You do need it for e.g. database records that are nullable or anywhere else that null/nil is a valid state that differs from zero value. Your alternative approa

You do need it for e.g. database records that are nullable or anywhere else that null/nil is a valid state that differs from zero value. Your alternative approach requires manual work on your part rather than being built in to the bindings, and allows for invalid states as pointed out by another commenter.