4 ms·

I wonder if insurance rates have been adjusted to reflect this. I would assume that being "at fault" for a crash with a fatality would result in a hefty insura

I wonder if insurance rates have been adjusted to reflect this. I would assume that being "at fault" for a crash with a fatality would result in a hefty insurance payout....

kube-system 4y ago
Yes, but pedestrian fatalities are relatively uncommon compared to other insurance losses, and in the US the insurance companies liability is typically capped at a fairly low level. Long story short is that insurance companies price everything in — that’s how insurance works - rates are based upon actual losses and payouts.
powerhour 4y ago
Mandatory minimum insurance limits sure haven't. They've gone up in some states but are still woefully low.
- Drunk_Engineer 4y ago
  In California, drivers are only required to have $15,000 liability insurance.
  - kube-system 4y ago
    And 17% of them just drive around with no insurance at all. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/uninsured-motorists-report/ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/uninsured-motor...
    - clairity 4y ago
      i just learned from a cop that you don't even need a license to drive in LA! she said that cops don't want to put undue burden on people in a city where driving is almost mandatory for livelihood (though i don't currently own a car myself due to the hassles and cost). i kid you not.
    - sephamorr 4y ago
      Anecdotally from my experience in CA, my friends have been in a total of 6 crashes and not a single other driver was insured. Makes sense why my un/underinsured driver line item on my car insurance is ~40% of the total.
joshlemer 4y ago
In British Columbia, we solved it by switching to a "no fault" regime where motorists and the government insurance provider are simply legally impossible to sue for damages. If you are rendered as a quadriplegic because of a negligent driver, you may get some of your rehab paid for by the government if they agree that your therapy is required. You will receive precisely $0 for your reduced quality of life. So, problem solved. Simply abdicate any responsibility for the disastrous consequences motorists impose on pedestrians and cyclists, all for those sweet sweet low premiums!

I wonder if insurance rates have been adjusted to reflect this. I would assume that being "at fault" for a crash with a fatality would result in a hefty insurance payout....

kube-system 4y ago

Yes, but pedestrian fatalities are relatively uncommon compared to other insurance losses, and in the US the insurance companies liability is typically capped at a fairly low level. Long story short is that insurance companies price everything in — that’s how insurance works - rates are based upon actual losses and payouts.

powerhour 4y ago

Mandatory minimum insurance limits sure haven't. They've gone up in some states but are still woefully low.

Drunk_Engineer 4y ago
In California, drivers are only required to have $15,000 liability insurance.
- kube-system 4y ago
  And 17% of them just drive around with no insurance at all. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/uninsured-motorists-report/ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/uninsured-motor...
  - clairity 4y ago
    i just learned from a cop that you don't even need a license to drive in LA! she said that cops don't want to put undue burden on people in a city where driving is almost mandatory for livelihood (though i don't currently own a car myself due to the hassles and cost). i kid you not.
  - sephamorr 4y ago
    Anecdotally from my experience in CA, my friends have been in a total of 6 crashes and not a single other driver was insured. Makes sense why my un/underinsured driver line item on my car insurance is ~40% of the total.

joshlemer 4y ago

In British Columbia, we solved it by switching to a "no fault" regime where motorists and the government insurance provider are simply legally impossible to sue for damages. If you are rendered as a quadriplegic because of a negligent driver, you may get some of your rehab paid for by the government if they agree that your therapy is required. You will receive precisely $0 for your reduced quality of life. So, problem solved. Simply abdicate any responsibility for the disastrous consequences motorists impose on pedestrians and cyclists, all for those sweet sweet low premiums!