Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class Insurance Cost
The Lexus IS is cheaper to insure by about $215 a year for full coverage by our estimate ($1,835 vs. $2,050), and cheaper in 51 of 51 states.
Side-by-side insurance estimate
| Coverage | Lexus IS | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| State minimum | $560 | $655 | −$95 |
| Standard (100/300/100) | $815 | $945 | −$130 |
| Full coverage | $1,835 | $2,050 | −$215 |
National average base rates, driver in their 30s with a clean record, latest model year of each car. Difference = IS minus C-Class.
Why one costs more to insure
| Factor | Lexus IS | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Luxury car | Luxury car |
| Powertrains | Gasoline | Gasoline, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, Flex-fuel |
| HLDI collision (100 = avg) | 158 | 161 |
| HLDI comprehensive | 150 | 160 |
| HLDI property damage liability | 81 | 109 |
| HLDI bodily injury liability | 97 | 115 |
| NHTSA overall rating | 5★ | — |
| NICB most-stolen rank | Not in top 10 | Not in top 10 |
| Recalls (latest 3 model years) | 0 | 2 |
Collision losses are the biggest swing factor: the Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 3 points higher relative collision losses, meaning its crash repairs cost insurers more on average. Comprehensive losses (theft, weather, glass) also favor the Lexus IS.
IS vs C-Class insurance by state
By driver profile (full coverage)
| Driver | IS | C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Teen driver (18, own policy) | $5,045 | $5,630 |
| Young adult (22) | $2,935 | $3,275 |
| Adult in their 30s | $1,835 | $2,050 |
| Adult in their 50s | $1,685 | $1,885 |
| Senior (72) | $2,055 | $2,295 |
| 30s, one at-fault accident | $2,660 | $2,970 |
| 30s, DUI on record | $3,395 | $3,790 |
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lexus IS or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class cheaper to insure?
By our estimate the Lexus IS is cheaper, by about $215 a year for full coverage ($1,835 vs. $2,050) for a driver in their 30s with a clean record.
Why does insurance cost differ between the Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Mostly because of insurance-loss history: HLDI collision indices of 158 vs. 161 and comprehensive indices of 150 vs. 160 (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.