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Detroit, 6:37 PM
Sun Dec 6
14 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/12/09
This is open to far too many creeping abuses from a power hungry state.
Sadly, people will be taken in by that time-tested Big Brother formula of big, vague, promises coupled with a compliment making the intended target think they have nothing to worry about because they aren't part of the "bad group" the law marginalizes.
First, they track mileage. "Hey, we're saving you good, low-mileage, drivers money!"(...and you long distance commuters can eat it!)
Then, they track location. "Hey, at no extra cost, we're saving you innocent drivers from car thieves!"(...and people with no car insurance, or who are behind on their payments, or who owe the state money...)
Next, they track speed. "Hey, at no extra cost, we're saving you good, safe, from high speed accidents and the higher insurance claims they cause!"(...and you and everyone else WILL pay for going ten over the limit, regardless of your pathetic excuse. No one is above the law. Now pay up.)
After that, they add cameras to the system. "Hey, for a marginal taxpayer cost, we're adding video surveillance to keep you law abiding citizens safe from domestic violence, child abuse, carjacking and more happening in your vehicle!"(...and make sure you say no possibly "terrorist" comments, or take any questionable substances, or do anything else that is suspicious. Remember, we know where you are....)
Then, they will push for autonomous cars, linked to their control grid. "Hey, our GPS sensors have shown that human error is the cause of error in most crashes. Let's save you, our good, moral, law-abiding citizens the stress of commute by having our GPS-guided system do the driving for you. It will save lives, money, and cut down on congestion!"(...and it will allow us to control where you go, which is also conveniently wherever WE want you to go. Undesirables will be directed to the proper processing centers. Also, we will try to take the last remaining Luddite "drivers" and tax and regulate all but the most moneyed of them out of existence - for their "own good" of course. Remember, driving is a privilege - a recreational hobby, one that only the elite of society are entitled to.)
Finally, if they haven't already done so, they'll take all of this technology and apply it to the rest of your life. "Hey, since our tracking/surveillance technology works so well on your cars, we're now requiring you put a tracking chip in your arm, a camera in your home, complete access to your computer...just think of all the lives and money, you, the innocent taxpayer, who has nothing to hide, will save!"(...and kiss your freedom goodbye, sucker!)
Make no mistake, it CAN happen here.
Don't be fooled. #insurance
11/12/09
Sure what you said could happen but so could GM turning OnStar into a corporate conspiracy to strand ever car in America at once and hold them for ransom. I mean GM could do that since OnStar gives them the technology to stop cars that are stolen. What prevents them from taking the next step and just stranding everybody and causing mass havoc. Make NO mistake, it CAN hAppen HErE, don't BÉ ƒoolED!!¡1!! BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Scary Sound)
You see how that sounds.
Remember future+change doesn't necessarily equal doom(6)^Communism. Maybe doom(.1)^arrogance but that's about how far it goes.
In any case this will never happen because 2012 will kill all of us first. #insurance
11/13/09
11/13/09
However I was short with you and I should not have compared you to a Glenn Beck viewer. For that I am truly sorry. #insurance
11/13/09
11/12/09
They have been pushing that way for last couple of years now. This is just another way for people to get use to the idea of tracking device.
Just say no. #insurance
11/11/09
Insurance companies are getting more and more sophisticated in their pricing algorithms, and adding a GPS to track mileage would just be one more variable in the dozens they use already. They don't really need it to get the rate they need to cover your exposure and make a profit.
In my opinion, it's just a gimmick - like a Good Student Discount. One of the companies we represent did a study of their losses involving younger drivers, and they found almost no difference between good students, average students, male drivers, or female drivers. Their conclusion? All of them are "off the charts" terrible drivers - accidents waiting to happen.
Those of you who think you would be getting a bargain because you don't drive that much are fooling yourselves. With some companies, your credit score and your bill payment history with the insurance company are weighted even more heavily than your driving record.
Another major influence on your auto insurance premium is the state in which you live. Insurance is regulated on a state level, and some states intervene (some would say meddle) in the market more than others. For example, it is next to impossible to cancel someone's insurance in Michigan - regardless of how poor their driving record may be. It's sort of like being married to an abusive spouse, but never having the option of divorce. And it's because the state has written bad insurance laws in the name of "consumer protection".
If you were compelled to provide someone with hundreds of thousands of dollars of liability coverage, even if you KNEW that you would lose money on the transaction, what would you do? You would increase rates on everyone -even good drivers - to subsidize the unprofitable business you could never get rid of.
In my opinion, the best outcome for true mileage-based premiums would be a short-term gain for the companies that are early adapters. Any advantage they gain would be diminished as more companies use the same method to chase "profitable" business. #insurance
11/11/09
Second, I simply don't like people knowing where I am. I keep the GPS off on my phone, etc.
Third, we do drive a lot. Our '03 Denali, bought new, has 203,000 miles. I'd say we put about 100,000 miles a year, combined, on cars. This could actually hurt.
On the other hand, it could potentially make insurance for an occasionally-driven car cheaper, because if you only have to pay for the 10 miles a week you drive it, it could be close to free. That being said, all of our old stuff is on Hagarty Classic, which is still pretty damn cheap. #insurance
11/11/09
OF COURSE it's going to lead to the government tracking you. How could it not?
For everyone saying 'waaaaaaa but my insurance is so high and i never drive waaaaaaaaaaaaa'... then I suggest you get rid of your car. But potentially trading your very freedom of movement for a few dollars off on your insurance is completely bonkers and just not an option.
THIS IS HOW it begins, people. They make it look like they're doing you a favor, saving you some money or making your life easier somehow... and then you're living under a totalitarian boot, without even realizing how it happened. And if you think that this plan exists for any other reason, then you need to open your eyes and take a good look at what's going on around here. #insurance
11/11/09
There are already insurance discounts for driving less miles so the true motivation for this type of vehicular monitoring is questionable at best.
If anyone thinks this is a good idea they're crazy. #insurance
11/11/09
11/11/09
"Oh, looks like ____ has gone over the speed limit 28 times this month, time to jack up his rates for dangerous driving."
If they aren't allowed to use our speeds to make determinations that doesn't sound so bad. #insurance
11/11/09
11/12/09
11/11/09
I have a scooter that I drive all the time, so at this point it seems almost ridiculous to be paying $59 a month to have insurance on a car that I almost never drive.
I would LOVE it if this happened.
Why don't they just make it an option instead of making everyone do it?
Either pay the normal premiums or opt into the pay per mile scenario, seems like a great solution.
11/12/09
You seriously think they are just going to collect a couple dollars a month from you for that scooter?
What do you think insurance companies are. Non profit organizations?
You will end up paying just about the same. The less you drive that vehicle, the less familiar you are with it, and more you will get into an accident. #insurance
11/12/09
I have no problems paying a yearly premium for something I drive daily, the scooter. #insurance
11/11/09
11/11/09
Only in Communist Amerika today would people actually think, even for a minute, that this is a good idea.
If people would take the time to read their damned policies and elect the coverages they actually NEED, they'd find that they pay a reasonable amount.
"Gosh, I really need that 500 mile towing coverage, oh and of course I need the $75/day rental car coverage. Hmmm, how many miles per year? Let's say 20,000 just to be safe . . ."
People are morons, we need to stop legislating for their stupidity. #insurance
11/11/09
11/11/09
11/11/09
11/12/09
Please enlighten me, I'd love to pay $10/mo on my '91 Celica for full coverage.
Seriously. Tell me. #insurance
11/12/09
[And wouldn't it be "you should realize it is you who ARE stupid" not is stupid.] #insurance
11/11/09
like cingular?
or can you take take some miles off your summer car to help pay your daily driver miles?
if so at what currency ? #insurance
11/11/09
11/11/09
11/11/09
11/11/09
11/11/09
These sort of misuses will not make it through the regulatory wash, and most certainly not in California or as long as the severe diehards like the ACLU exist. It doesn't worry me. #insurance
11/11/09
11/11/09
But that's not to say that I give them free reign. Just a bit of room to work in on trying something new. If they let it get misused and don't slap down the misbehavior, I've got a pitchfork and torch in the garage ready to be put to good use. #insurance
11/11/09
11/11/09
11/11/09
I initially said, "it had better be a significant amount of money, but if a log gets created every time the car moves, forget it. It just isn't worth it, even if my premium went to zero dollars a month. If they can't simply get the inspecting mechanic to read the odometer and relay that info to the insurance company, I want no part of it. #insurance
11/11/09
11/11/09