A recent study showed that the vast majority of consumers renewed their policy with the same company for at least the last four years, and almost half have never compared rates with other companies. With the average insurance premium being $1,343, Ohio drivers could pocket $730 a year, but most just don’t grasp the big savings they would realize if they changed companies.
The easiest way to get more affordable car insurance rates is to compare prices regularly from insurance carriers in Columbus.
First, gain an understanding of how auto insurance works and the measures you can take to keep rates in check. Many risk factors that drive up the price such as speeding tickets, careless driving and a bad credit rating can be amended by paying attention to minor details.
Second, compare rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from one company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can provide prices for a wide range of insurance providers.
Third, compare the price quotes to your current policy premium to determine if switching companies saves money. If you can save money and buy the policy, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
The most important part of shopping around is to use the same deductibles and limits on each quote and and to get price quotes from as many car insurance companies as possible. Doing this provides a level playing field and and a good selection of different prices.
The most recommended method to compare insurance rates in your area is to take advantage of the fact auto insurance companies allow for online access to give rate comparisons. To start a quote, the only thing you need to do is provide details including what your job is, coverage limits, how much school you completed, and if your license is active. Those rating factors is sent automatically to many of the top insurers and they provide comparison quotes instantly to find the best rate.
To check Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance prices now, click here and complete the quick form.
The providers in the list below are ready to provide price quotes in Columbus, OH. If multiple companies are listed, it’s highly recommended you visit as many as you can to find the most affordable auto insurance rates.
Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance rate analysis
The price information shown next outlines a range of prices for Mercedes-Benz C350 models. Being able to understand how policy rates are determined helps drivers make decisions on which insurance to purchase.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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C350 W 4-Dr Sedan | $172 | $366 | $296 | $18 | $88 | $940 | $78 |
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Data rating is based on single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner. Estimates do not factor in Columbus location which can decrease or increase rates noticeably.
Policy deductibles
The hardest decision when buying coverage is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The comparisons below highlight the premium difference of buying low and high physical damage coverage deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $100 physical damage deductible and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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C350 W 4-Dr Sedan | $246 | $478 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $1,057 | $88 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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C350 W 4-Dr Sedan | $180 | $324 | $226 | $14 | $68 | $812 | $68 |
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Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Ohio minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Premium costs do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can revise auto insurance rates considerably.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $100 deductible would cost the average driver about $20 more each month or $240 annually averaged for all C350 models than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $400 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to go at least 20 months between claims, you would probably come out ahead if you choose the higher deductible.
The example below demonstrates how deductible levels and can influence Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance prices for different age groups. The premiums assume a married male driver, comp and collision included, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Impact of speeding/accidents on car insurance rates
The diagram below shows how speeding tickets and at-fault claims can increase Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance costs for different age groups. Data assumes a married male driver, full coverage, $250 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.
Liability only or full coverage
The chart below shows the comparison of Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying the minimum liability limits required in Ohio. The rate quotes are based on a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, single status, and no policy discounts are applied.
Guidelines for eliminating full coverage
There is no definitive rule to delete comp and collision coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the yearly cost of full coverage is 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it could be time to drop full coverage.
For example, let’s say your Mercedes-Benz C350 settlement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most you would get paid by your company is $4,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If it’s costing in excess of $400 annually for full coverage, then you might consider buying liability only.
There are some cases where dropping full coverage is not in your best interest. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you are required to maintain full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you can’t afford to buy a different vehicle if your current one is totaled, you should not drop full coverage.
You Can Change Your Insurance Rates
The best way to find cheaper insurance is to take a look at some of the things that help calculate the level of your policy premiums. When consumers understand what determines premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in lower rates. Lots of factors are part of the calculation when you get your auto insurance bill. Some are obvious such as your driving history, but others are less apparent like your vehicle usage or how financially stable you are.
The list below includes some of the items used by companies to determine rates.
- What are your coverage deductibles? – Insurance for physical damage to your car, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, covers your vehicle from damage. Some coverage claims are a broken side mirror, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. Comp and collision deductibles tell how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The more expense you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the less your insurance will be.
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Gender as a rate factor – Over time, data shows that women are safer drivers than men. It does not mean females are better at driving than males. Males and females cause auto accidents at about the same rate, but guys cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Not only that, but men also get more serious tickets such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly. Male teenagers are the most expensive to insure and are penalized with high insurance rates.
The example below shows the difference between Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance premiums for male and female drivers. Data assumes no driving violations, no at-fault accidents, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, marital status is single, and no other discounts are factored in.
- Credit rating impact insurance costs – A driver’s credit history factor in determining what you pay for insurance. If your credit history can be improved, you could save money insuring your Mercedes-Benz C350 if you improve your credit rating. Drivers with very good credit scores tend to file fewer claims than those with poor credit scores.
- Does your vocation raise your prices? – Occupations such as lawyers, social workers, and emergency personnel tend to have the highest average rates in part from high stress and long work hours. On the other hand, jobs such as actors, engineers and performers get better rates.
- Where you live factors in – Having an address in less populated areas of the country can be a good thing when it comes to insurance. Less people translates into fewer accident claims as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Urban drivers have to deal with more auto accidents and much longer commute distances. Longer commute distances means more chance of being in an accident.
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Performance affects insurance rates – The type of vehicle you drive makes a huge difference in your car insurance bill. The lowest premiums tend to be for lower cost passenger cars, but your final cost has many other factors.
The chart below uses these assumptions: married male driver age 20, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It illustrates Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance premiums compared to other vehicles that have a range of performances.
- Do you really need roadside assistance? – Policies have extra bells and whistles that can waste your money if you don’t pay attention. Things like vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness, and membership fees may be wasting your money. They may sound like good ideas at first, but now you might not need them so consider taking them off your policy.
- Annual miles is a factor – The more you drive every year the higher your rates will be. Most companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles that sit idle most of the time receive better premium rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. An improperly rated C350 can result in significantly higher rates. Double check that your insurance coverage properly reflects the proper vehicle usage.
Car insurance does more than just protect your car
Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Mercedes-Benz C350 in Columbus, insurance serves several important purposes.
- Just about all states have mandatory insurance requirements which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific level of liability insurance in order to drive the car. In Ohio these limits are 25/50/25 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage.
- If you took out a loan on your Mercedes-Benz C350, it’s guaranteed your bank will make it a condition of the loan that you have comprehensive coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank may buy a policy for your Mercedes-Benz at a significantly higher premium and make you pay for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards your car and your assets. Insurance will also pay for most medical and hospital costs that are the result of an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, will also pay attorney fees if you are sued as the result of your driving. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, your policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of carrying adequate insurance greatly outweigh the cost, especially with large liability claims. But the average driver in Ohio overpays more than $830 a year so it’s recommended you shop around at every renewal to be sure current rates are still competitive.