At least they are consistent. North Carolina once again takes another barely invisible, baby step towards a nanny state. In the past, they've increased your health insurance rates by requiring coverage for chiropractic treatment (for some fun, see how that happened) and mental health parity. This time, they've taken aim at auto insurance.
Effective today, all North Carolina auto policies are required to have uninsured and under insured motorists coverage. Even though we're in a recession, now evidently is as good a time as any to add $17.00 (per vehicle) to some one's insurance premium in order to line the pockets of North Carolina's Trial Lawyers and Insurance agents.
They'll say it's not really a big deal (and for insurance agents it isn't - probably adding a measly $1.70 commission per effected policy). After all, 95% of those who have auto insurance, already have these coverages. But if that's the case - then why force drivers to add it? Shouldn't a citizen be allowed to save a little dough and gamble the same way they are allowed to gamble that they won't wreck or have their own car stolen? Of course, personal injury attorneys don't stand to gain thousands by forcing insureds to carry those coverages.
The saddest fact of this matter is that this little spike in premium will likely result in more North Carolinians driving around without insurance. It also means that some families will have to spend $17.00 on coverage they'd like to decline, money that could be used for food, to heat their home or anything else of their choosing.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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