Lower Your 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Insurance Cost

Trying to find better auto insurance rates for your Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class? Getting budget-priced auto insurance is rather difficult for beginners to online price comparisons. With a ridiculous number of companies, how can drivers have time to compare every one to find cheaper auto insurance rates?

If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. This article will help you learn the most effective way to quote insurance and some money-saving tips. Although car owners need to learn how the larger insurance companies price online insurance.

Good decisions result in lower insurance costs

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the factors that go into determining the rates you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines premiums, this enables you to make decisions that may reward you with lower rates. Many things are used in the calculation when premium rates are determined. Some are pretty understandable such as traffic violations, although others are less obvious such as your marital status or how financially stable you are.

• Don’t skimp on liability – A critical coverage on your policy, liability insurance will provide protection when you are found to be at fault for physical damage or personal injury to other. It provides you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability is cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.
• Rural areas have lower premiums – Residing in small towns and rural areas is a good thing when it comes to car insurance. People who live in big cities tend to have much more traffic and longer commutes to work. Lower population means a lower chance of having an accident in addition to fewer liability claims.
• A coverage lapse can increase premiums – Allowing your car insurance policy to lapse is a quick way to increase your car insurance rates. In addition to paying higher rates, failure to provide proof of insurance could earn you fines and jail time.
• Do you really need the add-on coverages? – There are quite a few additional extra coverages that sound like a good idea at the time on your SLK-Class policy. Insurance for things like coverage for rental cars, accidental death, and additional equipment coverage could be just wasting money. These coverages may sound good initially, but if you have no use for them think about removing them and cutting costs.
• Getting married brings a discount – Having a wife or husband can actually save you money on your policy. Having a spouse usually means you are more responsible and it’s statistically proven that married couples file fewer claims.
• Premiums are affected by your credit history – An insured’s credit rating is a big factor in your rate calculation. So if your credit can use some improvement, you could be paying less to insure your 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class if you improve your credit rating. Drivers who have good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have lower credit scores.

Low cost auto insurance price quotes online

The are a couple different ways of comparing rate quotes from lots of auto insurance companies. The easiest way by far to find the cheapest 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class insurance rates is simply to get online rate quotes. This is quite simple and can be completed using a couple different methods.

Experts agree that the best way to find low rates is to use a rate comparison form click here to open form in new window. This quick form saves time by eliminating repetitive form entry for each company. A single, simple form will get you price quotes from several companies. This is by far the quickest method.

A more time consuming way to get comparison quotes requires a trip to each individual company website and repeat the quote process. For sake of this example, we’ll assume you are doing a rate comparison from Auto-Owners, Esurance and Allstate. In order to compare rates, you need to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, and that’s why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.

The most difficult way to get comparison rates is physically going to local insurance agencies. Quoting and buying insurance online eliminates the middleman unless you have a complicated situation and need the extra assistance of an agent trained in personal lines coverage. You can, however, comparison shop your insurance online and still use a local agent.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just be sure you’re using the same coverage limits with each company. If you compare different liability limits you will not be able to make a fair rate comparison. Slightly different coverages could throw off the whole comparison. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that comparing a wide range of rates provides better odds of finding the best price.

Can you really save $447 a year?

Insurance coverage providers like State Farm, Geico and Progressive endlessly run ads in print and on television. All the companies convey the message that people will save if you move your insurance coverage policy to them. How does each company charge you less for car insurance? Just pay attention to how they say it.

Different companies have an ideal profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. One example of a desirable insured may be over the age of 35, has a clear driving record, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Someone who fits those characteristics will get the preferred car insurance rates and as a result will probably save money with a new company.

Potential customers who do not match the “perfect” profile will be charged higher premiums which results in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. If you pay close attention to the ads, they say “customers who switch” not “all people who quote” save that much when switching. That is how companies can advertise the savings.

Because of these techniques, you really need to do a rate comparison at every renewal. It’s impossible to know which company will have the lowest rates.

Are you qualifying for every discount?

Auto insurance companies don’t always advertise all disounts in a way that’s easy to find, so below is a list some of the best known and also the lesser-known credits available to lower your premiums when you buy auto insurance online. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, it’s possible you qualify for a lower rate.

• Smart Student Discounts – Excelling in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
• Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you could receive a discount up to 10% on SLK-Class coverage.
• Federal Employees – Simply working for the federal government could provide a small rate reduction on SLK-Class coverage with some auto insurance companies.
• No Accidents – Insureds with no claims or accidents can earn big discounts compared to accident-prone drivers.
• Multiple Vehicles – Buying coverage for more than one vehicle on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
• Student in College – Youth drivers who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be insured at a cheaper rate.
• No Charge for an Accident – This one is not really a discount per se, but companies like Progressive, Allstate, and Geico may permit one accident without getting socked with a rate hike if you are claim-free prior to being involved in the accident.
• Discounts for New Vehicles – Buying a new car instead of a used car can be considerably cheaper since newer models are generally safer.
• ABS Brakes – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can stop better under adverse conditions and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.

We need to note that many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most only cut individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, that’s just not realistic.

Companies and a selection of discounts are shown below.

• American Family policyholders can earn discounts including good student, early bird, TimeAway discount, Steer into Savings, air bags, defensive driver, and bundled insurance.
• Farm Bureau may include discounts for driver training, youthful driver, renewal discount, multi-vehicle, and safe driver.
• State Farm has savings for anti-theft, good student, defensive driving training, good driver, and safe vehicle.
• Travelers may offer discounts for continuous insurance, new car, early quote, home ownership, multi-policy, good student, and student away at school.
• The Hartford may have discounts that include defensive driver, good student, driver training, bundle, and vehicle fuel type.
• Geico offers discounts for air bags, defensive driver, anti-theft, multi-vehicle, good student, and daytime running lights.
• Progressive discounts include multi-vehicle, good student, multi-policy, continuous coverage, homeowner, online signing, and online quote discount.

Double check with each company which credits you are entitled to. Some discounts might not apply in your area. For a list of insurers with the best discounts, click here to view.

When in doubt talk to an agent

When choosing the best car insurance coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Every insured’s situation is different.

For instance, these questions could help you determine if you will benefit from professional help.

• What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
• Does my 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class qualify for pleasure use?
• What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
• How can I force my company to pay a claim?
• Does car insurance cover theft of personal property?
• Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
• When should I remove comp and collision on my 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class?
• Is my 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class covered for flood damage?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

Car insurance coverages for a Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

Understanding the coverages of your car insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for bills for funeral costs, doctor visits, prosthetic devices and X-ray expenses. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Auto liability insurance

Liability coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to other people or property. This coverage protects you against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Another option is a combined single limit or CSL which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability coverage protects against things like legal defense fees, funeral expenses, court costs, attorney fees and structural damage. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but consider buying higher limits if possible.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)

This gives you protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.

Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family. Normally these coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Collision protection

This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision insurance covers things such as hitting a mailbox, sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch, backing into a parked car and hitting a parking meter. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive insurance

This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like hitting a bird, theft, vandalism, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and damage from getting keyed. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Final thoughts

You just learned a lot of techniques to get a better price on 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class insurance. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get premium rates for, the higher the chance of saving money. Drivers may discover the best auto insurance rates are with a small local company.

More affordable car insurance can be bought from both online companies and from local insurance agents, so get free auto insurance quotes from both of them so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who don’t offer online rate quotes and many times these small, regional companies prefer to sell through independent agents.

Consumers who switch companies do it for many reasons like denial of a claim, unfair underwriting practices, poor customer service or lack of trust in their agent. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new insurance company can be less work than you think.

More detailed car insurance information can be read at these sites:

• Booster Seat Ratings (iihs.org)
• A Tree Fell on Your Car: Now What? (Allstate)
• Five Mistakes to Avoid (Insurance Information Insitute)
• Vehicle Insurance in the U.S. (Wikipedia)