Save on 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Insurance Rates

Looking for cheaper insurance rates for your Mercedes-Benz M-Class? Finding cheaper insurance quotes online can seem complicated if you haven’t ever used online price quotes. Don’t let that bother you because it’s actually quite easy.

This information will instruct you on how car insurance quotes work. If you have car insurance now, you should be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. But drivers do need to understand how insurance companies compete online and use this information to your advantage.

How to buy auto insurance

There are a variety of methods you can shop for auto insurance but one way is more efficient than others. You could spend the better part of a day talking about coverages with insurance companies in your area, or you can stay home and use online quoting to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.

The majority of car insurance companies participate in a marketplace where prospective buyers enter their policy data once, and every company returns a competitive quote determined by their information. This eliminates the need for quotation requests to each company.

To get comparison pricing now click here (opens in new window).

The only downside to using this type of form is buyers cannot specifically choose which carriers you want to price. So if you want to select individual companies to compare, we have assembled a list of companies who write auto insurance in your area. View list of insurance companies.

Which method you use is up to you, but make absolute certain that you use the exact same quote information on every quote you get. If you enter higher or lower deductibles it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best. Having just a slight variation in coverages may cause a big price difference. It’s important to know that comparing more company’s prices helps improve the odds of finding the best rates.

But the ad said I’d save 15% in 15 minutes!

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm seem to constantly run television, radio, and online ads. They all seem to make the promise that you’ll save big after switching your policy. That’s great but how can every company charge you less for car insurance? This is the way they can do it.

Companies have strict underwriting profiles for the right customer that earns them a profit. An example of this type of insured might be over the age of 35, has no tickets, and drives a car with an anti-theft system. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications receive the lowest rate quotes and will save a lot of money.

Drivers who are not a match for the “perfect” profile may receive a higher premium and the customer not buying. The trick companies use is to say “people who switch” not “everyone who quotes” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can confidently make claims that they all have the best car insurance rates.

This really emphasizes why you really need to get price quotes at each policy renewal. It is impossible to guess which auto insurance company will have better rates than you’re paying now.

Educated choices result in lower insurance prices

Lots of factors are considered when premium rates are determined. Some of the criteria are obvious like a motor vehicle report, although others are more obscure like your continuous coverage or your financial responsibility.

The factors shown below are a few of the “ingredients” car insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

  • Policy add-ons add up – Insurance policies have a lot of optional add-on coverages that may not really be needed if you don’t pay attention. Coverage for things like rental car coverage, better glass coverage, and term life insurance may be costing you every month. They may sound like good ideas when talking to your agent, but your needs may have changed so remove them and pocket the money.
  • Drive a safer car and pay less – Vehicles that have high safety ratings get lower rates. The safest vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates translates directly to fewer claims and thus lower rates.
  • Your vocation is a factor – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for car insurance? Careers such as real estate brokers, architects and medical professionals tend to pay higher average rates attributed to job stress and lots of time spent away from family. Other professions such as farmers, athletes and performers get better rates for M-Class insurance.
  • High premiums for teenage drivers – Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims , and usually have better credit.Drivers with little experience are statistically proven to get distracted easily when behind the wheel so car insurance rates are higher.
  • Liability claims can be big – Liability coverage kicks in in the event that you are determined to be liable for physical damage or personal injury to other. Liability provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to comp and collision, so do not skimp.
  • Car plus home equals more savings – Many insurers will award better rates to buyers that buy multiple policies such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Even with this discount applied, you still need to compare other company rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Consumers may find a better deal even if you have your coverage with different companies
  • When should you file a claims? – If you are a frequent claim filer, don’t be surprised to see much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Insurance companies provide lower rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. Your car insurance is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.

Auto Insurance Discounts

Not too many consumers would say auto insurance is affordable, but you can get discounts that many consumers don’t even know exist. Certain discounts will be applied when you purchase, but some need to be specially asked for before they will apply.

  • Multiple Policy Discount – When you have multiple policies and insure them both with the same insurance company you will save at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
  • New Car Discount – Putting insurance on a new car can save up to 30% compared to insuring an older model.
  • Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars that have anti-lock braking systems have fewer accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Passenger Safety Discount – Options like air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of up to 25% or more.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Maintaining low annual mileage may allow you to get slightly better auto insurancerates than normal.
  • Early Switch Discount – Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a new policy before your current policy expires. It can save you around 10%.
  • Own a Home – Simply owning a home may trigger a policy discount on auto insurance because it requires personal responsibility.
  • Save with More Vehicles Insured – Purchasing coverage when you have several vehicles with the same company qualifies for this discount.
  • Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle up can save up to 15% off PIP or medical payments premium.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Accident-free drivers could pay up to 40% less for M-Class insurance compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.

Please keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, nobody gets a free ride.

Large auto insurance companies and their offered discounts include:

  • Farm Bureau discounts include multi-policy, safe driver, good student, renewal discount, driver training, and 55 and retired.
  • Liberty Mutual has discounts for new graduate, exclusive group savings, newly retired, preferred payment discount, good student, multi-policy, and multi-car.
  • State Farm may have discounts that include good student, anti-theft, student away at school, Drive Safe & Save, and good driver.
  • Auto-Owners Insurance may include discounts for safe driver, teen driver, company car, anti-lock brakes, and student away at school.
  • Geico offers premium reductions for emergency military deployment, driver training, air bags, defensive driver, and military active duty.
  • SAFECO may offer discounts for bundle discounts, drive less, teen safe driver, accident prevention training, homeowner, anti-lock brakes, and safe driver.

Before you buy a policy, ask every insurance company to give you their best rates. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not apply in your area. To view companies with discount rates, follow this link.

Tailor your car insurance coverage to you

When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there is no best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s needs are different.

These are some specific questions might point out whether you might need professional guidance.

  • Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver?
  • Should I have a commercial auto policy?
  • What is PIP insurance?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
  • Who is covered when they drive my 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class?
  • When can I cancel my policy?
  • Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.

Insurance coverage considerations

Understanding the coverages of insurance can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Coverage for medical payments – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for expenses for ambulance fees, pain medications, EMT expenses, surgery and dental work. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Comprehensive coverages – Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like vandalism, damage from flooding, damage from a tornado or hurricane, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and hail damage. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Liability car insurance – This can cover damage that occurs to other’s property or people in an accident. It protects YOU from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see liability limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability can pay for things such as funeral expenses, pain and suffering, attorney fees, court costs and medical expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but buy as much as you can afford.

Collision coverage – Collision insurance pays for damage to your M-Class resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against claims such as hitting a parking meter, driving through your garage door, colliding with a tree, damaging your car on a curb and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Feed the piggy bank

Cheaper 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class insurance can be bought from both online companies and also from your neighborhood agents, so you need to shop insurance with both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who may not have internet price quotes and usually these regional carriers work with local independent agencies.

You just learned quite a bit of information on how to get a better price on 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding cheap insurance. Consumers may even find the best price on auto insurance is with the smaller companies.

When you buy insurance online, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage only to regret that it was a big mistake. Your goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best possible price, but do not skimp to save money.

Additional detailed information is available at these sites: