U n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l

[Seshmeister]

I'm really talking about the car insurance, I don't think people should be punished for not having health insurance either but because I think any moral society should provide it free to everyone based on need.

I didn't get your car insurance thing because I know that anyone I've ever heard who got hit by an uninsured driver said it was a fucking nightmare. The uninsured guy that hits you is unlikely to have many assets or he would have insurance and you can sue him all you like it's not going to raise the money to replace your new $40k car. You can get insurance here that covers you for being hit by uninsured people but it's obviously more expensive and claims take ages and it's all a real hassle.

From what I understand the real problem with insurance in the US is that the market isn't working properly with not enough competition.

[chefcraig]

From what I understand the real problem with insurance in the US is that the market isn't working properly with not enough competition.

That is only part of the issue, at least here in the Sun-damaged State. For every insured driver, there are two more that are not. That's right, one in three motorists are insured, thus making those responsible enough to carry coverage have to pay for those that refuse to. It also means that when you (the insured) find your car nailed by some piece of shit with no working head or tail lights and a dragging bumper, more often than not it will be you footing the bill for repairs and damages.

This has also lead to a brazenly desperate cottage industry called insurance fraud. A scam artist will pay some homeless fellow to crash a car into your's, then sue you for damages. The fact that these hapless people occasionally wind up getting maimed or killed in the process is only a small by product of the scheme, as the shysters running the scam can only increase the amount of damages sought brought on by the carnage.

Yup, America...home of capitalism and free enterprise.

[ELVIS]

For every insured driver, there are two more that are not. That's right, one in three motorists are insured, thus making those responsible enough to carry coverage have to pay for those that refuse to.

Let's see you back up that tall tale...

Yup, America...home of capitalism and free enterprise.

Dude, the border is wide open...

[chefcraig]

Let's see you back up that tall tale...

According to this piece written in 2007 (Florida's Number of Uninsured Motorists in the Top Five), the rate of uninsured motorists in Florida due to unemployment was 25%, or one in four. With 3 years of added recession, the number has no doubt but increased.

Furthermore, Florida has accounted for a staggering 28% of all the staged/caused accidents in the U.S. for the first half of last year. (Source: What’s Driving Florida’s High Auto Rates?)

Dude, the border is wide open...

True enough, but I'd probably get into an accident with an uninsured driver on the way there.

[ELVIS]

[Terry]

I'm really talking about the car insurance, I don't think people should be punished for not having health insurance either but because I think any moral society should provide it free to everyone based on need.

I didn't get your car insurance thing because I know that anyone I've ever heard who got hit by an uninsured driver said it was a fucking nightmare. The uninsured guy that hits you is unlikely to have many assets or he would have insurance and you can sue him all you like it's not going to raise the money to replace your new $40k car. You can get insurance here that covers you for being hit by uninsured people but it's obviously more expensive and claims take ages and it's all a real hassle.

From what I understand the real problem with insurance in the US is that the market isn't working properly with not enough competition.

While I would tend to agree with your points, the odd part of when legislation for mandatory auto insurance was first enacted regarded the claims of insurance companies that this would be a good policy because 1) if everyone was insured the pool would be larger, thus reducing rates.

This has not turned out to be the case.

Auto insurance companies will raise rates on a customer if said customer gets a ticket, or (god forbid) actually makes a claim.

The whole idea behind virtually any private insurance company amounts to little more than variations on a Pyramid or Ponzi scheme: the companies are essentially wagering on the bulk of their clients obtaining the insurance, paying the premiums but never making a claim.

I mean, fair enough that anyone with common sense would either have auto insurance or just not drive, but Americans have more bullshit excuses for everything than they do common sense.

[chefcraig]

The whole idea behind virtually any private insurance company amounts to little more than variations on a Pyramid or Ponzi scheme: the companies are essentially wagering on the bulk of their clients obtaining the insurance, paying the premiums but never making a claim.

Which pretty much explains why most of the insurance companies bailed on you and me after the last round of hurricanes, and why the "good neighbor" State Farm just canceled my policy after over twenty six years. Oh, and the bastards still had the balls to call me up and wish me happy birthday.

[Terry]

Which pretty much explains why most of the insurance companies bailed on you and me after the last round of hurricanes, and why the "good neighbor" State Farm just canceled my policy after over twenty six years. Oh, and the bastards still had the balls to call me up and wish me happy birthday.

What is inexplicable is while my house has lost roughly 50% of its value over the last two years, my homeowners insurance premiums have risen 20% during the same hurricaneLESS two year period. I mean, fuck, even my property taxes have been less each of the last two years, reflecting the downsized valuation. When I asked the insurance company what the rationale was for raising the premiums on something that is worth half of what it once was, I didn't even get a bullshit answer for my troubles. I got "take it or leave it, and by the way, sinkhole coverage is no longer included in your policy but if you want it we can give it to you for an additional 5%".

Yeah, State Farm gave Florida the bird. No doubt.

[Seshmeister]

I don't want to depress you but if they are going to maintain the wealth of the top 1% while at the same time factoring in climate change and people living longer then the only option is to fuck you really hard.

[TongueNGroove]

I have a feeling this is going to the Supreme Court.

It is funny you would think that. Feeling guilty? Yah, you know you are.

[ELVIS]

Climate change...

[Terry]

I don't want to depress you but if they are going to maintain the wealth of the top 1% while at the same time factoring in climate change and people living longer then the only option is to fuck you really hard.

But does it always have to be without warning...and dry, to boot?

I mean, a little advance notice and some lube wouldn't be too much to ask for, would it?