Full Show: Clark Stinks! & Will Auto Insurance Rates Finally Drop in 2026?

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, after years of relentless price hikes on our auto insurance, will rates finally start to fall for drivers as we enter 2026? Clark predicts auto insurance prices and shares an emerging trend that’s keeping us safer on the roads while slashing the cost of insurance for drivers who embrace the future. All this and more on the January 9, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Related resources from the show: https://clark.com/insurance/car-insur... 00:00 - Intro 00:22 - Clark explains fake AI video showing Clark endorsing an insurance company -- it's not true! 03:45 - Clark Stinks - Should Clark stop using softer language like “scamsters” when talking about scammers, since it downplays the real harm these criminals cause—especially to seniors? (Makyla in New York) 05:25 - Clark Stinks - Why does Clark discourage buying CDs from banks when bank CDs are often paying significantly higher rates than brokerage CDs that are all FDIC-insured? (Scott in Florida) 07:06 - Clark Stinks - Is Clark sometimes just using imprecise language—like saying “buy a home” instead of “buy a house”—rather than actually being wrong? (Ron in Tennessee) 07:29 - Clark Stinks - Can merchants legally charge fees when a debit card is run as credit, or was Clark incorrect about debit card surcharges? (Patrick in North Carolina) 09:03 - Clark Stinks - When comparing renting a car versus driving your own on a long trip, shouldn’t fixed ownership costs be excluded since you pay them whether you drive or not? (Dennis in Oregon) 10:02 - Clark Stinks - Is recommending rental cars for long road trips realistic for most people, or does it mainly justify a more expensive, luxury option? (Rosario in North Carolina) 13:02 - Clark Stinks - For infrequent renters, is Amex’s per-rental primary car insurance a cheaper alternative to premium travel credit cards with high annual fees? (Rick in Pennsylvania) 14:06 - Clark Stinks - Does waiting for uneven tire wear before getting a wheel alignment risk destroying expensive tires, especially on vehicles like Teslas? (Matt in Texas) 15:03 - Clark Stinks - Should travelers be reminded that they can request a 52-page passport to avoid running out of space for stamps and visas? (Jules in Georgia) 19:06 - 26:12 - Ask Clark - Is enrolling in auto insurance driving-behavior tracking programs worth the premium discount, or does it give up too much personal data? (Steve in South Carolina) 28:30 - Ask Clark - Should a college student with poor driving history register and insure their car in their own name to reduce parental liability exposure? (Mike in Montana) 30:16 - Ask Clark - With health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket maximums rising sharply, is there ever a point where trying a health-share plan makes sense for a healthy self-employed family? (Kristina in Utah) Submit your opinions or questions: https://clark.com/clarkstinks/ https://clark.com/ask/ https://clark.com/about-consumer-acti... Clark.com: Advice You Can Trust: SUBSCRIBE:    / clark   Listen To The Clark Howard Podcast: https://clark.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lrwhe2... iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/8-the-... Follow Us for More Money Tips: Website: https://clark.com/ Podcast: https://clark.com/podcasts/ Newsletter: https://clark.com/newsletters/ Instagram:   / theclarkdotcom   Facebook:   / clarkhoward   Need Consumer Advice? The Consumer Action Center is a free resource for advice on money and consumer issues. Call 636-49C-LARK (636-492-5275) and a member of Team Clark will assist you as soon as possible. The Consumer Action Center is available Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. If you found this video valuable, give it a like. If you know someone who needs to see it, share it. Leave a comment below with your thoughts. Add it to a playlist if you want to watch it later. Our Promise to You: At Clark.com and ClarkDeals.com, we do not get paid for endorsements or reviews of any product or service, nor do we allow advertisers to place paid content on our sites. More information: https://clark.com/ad-disclosure/