Auto insurance companies basically became de facto government agencies once they were put in the completely untenable situation where: (1) auto insurance was mandatory; (2) the insurance industry was forced to accept high-risk drivers through government mandates; (3) these same insurance companies were subject to continuous pressure from government to make their rates "affordable"; and (4) no-fault insurance basically removed a huge incentive for motorists to drive safely.
At one point in my home state, the insurance industry was so alarmed at the untenable situation in which it found itself due to these four factors that it determined the only feasible way for the auto insurance companies to survive would be to have the insurance industry oversee the process of licensing drivers. Just think about that for a second.
OK now let me ask you something. How long do you think mandatory insurance would have lasted had the insurers simply refused to sell it? Moist auto insurers BTW also sell homeowners etc. It's just like the healthcare insurers. Obamacare is something companies like BC/BS have been trying to get pushed through for decades. It gives them a mandatory market. The insurers may yell, kick, and scream in protest when their lobbying efforts tell a completely different story.
I'll offer no defense for any of them because they own a good majority of our lawmakers these days. I'll call them what they are. Corporate Socialist Tyrants using government to guarantee profits.