The cost of trying to be frugal can be crazy.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (54359)
February 5, 2026 2:41pm CST
I have been doing online ''shopping'' to try to find a car insurance that is less than what I am paying. I spent 2 afternoons on this quest, as insurance costs just keep going up. I have no points, etc. on my record, no tickets, etc. I am far from being considered a high risk to insure.
My work on this didn't find anything. I have to stick with what I have for now, which doesn't really make me happy. I recently read that more people than ever simply quit paying for their car insurance. I don't consider that to be smart to do, not to mention here, it's the law--you have to have some type of insurance for your vehicle.
The number of spam calls I have received over my online sleuthing searches is bordering on ridiculous. Yesterday, a total of 17 calls from various numbers. Today, 9 calls. I have been busy using the ''block'' feature on my phone.
There are times when the internet and phone is NOT your friend. So very frustrating and annoying, and all I was trying to do was to get the most for my money. Maybe we could use bubble wrap, like the picture suggests? 
Have you had this happen?
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Have you had this happen?
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10 responses
@MarieCoyle (54359)
•
7h
I am going to keep looking, even though it is more than likely futile!!
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (82885)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7h
I get calls on the daily, but because I have Ios 26 and turned on Apples 'ask before ringing' feature, I see the calls in my call log, but my phone doesn't ring. If it's important the person will leave me a message.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (82885)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7h
@MarieCoyle I recently been getting texts from a place called Wheelzy about a car I don't have.When I asked them who they thought they were calling, they told me they didn't have that information. Makes me wonder, who's being scammed here. because the offer for the car (I thiks its a car ) was only like 168.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54359)
•
7h
Oh, they also send texts and leave voicemails if I have not heard it ringing or have it on silent. They all get blocked as soon as possible.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (129086)
• Marion, Ohio
6h
I call the companies myself. Most can give you a quote right then
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (54359)
•
3h
When I called the companies the calls are routed out and I got an “insurance specialist “ oh, they were special all right…ugh.
@MarieCoyle (54359)
•
10h
Extremely annoying! I rather miss just dealing locally for some things but many insurance companies no longer have actual local options.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (202463)
• United States
10h
Ha, that is funny. Have you tried State Farm? I got a great rate with them. Also if you take one of those DMV approved courses it may help lower your rate.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (88500)
• United States
10h
I can certainly feel your frustration. I just got my new bill for my house insurance and it went up by a few hundred bucks. There doesn't seem to be anything "frugal" these days. Nothing is going down in price, everything is going up except our monthly incomes. It's ridiculous.
I hope you can find something that is affordable for you.
@DianneN (248124)
• United States
8h
Hubs does the insurance calls and finally found one for two cars and another insurance provider for yet another car. He was on the phone for days. Same with the house and condo. I can’t believe the prices and the frustration that goes with that.
I get spam texts. 
@LooeyVille (41)
• United States
9h
I didn't know they'd start calling you if you searched them online
