Mercury Extended Warranty Overview
Mercury Insurance offers extended warranty plans called Mechanical Protection that cover auto breakdowns after the factory car warranty expires.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Mercury Insurance is a regional insurance company that sells mechanical breakdown protection.
- Mercury offers multiple extended warranty plans, though coverage and price details are only available through agents.
- Mercury plans come with perks like roadside assistance and trip interruption.
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 most of Mercury Insurance’s customers. The Mercury Insurance extended warranty is also called mechanical breakdown protection, and the company only sells it through independent agents.
We’ve analyzed 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 thousands of online reviews, surveyed consumers, and mystery shopped providers to give you the best and most up-to-date car warranty information.
Mercury Insurance Extended Warranty Review
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 doesn’t provide many details of plan coverage options or term lengths online. This is because it sells coverage through agents and dealers.
Mercury Insurance Company
The Mercury Insurance Group was founded in 1961 and has grown to become the sixth -largest private auto insurer in California. Mercury Insurance provides insurance services and extended warranties through 9,400 agents in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Virginia
Mercury Insurance Company has an A (Excellent) financial rating from AM Best, showcasing its ability to write out claims. Its mechanical breakdown plans are underwritten by its subsidiary company, American Mercury Insurance. Keep in mind that since these warranties aren’t offered by the original automaker, they are also called vehicle service contracts (VSC)*.
We’re evaluating Mercury as an insurance provider first because that’s its main product. When we evaluate insurance providers, we consider industry standing, availability, coverage, cost and discounts, customer service, and technology.
Our team gives Mercury Insurance 4.0 out of 5.0 stars, which is on par with our average rating for other companies in the insurance industry. Our insurance ratings are backed by 8,500 data points, so you can trust that Mercury has a solid foundation for its warranty offerings (jump to our methodology)
Mercury Mechanical Protection Customer Reviews
Mercury Insurance has over 8,700 reviews on its website, with an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.0. However, it has a B- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for failure to respond to certain complaints.
Mercury Select Management Company, the subsidiary that sells warranty plans, has an A+ rating from the BBB. However, it currently has just one customer review, and it’s negative.
Mercury Insurance is more popular for insurance plans than warranties, so no warranty customers have reviewed the company on the BBB at this time. However, other types of reviews can give you a sense of how Mercury Insurance operates.
Positive BBB reviews for Mercury Insurance (which are in the minority) cite professional customer service, resulting in long-term loyalty to the company. Negative reviews mention slow claims processes and poor coverage.
Mercury Extended Warranty Coverage
Mercury offers multiple extended protection plans that cover mechanical breakdowns after the factory warranty expires. Mercury’s plans are available for new and pre-owned vehicles through independent agents which may include financial departments at used car dealerships.
Mercury Extended Warranty Plans
Mercury Insurance doesn’t provide details on the exact plans it offers, though its website says it sells a variety of plans including a factory-level exclusionary warranty. Here are a few basic plans you may find from Mercury:
- Exclusionary: This plan covers almost any mechanical breakdown aside from a small list of exclusions. It’s comparable to a new car factory warranty.
- Mid-level: Mid-level plans can cover most major systems of the vehicle including the engine, transmission, drive axles, steering, brakes, electrical components, air conditioning, and more.
- Powertrain: Powertrain plans usually cover the engine, transmission, and drive axle. These parts can be expensive to fix in the event of a breakdown.
For further context of common extended warranty options, the graphic below shows the major differences between the two most popular coverage choices in the extended warranty industry: the bumper-to-bumper contract and the powertrain plan.
Mercury Extended Warranty Perks
Mercury also offers a few additional benefits 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 by road hazards during normal use, up to certain limits
- Trip interruption: Reimburses food and lodging costs if you are stranded because of a breakdown far from home
- Transferable plans: If you plan to sell your car, you can transfer the protection to the new owner, which could increase resale value
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, and neither are wear-and-tear components like brake pads, wiper blades, and shock absorbers.
Mercury Mechanical Protection Cost
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 a deductible, 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 about $812 per year of coverage. Coverage for newer cars with fewer miles is usually cheaper.
In late 2023, we conducted a study for drivers who had purchased an extended warranty. Of the 1,000 respondents, the majority reported paying between $1,500 and $3,500.
Is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Worth It?
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.
Also, the chance of auto breakdowns goes up as your car ages beyond 100,000 miles. It’s not uncommon to have to repair a large component like the transmission on older models. Our team asked Jessica Campbell, Director of Marketing at Endurance, what the most common issues are and here’s what she said:
“Transmissions are the most common repair claim, followed by water pumps. Repair costs can vary widely depending on several factors, including vehicle type, model, age, and the complexity of the individual repair.”
According to RepairPal, the average cost for a transmission replacement is over $5,000, while water pump replacement is around $800. Since these repairs aren’t cheap, extended coverage from a warranty provider can help keep costs down.
Mercury Extended Warranty: Bottom Line
Overall, Mercury extended warranty plans are standard fare and comparable to many other companies. However, you’ll have to find a Mercury Insurance agent near you to get plan and cost details. 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 its Elite Benefits program, which is why we’ve given it our Best Coverage award.
Carchex: Best For Used Cars
Carchex is one of our top choices for many reasons. Because it covers cars with up to 250,000 miles, our research team deemed it the Best for Used Cars. It has five different plans, and a good 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.
Mercury Extended Warranty: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about Mercury extended warranties:
How much does a Mercury extended warranty cost?
Our research shows drivers can only get a quote for Mercury mechanical protection through an agent. If you want a concrete price, you will need to reach out to a representative for more information.
Is an extended warranty really worth it?
An extended warranty can be worth it if you want peace of mind. These warranties help cover the cost of repairs if your vehicle has an unexpected breakdown, potentially saving you from paying thousands of dollars out of pocket at the repair facility. As with any major purchase, there are pros and cons to consider.
Are extended warranties a waste of money?
If you have a reliable vehicle and are not afraid to pay out-of-pocket repair costs, an extended warranty could be a waste of money. However, if you want peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is covered from unexpected repairs, it might be worth the investment.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
*VSCs are technically not extended warranties, but serve the same function. VSCs are often created by separate companies (though offered and sold through dealerships) – and have their own regulations. However, VSCs can be considered as extended warranties when offered by auto manufacturers.
