Unbelievable but true, nearly 70% of consumers have purchased from the same company for at least four years, and virtually 40% of consumers have never compared car insurance rates at all. Drivers in New Mexico can cut their rates by $500 a year by just comparing rate quotes, but they underestimate the large savings they would see if they switched to a more affordable policy.
The recommended way to get affordable Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance in Albuquerque is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from different companies who sell auto insurance in New Mexico.
Step 1: Try to learn about the coverage provided by your policy and the changes you can make to prevent rate increases. Many rating criteria that drive up the price such as accidents, traffic tickets, and a low credit rating can be rectified by being financially responsible and driving safely. This article provides information to find cheap rates and earn a bigger discount.
Step 2: Compare prices from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can give quotes from one company like GEICO and Allstate, while agents who are independent can give you price quotes for many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rates to your existing rates and determine if cheaper C350 coverage is available in Albuquerque. If you can save money and buy the policy, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
An essential thing to point out is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every price quote and and to get prices from every insurance company. Doing this ensures an accurate price comparison and a thorough selection of prices.
How much does Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance in Albuquerque, New Mexico cost?
When comparing auto insurance rates, know that comparing more prices gives you a better chance of getting better pricing.
The providers in the list below have been selected to offer quotes in New Mexico. To locate the best cheap auto insurance in Albuquerque, we suggest you visit as many as you can to get the best price comparison.
Affordable rates by receiving discounts
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts will apply when you get a quote, but some must be manually applied prior to receiving the credit. If you don’t get every credit available, you could be getting lower rates.
- Use Seat Belts – Drivers who require all vehicle occupants to buckle up before driving could save 15% on the premium charged for medical payments and/or PIP.
- Save with a New Car – Putting insurance coverage on a new C350 can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
- Low Miles Discount – Driving less could be rewarded with cheaper prices.
- Telematics Data – Drivers who elect to allow their company to analyze driving patterns by using a telematics device like Allstate’s Drivewise may see discounts if they have good driving habits.
- Save with More Vehicles Insured – Buying coverage for all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
- Distant College Student Discount – Youth drivers who are attending college and do not take a car to college can receive lower rates.
- Multiple Policy Discount – If you can bundle your home and auto insurance with one insurance company you could earn a discount of nearly 15% which can help you find low cost Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance.
- Switch and Save Discount – Some larger companies reward drivers for switching policies early. You could save around 10% when you buy Albuquerque auto insurance online.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, it’s just not the way it works.
The diagram below illustrates the difference between Mercedes-Benz C350 yearly insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The costs are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, New Mexico state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, marriage, and multi-car discounts applied.
A list of insurance companies and their offered discounts are shown below.
- Progressive offers discounts for online quote discount, online signing, multi-policy, continuous coverage, and good student.
- MetLife has savings for good driver, claim-free, multi-policy, good student, defensive driver, and accident-free.
- Mercury Insurance offers discounts including professional/association, anti-theft, annual mileage, ease of repair, and multi-policy.
- Nationwide offers premium reductions for good student, family plan, Farm Bureau membership, multi-policy, business or organization, accident-free, and easy pay.
- GEICO may offer discounts for anti-theft, federal employee, anti-lock brakes, military active duty, air bags, good student, and daytime running lights.
- AAA includes discounts for pay-in-full, multi-policy, multi-car, good driver, anti-theft, AAA membership discount, and education and occupation.
When getting free Albuquerque auto insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to all the companies to give you their best rates. Some credits might not be offered in your state. To locate insurers with the best discounts in Albuquerque, click here.
Coverage analysis
The coverage information shown next covers a range of insurance coverage prices for Mercedes-Benz C350 models. Having a better understanding of how auto insurance premiums are calculated helps drivers make decisions when shopping around.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
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C350 W 4-Dr Sedan | $254 | $458 | $322 | $20 | $96 | $1,150 | $96 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Prices above based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and New Mexico minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Information does not factor in specific location which can increase or decrease price quotes significantly.
Physical damage deductibles: Should you raise them?
One of the more difficult decisions when buying auto insurance is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The data tables below can help illustrate the differences in price of buying low and high policy deductibles. The first rate table uses a $250 physical damage deductible and the second rate 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 | $314 | $570 | $322 | $20 | $96 | $1,347 | $112 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C350 W 4-Dr Sedan | $254 | $458 | $322 | $20 | $96 | $1,150 | $96 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Table data represents married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and New Mexico minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, safe-driver, and multi-vehicle. Price information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can affect premium rates substantially.
Using the premium rates above, we can conclude that using a $250 deductible will cost you about $16 more each month or $192 every year than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $250 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally average at least 16 months between claim filings, you would come out ahead by selecting a higher deductible.
How to decide to raise your deductibles
Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $112 |
Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $96 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $16 |
Difference between deductibles ($500 – $250): | $250 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $250 / $16 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 16 months |
An important thing to remember is that raising deductibles to get cheaper rates results in more money out-of-pocket when you do file a claim. You need some non-essential savings in order to pay the deductible to have repairs made.
Cost difference between full coverage and liability
The example below visualizes the comparison of Mercedes-Benz C350 car insurance rates when comparing full coverage to liability only. The premiums assume no claims or driving citations, $500 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied.
Guidelines for dropping full coverage
There is no exact rule to stop paying for comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of having full coverage is about 10% or more of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Mercedes-Benz C350 claim settlement value is $5,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, the most your company will settle for is $4,000 after paying your policy deductible. If you are paying more than $400 a year for physical damage coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.
There are some cases where removing full coverage is not a good idea. If you haven’t satisfied your loan, you have to maintain full coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage.
Educated Choices Result in Lower Insurance Costs
Many things are used when premium rates are determined. Some factors are common sense like an MVR report, but others are not as apparent like your vehicle usage or your financial responsibility. Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the things that play a part in calculating your car insurance rates. If you have a feel for what impacts premium levels, this allows you to make good choices that could result in lower premium levels.
- Getting married pays dividends – Having a significant other can actually save you money on your car insurance bill. It demonstrates that you tend to be less irresponsible and statistics prove drivers who are married are more cautious.
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Performance affects insurance premiums – The type of car you need to insure makes a substantial difference in how high your rates are. The cheapest insurance rates are for low performance passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
The following data uses these variables: single male driver age 40, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It shows Mercedes-Benz C350 policy rates compared to other models of vehicles that have different performance risks.
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Gender matters – The statistics show females are less aggressive when driving. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. Both genders have at-fault accidents at a similar rate, but the men get into accidents with more damage. In addition to higher claims, males also receive more costly citations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly. Young men ages 16 to 20 cause the most accidents so they pay the highest premiums.
The diagram below compares Mercedes-Benz C350 car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The data assumes no tickets, no at-fault accidents, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, single status, and no additional discounts are factored in.
- A car insurance policy lapse is a bad thing – Driving any period of time without insurance is against the law and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance coverage expire. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance will get you a fine, jail time, or a revoked license. You may then be required to file a SR-22 with the New Mexico DMV.
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Don’t get traffic citations – Having just one citation may cause rates to rise by as much as twenty percent. Drivers who don’t get tickets get better rates compared to bad drivers. Drivers who have gotten careless violations like DUI or reckless driving are required to maintain a SR-22 with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
The information below illustrates how violations and at-fault accidents can increase Mercedes-Benz C350 auto insurance costs for each different age category. The data assumes a married male driver, full coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.
- Safer the car lower the rate – Safer cars get lower rates. Safe vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower rates of occupant injuries means your insurance company pays less passed on to you as lower rates. If your Mercedes-Benz C350 has at least an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website or four stars on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website it may cost less to insure.
- Where you call home plays a part – Being located in less populated areas has definite advantages when shopping for auto insurance. City drivers have traffic congestion and longer commutes to work. Fewer drivers corresponds to lower accident rates and lower theft and vandalism rates.
- Discounts for auto and home policies – The majority of companies will award discounts to customers who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, consumers should still shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.There is a good possibility that you can find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.
Compare rate quotes but buy from a neighborhood Albuquerque auto insurance agent
Many people just want to buy from a local agent and doing that can be a smart decision The biggest benefit of comparing rate quotes online is you may find cheap rate quotes but also keep your business local. And buying from local agencies is important particularly in Albuquerque.
By using this short form, the quote information is transmitted to agents in your area that provide free Albuquerque auto insurance quotes for your auto insurance coverage. You don’t have to do any legwork as quotes are delivered to you directly. You’ll get the best rates AND an agent nearby. If you wish to get a comparison quote from a specific auto insurance provider, you just need to jump over to their website to submit a rate quote request.
Choose an insurance agent wisely
If you want a local Albuquerque insurance agency, it helps to know the two different types of agents and how they work. Agencies in Albuquerque are considered either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments.
Independent Auto Insurance Agencies or Brokers
These agents are not required to write business for one company and that gives them the ability to insure with a variety of different insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. If they find a lower price, they can switch companies in-house without you having to go to a different agency. When searching for an agent, you should always get insurance quotes from a couple of independent agencies to get the most accurate price comparison. Many independent agencies also insure through smaller companies that many times have cheaper rates.
The following is a small list of independent insurance agencies in Albuquerque that may be able to give rate quotes.
- Lorraine Y Chavez Insurance Agency, Inc.
8224 Louisiana Blvd NE – Albuquerque, NM 87113 – (505) 821-7123 – View Map - J B Martin Commercial, Homeowners, Auto, Health and Life Insurance Agency
2800 San Mateo Blvd NE – Albuquerque, NM 87110 – (505) 299-7444 – View Map - Free Market Insurance Agency
6211 San Mateo Blvd NE #120 – Albuquerque, NM 87109 – (505) 881-2645 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Agents that choose to be exclusive can only place business with one company and some examples include AAA, Allstate, State Farm, or Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Exclusive agents are highly trained on what they offer and that allows them to sell at a higher price point. Consumers sometimes buy insurance from these agents mainly due to high brand loyalty rather than low rates.
Listed below is a short list of exclusive insurance agencies in Albuquerque willing to provide price quotes.
- Francis Harding – State Farm Insurance Agent
4420 4th St NW – Albuquerque, NM 87107 – (505) 242-6231 – View Map - Greg Shamas – State Farm Insurance Agent
9680 Eagle Ranch Rd NW #2 – Albuquerque, NM 87114 – (505) 898-3648 – View Map - Richard Moore – State Farm Insurance Agent
5353 Wyoming Blvd NE b – Albuquerque, NM 87109 – (505) 821-6000 – View Map
Finding the right insurance agent should depend on more than just the quoted price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Where would your vehicle be repaired?
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- How long has the business existed?
- How would your car be valued if totaled?
- Are they paid to recommend certain coverages?
- Do you need full coverage on every vehicle?
- Do you work with a CSR or direct with the agent?
- Is the agency active in community causes in Albuquerque?
Car insurance is unique, just like you
When quoting and comparing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no one-size-fits-all type of policy. Your situation is unique and your car insurance should be unique as well.
For example, these questions can help discover if you may require specific advice.
- Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
- Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
- Should I rate my vehicle as business use?
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
- What should my uninsured motorist coverage limits be in New Mexico?
- How high should deductibles be on a Mercedes-Benz C350?
- If my Mercedes-Benz C350 is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
One last thing to lower rates
Low-cost Mercedes-Benz C350 insurance in Albuquerque is possible both online and from local insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies may not provide online quoting and these smaller companies provide coverage only through independent agents.
When shopping online for auto insurance, it’s not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits and learned later they didn’t have enough coverage. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.
Much more information about auto insurance in New Mexico is located on the following sites:
- Five Mistakes to Avoid (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for Safe Drivers in Albuquerque? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Teachers in Albuquerque? (FAQ)
- What is a Telematics Device? (Allstate)
- Vehicle Insurance in the U.S. (Wikipedia)
- Side airbags reduce rollover fatalities (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- What is Full Coverage? (Allstate)