The One Thing You Should Never Say When Getting Car Insurance…

Getting car insurance quotes feels like a chore, right up there with doing your taxes or cleaning the gutters. You pull up a few websites, punch in your info, and wait for the numbers to roll in. But here's the thing: most people are accidentally sabotaging themselves before they even hit "get quote." And it's costing them hundreds of dollars a year. I talked to three independent insurance agents, and they all said the same thing. The biggest mistake isn't your driving record or the kind of car you drive. It's what you say—and what you don't say—during the quote process. Let me explain. **The innocent phrase that raises your rate** When you call an insurer or fill out an online form, you'll be asked about your coverage needs. A lot of folks say something like, "I just want the cheapest possible coverage." It sounds smart. Why pay for stuff you don't need? Here's the problem: that phrase flags you as a price shopper who doesn't understand risk. Some agents will quietly load you into a policy with state-minimum liability limits, which can leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars if you cause a crash. Others will assume you're not serious and won't bother finding you discounts. Worse, saying "I don't need rental reimbursement" or "I'll skip uninsured motorist coverage" can backfire. Those add-ons are often only a few dollars a month, and skipping them saves you almost nothing while exposing you to huge bills. **What to say instead** The agents gave me a better script. Instead of "cheapest," say: "I want the best value. Show me the price with full coverage, and then show me what I'd save by raising my deductible to $1,000." That one sentence does three things. It tells the agent you're serious. It keeps you in the running for real discounts. And it puts the power in your hands to decide what trade-off makes sense. **Three more quote mistakes that cost real money** 1. **Not quoting at least three companies.** A 2024 analysis found that drivers who compared just two insurers saved an average of $380 a year. Those who compared five saved over $600. Loyalty to one brand is expensive. 2. **Lying about your mileage.** If you say you drive 5,000 miles a year but your commute is 30 miles each way, you're committing fraud. If you file a claim, the insurer can deny it. Be honest. It's not worth the risk. 3. **Ignoring your credit score.** In most states, your credit-based insurance score affects your rate as much as your driving record. Before you quote, pull your free credit report and fix any errors. It can drop your premium by hundreds. **The bottom line** Car insurance quotes aren't about finding the absolute lowest number. They're about finding the right coverage at a fair price. The people who save the most aren't the ones who demand the cheapest policy. They're the ones who ask smart questions, compare multiple offers, and tell the truth. So the next time you get a quote, don't say "I want the cheapest." Say "Show me the value." Your wallet will thank you. **Our take:** Insurance companies are not charities, but they're also not mind readers. If you tell them you only care about price, they'll give you a policy that protects them, not you. Spend 20 extra minutes comparing quotes and asking about discounts. That's the single best hourly wage you'll earn all year.