Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Help me out here. If HC mandates are un-constitutional then what about car insurance mandates? (Original Post) Quixote1818 Mar 2012 OP
here Skittles Mar 2012 #1
1) you don't have to own a car but have no choice but to own a body TorchTheWitch Mar 2012 #2
Those are all state laws... regnaD kciN Mar 2012 #3
First off, your not required to purchase vehicle insurance... Humanist_Activist Mar 2012 #4
If I see one more... meaculpa2011 Mar 2012 #5
Owning and driving a car are optional, that's the difference. nt Raine Mar 2012 #6
Auto insurance is not the only... meaculpa2011 Mar 2012 #7
What about Social Security, a mandated insurance program grantcart Mar 2012 #8
Do you pay your... meaculpa2011 Mar 2012 #9
Not yet... (eom) Owlet Mar 2012 #10
No and that's why not having a public option was a big blow. grantcart Mar 2012 #11
liability? datasuspect Mar 2012 #12
Because your car is dangerous and a threat to others. raouldukelives Mar 2012 #13

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts)
2. 1) you don't have to own a car but have no choice but to own a body
Wed Mar 28, 2012, 03:11 AM
Mar 2012

2) car insurance where it is required (it is NOT required in all states)* is ONLY mandated for LIABILITY - that damage that the car does to someone else or someone else's property... there is NO mandate anywhere for car insurance that covers the car or car owner

* some states do not require car insurance for cars that are not used on public roadways and/or it is not mandated if the car owner is wealthy enough to hold in escrow X amount of money for liability issues involving their car in lieu of liability insurance

There is no comparison whatsoever between mandated liability car insurance and mandated health insurance. None.



 

Humanist_Activist

(7,670 posts)
4. First off, your not required to purchase vehicle insurance...
Wed Mar 28, 2012, 04:50 AM
Mar 2012

Only if you want to drive on public roads. In order for your vehicle to be allowed to go on the public roads, it has to be properly registered, inspected, and you have to pass a test to be allowed to drive it on public roads. Many people who live in the country have vehicles that aren't any of these things, as long as they keep to privately owned trails, its legal, and many kids have been known to drive cars, as young as 9 for one of my cousins in the country.

In addition, vehicle insurance isn't to help pay for maintaining your vehicle, oil changes, new tires, etc. all have to be paid by you, the insurance is there to protect other people and property from the damage you could do driving a vehicle that weighs anywhere from several hundred pounds to several tons at speeds approaching close to 100mph. Note, I'm averaging here, vehicles means anything from scooters to big trucks(even boats), the law applies to all of these, even if the standards for weight class and requirements are different in licensing and inspection.

This is different from health insurance in that health insurance is supposed to pay for "regular maintenance" of your body. No licenses required to live, after all, and no tests need to be passed, nor inspections. Additionally, the insurance is for your benefit, supposedly, however, due to the nature of it, its far more expensive than basic liability only vehicle insurance which is the bare minimum required in most states, and only covers damage you do to others, not your own(in most cases).

Also, health care will ALWAYS be required by everyone sometime in their lives, if its a check up or hospitalization, its not something that you can avoid. While with vehicles, you can go decades or even never without filing a claim, its somewhat rare, but it happens, hence its easier for private vehicle insurance policies to keep the policies affordable.

meaculpa2011

(918 posts)
5. If I see one more...
Wed Mar 28, 2012, 04:57 AM
Mar 2012

of these auto insurance analogies I'm gonna jump off a building.

A very short building, but it's the symbolism that counts.

meaculpa2011

(918 posts)
7. Auto insurance is not the only...
Wed Mar 28, 2012, 05:09 AM
Mar 2012

insurance that the government requires for engaging in an activity that can injure another party.

As an employer I have to carry a variety of insurance coverages, from unemployment and worker's comp to liability for damage I might cause at a work site. The government has every right to protect the general public from damage that I might cause as a result of my business activities. If I don't want to pay the cost, I won't engage in those activities.

They don't (or shouldn't) have the right to compel me to buy a service from a private corporation to protect myself.

If they want to tax me, and everyone else, to fund a public health system available to all, so be it.

Where does this "it's for your own good" nonsense stop?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Help me out here. If HC m...