View 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Car Insurance Rates

I can’t think of a single person who looks forward to paying for insurance coverage, especially knowing the cost is too high. Online insurance companies like Progressive, Geico and Farmers Insurance continually hit you with advertising and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

It’s important to shop coverage around yearly due to the fact that insurance rates trend upward over time. If you had the best rates on SLK-Class coverage last year you may be paying too much now. Block out anything you think you know about insurance coverage because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the only way to buy cheaper insurance coverage.

If you have a policy now or are looking for a new policy, you can use these tips to find the best rates and still get good coverage. Choosing the best insurance company for you is not rocket science. Vehicle owners just need to learn the most effective way to shop over the internet.

Why your Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class might be costing you more

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower auto insurance prices.

  • Poor credit can mean higher rates – Having a bad credit score is a big factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. If your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could save money insuring your 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class by improving your rating. Drivers who have good credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with poor credit.
  • Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates – Driving with no insurance can get your license suspended and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance expire. Not only will rates go up, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance can result in a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
  • Traffic violations increase rates – Whether or not you get tickets has a big impact on rates. Drivers with clean records get better rates than bad drivers. Even a single speeding ticket may increase your cost by twenty percent. Drivers with serious tickets such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
  • Pleasure use saves money – The higher the mileage driven each year the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. If your policy improperly rates your SLK-Class can result in significantly higher rates. Ask your agent if your auto insurance declarations sheet is showing the correct usage for each vehicle.
  • More than one policy can earn a discount – The majority of insurance companies will award you with lower prices to people who buy several policies from them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can be 10 percent or more. If you currently are using one company, it’s still a good idea to shop around to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
  • Sex matters – Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. However, don’t assume that women are BETTER drivers than men. Men and women have accidents in similar numbers, but men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get cited for more serious violations like reckless driving and DUI.

Take advantage of discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but companies offer discounts to help bring down the price. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of quoting, but less common discounts must be asked for prior to receiving the credit. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Employee of Federal Government – Being employed by or retired from a federal job may qualify you for a discount on SLK-Class coverage depending on your company.
  • Pay Upfront and Save – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Safety Course Discount – Taking a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
  • Claim Free – Drivers who don’t have accidents pay much less compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • Good Student Discount – This discount can save 20 to 25%. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
  • Sign Online – A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up on their website.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings up to 30%.
  • Discount for Swiching Early – Some insurance companies reward drivers for signing up before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.

It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Some only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.

Insurance companies that may offer these benefits include:

Before buying, ask each company which discounts they offer. All car insurance discounts may not be available in your area.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover whether you might need an agent’s assistance.

  • Should I get collision insurance on every vehicle?
  • Why do I need rental car insurance?
  • What is UM/UIM insurance?
  • Do I need higher collision deductibles?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • Am I getting all the discounts available?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Does coverage extend to Mexico or Canada?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of insurance coverage companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.

Parts of your car insurance policy

Understanding the coverages of a car insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are the normal coverages found on most car insurance policies.

Comprehensive or Other Than Collision

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

Comprehensive can pay for claims like fire damage, damage from flooding and hail damage. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.

Liability coverage

Liability insurance can cover damage that occurs to other people or property. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 which means a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Occasionally you may see a combined limit which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for things like attorney fees, funeral expenses and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but consider buying higher limits if possible.

Medical costs insurance

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for bills like chiropractic care, pain medications, hospital visits and EMT expenses. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Coverage for collisions

This pays for damage to your SLK-Class resulting from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against claims such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, scraping a guard rail and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.

UM/UIM Coverage

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class.

Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Save for a rainy day

We covered many ways to shop for 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers could even find that the best price on insurance coverage is with a lesser-known regional company. They can often provide lower rates in certain areas compared to the large companies like Allstate, Geico and Progressive.

While you’re price shopping online, make sure you don’t skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

Discount insurance is attainable on the web and with local insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best selection. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

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