t like to work.”
– Kathleen via Google
Ratings From Our Customer Experience Survey
In 2022, we surveyed almost 7,000 auto insurance customers. From that group, 95 people had Erie Insurance and 1,161 had Progressive. People rated Erie above average almost across the board, while Progressive hovered around the average rating. In the table below, you can see how customers rated these two Mercer car insurance providers.
| Aspect Surveyed | Progressive
Rating (Out of 5.0) | Erie Insurance
Rating (Out of 5.0) | Industry Average
Rating (Out of 5.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Satisfaction | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Customer Service | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Affordability | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| Coverage Selection | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Claims Service | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| Mobile App Rating | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Mercer Auto Insurance: Our Take
Mercer Insurance Associates offers standard car insurance coverage in West Virginia and Virginia with mostly positive customer reviews. Compared to other insurance agencies, Mercer isn’t partnered with many providers, so your options will be limited when you get a quote.
If you live in another part of the U.S. or prefer to work directly with a car insurance provider, you may be able to find cheaper rates by reaching out for several auto insurance quotes and comparing prices.
Mercer Auto Insurance Competitors: Top Companies
When we compared the top car insurance companies in the country, State Farm and Geico pulled ahead of the pack. These companies earned high ratings after our extensive research into their coverage, costs, and claims processes.
State Farm: Best Overall Provider
We’ve named State Farm the Best Overall Provider because of its high customer satisfaction and strong industry ratings. The company offers low rates for young drivers and a large array of coverage options. If you’re a safe driver, State Farm’s telematics insurance program, Drive Safe and Save™, could help you lower your insurance rate. State Farm also has a wide variety of insurance discounts, including multi-policy and multi-vehicle.
To learn more, read our full State Farm review.
Geico: Best For Basic Coverage
Geico offers 16 discounts, including a good driver discount and a multi-policy discount. Overall, we think the insurer has the best available discounts in the industry. We also recommend Geico auto insurance because of its low rates and strong customer reviews. With Geico, you can get standard coverage as well as extra types of coverage like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and mechanical breakdown insurance.
To learn more, read our full Geico review.
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Mercer Auto Insurance Reviews: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about Mercer auto insurance:
What is the average cost of car insurance in West Virginia?
For a single, 30-year-old male driver with good credit and a clean driving record who drives a 2020 Honda CR-V, the average cost of full-coverage car insurance in West Virginia is $1,570 per year. The national average for that driver profile is $1,968 per year.
What is the minimum auto insurance coverage in West Virginia?
The minimum amount of liability auto coverage in West Virginia is $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident.
Is Mercer an insurance company?
No, Mercer Insurance Associates isn’t an insurance provider. Instead, it’s an insurance agency that finds coverage for customers. It’s located in Princeton, West Virginia, and has been around since 1995. It serves Princeton, Mercer County, and surrounding areas in West Virginia and Virginia.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in West Virginia?
A first offense of driving without car insurance in West Virginia will result in a 30-day driver’s license suspension. A second offense (or any subsequent offense during a five-year period) results in a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
How We Rate Mercer Auto Insurance
Our review team extensively researches auto insurance providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: It’s important that an auto insurer is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong financial strength rating from AM Best score best in this category. Established insurers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Availability: Insurance companies that offer wider availability to consumers in terms of state availability and few eligibility requirements are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Coverage: To determine our coverage score, we look at the number of coverage options available as well as coverage limits and deductible options. Our ratings also take into account additional services and benefits like roadside assistance.
- Pricing: Cost can be difficult to compare between insurers because so many factors impact annual premiums. The cheapest insurer for one driver may not be the cheapest for another. To determine our cost score, we look at insurance rate estimates generated by Quadrant Information Services, discount opportunities, and consumer reports.
- Service: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Insurers with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the claims process, giving higher ratings to car insurance providers that offer a smooth experience.
- Technology: Providers with an online quote tool, easy-to-use claims app and a usage-based insurance app score best in this category.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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