Seat Belts & Insurance

RE Bill Walker’s posting on insurance. We all dislike state regulations that require the wearing of seat belts, helmets and so forth. We suspect there is a better way.

I’ve been insured by the same company, USAA, since I was 16. Right now, I carry a non-owner auto insurance policy which covers me when I drive, mainly to make sure I don’t have any lapses in coverage. Some years ago, USAA issued a standard clause to all auto policies saying that it would not cover claims in which all of the occupants of a covered vehicle were not wearing seat belts. THAT is a far better way of handling the issue of seat belts than the threat of having some obnoxious police officer or state trooper pull you over for it. You could easily do the same thing with motorcycle helmets, or if anyone insured for these things, bicycle riders.

Don’t wanna wear seat belts? Go with an insurer who will cover you — and probably charge more — for the privilege.

That got me to thinking. It would be easy for insurance companies to issue drivers licenses and register and inspect vehicles as well. Anyone could drive without a license or insurance, they’d just be liable in the event of an accident. I haven’t given the matter much thought past this, but it is an idea that intrigues me…

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11:47 am on April 19, 2005