2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Car Insurance Rates

Are you at wits end from trying to scrape together enough money to keep your car insured? You are in the same boat as many other drivers.

Big companies like State Farm and Geico all claim big savings with advertising and it can be hard to ignore the flying pigs and cute green geckos and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It’s important to compare rates on a regular basis due to the fact that insurance prices tend to go up over time. Despite the fact that you may have had the best price for S-Class insurance on your last policy you can probably find a lower rate today. Forget all the misinformation about insurance coverage because you’re about to learn the best way to save on insurance coverage.

How insurance companies determine Mercedes-Benz S-Class insurance rates

The best way to find cheaper car insurance is to take a look at the different types of things that are used to determine your car insurance rates. If you have some idea of what determines base rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to big savings.

• Save money by having multiple policies – Most major companies will give a discount for people who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Even if you already get this discount, you still need to check prices from other companies to ensure the best deal. You may still be able to save more without the discount by splitting coverages up.
• Safer vehicles are cheaper to insure – Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. Vehicles engineered for safety reduce the chance of injuries and reduced instances of injuries means lower claim amounts which can result in lower premiums.
• Proper usage rating affects prices – The higher the miles on your Mercedes-Benz in a year’s time the more you will pay for car insurance. A lot of companies calculate rates based upon how you use the vehicle. Autos that do not get driven very much can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Having the wrong rating on your S-Class may be costing you higher rates. It’s always a good idea to double check that your vehicle rating shows the right rating data.
• Having a spouse is a bonus – Having a wife or husband actually saves money on your car insurance policy. It demonstrates that you tend to be more mature and statistics show being married results in fewer claims.
• Teen drivers are expensive to insure – Older insureds tend to be more responsible, cause fewer claims and accidents and tend to be get fewer driving tickets.Drivers with little experience are proven to be careless and easily distracted behind the wheel therefore car insurance rates are much higher.
• Gender impacts rates – Statistics demonstrate females are less aggressive when driving. However, don’t assume that males are worse at driving than females. Men and women have accidents in similar percentages, but guys cause more damage. Not only are claims higher, but men get more serious tickets such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly. Teenage male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident so they pay the highest premiums.
• Incidental coverages can cost a lot – Policies have optional add-on coverages that you can buy if you aren’t diligent. Coverage for things like roadside assistance, towing, and extra equipment coverage could be just wasting money. These may sound like a good investment when deciding what coverages you need, but your money might be better spent on other coverage so get rid of them and save.

Cheapest insurance rate quotes

To get inexpensive insurance quotes, there a variety of ways of comparing rates from many different insurance companies. The quickest method to compare rates is simply to get online rate quotes. This can be done using a couple different methods.

1. The easiest and least time consuming way consumers can make multiple comparisons is an all-inclusive rate comparison click here to open form in new window. This form prevents you from having to do boring form submissions for every company. One form gets coverage cost estimates direct from many companies.
2. A more time consuming way to get quotes online is going to each company website and get a separate price quote. For instance, we’ll assume you want to view quotes from Progressive, Safeco and State Farm. In order to get each rate, you would have to go to every website and punch in your information repeatedly, which is why first method is reommended. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
3. Even if you have time, the least recommended method to find cheaper rates is to spend time driving to insurance agencies in your area. The ability to quote online eliminates the middleman unless you want the trained advice of an agent trained in personal lines coverage. However, consumers can compare online quotes but have your policy serviced through an agent.

You can choose any of those ways to find more affodable coverage, but be certain you are entering the exact same coverages with every price quote. If you enter different deductibles it’s not possible to find the best deal for your Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Slightly different coverage limits may cause a big price difference. Just remember that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps you find the best rates.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Big name companies like State Farm, Allstate and Geico regularly use ads in print and on television. All the companies make the point about saving some big amount if you change your policy. Is it even possible that every company can cost less than your current company? Just pay attention to how they say it.

Most companies give the cheapest rates for the type of customer that will add to their bottom line. An example of a desirable risk might have to be between 25 and 40, has no tickets, and chooses high deductibles. Anybody who matches that profile will get very good rates and will also save a lot if they switch.

Potential customers who do not fit these stringent criteria may be forced to pay higher premiums which leads to the customer buying from a different company. If you listen closely, the ads state “people that switch” not “everyone who quotes” save the amount stated. That’s why companies can truthfully make claims that they all have the best auto insurance rates.

Because of this risk profiling, drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It is impossible to predict which car insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Discounts to earn cheap insurance rates

Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise every discount very clearly, so here is a list some of the more common as well as some of the hidden insurance savings.

• College Student Discount – Children who live away from home to go to college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be insured at a cheaper rate.
• Accident-Free Discounts – Insureds with no claims or accidents have much lower rates in comparison to drivers with a long claim history.
• Discount for Passive Restraints – Factory air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having a deployed family member may lower your premium rates slightly.
• Discount for Life Insurance – Not all insurance companies offer life insurance, but some may give you a discounted price on car insurance if you buy some life insurance too.

As a disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Even though it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, that’s just not realistic.

A few of the larger companies and a partial list of their discounts are included below.

• State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including defensive driving training, driver’s education, multiple autos, Steer Clear safe driver discount, good student, multiple policy, and good driver.
• Farmers Insurance offers premium reductions for multi-car, good student, mature driver, alternative fuel, and teen driver.
• Geico offers discounts for defensive driver, daytime running lights, seat belt use, military active duty, membership and employees, and five-year accident-free.
• American Family may include discounts for accident-free, good student, TimeAway discount, defensive driver, good driver, and bundled insurance.
• Nationwide offers discounts including easy pay, family plan, Farm Bureau membership, business or organization, and multi-policy.
• Progressive discounts include continuous coverage, good student, homeowner, multi-vehicle, online quote discount, multi-policy, and online signing.

If you need lower rates, check with all companies you are considering which discounts you may be entitled to. Savings may not apply to policyholders in your area.

Tailor your car insurance coverage to you

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

• What is an SR-22 filing?
• Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
• Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
• How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in my state?
• Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
• Who is covered by my policy?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

What insurance coverages do you need?

Understanding the coverages of your policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage for your vehicles. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. These are typical coverages found on the average insurance policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

This coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Normally the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for expenses like EMT expenses, surgery, chiropractic care and nursing services. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers both the driver and occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Liability coverages

Liability coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to other people or property that is your fault. It protects you against other people’s claims. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see limits of 50/100/50 which stand for a limit of $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 for the entire accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.

Liability coverage pays for claims such as attorney fees, court costs, pain and suffering, funeral expenses and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as hail damage, hitting a bird and theft. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your S-Class caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision insurance covers things such as backing into a parked car, crashing into a ditch and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

More quotes. Lower rates.

Cheaper 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class insurance can be sourced on the web in addition to many insurance agents, so you need to shop insurance with both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies may not offer online rate quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies only sell coverage through independent insurance agents.

We covered some good ideas how you can shop for 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding low cost insurance. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from a lesser-known regional company. They may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Progressive or Geico.

Other resources

• Bodily Injury Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
• Distracted Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Vehicle Size and Weight FAQ (iihs.org)
• Auto Insurance 101 (About.com)
• Understanding Rental Car Insurance (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Credit and Insurance Scores (Insurance Information Insitute)