Insure a Mercedes-Benz 300TE like a Penny Pincher
If searching for lower car insurance rates was a good time, we'd have no problem finding the best rate. But it's actually not a real enjoyable process for the majority of people and we always seem to end up paying too much. Cutting the check for each renewal on your Mercedes-Benz 300TE might give you the same feeling.
Step One: Compare Rates from Multiple Companies
If you haven't shopped for car insurance for awhile you might remember the days when the only option was to visit a local insurance agent. Not anymore!
You can now shop all the best car insurance companies and compare rates for a Mercedes-Benz 300TE and you don't even have to visit each individual website!
Simply click the link below to start a quote that will compare rates from many companies and you may find a lower rate than you're currently paying.
Quoting Tip! The only way to compare rates from multiple companies is to use identical coverage amounts and deductibles on each quote. If you use different limits on quotes, you cannot accurately determine which company has the best rates for your 300TE.
Step Two: Best Ways to Lower your 300TE Insurance Cost
What you actually pay to insure your Mercedes-Benz is determined by many factors, some of which you have no control over.
- If you need the extra performance that your Mercedes-Benz 300TE gives you, then you'll have to pay extra to insure it. Higher performance cars tend to be more expensive to insure.
- Consider taking a defensive driving course. You can often make up the cost of the course in as little as a single policy renewal.
- The 300TE would be considered a luxury vehicle, and repair costs are generally higher for more expensive vehicles. This increased cost is passed on to you through a higher insurance cost.
- Membership has it's privleges. If you're a member of a professional organization, check to see if your company offers discounts to its members. It can add up to 5% or more.
- The easiest way to INCREASE your car insurance rates is to add a teenage driver to your policy. There aren't many ways to prevent a rate increase, but if you can rate them on an older vehicle, it can help.
- Filing too many claims with your company can end up either costing you more for insurance or having your policy cancelled. Insurance companies don't like paying any more than you do, but they have the option of whether to keep you as a policyholder or not.
- Each year make a habit of checking your credit score. If you find problems that may be dragging down your credit rating, address them immediately. This will result in significant savings on car insurance.
- Renting a house or apartment rather than owning a home may keep you from paying the lowest rates on car insurance. Home ownership is viewed as being more financially responsible than renting.
- Consider using higher deductibles for physical damage coverages like comprehensive and collision. Higher deductibles save money since you're willing to pay more out-of-pocket at claim time.
- Most Mercedes-Benz vehicles come with standard safety features such as air bags and passive restraints, and those will help keep your insurance costs down.
- A lead foot will result in higher insurance rates. Slow down, don't get tickets and you'll pay less.
- Do not allow your current car insurance coverage to lapse or expire. Insurance companies have a simple way to find out when your last policy ended (called a CLUE report), and if you went without coverage for any length of time you may pay more for coverage.
- Particular years and models of cars tend to be frequently stolen, and if your 300TE is on that list, chances are your insurance company knows it and will ding you a little extra because of it.
Step Three: Finalize your Policy Details
Purchasing an insurance policy is more than just clicking a button. You need to have funds available to make payment and you need to be sure that the coverages are adequate for your personal situation.
It's critical that your new policy starts the same day that your old policy ends. If you are cancelling mid-term, make sure there is no lapse in coverage before your new policy kicks in.
If you are adding a vehicle to an existing policy and not buying a new one, just make sure to get the vehicle added as soon as possible. Every insurance company offers a grace period to add new vehicles, so make sure you get the Mercedes-Benz added prior to the expiration of this grace period. Coverage that extends from an existing policy is only as good as your current coverage. So if you don't carry full coverage on any vehicles, you won't have it on your new 300TE.
Once you have purchased your policy, print out the insurance card that must go in your vehicle. This card fulfills the state law requiring you to prove financial responsibility. If you have received a DUI, reckless driving citation or caused an accident without insurance, you may be required to file an SR-22 with your state DMV. Make sure your new company is aware of the SR-22 filing requirement.
More Resources
To read more about topics such as how to file a claim, replacement auto parts and mistakes to avoid, visit the Insurance Information Institute website.