Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel Owners Discover the Lowest Auto Insurance Rates

I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to buying auto insurance, particularly when the price is too high.

Drivers have multiple car insurance companies to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, so many choices can make it hard to find the best rates.

Choosing the best insurance company for you is quite easy. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using these tips. Nevertheless, car owners need to learn how the larger insurance companies compete online and use this information to your advantage.

Why you might be paying too much to insure your Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel

It’s important that you understand the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes some of the items companies use to determine premiums.

  • How your age affects price – Young drivers are known to be careless and easily distracted in a vehicle so auto insurance rates are higher. Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
  • The type of vehicle makes a difference – The make and model of the car you drive makes a big difference in the rate you pay. The lowest rates are generally reserved for small economy passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors. Due to the fact that the Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel is considered a luxury sedan, rates will be more as compared to the average rate.
  • Proper usage rating affects rates – The more you drive every year the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies rate vehicles based on how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Having the wrong rating on your 300SD Turbo Diesel can result in significantly higher rates. Make sure your auto insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage.
  • Adjust deductibles and save – Physical damage coverage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your Mercedes-Benz. Examples of covered claims could be a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, or theft. The deductibles are how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The more expense you’re willing to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance for 300SD Turbo Diesel insurance.
  • High crash test scores lower rates – Vehicles with good safety scores can get you lower premiums. These vehicles reduce injuries and fewer injuries translates into savings for insurance companies passed on to you as lower rates. If your Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel has ratings of a minimum four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org you are probably receiving a discount.
  • Don’t skimp on liability – The liability section of your policy provides coverage when you are found to be at fault for personal injury or accident damage. Liability provides legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.

These discounts can slash auto insurance rates

Companies do not advertise every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we researched some of the best known and the harder-to-find ways to save on auto insurance.

  • Accident Free – Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Early Signing – A few companies offer discounts for switching policies prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.
  • Senior Citizens – Mature drivers may receive a small decrease in premiums for 300SD Turbo Diesel insurance.
  • Military Discounts – Being deployed with a military unit can result in better rates.
  • Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
  • College Student – Youth drivers who live away from home and do not have a car may be able to be covered for less.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Accident Forgiveness – A few companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don’t have any claims for a certain period of time.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

To see a list of providers offering auto insurance discounts, follow this link.

Price shop online but buy from a local agent

Some consumers just want to get advice from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the lowest rates but also keep your business local. insurance prices

After filling out this form (opens in new window), your information is emailed to local insurance agents who will give you bids for your coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered directly to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

Choosing an insurance company should depend on more than just the price. These are valid questions to ask:

  • Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
  • Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
  • Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
  • Who are their largest clients?
  • What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?

The different types of insurance agents

When finding an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Captive Insurance Agents

This type of agents work for only one company such as AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. They usually cannot compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. They are well schooled on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your agent finds better pricing, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency. When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.

For a full directory of insurance agencies, click here.

Once you have received positive responses to all your questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an insurance agent that can service your policy.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Companies like Allstate and Progressive regularly use ads in print and on television. All the ads make the same claim of big savings if you move to their company. How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured could be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and has a high credit rating. A propective insured who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and most likely will save a lot of money.

insurance for Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel

Potential insureds who are not a match for the “perfect” profile must pay higher prices which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “people who quote” save money. That’s why insurance companies can claim big savings. This illustrates why you need to quote coverage with many companies. You cannot predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is a little different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions can aid in determining if your situation may require specific advice.

  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
  • Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
  • Do I need motorclub coverage?
  • Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
  • Who is covered by my policy?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

More comparisons equals lower rates

When you buy insurance online, it’s not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits only to find out they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Affordable Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel insurance can be found online and also from your neighborhood agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies may not provide online price quotes and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.