How to Save on Mercedes-Benz C350 Insurance in San Diego

If you are new to online price comparisons, by this point your are probably baffled by the diversity of local and online companies all advertising big savings for Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance in San Diego.

Astonishng but true according to a recent study, the vast majority of drivers have stayed with the same insurance company for a minimum of four years, and virtually 40% of consumers have never shopped around. With the average premium in California being $1,387, drivers could cut their rates by roughly $470 a year by just shopping around, but they just don’t understand the benefits if they replace their high priced policy.

You should take the time to get comparison quotes once or twice a year because prices change quite often. Despite the fact that you may have had the best rates on Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance in San Diego a couple years back other companies may now be cheaper. There are lots of tips to save on C350 insurance on the web, but we’re going to give you some proven techniques to find cheap auto insurance in San Diego.

Buying affordable car insurance in San Diego can be easy if you know a few tricks. In a nutshell, every driver who needs cheaper car insurance will more than likely buy a cheaper policy. Although California car owners need to have an understanding of how big insurance companies determine premium rates and use this information to your advantage.

Just remember that quoting more helps locate better pricing. Not every company allows you to get online rate quotes, so you also need to get prices on coverage from those companies, too.

The companies shown below can provide price quotes in San Diego, CA. If multiple providers are shown, we recommend you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.

Data assumes single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, homeowner, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, and claim-free. Table data does not factor in garaging location in San Diego which can revise premiums greatly.

Rate comparison of male drivers versus female drivers

The example below compares Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance costs for male and female drivers. The price estimates are based on no claims or driving violations, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Analysis of deductible levels

The illustration below shows how different deductible levels and can impact Mercedes-Benz C350 annual premium costs for different categories of driver ages. The premiums are based on a married male driver, full coverage, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Physical damage deductibles

The hardest decision when buying coverage is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The tables below highlight the differences in premium rates when you choose different coverage deductibles. The first data table uses a $100 physical damage deductible and the second pricing table uses a $1,000 deductible.

Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and California minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, and homeowner. Rates do not factor in specific location which can influence prices greatly.

Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $100 deductible costs an average of $57 more each month or $684 for a full year than selecting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $900 more out of your own pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally average more than 16 months between claims, you would save more money if you decide on a higher deductible. Here’s the way we made this calculation.

Lower rate quotes on Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance in San Diego with these discounts

Auto insurance is not cheap nor is it fun to buy but there may be some discounts that many consumers don’t even know exist. A few discounts will be applied when you get a quote, but occasionally some discounts must be asked about before being credited. If you do not double check each discount possible, you could be paying more than you need to.

• Driver Training Discounts – Taking time to complete a course teaching defensive driver skills is a good idea and can lower rates and make you a better driver.
• Discount for New Cars – Insuring a new C350 is cheaper because new vehicles keep occupants safer.
• Professional Memberships – Being in certain professional organizations could earn you a nice discount on your next renewal.
• College Student – Children who are attending college and do not have a car could qualify for this discount.
• Pay Upfront and Save – By paying your entire bill at once rather than paying in monthly installments you may have a lower total premium amount.
• Discount for Home Ownership – Owning a house in San Diego can earn you a little savings because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
• Low Miles Discount – Low annual miles could earn better auto insurance rates on cars that stay parked.
• No Claim Discounts – Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially as opposed to drivers with a long claim history.

A quick disclaimer, most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So even though you would think adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

If you would like to choose from a list of providers who offer online Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance quotes in California, click this link.

Do I need a local insurance agent?

Some consumers just prefer to talk to a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. The best thing about getting free rate quotes online is the fact that drivers can get cheap insurance rates but also keep your business local.

After completing this form (opens in new window), the quote information gets sent to local insurance agents in San Diego that can give you free San Diego auto insurance quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. You don’t have to do any legwork because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. You can most likely find cheaper rates without having to waste a lot of time. If you wish to get a price quote for a specific company, feel free to find their quoting web page and fill out their quote form.

Deciding on an company shouldn’t rely on just a cheap quote. These are some valid questions you should ask.

• Is there a local claims center in San Diego?
• Which companies can they place coverage with?
• Will the quote change when the policy is issued?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
• Can glass repairs be made at your home?
• Are aftermarket or OEM parts used to repair vehicles?

If you need to find a reliable insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agencies and how they function. Insurance agencies in San Diego can be classified as either exclusive or independent (non-exclusive).

Exclusive Insurance Agents

These type of agents normally can only provide a single company’s rates and some examples include Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They generally cannot give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. Exclusive agents receive extensive training on their company’s products which helps offset the inability to provide other markets. Some insured continue to use the same exclusive agent primarily because of the prominence of the brand rather than having the cheapest rates.

Shown below is a list of exclusive agencies in San Diego that can give you rate quotes.

• Mike Moore – State Farm Insurance Agent
  12880 Rancho Penasquitos Blvd d – San Diego, CA 92129 – (858) 484-1297 – View Map
• Val Myers – State Farm Insurance Agent
  12925 El Camino Real, Ste J26 – San Diego, CA 92130 – (858) 481-0401 – View Map
• Dave Murphy – State Farm Insurance Agent
  12121 Scripps Summit Dr Ste 100 – San Diego, CA 92131 – (858) 621-6681 – View Map

More San Diego agents

Independent Insurance Agencies

Independent agents do not work for one specific company so they can quote policies with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. If you want to switch companies, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When comparing insurance prices, we highly recommend that you check rates from several independent agencies to have the best price comparison. They often place coverage with smaller companies that may provide cheaper insurance rates.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agents in San Diego willing to provide price quote information.

• Einhorn Insurance
  3940 Hancock St – San Diego, CA 92110 – (858) 336-4644 – View Map
• Nationwide Insurance: Keith Jackson Insurance Agency Inc
  1081 Camino del Rio S Ste 210 – San Diego, CA 92108 – (916) 742-6995 – View Map
• Rubin Insurance
  6363 Greenwich Dr #120 – San Diego, CA 92122 – (858) 457-5720 – View Map

More San Diego agents

Mercedes-Benz C350 Insurance Costs Can Be More Affordable

Lots of factors are part of the equation when premium rates are determined. A few of the factors are predictable such as your driving history, although others are not quite as obvious such as your marital status or how safe your car is.

A good credit score can save money – Credit score will be a significant factor in your rate calculation. People with very high credit ratings tend to be more responsible and file fewer claims than those with poor credit. If your credit rating is not that good, you could pay less to insure your Mercedes-Benz C350 if you improve your credit rating.

Gender impacts costs – Over time, data shows females are less aggressive when driving. The data does not necessarily mean that men are worse drivers. Males and females get in fender benders in similar percentages, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. In addition to higher claims, males also receive more costly citations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly.

Don’t skimp on liability protection – The liability coverage on your policy will protect you if ever you are found to be at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Your policy’s liability insurance provides legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. This coverage is relatively inexpensive compared to physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.

Job impacts rates – Do you have a high-stress occupation? Careers such as judges, executives and accountants generally have the highest rates in part from intense work requirements and lots of time spent away from family. On the flip side, jobs such as farmers, athletes and the unemployed pay lower than average rates.

Poor driving habits means higher premiums – Whether or not you get tickets impacts premiums far more than you think. Attentive drivers receive lower rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Getting just one citation can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Drivers who have received license-revoking citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may face state-mandated requirements to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.

Your location is important – Being located in less populated areas of the country has it’s advantages if you are looking for the lowest rates. People who live in big cities regularly have more traffic problems and much longer commute distances. Lower population means fewer accidents and lower theft and vandalism rates.

Lower performance equals lower insurance prices – The make and model of the car you are buying insurance for makes a huge difference in your premium level. Since the Mercedes-Benz C350 is considered a luxury sedan, insuring your vehicle will cost more than the average rate where you live in San Diego. Low performance passenger cars generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.

Cut prices and deter theft – Purchasing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can earn a premium discount. Anti-theft devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping car theft.

Three reasons to not skimp on auto insurance

Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Mercedes-Benz C350 in San Diego, buying auto insurance may be required for several reasons.

• Most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means the state requires a minimum amount of liability coverage in order to get the vehicle licensed. In California these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
• If your Mercedes-Benz C350 has a loan, almost all lenders will stipulate that you have comprehensive coverage to guarantee payment of the loan. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the bank may insure your Mercedes-Benz at a significantly higher premium and force you to pay much more than you were paying before.
• Insurance protects both your assets and your Mercedes-Benz C350. It will also cover most medical and hospital costs for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. One of the most valuable coverages, liability insurance, will also pay attorney fees if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If you have damage to your Mercedes-Benz as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive and collision coverage will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.

The benefits of carrying adequate insurance are definitely more than the cost, particularly for liability claims. According to a survey of 1,000 drivers, the average driver overpays more than $865 each year so compare quotes from several companies once a year at a minimum to ensure rates are inline.

Persistent drivers can save

When getting San Diego auto insurance quotes online, never reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage to discover at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest cost while not skimping on critical coverages.

People change insurance companies for many reasons like delays in responding to claim requests, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, questionable increases in premium and unfair underwriting practices. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding the right auto insurance provider can be less work than you think.

You just learned a lot of ways to shop for Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the lowest prices come from the least-expected company.

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read in these articles:

• Automakers compete to add autobraking (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• How Much are Auto Insurance Rates for a Dodge Grand Caravan in San Diego? (FAQ)
• How Much is Auto Insurance for a Jeep Grand Cherokee in San Diego? (FAQ)
• Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)
• Side airbags reduce rollover fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)