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jammun 
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 14 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3449
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 Topic: An American Tale: car wreck
Posted: March 13 2010 at 14:05 |
So the other day I'm driving to work in my little Honda. Some cretin (and I suspect an illegal cretin) in an Explorer slams into the rear end of the Honda. Actually, kind of funny I first thought what's that noise? Oh, it's me!
I hate cell phones. But I do have one so dialed the ol' 911. State trooper is there within 10 minutes. She agrees with me that he's a cretin, since he has no valid driver's license nor proof of insurance (required in my state). Since he's operating his Explorer illegally, it get's towed. My car, well I can drive it home, call my insurance company, and drive it to the body shop. It's now looking as good as new.
I get stuck with a $250 deductable. I have a rental car rider, so I have to pony up 20% for the rental, for 9 days. All together I'm out over $400.
So my cost: $400 plus, though the insurance company promises me my $250 back.
His cost: Well, he's saved on the cost of insurance, whatever that may be. However insurance company will go after him for my $250 + $3700 (cost to fix my car's rear end) + getting his Explorer out of impoundment. I'm surprised the dude just not keep on driving and get the hell outta there.
I don't even know what my point is here. I guess, just being a regular guy here in America, and having someone slam into the back end of your car, and being fully insured, will still cost you $400 or so. What's wrong with this picture?
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Can you tell me where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon.
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: March 13 2010 at 14:58 |
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Nothing?
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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micky
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46838
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Posted: March 13 2010 at 15:25 |
 jammun wrote:
So the other day I'm driving to work in my little Honda. Some cretin (and I suspect an illegal cretin) in an Explorer slams into the rear end of the Honda. Actually, kind of funny I first thought what's that noise? Oh, it's me!
I hate cell phones. But I do have one so dialed the ol' 911. State trooper is there within 10 minutes. She agrees with me that he's a cretin, since he has no valid driver's license nor proof of insurance (required in my state). Since he's operating his Explorer illegally, it get's towed. My car, well I can drive it home, call my insurance company, and drive it to the body shop. It's now looking as good as new.
I get stuck with a $250 deductable. I have a rental car rider, so I have to pony up 20% for the rental, for 9 days. All together I'm out over $400.
So my cost: $400 plus, though the insurance company promises me my $250 back.
His cost: Well, he's saved on the cost of insurance, whatever that may be. However insurance company will go after him for my $250 + $3700 (cost to fix my car's rear end) + getting his Explorer out of impoundment. I'm surprised the dude just not keep on driving and get the hell outta there.
I don't even know what my point is here. I guess, just being a regular guy here in America, and having someone slam into the back end of your car, and being fully insured, will still cost you $400 or so. What's wrong with this picture? |
hmmm.... that anyone might be surprised. Gotta love insurance. I had used to have a framed copy of the 40,000 bill my ex-wife and I got after she spent a week in ICU. We were both still fully insured.. or so we thought.. the nice fine print.. they only covered 90%.. with us being responsible for up to a max of.. you guessed it... $40k.
Edited by micky - March 13 2010 at 15:29
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: March 13 2010 at 15:59 |
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That kind of happened to me a few years ago. I don't know if the alien was legal or ill. It happened as I was driving home on Halloween. The guy hit the back of my pickup truck and drove me into the car of a pregnant lady. All were OK. My truck was totaled and I got a decent reimbursement from the insurance company. Weird but true.
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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jammun
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 14 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3449
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Posted: March 13 2010 at 16:03 |
^^ Yeah I know it sucks. That's why there's bankruptcy, I guess. It's just been a while since I've been on the wrong end of getting screwed. I mean, $500! Do you know how many DT albums that would buy 
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Can you tell me where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon.
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jammun
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 14 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3449
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Posted: March 13 2010 at 16:11 |
I guess, to paraphrase Fripp, insurance is not 
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Can you tell me where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon.
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Padraic
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: February 16 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Status: Offline
Points: 31169
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Posted: March 13 2010 at 16:12 |
micky wrote:
hmmm....
that anyone might be surprised. Gotta love insurance.
I had used to have a framed copy of the 40,000 bill my ex-wife and I got after she spent a week in ICU. We were both still fully insured.. or so we thought.. the nice fine print.. they only covered 90%.. with us being responsible for up to a max of.. you guessed it... $40k.
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A week in the ICU was $400k?! Yeesh! 
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micky
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46838
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Posted: March 13 2010 at 16:25 |
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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jammun
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 14 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3449
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Posted: March 13 2010 at 19:57 |
micky wrote:
Padraic wrote:
micky wrote:
hmmm....
that anyone might be surprised. Gotta love insurance.
I had used to have a framed copy of the 40,000 bill my ex-wife and I got after she spent a week in ICU. We were both still fully insured.. or so we thought.. the nice fine print.. they only covered 90%.. with us being responsible for up to a max of.. you guessed it... $40k.
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A week in the ICU was $400k?! Yeesh!
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long story but she had an infection that went septic ... ICU was only a part of it the bill of course. She nearly died on the table in the ER while they tried to bring down her temperature..which was 109 when admitted.. (Becks told me she really did see the white light and all that crazy sh*t)... and the drugs they used to knock down the infection.. that is what was the expensive part. Brutal.. wiped out our savings.
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Okay, officially, I now feel foolish to complain about my pittance lost. It still sucks,but nowhere near this deal...
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Can you tell me where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon.
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Henry Plainview
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 26 2008
Location: Declined
Status: Offline
Points: 16715
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 01:08 |
Jammum, insurance isn't supposed to cover everything. It minimizes misfortune, not eliminates it.
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if you own a sodastream i hate you
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Petrovsk Mizinski
Prog Reviewer
Joined: December 24 2007
Location: Ukraine
Status: Offline
Points: 25210
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 01:36 |
Equality 7-2521 wrote:
Nothing? |
Henry Plainview wrote:
Jammum, insurance isn't supposed to cover everything. It minimizes misfortune, not eliminates it. |
+1 to both
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micky
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46838
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 08:27 |
+2 to you all. Thanks for sharing your thoughts based on years of experience with the insurance industry to middle aged men.... I would have found it funny to have people post here who are still being covered under Mommy and Daddies insurance. so while at it.... what is the skinny on retirement... supposed to live off a combination of 401k, and SS.? or simply to minimize hunger... not eliminate it for those too old to work.
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 09:25 |
How many years have you worked as an actuary Mickey? None? Ok so you should probably tone down the arrogance. Just because you're older than me doesn't mean you know more about the field. Actually it doesn't mean anything except that you'll probably die sooner.
Maybe you should understand that insurance is a business and not a hand out. You're not entitled to it. Nobody needs to give it to you. The same is true of your easy retirement. People don't die at 65 anymore Mickey, so they shouldn't be expecting to retire at the same time they did in the 50s anymore either. If you managed your money well and gave a priority towards investment with a suitably diverse portfolio you would most likely be fine for retirement.
Or something unfortunate would have happened and maybe you're not. I understand that people's 401ks are reeling right now, but thats what happens with an investment. It's a risk not a guaranteed condo in FL for your twilight years. The point is everyone is doing terribly right now besides those who are in bed with the government. Maybe it's you who had that childish mindset when you assumed that retirement would just be flung in your lap from mandatory government safety nets and a savings method companies essentially cram down your throat.
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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micky
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46838
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 09:35 |
hahha.... good point Pat. I don't know much...difference between us.... is i know it and keep my opinions to myself on things I don't know.. and only share my experiences and have experiences to share.. not simply an opinion as those like you have.  and dying soon... hell yeah.... bring it on hahha I pity the likes the you. It is bad now... much as I think you are pathetic and a heartless individual... I feel for the pain your thoughts put into practice will cause you. Good luck when that $40,000 bill hits you... there go your savings... and your retirement.
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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Equality 7-2521
Forum Senior Member
Joined: August 11 2005
Location: Philly
Status: Offline
Points: 15784
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 09:49 |
I like how science and cohesive, consistent, political philosophy are nothing compared to one man's anecdotal evidence which amounts to pretty much the largest sampling bias you can imagine.
However thanks for the good wishes and support on my policy issues.  |
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"One had to be a Newton to notice that the moon is falling, when everyone sees that it doesn't fall. "
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micky
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: October 02 2005
Location: .
Status: Offline
Points: 46838
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 09:54 |
no problem.... just stay healthy... not that you have any choice in the matter.
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The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip
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jammun
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 14 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 3449
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 11:24 |
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I realize that insurance merely minimizes risk. That said, I find it disturbing that some idiot who is not paying attention to what he is doing can cost me $400+, outta the blue. I am fortunate. I can absorb that hit. Others are not so fortunate.
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Can you tell me where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon.
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Henry Plainview
Forum Senior Member
Joined: May 26 2008
Location: Declined
Status: Offline
Points: 16715
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Posted: March 14 2010 at 23:01 |
micky wrote:
+2 to you all. Thanks for sharing your thoughts based on years of experience with the insurance industry to middle aged men.... I would have found it funny to have people post here who are still being covered under Mommy and Daddies insurance.
so while at it.... what is the skinny on retirement... supposed to live off a combination of 401k, and SS.? or simply to minimize hunger... not eliminate it for those too old to work.
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Yes, and even I know enough not to expect an accident to be free. Retirement is completely different from car insurance, don't be ridiculous.
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if you own a sodastream i hate you
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clarke2001
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: June 14 2006
Location: Croatia
Status: Offline
Points: 4160
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Posted: March 18 2010 at 13:15 |
What a coincidence. I had a rear end today. The first crash in my life. Twas not my fault. Some teen redneck bumped me while I was turning right. He slammed me, turned me for 180 degrees, thrown me to a parked van which I hit with my rear end - again. Ouch, my neck. Teenager's insurance will cover the repair. (poor guy, he was trembling like a leaf.) We called the police, they said we had to be patient because they're just dealing with another car crash scene. We had been waiting for two hours - I kid you not. WTF, was that the only police patrol in the city area?!? The funny thing is, the guy from the parked van is a proghead who is just gathering people for the band, and he needs a keyboard player. I love this town. 
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Padraic
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: February 16 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Status: Offline
Points: 31169
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Posted: March 18 2010 at 13:19 |
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What is a Croatian redneck?
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An American Tale: car wreck
