Klein shoves foot in mouth on auto insurance

[Xpnsve]

Funny story posted in the Edmonton Journal today. Page A6

I've copied the story onto www.apaip.com

Check it

[sxtasy]

Do you think getting people to sign this petition, will actually do anything? Down with the insurance companies:thumbsdow

[Phuqu]

I hope you don't think public insurance is better. Try having your vehicle fixed with ICBC. Would you like used parts on your new car? They try to keep the repair cost as low as possible. Most times with your car being the one being fixed with the least expensive method possible.

I'll take private insurance anyday. If you don't like your rates shop around.

[finboy]

well, looks like i'll be left waiting until i'm 25 for cheap insurance :thumbsdow

[Gonthro]

Originally posted by finboy
well, looks like i'll be left waiting until i'm 25 for cheap insurance :thumbsdow

ditto... but driving is a privilege, not a right

[tulit]

Hahaha. I love how Taft keeps calling on Klein and it totally gets him fired up everytime. i think they should settle it in a boxing ring (You should read his book. Its like 150 pages of klein bashing ;))

[dishrag]

lol. The Insurance Bureau of Canada is NOT "an industry lobby group". far from it.

[Xpnsve]

Originally posted by dishrag
lol. The Insurance Bureau of Canada is NOT "an industry lobby group". far from it.

Why don't you explain why they are not.

[Xpnsve]

Originally posted by sxtasy
Do you think getting people to sign this petition, will actually do anything? Down with the insurance companies:thumbsdow

Thats how the government is run.. if anough people participate, it attracts attention. Media is attracted to attention and a large general outcry MUST be addressed... so ya, it will help and it's one of the only things you can do..

:banghead:

[dishrag]

Well this might be more personal experience than an industry wide trend, but when I renewed with Primmum (through Kanetix) they didn't send me my new pink slips or coverage info or anyhting for that matter, but I was paying for the coverage. Thinking it was just a small oversight, I asked 3 times for my info. After 2 months, it never came so I threatened to cancel. They said my insurance record would be ruined. I cancelled anyway. They charged me for 3 additional weeks then terminated my policy for "non-payment". Now my rates are up 3x (despite having NOTHING on my record) and I had to pay them before I could get insurance elsewhere and they never sent me a registered letter upon cancellation. I called the Insurance Bureau. They called Primmum and basically said there was nothing they could do, even though my insurance company broke the law by charaging me for insurance and not giving me any documentation and cancelling a policy without notice. Seems the Bureau has their tounge up the industries' bunghole.

[fast95pony]

Today on Global they said Albertans pay the highest Auto Insurance in the country..:banghead:

I'd like to know why.Perhaps we have the worst drivers ?? Perhaps it's because Calgary has the worst roads system I've driven on . Every intersection along the Deerfoot is different,merge lanes are too short,some lanes end without any warning,visiblity at intersections is blocked by walls,signs and bus shelters.The Deerfoot/Memorial is perfect example of the mess: a multi-laned highway with stoplights,cars merging from left and right ,lanes poorly marked and the C-train running right through the middle with barriers cutting through the lanes !!
And why isn't there a major east-west highway ??
Then you large new sub-divisions being built with only one way in or out.
The city engineers who design Calary's road system should be strung up by their balls !

It's easy to see why are are so many crashes..

But I also think Klein is in bed with the Insurance Industry in Alberta.He spends most of his time in the back of airplanes and
limo's.I doubt he drives much.

[Fluidic]

Originally posted by Phuqu
I hope you don't think public insurance is better. Try having your vehicle fixed with ICBC. Would you like used parts on your new car? I'll take private insurance anyday. If you don't like your rates shop around.

This man speaks the words of PURITY!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Xpnsve]

Originally posted by Phuqu
I hope you don't think public insurance is better. Try having your vehicle fixed with ICBC. Would you like used parts on your new car? They try to keep the repair cost as low as possible. Most times with your car being the one being fixed with the least expensive method possible.

I'll take private insurance anyday. If you don't like your rates shop around.

Thats BS... if you let your insurance company do repairs on your car, your an idiot anyway.

What happend to taking the car to a dealership or something for repairs??

[googe]

Originally posted by Phuqu


I'll take private insurance anyday. If you don't like your rates shop around.

Easy for you to say, you dont pay $8000 a year.

[Ben]

Originally posted by googe


Easy for you to say, you dont pay $8000 a year.


hahaha, dude, look what you drive and how old you are, haha.

I would hope you pay more than I do for my car. haha. :tongue:

[sputnik]

Originally posted by Phuqu
I hope you don't think public insurance is better. Try having your vehicle fixed with ICBC. Would you like used parts on your new car? They try to keep the repair cost as low as possible. Most times with your car being the one being fixed with the least expensive method possible.

I'll take private insurance anyday. If you don't like your rates shop around.

MPIC (Manitoba Public Insurance Corp.) is EXCELLENT public insurance.

Just dont expect to see a $50,000 payout if you have a "sore neck" for a couple of weeks or were "mentally traumatized" (i.e. scared). But you can expect to have your wages paid for as long as you are unable to work along with all of your rehabilitation costs.

All repairs done to your car are done with NEW parts and the damage is very often over quoted as to what it really costs. Also, if you drive a car that was written off and you dont mind used parts, MPIC will let you get it fixed then.

Isnt this really all that insurance is supposed to do anyways?

[method]

it still boggles my mind how conservatives can watch this province go to shit under klein's leadership, and still continue to vote for him.

[1badPT]

Originally posted by Xpnsve


Thats how the government is run.. if anough people participate, it attracts attention. Media is attracted to attention and a large general outcry MUST be addressed... so ya, it will help and it's one of the only things you can do..

:banghead:

Ok you've posted a number of threads on de-privatization of insurance but you never say how privatizing it will save money.

Just because provinces that have public insurance have lower rates doesn't mean the same will happen in alberta if car insurance does go public - personally I don't care either way, but its not a question of WHO is making rates so high so much as a question of WHY.

Alberta has the highest rate of accidents, the highest legal speed limit, some of the lowest number of traffic enforcement officers per square kilometre and as was pointed out by fast95pony the road system in general doesn't make for a safer driving environment. Then look at how claims are settled - Alberta is one of the only provinces that still uses the tort system - IE in order to get benefits after an accident, you have to sue for them - and becuase people have to go through so much more effort, they use push for bigger settlements which mean insurance companies have to hire lawyers to try and make sure their case is properly presented.

To summarize, we have the highest risk of accidents and we have the most expensive method for paying out benefits - that makes for high insurance rates whether its managed by a public entity or the private sector.

I would strongly support a move to make insurance in Alberta no-fault, but de-privatization IMO isn't going to have the impact on rates that you think it is - the risk and high cost of settlement will still be there, and that means high rates.

[Big_C_racing]

Of course making the auto insurance business public will decrease rates. Private companies MUST make money to stay in business, therefore, they fck you up the a$$ because they are taking the risk for you driving. The government on the other hand only has to break even and has less risk because they have a higher cash base. I am not saying that because you make it public there will be less accidents or risks on the drivers but the rates can be calculated without the added profits. Additionally, the system would become more efficient and standard therefore the system would cause less hastle for the person claiming. Private companies want to make the least payouts possible so that they can make more profit, therefore they make it a pain to get money. The government again is not trying to make a profit so would be willing to make payouts without as much pain.

But..........

This will never happen as long as Klein is in power. Klein will not be backtracked in his crusade to privatize everything in Alberta. So if you want to keep public health care, get more money for infrastructure in calgary to fix the crappy roads, have a chance to privatize anything and get money for education(primarily post-secondary), VOTE AGAINST KLEIN!!!!!!!!!!

[RiCE-DaDDy]

When its all said and done, I believe the insurance doesnt have to be as expensive as it is now.

[1badPT]

Originally posted by Big_C_racing Of course making the auto insurance business public will decrease rates. Private companies MUST make money to stay in business, therefore, they fck you up the a$$ because they are taking the risk for you driving.

Most insurance companies are only running a 5% underwriting surplus - that means out of all the premiums paid minus all the claims paid out most insurance companies are only marking up your premium dollar by 5%. You want all this for a measly 5%????? The rest of the money is made on investments while your premium sits waiting to be paid out in claims.


Additionally, the system would become more efficient and standard therefore the system would cause less hastle for the person claiming. Private companies want to make the least payouts possible so that they can make more profit, therefore they make it a pain to get money.

This is absolutely incorrect. In Alberta, settlements are based on the archaic tort system. That means in order to get your accident benefits, you have to hire a lawyer (you don't HAVE to, but no one in their right mind wouldn't) which means the insurance company has to make sure they are properly represented, so they'll have a lawyer of their own, plus the time for the trial, the costs to put together a case, etc. etc. This system would still be in place under public insurance.

Its not private insurance that makes it difficult to claim, its the insurance laws that are in place. Switch it to no-fault and benefits are paid out by your insurer - it does away with the need to go to court to create a case except in only the most severe circumstances. It eliminates a lot of these frivolous lawsuits where a person claims way more money than they should for an injury that wasn't all that severe. A lot more success would happen if this petition was for no-fault.

Other than that the only other way to reduce premiums is reduce risk, and that means lowering speed limits, increasing traffic law enforcement officers, building safer roads and so on.

[Ben]

Love all the Klein bashing...When he does good, noone remembers, when he does wrong, noone forgets.

oh, and nicely said 1badPT, nicely said :thumbsup:

[Canadian_2K]

The thing that bothers me, whether or not anyone cares, is the fact that they just won't let the public know how much money they really are making. BC posted their profits, but the Alberta companies refuse. Why do they refuse if they only have a 5% markup? Wouldn't that make us accept it if it really is that expensive...?

But no, I guarentee you that they make so much money off mandatory insurance it's insane. However, I also think that 'mental anguish' and other crap like that is completely uneeded. I mean, it's crap... I get mental anguish when I see that the milk is empty in the mornings. Should I sue? My point exactly.

[1badPT]

Originally posted by Canadian_2K
The thing that bothers me, whether or not anyone cares, is the fact that they just won't let the public know how much money they really are making. BC posted their profits, but the Alberta companies refuse. Why do they refuse if they only have a 5% markup? Wouldn't that make us accept it if it really is that expensive...?

Most insurers are publicly traded companies - if you want to find out about their profits badly enough, you can ask for and you are entitled to receive a copy of their financial statements. Usually the statements are for potential investors who may want to purchase shares in the company, but you can use them to find out just how much a company is earning and where those profits are coming from. Most companies have the statements as a PDF file on their website, so its not like you even have to wait for it to arrive in the mail.

[method]

Originally posted by Ben
Love all the Klein bashing...When he does good, noone remembers, when he does wrong, noone forgets.

oh, and nicely said 1badPT, nicely said :thumbsup:



name some of the good he's done lately? I don't mean "he lets rich people maintain and increase their wealth"

and really, no one remembers? that's the way it always works... people remember 1939-1945 far better than they remember 1949-1955. negativity is news. thats how the world works.

klein is a drunk moron, and a disgrace to this province. as long as everyone has their money, no one cares about the social fabric of anything.

[sputnik]

Originally posted by Ben
Love all the Klein bashing...When he does good, noone remembers, when he does wrong, noone forgets.

oh, and nicely said 1badPT, nicely said :thumbsup:

All HAIL King Ralph! I am predicting an $8B surplus this year.

Boourns to insurance companies massive profits and people who make bogus injury claims.

[Toma]

Fuck Klein. Crooked idiot trying to make a buck.

Who was the moron talking about used auto parts.... you think you get new parts in Alberta as well? hahahahahahahhahahaha.

Go stand at the counter of affordable auto wrecking and then tell me who he sells most his parts to all day long!

News flash. The moment you drove your new CAR off the lot, it became used. Whats the difference if your fender came off a car of the same make and model year (used just like yours)??

Or would you rather get NEW Chinese, flimsy, non fitting replacement panels?

Insurance in Alberta is a joke. Government inusrance all the way!!

Tell me this....would you rather have non government health care too?

[Toma]

Originally posted by Gonthro


ditto... but driving is a privilege, not a right
This is WHERE the problem starts. How is it a privelege? You, your parents, grandparents, and even your kids will pay for city infrastructure, pay for cops salaries, pay for maintenance, snow removal etc....

Driving is a RIGHT that they try and make you feel like it is a privalege....cause that way they can give it to you in the ass.

Here, here little sheep,,,,,,,, :poosie:

[Ben]

Originally posted by method

name some of the good he's done lately? I don't mean "he lets rich people maintain and increase their wealth"

and really, no one remembers? that's the way it always works... people remember 1939-1945 far better than they remember 1949-1955. negativity is news. thats how the world works.

klein is a drunk moron, and a disgrace to this province. as long as everyone has their money, no one cares about the social fabric of anything.

While I can appreciate and agree with the "Negativity sells", I am saddened that you are so upset with the province you live in. May I ask why you dont move some place better (not insulting, genuinly curious). What do you do for a living? I sure hope you dont earn minimum wage.

To give you an Idea of where I'm coming from, my Mom has spent the last 20 years working at the Rockyview Hospital, 14 of which as an Emergency Room Nurse. So believe me, I am well exposed to the trials and tribulations of governemt funding and cutbacks. However. Alberta is the only province without a PST. We also pay pretty low provincial taxes. That said we're doing pretty damn good in retrospect, because I know there would be a lot of unhappy people if we had to add another 8% onto everything we buy to bring in more funding.

While I can again appreciate how people want help RIGHT NOW, I am one who looks at the whole picture. They say our debt in AB should be gone in a year or 2? I'd like to see where all this surplus money will be spent. That right there IMO will show the quality or disarray of our governemt, because if things are still bad even after that, then change is due. I cirtainly am not going to want to pay a lot more in taxes to pay for all these social programs and such. Sure, Klein has done a lot of questionable things lately, however It depends on what side of things you're viewing from.

There is an old saying "If you dont like something, change it, do something about it"

Use your right to vote, write to your MLA, move, protest because according tyo you, Klien is bad, yet why is he still in power? Somone out there must like him.

BTW, the drunk comment is a weak way to fight your cause, playing up a personal issue from the past just to make this person look worse. If you want to attack Klein, why not play on his hotheadedness and inability to deal with opposing questions, as this is something he does while in the office, and not at home in his private life. What we do in our private live is noone elses business.

"Enemy of the State - Will Smith - "Do you beat off in the Shower Brian? Ever have any Homosexual thoughts? NONE OF YOUR FUCKIN BUINESS"

Just so you understand me and why I make the comments I do:
I myself am a Capitalist. I enjoy being rewarded for hard work. I love money, I want to make as much as I can. I'm not satisfied with mediocre income just enough to get by. I would like to have lots of toys and fancy cars, and will work hard doing things I enjoy to achieve that. I am not a fan of some social programs because in all the 100's of times I've gone to help out feeding the homeless (I'm doing that tonight in fact) and doing old clothing drives and I hear the conversations from many about ways they beat the system and milk people for money etc etc etc. I understand and totally agree with many persons who have simply fallen on hard times, and this is why my family and I take part in these socialist activities, because we are in a comfortable position and do it for that feel good feeling, brings people together and adds some variety into ones life so that you can appreciate what we have and are more determined to work hard and not fall through the cracks. However, just because one falls on hard times does not mean you can be lazy, and live off the system for the rest of your days. I want to see this person making every effort to right themselves, and many do, but many dont as well. This is what I'm not a fan of with Left Wing views, is the equalization of everyone irregardless of their work habit.

"Dont give a starving man a fish. Give him a Rod and teach him to fish."

Being self sufficient is crucial.

[sputnik]

Originally posted by Ben

Being self sufficient is crucial.

:werd:

Pretty much sums it up with those simple 5 words. The current debt ($3.4B) will most likely be EASILY paid off by the end of this year (especially with crude at $40/barrel). There was a reason that a new hospital and a pile of new schools havent been built. The debt was a higher priority. This in the long term is SO much better for Alberta. Imagine what the government will be able to do with no debt and a $5B surplus? Imagine if Alberta was able to get rid of the provincial income tax and we all saw an extra 10% on our paycheques.

Maybe its just me. Personally when I have a balance on my credit card I cut back for as long as it takes to clear it off. If that means not eating out on the weekends or buying beer. Thats what happens.

In the end. If you dont like Alberta - MOVE. You will be back.

[benyl]

All I have to say is:

Work hard and you will reap the benefits.

I will be in heaven when there is no personal income tax in Alberta. Don't like what Klein is doing, go live in BC for a while... ask someone in BC about their health care system if you think Alberta's is bad...

[method]

yeah, because I CAN move. :rolleyes:

what a coincidence.. my mom works at the rockyview as well. she's a pathologist. she used to work at - lo and behold - the calgary general hospital. what happened to that? they blew it up, placing huge constraints on the rest of calgary's hospitals, and displacing plenty of healthcare - my mom moved to the foothills, then to the rockyview, then to the peter lougheed, then back to the rockyview. now what do they want to do? build another hospital. what a waste.

aside from problems with our healthcare, and education, things run pretty smoothly around here.

yet you guys seem to have a better grasp on social conscience and structure than klein does. you clothe the homeless and he gets loaded and insults them. you answer questions and he ignores them. you provide adequate quotation, and he plagerizes. you have a moron respresenting you and your province, and that means nothing to you?

"things are fine, but they could always be better"

the wealthy in this province can afford not to care about anyone else, and this is one fucking hell of a wealthy province.