Commercialism rant! (long but worth a read)

benb76

I'd suggest to Percy that he sets up an insurance company that spreads the cost of premiums across the entire age range, then see how long it will last before going bust because they'll only get the business of high risk age groups as older drivers will not want to pay the extra to subsidise them.

Percy1983

benb76 wrote: »

I'd suggest to Percy that he sets up an insurance company that spreads the cost of premiums across the entire age range, then see how long it will last before going bust because they'll only get the business of high risk age groups as older drivers will not want to pay the extra to subsidise them.

I agree completely that a single insurance company doing this would fail.

My point is the government could put caps on insurance if young drivers stay within certain limits (as mentioned before, small engined, low value car and no claims or points), in that case it would force insurance companies to distribute the costs more evenly.

Out of interest how would you all feel if insurance companies started collecting peoples height and in a few years concluded that shorter people are more likely to crash (pure guess on my half) and charged shorter people more would that be descrimination?

benb76

If the government put caps on the premiums for younger drivers then insurance companies would just refuse to insure them.

If height did have a bearing on risk then insurance companies would take this into account, in the same way that they account for gender. However it doesn't, so they don't and you're fighting a losing battle.

Generali

If there was money in offering cheap insurance to young male drivers someone would be doing it. If you disagree then get off your arsenal and start one up.

benb76

Another thing, it would be political suicide for the government to impose a law which encourages more younger drivers onto the road that are subsidised by older drivers.

In my life I've known 4 people die in fatal car accidents, the oldest driver was 22 and the other 3 were all 17-19.

Percy1983

My point people will dismiss things like height or arm/leg length and if the insurance company tried charging more there would be an uproar where as you height or limb length could geniunely affect your driving ability.

It would be wrong to say all shorter people are the same yet its fine to say all males are the same and all 19 years olds are the same.

All I call for is an innocent until proven guilty way of doing things, charge all those (regardless of age/gender) more if they make claims or get points and all those who haven't done anything wrong are capped until such a time they do something wrong.

If anything it might make the rounds safer, as in if a young drivers insurance in capped at £800 and they know the second they make a claim or get points they will be paying £1500-£2000 they might think a little more about it.

JonnyBravo

Percy1983 wrote: »

I agree completely that a single insurance company doing this would fail.

My point is the government could put caps on insurance if young drivers stay within certain limits (as mentioned before, small engined, low value car and no claims or points), in that case it would force insurance companies to distribute the costs more evenly.

Out of interest how would you all feel if insurance companies started collecting peoples height and in a few years concluded that shorter people are more likely to crash (pure guess on my half) and charged shorter people more would that be descrimination?

IF short people were more likely to crash than tall people then fine. Charge them more. (Short ar-$e$ deserve to pay more for that chip on their shoulder anyhow )

Are you proposing this "business approach" for other insurances? How about life insurance?
Is it fair that these youngsters get all the low premiums?
Sure older people are more likely to die but that doesn't take into account the fact some of the elderly are very careful with their diet and exercise regularly. I say these youngsters should pay a bit more after all not all old people are going to die this year.
:roll eyes:

Now do you see how daft your suggestion is?

SandC

I kind of agree about the insurance. The premiums seem overly excessive. Although it's mine and the generation after's fault I guess. I knew plenty lads at age 18/19 who had Escort XR3is etc. - although their cars were where their money went, when it came to buying homes or even just leaving the parents the cars usually went. But it was those and those after them whose driving caused the massive and ongoing rise in premiums for young people.

I must pick you up on something though - clothes. It's pretty much dirt cheap for clothes these days. I came across a belt the other day which I bought from Next in around 1988 for £17. I remember how much it was because my friends thought that was too much for a belt. But a belt was THE accessory then, it brought your whole outfit together. So it was probably a day's weekend work wages - but bear in mind the belts in the very same shop now are not as much as £17 yet that was 22 years ago! Shoes you would think nothing of paying £30-£50 back then either, yet now that's me treating myself.

So clothes are not expensive. No way.

System

Primarni is the way forward anyway.

Percy1983

Joeskeppi wrote: »

Primarni is the way forward anyway.

I have to agree, asda, tesco and matalan also work for me.