Alright, I understand that everybody is out to make money and that nobody’s goal is to work just because it gives them an unbelievable warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Alright, I admit it. Auto insurance is enough to cause anybody to get a little pink in the cheeks. Insurance can get downright confusing, as there are many different variables within the policies as well as your driving record and circumstances, that will determine which type of insurance fits you best.

Am I the only one frustrated here?

It’s a classic catch-22 here. You need to drive a vehicle in order to survive, yet you can’t afford to because your insurance company has decided to put your rates through the roof. Yes, your insurance company has done this. Not the government or anybody else. It is each separate insurance company that decides what rate they are going to charge you, based on their mood of the day. Not fair, but since when did that matter?

I’m sure you’ve heard a few absolutely crazy auto insurance rumors.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve had someone come into the office, with some tall tale, compliments of the uninformed insurance rumor mill. Often I’m laughing inside and can’t help but smile just a little thinking about it.

There are many things that each of us must do on a daily basis in order to keep up with our obligations and avoid disappointing those who are counting on us. But this level of time devotion to everyday activities can deeply impact our ability to manage our own financial affairs as thoroughly as we might like – because while you are bringing your daughter to dance class, baking cookies for your son’s school bake sale, and going grocery shopping for a sick relative all while balancing work, housework and other duties, there isn’t a lot of time left over for financial planning.

Like most of us, you probably have a budget to stick to each month. And, depending on your personal financial situation, that budget might be restrictive or relatively generous. If it’s restrictive, then when you compare auto insurance rates that can mean that you place more importance on affordability than value.

If you have a car accident, you need to react the right way at the scene in order to keep yourself safe from further damage or injury – both physical and financial.

When you pay your insurance premiums month after month, it might start to feel like you are just giving money away for no good reason. And if you’ve ever had a claim denied because the damage to your property was no higher than your deductible, you might really feel like you’re getting the short end of the stick.

Once you get your auto insurance policy issued, you are ready to start driving. But there are some additional steps you should take to protect yourself, keep your rates low, and prepare for the worst.

When people think of auto insurance, they often think only of the cars they drive every day, or the cars their newly licensed teens drive and how those definitely need coverage. But what about all the recreational vehicles we own? From snowmobiles to boats, wave runners to campers, there are a ton of recreational vehicles that all need to have some liability and replacement insurance coverage on them.

On Twitter, it sometimes seems like all anyone can talk about is the latest spate of insurance commercials and man, with all the choices out there it’s an endless conversation. Progressive has its Flo commercials, Allstate has the funny mayhem spots, and Geico – the most multiple personalitied of all insurance companies – has the cavemen, the Twilight Zone spoofs, the gecko and the cartoon movies.

Some of these commercials are very funny. My personal favorites are the mayhem commercials, which have a sardonic twist that always makes me laugh. And while you might have your own personal favorite auto insurance commercial, it is important that you not pick an auto insurance policy based on the commercial that the insurance company puts out there.

It’s nice that ad agencies and marketing departments are trying to develop advertising materials that inform and entertain, but that doesn’t mean that the insurance policies offered by one company producing great commercials are a better choice for you than another company that isn’t. So rather than make your choice based on commercials, compare the costs of all auto insurance companies before you buy a policy. Check on the rates and compare the coverage options you get with each rate. Be sure to make sure you have chosen comparable limits and deductibles when you compare rates, and look to see if the deductibles and limits are reasonable for the claims expenses you are likely to endure. You should also take a moment to look at the AM best ratings of each insurer before you choose in order to see if one is more financially stable than another.

Enjoying a commercial is one thing; buying insurance is another. Don’t confuse the laugh out loud talent of some commercial writers with a representation of quality in an insurance company.

Insurance companies work hard to protect their bottom line. They screen the risks presented to them in the form of insurance applicants in order to ensure that the risks they take on don’t outweigh the premiums they collect.

Whenever we talk about saving money on auto insurance, we mention taking a safe driving course (or defensive driving course) because, as you may have guessed or read already, a safe driving course can entitle you to discount on your auto insurance premium.

Not every car can be covered with the same, basic insurance policy. Some cars, like vintage or collectible models, require special insurance coverage. You must factor this difference in before you get an auto insurance quote so that you can get the right insurance policy for your vehicle.

There are times when financial or medical hardships make it impossible for us to get insurance coverage. There are also times when unforeseen disasters wreak more havoc than we, or our insurers, are able to pay. It is during these times that state and federal funds can step in and make all the difference.

One of the things you should factor into the online auto insurance quote you receive is the type of car you drive. The age, condition, Kelley Blue Book value and replacement costs should all be considered.