Auto Insurance Comparison
Mercury vs Metromile
Side-by-side comparison of Mercury vs Metromile auto insurance — ratings, cost, coverage, customer experience, pros, cons. No sales pitch, just the research.
Quick verdict
Mercury edges ahead Metromile in our overall scoring — but each carrier wins on different dimensions. See the breakdown below before deciding.
Head-to-head
Overall scores, key facts, and what each is known for.
| Mercury | Metromile | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.75 /5 ★★★★★ Highest overall | 3.65 /5 ★★★★★ |
| Best for | Mercury earns its space in the market on price — particularly in California where it's been a major regional player for decades | Metromile's pay-per-mile model is genuinely interesting for low-mileage drivers — work-from-home professionals, retirees, urban drivers — where the per-mile pricing can produce dramatically lower premiums |
| Read full review | Mercury review → | Metromile review → |
Rating breakdown
How each carrier scores on the dimensions we weight.
| Category | Mercury | Metromile |
|---|---|---|
| Customer experience | 3.50 | 3.40 |
| Coverage breadth | 3.70 | 3.30 |
| Affordability | 4.10 | 4.20 |
Pros and cons, side by side
What each carrier wins on, and where each one falls short.
Mercury
Full review →Pros
- Consistently competitive base rates, especially for California drivers
- Solid discount stack — multi-policy, multi-car, good driver, and good student
- Strong availability of mechanical breakdown coverage as an add-on
- Pay-by-mile coverage available in select states for low-mileage drivers
Cons
- Customer satisfaction and claims experience scores trend below industry averages
- Geographic limitations — available in only 11 states, with California being the dominant market
- Less competitive on coverage breadth than premium carriers
Metromile
Full review →Pros
- Low-mileage drivers
- Drivers looking for lower rates
- Drivers who value technology-focused insurance
Cons
- High-mileage drivers
- Those who want to bundle insurance types
- Drivers who want a robust set of coverage options
Coverage at a glance
What each carrier offers in standard policies.
Mercury
Metromile
The bottom line
Mercury
Mercury earns a quote if you're in California or one of its other operating states and price is your dominant criterion. If you're outside its footprint or you'd trade a few dollars per month for better claims experience, look elsewhere.
Read the full Mercury reviewMetromile
Metromile (now Lemonade's auto product) is a genuinely good fit for low-mileage drivers. For typical commuters, the per-mile pricing makes it more expensive than mainstream alternatives.
Read the full Metromile reviewBefore you decide
Rankings are a starting point — your profile decides the rest.
These scores reflect our editorial research across cost, coverage, and customer experience. The right carrier for you still depends on your record, location, and vehicle, so read the full reviews before you commit.