Trying to find better insurance prices for a Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec can turn out to be an all-consuming task, but you can follow our auto insurance buying tips to find lower rates.
There is a right way and a wrong way to buy auto insurance and you need to know the absolute fastest way to get price quotes for your Mercedes-Benz and obtain the lowest price.
Consumers need to take a look at other company’s rates every six months because rates change frequently. Just because you found the lowest rates on ML320 Bluetec insurance a couple years back you can probably find a better price now. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance on the internet, so by reading this article, you’re going to learn a bunch of ideas how to buy auto insurance cheaper.
How to Buy Auto Insurance Online
All the larger auto insurance companies quote pricing on their websites. The process is pretty easy as you just type in your coverage information as requested by the quote form. Once entered, their rating system pulls information on your driving record and credit history and gives you a price quote.
Being able to quote online simplifies rate comparisons, but having to visit different websites and fill out multiple forms can get tiresome after awhile. But it’s absolutely necessary to do this if you are searching for better prices.
The easy way to compare rates
An easier way to lower your rates requires only one form to obtain quotes from a lot of companies. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes comparison shopping much more enjoyable. Immediately after you send the form, your coverage is rated with multiple companies and you can pick any one of the returned quotes.
If you find a better price it’s easy to complete the application and buy the policy. This process takes just a few minutes to complete and you will know how your current rates stack up.
In order to compare rates now, click here and fill out the form. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you enter the limits and deductibles as close as possible to your current policy. This way, you are getting a rate comparison for similar coverage.
Don’t listen to company ads
Auto insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate and GEICO regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all seem to say the same thing of big savings if you move to them. How do they all make almost identical claims?
All companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured might be profiled as between 25 and 40, has no tickets, and has a short commute. Any driver that hits that “sweet spot” will get very good rates and most likely will save quite a bit of money when switching.
Consumers who fall outside the “perfect” profile must pay a more expensive rate and this can result in business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can advertise the savings.
This illustrates why drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It’s impossible to know which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Factors that might impact rates for a Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec
An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that help determine your auto insurance rates. Understanding what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in better auto insurance rates.
- Rural vs Urban Areas – Choosing to live in small towns and rural areas can save you money when it comes to auto insurance. Fewer people means fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Drivers in populated areas have to deal with traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. More time on the road can result in more accidents.
- Never allow your policy to lapse – Allowing your coverage to lapse will be a fast way to trigger a rate increase. And not only will insurance be more expensive, getting caught without coverage might get you a revoked license or a big fine.
- Theft deterrents lower rates – Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart auto theft.
- Your credit rating is important – A driver’s credit score is a important factor in your rate calculation. If your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could save money insuring your Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec by improving your credit score. Drivers with high credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than those with poor credit.
Cut your premium with discounts
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there are discounts available to help offset the cost. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you quote, but less common discounts must be asked about prior to receiving the credit.
- Safe Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents may save up to 50% more on ML320 Bluetec insurance than drivers with accidents.
- Club Memberships – Affiliation with a civic or occupational organization may earn a discount on auto insurance on ML320 Bluetec insurance.
- Homeowners Discount – Simply owning a home may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because owning a home demonstrates responsibility.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
- Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings of 20% or more.
Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way. But any discount will help reduce the cost of coverage.
But buying car insurance online seems impersonal
A small number of people would prefer to talk to a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is you can get the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. And providing support for local insurance agencies is important particularly in smaller rural communities.
To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your information gets sent to agents in your area who will compete for your coverage. You never need to leave your house since price quotes are sent directly to your email. How cool is that?! It’s the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.
Is a captive or independent auto insurance agent right for you?
When searching for a local agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures to choose from. Insurance agencies can either be independent (non-captive) or captive.
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When searching for an agent, you should always get quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller companies who may have lower rates.
Captive Insurance Agents
This type of agents have only one company to place business with and examples are State Farm, Allstate and AAA. Captives cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers sometimes choose to use a captive agent mainly due to the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.
To view a complete directory of auto insurance agents, click here.
Selecting an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- How are they compensated?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Upon getting satisfactory answers to your questions and an acceptable price quote, most likely you have located a car insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide auto insurance.
Final thoughts
You just read a lot of information how to lower your Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more quotes you get, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may even discover the best prices are with the smaller companies.
As you shop your coverage around, never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.
Low-cost Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec insurance can be purchased from both online companies in addition to many insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.
