Posted on 11/03/2009 6:43:13 AM PST by Erik Latranyi
Car insurance by the tankful?
Not quite, but California moved a step closer last month to pay-as-you-drive policies that could allow motorists to buy insurance like they do gasoline — a little at a time.
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner released regulations permitting and authorizing mileage verification for pay-as-you-drive, without dictating what form such plans must take.
The goal is to use per-mile pricing to entice Californians not to drive so much, thus easing air pollution, relieving traffic congestion and lowering the number of traffic collisions.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...
Conservatives want to modify government so it allows you to behave as you wish.
I think this would produce a proposition in record time.
This does make sense.
(And I am an on-the-road salesman with a car used for business.)
What about people that wish to use too much fuel?
Why? Would the program be mandatory? I would prefer to buy insurance by the mile.
If this was a permissible option for consumers to choose in order to get steep discounts for periods in which they drive particular vehicles little, it would be quite a different matter. Insurance as we know it is the very definition of a highly regulated business.
Hmmm...
Road gridlock decreases travel distance, and increases pollution from cars.
California is promoting pollution by supporting this idea!!!
/liberal logic
The knock-on question is where does this mileage data go, and who vouches for it. It should only be the insurance company’s business, but if it becomes the state’s business too we have a problem, Lucy.
Also, if the tax paid for just minimum insurance, then people could pay extra for additional coverage.
However, the way this will be implemented will be too much Big Brother, and therefore I don't think it is a good idea.
Then what I have believed for a long time is true: the Drug Warriors aren't conservative...they are big-government / we-know-what-is-best-for-you LIBERALS.
This actually sounds like they are removing a government obstacle on the insurance companies to craft whatever products they think they can sell, not trying to modify people’s behavior.
...it’s worth looking into...since I retired I don’t drive that much...I wouldn’t mind getting a break on my insurance premiums.
This proposition is counter-intuitive.
A single, pot-smoking, 60-year old hippie who drives her Prius once a month is far more likely to cause an accident than a 35-year old family man who commutes to work each day.
Granted, all other factors being equal, a driver with a 60-mile commute is more likely to be involved in an accident that a driver with a 30-mile commute.
But the initial insurance premium would have to be relatively high to cover the once-a-monthers in a cost-effective manner. This is government, though, and also CA, so nevermind.
Looking at areas of the state like L.A., San Diego, and the Bay Area, where people do a LOT of commuting, I can see strong resistance to the plan.
“This actually sounds like they are removing a government obstacle on the insurance companies to craft whatever products they think they can sell, not trying to modify people’s behavior.”
From the article:
“The goal is to use per-mile pricing to entice Californians not to drive so much, thus easing air pollution, relieving traffic congestion and lowering the number of traffic collisions.”
Clearly the goal is to modify peoples behavior.
Why? The constitutional right to privacy?
Anyone who even considers there will be a “cost savings” is simply dreaming...
The only way to modify behavior {the stated goal} is to make the undesired behavior cost prohibitive....
CHA GHING!
No..it wont make insurance any cheaper....it will justify an increase in premiums...or a fee...or some other cleverly worded price increase...
If such plans include a GPS tracking device, it will destroy privacy, for such a device will record the location of the vehicle every minute it is in motion. This must never be allowed to come to pass.
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