[pct-l] Be safe or I won't pay for it

[m_factor@hotmail.com (Mara Factor)]

Randy,

You bring up some good points.

I know there are some places where "higher" risk people do pay higher 
premiums on their insurance.  In those cases, they are already paying for 
their consequences.  Young male drivers, for instance, often pay more for 
their auto insurance.  In the same vein, low mileage drivers get reduced 
rates.

Other activities are already targetted...  Some insurance doesn't cover 
expenses as a result of what they consider "dangerous" activities...  
Skydiving comes to mind.  Or, you have to pay more for that insurance.  I 
suspect the Hollywood stunt crowd probably pays more for their insurance.

If as you suggest, you take this and apply it to all of life's activities, 
can you imagine a point value assigned to each of our individual lifestyles? 
  Talk about government - blech!

Obviously, many people who choose to not use their helmets or safety belts 
do so knowing full well the consequences of their actions to both themselves 
and to the general public in terms of financial outlay of taxes and 
insurance premiums.  However, most of the people I have had this discussion 
with have not fully thought this out.  Most just want to be left alone but 
hadn't thought about who really pays when their hospital bills stack up.  
It's that ignorance in the face of simple solutions (most cars are equipped 
with easy to use seatbelts) that gets me.

I don't know if any of the people I've had this discussion have changed 
their habits, but I know I've started the wheels turning in quite a few 
people minds.  And a bit of understanding about why other people would care 
when they had previously thought it to be a purely personal decision.

Like I said, I don't have all the answers.  I don't think I really have any 
of the answers.  But, perhaps I could just supply some food for thought.

Mara - and yes, I'm going to go take a hike - be back Sunday or Monday
:-)

>From: Randy Forsland <Randy@coronanetworks.com>
>Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2001 08:19:12 -0700
>
>
>Mara Factor writes:
>
> >I agree with Jim and Carl.  I really don't care if you don't want to wear
> >your seatbelt or motorcycle helmet as long as the consequences of your
> >actions don't cause my taxes or insurance premiums to go up in the event
>you
> >have an accident with claims that would have otherwise been reduced.
>
>How about those that have contracted AIDs through unsafe sexual practices 
>or
>intravenous  drug use ??
>
>Or heart disease brought on by poor diet and execise habits ??
>
>Why are we only singling out certain dangerous activities when we could
>target them all ??!!
>
>What we need is more Government to force everybody to be healthier and
>happier!!!
>
>Hmmmm...sounds like that could be the basis of a good novel...wait..that's
>already been done..
>
>Randy
>
>aka Trailgypsy

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