The business of underwriting is all about estimating the risk of loss. In broad generalities, that means a red mean-machine driven by a teen is likely to be involved in an accident, whereas a family saloon driven by a homemaker with a baby in back is likely to arrive safely. Although stereotypes are not always [...]
In the days when life was simple and there were few risks, the insurance industry was profitable and able to offer a reasonably good service to its customers. But now the world is more complicated, there are real challenges for the insurers. If you look at the market for insuring vehicles, you can see the [...]
It’s a curious fact that the federal government does very little to monitor the amount of crime. You would imagine the Department of Justice would be interested to follow the statistics of wrongdoing so that resources could be targeted where most needed. Instead, we have judicial statistics that record the number of cases coming before [...]
This month, it’s been slightly disconcerting to see stories about Rep. Michele Bachman and a New York rabbi agree the earthquake that hit the East Coast was the work of the Old Testament God. The rabbi claimed God was upset that New York had legalized same sex marriage. Bachman said God was warning Washington politicians [...]
In the good old days before there were organized police forces, it was left to a few individuals to enforce the law. When they proved inadequate, there were feuds and vigilante action by the victims. Obviously, this fighting disturbed everyone, so states slowly got into the law enforcement business, recruiting and training people to keep [...]