Is insurance a good thing?

[nobbie48]

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If a moron driving a SUV causes a crash the only hit he gets is an insurance boost and maybe not even that if he has first at fault protection. Would he drive more cautiously if he had to pay 10% of the damages back to the insurer? The victim would still get the full amount in the same time.

Or maybe instead of the fine of a few hundred dollars for a "Turn not in safety" the driver got hit with a percentage of the damages as well.

I'm just wondering if people drove more cautiously when insurance wasn't mandatory 50ish years ago. Different era though.

 

[iegod]

The concept of defensive driving didn't really exist fifty years ago, and even with precautions, accidents are inevitable. That being said, I am of the opinion that the requirements to obtain and maintain a license are far too lax, in particular the G series. It's shameful.

 

[Gary]

I'm just wondering if people drove more cautiously when insurance wasn't mandatory 50ish years ago. Different era though.

Insurance Company Ins wasn't mandatory, but some sort of coverage always was.
If you went that route (I did), it was referred to as "unsatisfied judgement", and initially it cost $25 / year to 'insure' you with coverage. Later, they jacked the price to $40/year (briefly) and then it went to $100, and was then referred to as "buck luck".
In case of an accident, the govt would cover repair / damage costs that you caused (to the other party). In return, your driver's licence would be under suspension until the FULL amount was re-paid (to the provincial govt).
Keep in mind, this was before ambulance chasing lawyers, and every Tom, Dick and Mary wanting several million dollars for a sprained thumb.

I don't think anyone (who has been here that long) drives any less, or more defensivly, or more careful now, than in the past.
Back then, there were fewer drivers, fewer roads, fewer folks from other countries that came here unaccustomed to our way of driving, which was an excellent segue for all the "Driver's Education" programs / companies.

 

[FullMotoJacket]

I remember the Unsatisfied Judgement Fund. It was akin to the extra money you pay to get your sticker if your car fails your e-test. Nothing to do with insurance, really. It was more or less an added value tax so you could drive without insurance. A friend of mine had it. Coming home from our party spot by the St. Davids Sand Pits he ran over 2 other guys we knew who were walking home along the sidewalk from the same party. He had 2 judgements levied against him for their expenses and (huge) punitive damages. With looking forward to having his wages garnisheed for the rest of his life, he ended up going out to his garage and having a nap in his car.

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