There's no question young drivers have far more accidents than older ones - but is it our aim to keep them off the roads? Or to allow only rich young people (who can afford the premiums) to drive?

The first life insurance societies where formed in England in the years between 1692 and 1720. In America, life insurance became available to the clergy through the Presbyterian Ministers Fund, founded in 1759 (still in existence), and the Episcopal Corporation, founded ten years later (subsequently merged).

The larger the deductible you choose, the less insurance you are buying. Insurers want to sell insurance.

There are only two things as complicated as insurance accounting and I have no idea what they are.

Still, most people don't have much money. So finding ways to come out a couple of thousand dollars ahead every year still matters.

Not surprisingly, the insurance lobby recoils in horror at the prospect of automatic coverage (including, when it was first proposed, Social Security), no matter how efficient it may be. Automatic coverage eliminates sales commissions and profit.

Nobody wants campaign finance reform more than me. It would save me a fortune.