BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class Insurance Cost
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is cheaper to insure by about $70 a year for full coverage by our estimate ($1,880 vs. $1,810), and cheaper in 48 of 51 states.
Side-by-side insurance estimate
| Coverage | BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $680 | $600 | +$80 |
| Standard (100/300/100) | $985 | $870 | +$115 |
| Full coverage | $1,880 | $1,810 | +$70 |
National average base rates, driver in their 30s with a clean record, latest model year of each car. Difference = 3 Series minus E-Class.
Why one costs more to insure
| Factor | BMW 3 Series | Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Luxury car | Luxury car |
| Powertrains | Gasoline, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, Diesel | Gasoline, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, Diesel, Flex-fuel |
| HLDI collision (100 = avg) | 144 | 138 |
| HLDI comprehensive | 111 | — |
| HLDI property damage liability | 112 | — |
| HLDI bodily injury liability | 131 | — |
| NHTSA overall rating | 5★ | — |
| NICB most-stolen rank | Not in top 10 | Not in top 10 |
| Recalls (latest 3 model years) | 3 | 3 |
Collision losses are the biggest swing factor: the BMW 3 Series has 6 points higher relative collision losses, meaning its crash repairs cost insurers more on average.
3 Series vs E-Class insurance by state
By driver profile (full coverage)
| Driver | 3 Series | E-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $5,170 | $4,980 |
| Young adult (22) | $3,005 | $2,900 |
| Adult in their 30s | $1,880 | $1,810 |
| Adult in their 50s | $1,730 | $1,665 |
| Senior (72) | $2,105 | $2,030 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $2,725 | $2,625 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $3,475 | $3,350 |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW 3 Series or the Mercedes-Benz E-Class cheaper to insure?
By our estimate the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is cheaper, by about $70 a year for full coverage ($1,880 vs. $1,810) for a driver in their 30s with a clean record.
Why does insurance cost differ between the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
Mostly because of insurance-loss history: HLDI collision indices of 144 vs. 138 and comprehensive indices of 111 vs. n/a (100 = average), plus repair costs, theft rates and segment.
How we estimate this
We start from the state's average liability, collision and comprehensive premiums published by the NAIC, then apply a location factor (population density and commute time from the Census ACS, weather hazard scores from FEMA's National Risk Index), a vehicle factor (HLDI insurance-loss data where available, otherwise vehicle segment), and a driver-profile multiplier. Results are rounded ranges for comparison, not quotes. Read the full methodology.