Okay, listen. Requesting car insurance quotes is literally the adulting task that makes me want to yeet my entire wallet into the Pacific. Like, I’m sitting here right now in my sweaty Los Angeles apartment—November but still 78 degrees, ceiling fan doing absolutely nothing—and I can still smell the burnt popcorn from last night when I tried to “quickly” get quotes and ended up rage-eating an entire bag. Anyway. I’ve screwed this up so many spectacular ways that Geico probably has my file labeled “high-risk for emotional damage.” Here’s my personal hall of shame so you don’t become me.
Why Requesting Car Insurance Quotes Still Gives Me Anxiety Sweat
Real talk: last month I moved from Oregon to LA and my old policy was about to explode like a grenade. I’m on my couch in unwashed sweats, cat judging me hard, thinking “it’ll take ten minutes.” Three hours later I’m googling “is it legal to drive without insurance for one day” while eating cereal with a fork because all the spoons are dirty. Classic.
Mistake #1: Requesting Car Insurance Quotes at 1 A.M. While Tipsy on White Claw
I swear every bad decision I’ve ever made started with “I’m just gonna…” Drunk-me thought putting “student” even though I graduated in 2017 would save $9. Bro, they asked for transcripts. I woke up to six hard inquiries on my credit and a quote $400 higher than sober-me got the next day. Pro tip: set a phone reminder that says “DO NOT INSURANCE AFTER 10 P.M.” in all caps.
Mistake #2: Lying About My Mileage Because “Who’s Gonna Know?”
Last year I told Allstate I drive 8,000 miles a year. Reality? I DoorDash on weekends and my Civic hit 22,000 miles like it was running from the cops. They found out when I filed a claim after some dude in a lifted truck yeeted me into a curb. Premium doubled overnight. Now I just screenshot my odometer like a good little boy. Check actual mileage reporting rules here at the DMV site.
Mistake #3: Requesting Car Insurance Quotes on Sketchy “Compare 50 Companies” Sites
You know those sites that look like they were designed in 2004 by someone’s uncle? Yeah, I entered my info on one called “SuperCheapInsuranceQuotesNowDotBiz” thinking I was a genius. Two weeks later I’m getting calls from “Microsoft Support” about my computer virus and my inbox is 90% Nigerian prince. Use the big dogs—Progressive, Geico, or NerdWallet—or just cry directly into the official sites.
The Time I Accidentally Bought Mexican Insurance for My Oregon Car
Don’t ask. Tequila was involved. Again.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to Update My Garaging Address After Moving
Moved to LA, kept telling everyone my car “lives” in sleepy Eugene because rates are cheaper. Plot twist: State Farm uses satellite imagery now or some Big Brother nonsense. Got a lovely letter saying “hey liar, pay us $1800 more or we cancel you.” Cool cool cool. Update your damn address the second you sign a new lease, kids.
Mistake #5: Requesting Car Insurance Quotes One at a Time Like It’s 1997
I used to fill out the exact same form twelve separate times. My fingers were bleeding. Then my coworker showed me The Zebra and Gabi and I literally cried tears of joy in the office bathroom. Bundle that ish—takes 10 minutes, saves hundreds. Try The Zebra here, saved me $740 last renewal.
Mistake #6: Ignoring the Tiny “Accident Forgiveness” Box Because “I’m a Good Driver”
Narrator: she was not. Last spring I backed into my own mailbox—don’t ask—and didn’t have accident forgiveness. $900 surcharge for three years. That’s a whole PS5. Click the stupid box, it’s like $30 extra and feels like cheating the system legally.
Mistake #7: Not Requesting Car Insurance Quotes Often Enough (Yes, This is a Thing)
I went FOUR YEARS without shopping around because “eh, it’s fine.” Found out I was paying $2200 when literally everyone else quoted me $1400 for the exact same coverage. I felt so dumb I made my roommate film me doing a dramatic slow-motion facepalm. Set a calendar reminder every six months or use an app like Jerry that just… does it for you. Mind blown.
Look, requesting car insurance quotes doesn’t have to be this traumatic. I’m still the same chaotic gremlin who once entered her bra size in the “height” field (don’t judge, the boxes were right next to each other), but now I do it sober, during daylight, with snacks that aren’t flammable.
So yeah—grab your coffee (not on your phone), open three tabs max, tell the truth like your mom is watching, and for the love of god don’t do it after three White Claws. Your wallet and your future self will thank you.
P.S. If you’re in California right now and sweating like I am, DM me your favorite quote tool—I’m shopping again next week because my roommate just sideswiped a Tesla and I’m stress-eating Flamin’ Hot Cheetos about it.
Now go get those car insurance quotes, champ. You got this. Probably.
