Re: alfa-digest V7 #1388

[Pottree@domain.elided]

In a message dated 02/24/2000 3:14:38 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

<< Insurance companies are obliged to pay what the car is worth and an
 appraisal by a recognized appraiser is worth its weight in high-priced
 lawyers.   >>

What planet do you live on -- Canada?

In the USA, auto insurance is a legalized bunco swindle, in which you are 
required by law (passed by a legislature packed with insurance people and 
their toadies) to buy their product, which is theoretically only of value if 
disaster strikes.  Then, you are at the mercy of the insurer as to what they 
will deign to pay you.  For the most part, if you own an Alfa in the neck of 
the woods I live in and have paid regular street auto insurance for more than 
2 or 3 years, you have paid them more money than they will ever return to you 
in event of a claim for theft or damages.  They will ALWAYS try to skunk out 
and come up with some mouse copy reason that 1) you weren't covered for THAT, 
2) the other driver's insurance company is responsible and it would up to 
them if the at-fault driver had insurance as he was supposed to and that's 
why your rates are so high, or 3) your car is next to worthless so take this 
lunch money and don't bother me, kid.  They are the vilest spawn of Satan and 
should all rot in the hoosegow, IMHO.

Apologies to fellow digesters who may be in the auto insurance industry.  
YOU, of course, are all princes and princesses, and this critique isn't meant 
to apply to you.

Charlie
LA, CA, USA

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