Mercury Mechanical Protection Reviews

Mercury Mechanical Protection’s coverage is what’s known as mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), an insurance policy that covers mechanical failures. Mechanical breakdown insurance offers coverage of the engine, drivetrain, suspension, transmission, and electrical systems — and sometimes more.

Mercury Mechanical Protection offers three tiers of coverage, from basic MBI to an exclusionary policy that is basically the same as bumper-to-bumper coverage. There are also a number of additional benefits, such as roadside assistance and tire protection.

The basic plan has a maximum payout of $5,000, but the highest-tier plan covers pretty much everything that could go wrong with no limits on most components.

Mechanical breakdown insurance vs. extended warranties

MBI is similar to an extended warranty in practice, but there are some important differences in how an extended auto warranty works.

The main difference is that MBI policies, such as Mercury Mechanical Protection, require the car to be relatively new. Vehicles generally need to still be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty to qualify for mechanical breakdown insurance.

On the plus side, MBI policies are generally far more affordable than extended warranties, which often run much higher, even among the best extended auto warranties. MBI tends to cost around $100 per year, while extended warranties tend to cost around $1,000 per year of coverage.

» RELATED: What is the best mechanical breakdown insurance?

To sign up for Mercury Mechanical Protection, you’ll need to call 1-800-654-8455. Unfortunately, there’s no way to sign up for this coverage online. While this is a little inconvenient, it does allow the opportunity to ask questions and get advice on the best plan for your needs.

You can choose from three plans: Select, Deluxe and Ultimate.

• Select: This plan covers basic systems, such as the engine, brakes, and air conditioning. The list of covered components is relatively small, and there’s a $5,000 coverage maximum.
• Deluxe: The Deluxe plan covers additional components and systems, including steering, the fuel system, and special electronics such as GPS navigation.
• Ultimate: The Ultimate plan is an exclusionary policy. That means it covers essentially everything that’s not explicitly listed as uncovered.

Claims can be filed online on the Mercury Mechanical Protection website. Out-of-pocket expenses are limited to your deductible as long as the repairs are covered by your plan.

Mercury Mechanical Protection doesn’t publish its pricing online. Mechanical breakdown insurance in general is often less expensive than an extended warranty, and Mercury’s premium will depend on the vehicle’s age, mileage and coverage tier.

In addition to your premium, you’ll pay a deductible for each repair visit. Mercury offers deductible choices of $0, $50, $100, $250 and $500. As with other coverage, a higher deductible usually means a lower premium.

There’s a 60-day Free Look Period where you can try the plan to see if you want to keep it. Additionally, you can cancel at any time; you’re not locked into the plan like you would be with an extended warranty service agreement.

» FIND OUT: How much does an extended auto warranty cost?

Mercury Mechanical Protection doesn’t just offer coverage for breakdowns and repairs. It also comes with a number of additional services and benefits to help give you peace of mind on the road:

• 24-hour roadside assistance: Up to $100 for towing, lockouts and other help
• Rental reimbursement: Up to $35 per day for five days (10 days if parts are delayed)
• Key fob replacement: Up to $400 per 12 months
• Tire protection: Up to $150 per tire (maximum $600) for damage from nails and road debris
• Trip protection: Up to $150 per day for three days if more than 100 miles from home
• Total loss refund: Refund of your coverage purchase price if the vehicle is deemed a total loss
• Hybrid and electric battery coverage: Up to $2,000

Key fob replacement is only included with the Deluxe and Ultimate plans and isn’t available in all states. Hybrid and electric battery coverage is available on the Ultimate plan only. The total loss refund benefit isn’t offered in all states.

Mechanical breakdown insurance and extended warranties can be good investments for the right person. If you have a car you like and that you plan to keep for a while, it can make a lot of sense to add some additional protection to avoid those big, surprising repairs.

Mercury Mechanical Protection is a very solid mechanical breakdown insurance policy from a reputable company. There are several tiers of coverage to choose from, and each comes with additional benefits, like roadside assistance, that can give further peace of mind. If you’re in the market for mechanical breakdown insurance, Mercury Mechanical Protection is definitely worth a look.