Mercury Mechanical Protection Reviews

Mercury Mechanical Protection’s coverage is mechanical breakdown insurance, which is 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 plans with varying levels 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.

While this MBI provider’s plans cover repair costs for a range of unexpected issues, it does not cover routine maintenance, non-mechanical problems or damage related to normal wear and tear. Mercury’s website also clarifies that the Mechanical Protection plan won’t cover damages due to poor maintenance.

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. Mercury’s website states that most claims are approved within five minutes.

After enrolling in Mercury Mechanical Protection, you can file a claim to cover any unexpected repairs that are included in your plan’s coverage. 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. The plan coverage you choose will impact the deductible amount. As with other coverage, a higher deductible usually means a lower premium.

» 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
• Rental reimbursement
• Road hazard tire protection
• Trip protection
• Transferable coverage

Access to some of these benefits may depend on the plan coverage you choose. Availability could also vary based on your state. With the Mercury Mechanical Protection, you can choose any licensed repair facility in the U.S. to perform repairs on your vehicle.

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.