Lower Your 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Insurance Rates

Drivers that are new to price shopping car insurance online will discover buying affordable auto insurance is very challenging.

Buying the best insurance coverage is easy if you know what you’re doing. Basically, anyone who shops for insurance coverage most likely will be able to reduce their rates. Although drivers do need to know how companies market on the web.

Get lower-cost rates by taking advantage of discounts

Not too many consumers would say insurance is affordable, but companies offer discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you purchase, but a few must be inquired about before you will receive the discount.

  • Sign Online – A few larger online companies may give you up to $50 get auto insurance on the internet.
  • Bundled Policy Discount – If you can bundle your auto and home insurance with the same insurance company you could save at least 10% off all policies.
  • Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Having primary and secondary vehicles on one policy can reduce the rates for all insured vehicles.
  • Senior Citizen Rates – Older drivers could receive a small discount on rates for S-Class insurance.
  • Service Members Pay Less – Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
  • Seat Belt Discounts – Forcing all vehicle occupants to buckle up before driving could cut 10% or more on medical payment and PIP coverage.
  • Home Ownership Discount – Just being a homeowner can help you save on insurance because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Fewer annual miles on your Mercedes-Benz may allow you to get better premium rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Save with a New Car – Adding a new car to your policy can save up to 30% since new model year vehicles are generally safer.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings of more than 20%.

Remember that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky.

Companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts include:

  • State Farm may include discounts for defensive driving training, multiple policy, student away at school, multiple autos, and accident-free.
  • Farmers Insurance includes discounts for multi-car, youthful driver, business and professional, teen driver, and bundle discounts.
  • Progressive offers discounts including online signing, homeowner, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, continuous coverage, and good student.
  • Geico may offer discounts for seat belt use, five-year accident-free, federal employee, good student, anti-lock brakes, and multi-vehicle.
  • Auto-Owners Insurance offers discounts for multi-policy, safe driver, safe vehicle, teen driver, and group or association.
  • The Hartford offers premium reductions for anti-theft, vehicle fuel type, good student, driver training, defensive driver, air bag, and bundle.
  • Farm Bureau discounts include driver training, youthful driver, safe driver, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle.
  • USAA has discounts for new vehicle, annual mileage, family discount, military installation, and driver training.

Before purchasing a policy, check with all companies you are considering how you can save money. Some credits may not be offered in your state. To see insurers that can offer you the previously mentioned discounts, click here.

Insurance costs are influenced by these factors

Lots of things are used in the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Some of the criteria are obvious such as your driving record, but some are not quite as obvious such as your credit history or how financially stable you are.

  • How many miles do you drive? – Driving a lot of miles in a year the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting can be on a lower rate level than those used for commuting. An improperly rated S-Class can result in significantly higher rates. It’s a smart idea to ensure your auto insurance policy states the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money.
  • A auto insurance policy lapse can increase premiums – Driving any period of time without insurance is not a good idea and any future policy may cost more because you let your coverage have a gap. In addition to paying higher rates, getting caught without coverage may result in fines and jail time.
  • Do you need those extra coverages? – There are a ton of additional coverages that you can buy but may not be useful. Add-on coverages like replacement cost coverage, better glass coverage, and term life insurance are examples of these. The coverages may be enticing initially, but if they’re wasting money consider taking them off your policy.
  • Younger drivers pay higher costs – Youthful drivers are statistically proven to be careless and easily distracted behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Older insureds have been proven to be more responsible, cause fewer claims and accidents and are safer drivers.
  • Cheaper rates with high comp and collision deductibles – Comp and collision deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend if the claim is covered. Physical damage insurance, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, covers damage that occurs to your car. Examples of some claims that would be covered are rearending another vehicle, hail damage, and damage from wind. The more damage repair cost the insured is willing to pay, the lower your rates will be for S-Class insurance.
  • Alarms and GPS tracking lower premiums – Purchasing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can help lower your premiums. Theft prevention devices like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all help stop auto theft.
  • How much liability insurance – Your auto insurance policy’s liability coverage kicks in if ever you are determined to be liable for causing personal injury or damage in an accident. It will provide legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
  • Premiums also based on gender – Over time, data shows that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. It does not mean males are worse at driving than females. Men and women tend to get into fender benders in similar numbers, but males get into accidents with more damage. They also have more aggressive citations like reckless driving and DUI. Teenage male drivers are the most expensive to insure and therefore are the most expensive to insure.

How much insurance do I need?

When buying coverage, there is no perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique.

Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.

  • What is roadside assistance coverage?
  • Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
  • How can I get my company to pay me more for my totalled car?
  • Should I get collision insurance on every vehicle?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
  • Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

But they said I’d save $432 a year!

Popular car insurance providers such as Allstate and Progressive consistently run television and radio advertisements. They all seem to say the same thing about saving some big amount if you switch to their company. But how can every company offer drivers better rates? It’s all in how they say it.

Companies have underwriting criteria for the driver that will be a good risk. One example of a desirable risk might be described as between the ages of 30 and 45, has a clear driving record, and has great credit. Any driver who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and most likely will save if they switch.

Potential customers who don’t meet those standards will probably be forced to pay higher prices which results in the prospect going elsewhere. The trick is to say “drivers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. This is how insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings.

This really drives home the point why drivers should compare quotes as often as possible. Because you cannot predict which car insurance company will be your best fit.

Detailed coverages of your car insurance policy

Learning about specific coverages of car insurance aids in choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement.

Auto liability

Liability coverage can cover damage that occurs to a person or their property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see policy limits of 50/100/50 that translate to $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which provides one coverage limit without having the split limit caps.

Liability coverage protects against things such as structural damage, medical expenses, pain and suffering and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as much as you can afford.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

This coverage provides protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Comprehensive coverages

This coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for claims such as hitting a bird, fire damage and a broken windshield. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.

Coverage for medical payments

Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for immediate expenses like ambulance fees, pain medications, EMT expenses and rehabilitation expenses. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Collision protection

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage pays for claims like sustaining damage from a pot hole, hitting a mailbox, backing into a parked car and damaging your car on a curb. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

One last thing about your coverage

We covered many tips how you can save on 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more you quote auto insurance, the better your comparison will be. You may even discover the lowest premium rates come from a small local company.

More affordable auto insurance is available online and from local agencies, so you should compare both to have the best selection. Some insurance companies do not provide the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agencies.

When you buy auto insurance online, it’s not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many cases where an insured dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price and still be able to protect your assets.

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