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.

The new healthcare reform bill may have had an unintended side effect. Because the new laws allow children to stay on their parent’s insurance plans longer, allows people with pre-existing conditions to get coverage (starting in 2014), allows children with pre-existing conditions to get coverage now, and allows some people to avoid the system altogether and take advantage of Medicare, insurance companies are complaining that they need to raise rates in order to cover the additional costs and possible lost premiums.

Cheap life insurance is one of the primary goals of most consumers. From newlyweds to new grads, newly retired individuals to working professionals-no matter what stage of life you are in chances are good that you want cheap life insurance.

When you are searching for auto insurance rates, finding cheap auto insurance often becomes your sole focus. But you need to do some research on the insurance companies you consider doing business with before committing to the first cheap auto insurance rate you find because if the company insuring your car is not financially sound, they may not be there to pay your claims when you need them. And even if you buy cheap auto insurance from a financially sound company, that doesn’t mean the insurance policy is right for you.

The Internet has revolutionized the traditional insurance industry which once relied heavily on a large staff and network of agents to sell and service policies. There was a time in the industry when everything depended on paper streams passing through many different hands to achieve results. Now that this is no longer necessary-how does that affect you, the consumer?