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[clhw AT infoave.net (clhw)]

Insurance is legalized gambling in which the insurance policy purchaser
bets the insurance company that he, the purchaser will lose. You only win
on health insurance if you get sick and need financial help. You only win
on car insurance if you have a wreck or damage done to your vehicle. You
only win on life insurance if you die young.

The insurance company bets against the purchaser based on its tables of
probability. What is the probability that a 30-year-old will keel over dead
of unknown causes? Or that he/she will have a wreck which "totals" their
car? Especially since, if the purchaser has a poor driving record, the
rates are higher? The insurance company takes into account whether or not
the purchaser has taken driver's training, has a B or higher average, is
enrolled full-time in high school, etc.

Insurance is always a losing deal for the purchaser unless they fall prey
to whatever they are insuring against at an early age and with devastating
results. Insurance has caused a large portion of the increase of medical
charges. Part of the squabbling over HomeOwners' Association regulations is
caused by insurance.

Many doctors and hospitals give 30 - 50% reduction in charges to people who
carry no insurance. Why?

Just my opinion.

>What are your thoughts on the issue of insurance?
>
>*http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/magazine/06wwln-safire-t.html?ref=magazine