2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Insurance Quotes – 10 Ways to Save

Finding cheaper insurance might be difficult for drivers who are new to online comparison shopping. You have so many options available that it can quickly become a big hassle to find better prices.

Consumers should take time to price shop coverage before your policy renews because insurance prices are usually higher with each renewal. Despite the fact that you may have had the best price on C-Class coverage a few years ago you may be paying too much now. Forget all the misinformation about insurance because we’re going to show you the proper way to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

Compare insurance rate quotes

The are a couple different ways of comparing rate quotes from many insurance companies in your state. The recommended way to find affordable 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. This can be accomplished in a couple minutes as outlined below.

1. If you don’t have a lot of time, the easiest way to get quotes for comparison is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This easy form prevents you from having to do a different quote to each individual insurance company. A single form gets prices estimates from multiple low-cost companies. Just one form and you’re done.
2. A less efficient way to compare rate quotes requires a trip to each company’s website and fill out their own quote form. For example, we’ll assume you want to compare Liberty Mutual, Progressive and American Family. In order to get each rate, you would have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your policy data, and that’s why the first method is more popular. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you are comparing nearly identical quote data for each comparison quote. If each company quotes different limits and deductibles on each one you will not be able to decipher which rate is best. Even a minor difference in coverage limits may result in large price differences. Just remember that comparing more rates from different companies will improve the odds of getting more affordable insurance.

Auto insurance advertising gotchas

Big name companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to have a common claim that drivers will save a bundle if you get a free insurance quote and switch your auto insurance coverage to their company. How is it possible that every company can have lower policy pricing? It’s all in how they say it.

All the different companies require specific criteria for the type of insured that is profitable for them. A good example of a preferred risk might be described as a mature driver, has other policies, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Anybody who fits those characteristics will probably get the lowest rates and will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.

People who do not match the ideal profile may be forced to pay more expensive rates and the customer buying from someone else. If you pay attention, the ads say “drivers that switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

Each company has different criteria, so you really should get as many free insurance quotes as possible. You cannot predict which auto insurance company will have the lowest rate quotes.

Lower-cost insurance quotes with discounts

Insurance can be pricey, but you may be missing some discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain credits will be shown when you quote, but some discounts are required to be asked for before being credited. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Driver Education Discount – Have your child successfully complete driver’s ed class in school.
• Anti-theft Discount – Cars with anti-theft systems help deter theft and will qualify for a discount on a insurance quote.
• Claim-Free Discount – Drivers who stay claim-free can earn big discounts in comparison with drivers who are more careless.
• Defensive Driver – Passing a defensive driver course could possibly earn you a 5% discount and also improve your driving technique.
• Good Students Pay Less – Getting good grades can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
• Policy Bundle Discount – If you have multiple policies and insure them with the same company you may earn at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
• E-sign – Some of the larger companies provide a small discount for buying your policy digitally online.
• Accident Forgiveness Coverage – This isn’t a discount exactly, but a handful of insurance companies permit an accident without the usual rate increase so long as you haven’t had any claims for a certain period of time.
• Full Payment Discount – If you can afford to pay the entire bill instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
• Organization Discounts – Participating in qualifying employment or professional organizations can get you a small discount on your policy.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.

A list of companies and the discounts they provide are:

• Geico has savings for multi-policy, military active duty, federal employee, driver training, membership and employees, and good student.
• Travelers has discounts for hybrid/electric vehicle, student away at school, save driver, early quote, home ownership, and IntelliDrive.
• Farm Bureau policyholders can earn discounts including 55 and retired, safe driver, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and driver training.
• Liberty Mutual offers premium reductions for good student, newly married, hybrid vehicle, teen driver discount, safety features, preferred payment discount, and new move discount.
• American Family may have discounts that include mySafetyValet, multi-vehicle, good driver, defensive driver, air bags, Steer into Savings, and early bird.
• Progressive offers discounts including multi-vehicle, online signing, homeowner, online quote discount, multi-policy, good student, and continuous coverage.

Double check with each company how you can save money. Some discounts listed above might not apply in your area. To see insurance companies offering insurance discounts, click this link.

Tailor your insurance coverage to you

When choosing the best insurance coverage, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if your situation will benefit from professional help.

• Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
• Does insurance cover tools stolen from my truck?
• Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
• Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
• Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
• Does coverage extend to my business vehicle?
• Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form.

Information about specific coverages

Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – This coverage provides protection from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Since many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Usually these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Auto liability – Liability insurance can cover damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property in an accident. It protects YOU against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage protects against things such as court costs, attorney fees, funeral expenses and loss of income. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but buy as large an amount as possible.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – This coverage will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as rock chips in glass, hitting a bird, vandalism, falling objects and fire damage. The most your auto insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Collision coverage – Collision insurance pays for damage to your C-Class caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision can pay for claims like driving through your garage door, colliding with a tree, colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Insurance for medical payments – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for bills for things like rehabilitation expenses, dental work and doctor visits. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Be a smart shopper

We’ve covered a lot of ways to lower your 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class insurance auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding cheaper insurance. Drivers may discover the lowest auto insurance rates are with a small local company.

As you quote insurance, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced collision coverage only to regret that it was a big mistake. Your objective should be to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest cost.

People switch companies for many reasons like denial of a claim, unfair underwriting practices, not issuing a premium refund and even delays in paying claims. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new car insurance company can be less work than you think.

For more information, take a look at these articles:

• When is the Right Time to Switch Car Insurance Companies? (Allstate)
• Collision Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
• Young Drivers: The High Risk Years Video (iihs.org)
• Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)
• Eight Auto Insurance Myths (Insurance Information Insitute)