Most Expensive Cars to Drive: Mercedes CL-Class

If you are thinking about buying a car that starts at over $100,000 and has a fuel economy of 11 mpg for city driving, you probably aren’t too worried about the costs associated with driving such a car. On the other hand, the prohibitive costs of insuring the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class just might be enough to deter you from buying. After all, the costs of owning this vehicle are already very high, and excessive insurance costs could be the straw that broke the camel’s back. The Highway Loss Data Institute lists the Mercedes CL-Class as the second most expensive car to insure after the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. This figure is based on how expensive collision losses were for the vehicle from 2002-2004. So why is the CL-Class such a beast to insure? We’ll give you the answer to that question in this post.

Background on the CL-Class

Before we tell you exactly why the Mercedes CL-Class costs a mint to insure, you will need to have some background on the car. The CL-Class is one of Mercedes’ most expensive vehicles, with the upgraded models exceeding the cost of even the flagship S-Class. In addition, the CL-Class is marketed as a luxury sports car offering exceptional performance. Here are the features of the CL-Class that are most relevant to insurance costs:

• 2008 models range in price from $103,875-$197,775
• Standard models offer 382 horsepower (model year 2008)
• Premium models boast up to 518 horsepower (model year 2008)
• Categorized as a luxury roadster, or luxury sports car
• Drivers can choose between a V-8 and V-12 engine
• CL-Class can do up to 155 mph
• Depending on the type of CL-Class, can do 0-60 mph in 4.2-6.1 seconds

The Culprits behind High Premiums

High-end performance vehicles might have tremendous appeal to buyers, but they are not so enticing for insurers. The premiums insurers charge are all based on statistical risk, and the Mercedes CL-Class is chock-full of it. Here’s why:

• Luxury cars=pricey repairs. The CL-Class is one of the most expensive Mercedes you can buy, with a starting price of $103,875. A car this expensive is not cheap to repair. The vehicle requires expensive import parts that will cost your insurer a pretty penny in the event of a collision or other covered loss. Insurers compensate for this risk with higher premiums.
• Muscle cars don’t impress insurers. When you look at the CL-Class, you might see a status symbol capable of serious performance. An insurer looks at the CL-Class and sees a collision risk that is through the roof. Statistically, high-performance cars tend to be driven less carefully and at higher speeds than other vehicles. The combination of these two factors results in a higher collision risk. More collisions mean less profit for insurers, and higher premiums are the inevitable conclusion.

Additional Resources

• Priciest Cars to Insure
• Mercedes-Benz CL-Class