DOCSLIB.ORG

Automobile Insurance Review Report to Government March 2005

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Automobile Insurance Review Report to Government March 2005 Report to Government March 2005 Board of Commissioners March 31, 2005 of Public Utilities 120 Torbay Road P.O. Box 21040 St. John’s, NL The Honourable Dianne Whalen A1A 5B2 Minister of Government Services Department of Government Services Phone Number 709-726-8600 Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Website: www.pub.nl.ca 2nd Floor, West Block, Confederation Building P. O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 Dear Minister: In October 2004, the Provincial Government requested the Board to review and report on a number of issues affecting automobile insurance. These issues included the impact of using caps or deductibles to limit monetary awards for pain and suffering, the elimination of age, gender and marital status as rating factors, and other cost savings measures. In addition to the completion of a number of actuarial studies and other consultant reports the Board invited feedback from consumers, the automobile insurance industry, and other interested parties through various means, including public sessions. We have received valuable information from these submissions and on behalf of the Board we thank those who participated and contributed to this process. We are pleased to advise that the Board has completed its review and is now submitting its Report. Respectfully submitted, Robert Noseworthy, Darlene Whalen, P. Eng., Chair and CEO. Vice-Chair. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Issue Rapidly rising automobile insurance rates continue to resonate as a significant public and political issue. In part this has been the result of a cycle of crisis and reform that has been characteristic of the industry over several decades. Arising from this latest cycle numerous jurisdictions throughout the United States and Canada, and closer to home in Atlantic Canada, have implemented a wide variety of reform measures in an effort to better regulate and stabilize fluctuations in automobile insurance rates. In 2004 Government implemented a series of reforms to address rising rates and other issues affecting automobile insurance consumers in this Province. Among these reforms was a $2,500 deductible on pain and suffering awards resulting from an automobile accident, a one year rate freeze on insurance premiums which expired on March 16, 2005, a mandated reduction in rates and increased regulation. The Review At that time Government introduced legislation to enable it to direct the Public Utilities Board to undertake a review of other automobile insurance issues that may lead to additional reforms. The Terms of Reference forwarded by Government in October 2004 requested the Board to review and report on several issues. This report contains the outcome of the public review conducted by the Board into these issues. Rates Automobile insurance rates in Newfoundland and Labrador are entering a period of general stability. As a result private passenger rates can be expected to decline in the near term, regardless of the implementation of further reforms. Commercial rates, on the other hand, may increase somewhat. Caps/Deductibles A major focus for the review was the impact on insurance rates of placing various caps and deductible limits on compensation paid for pain and suffering to victims of an automobile accident. The options studied by the Board are similar to those implemented recently in other Canadian jurisdictions and will allow Government to consider alternatives to the current $2,500 deductible. While all options did not lower insurance premiums, the higher deductible limits and the $2,500 cap, similar to that recently introduced in New Brunswick, resulted in the greatest estimated savings for consumers. Industry favored the New Brunswick option since it is estimated to result in lower claims costs, is easier to administer, and will harmonize the product in this Province with other Atlantic provinces. In restricting tort (“right to sue”) through cap or deductible options the Board heard passionate presentations and comments from participants concerning what the Consumer Advocate characterized as the classic “rights versus rates” debate. Many consumers, in particular accident i victims whose lives have changed tremendously due to soft tissue injury, did not favor their rights being restricted. The question for many was “is it worth forfeiting my rights and the rights of others for the savings in my rates?” Following his review of the estimated savings attributed to these options the Consumer Advocate commented “some people might be giving up a lot and most people are getting very little in return.” The industry on the other hand were steadfast in their resolve that these options were working elsewhere in achieving substantial rate reductions and should be implemented in this Province. With a view to deciding between either a cap or deductible, some consumers favored deductibles, while the industry preferred caps. The Board acknowledges a decision on this issue will be a difficult one and commends to Government the substantive feedback and commentary from both consumers and the industry as outlined in this report. The Board also explored the opportunity of providing product choice to consumers of either restricted tort, using caps or deductibles, or full-tort. Depending on Government’s decision with respect to caps or deductibles, there are several additional issues which should be addressed in concert with the implementation of liability product choice. Other Review Issues The Board was requested to address a number of additional issues while others were raised by participants during the course of the review. These issues included: Accident Benefits coverage (also referred to as Section B benefits) provides for immediate reimbursement of certain expenses incurred as a result of an automobile accident regardless of who is at fault. Newfoundland and Labrador is the only provincial jurisdiction where these benefits are not mandatory. There was a general consensus Accident Benefits should be mandatory which will ensure that the 25% of drivers without this coverage will have protection similar to other Canadians. The elimination of age, gender and marital status as rating factors generated considerable discussion, especially from young males under 25 and/or their parents who feel discriminated against because of the current exorbitant rates they pay. The Board examined rating alternatives which are being used in other jurisdictions including the “Alberta grid rating” system and the “First Choice Discount” in New Brunswick. This issue involves significant transfer of premium particularly when considering age and gender factors. There was no clear resolution on this question with strong arguments for and against. The decision is one of social policy, where the availability and affordability of automobile insurance to one group in the demographic population must be balanced against the transfer of risk and higher rates to another group. Group rating plans are programs sponsored by membership organizations and employers and are underwritten by insurance companies, generally providing premium savings to the group, plan or member/employee. Excepting provinces with public insurance, Newfoundland and Labrador remains the only jurisdiction in Canada that currently does not allow some form of group automobile insurance. Legislative changes will be required to implement this proposal ii and various implementation issues have been identified in the report which will need to be addressed with the industry. The Board was also requested to detail any issues of concern raised by stakeholders at the review, including public insurance. The Board heard a great deal from participants regarding public insurance and the experience elsewhere in Canada. A number of participants supported the concept of public insurance as a cheaper and more affordable means of delivering the insurance product. It was well understood by all participants that the Board was not in a position to address the feasibility of public insurance during this review but many supported a detailed study to examine fully its potential in serving future automobile insurance needs in this Province. Stakeholders also suggested numerous other cost saving measures. These included a direct compensation scheme, vehicle inspections, improved accident reduction and safety programs, reduced transactional and regulatory costs, taxation and numerous other suggestions. These cost savings were not quantified in most cases but were presented in a sincere and helpful manner. The Board commends these measures to Government for consideration and the Board would be prepared to undertake any additional analysis necessary. In addition the Board was impressed by one of the presenters who addressed the concept of focusing on treatment and recovery of the automobile accident victim rather than on compensation. Appropriate early intervention and treatment can bring about speedier recovery of the injured person, resulting in lower costs to the system and possibly lower premiums to the consumer. Both the industry and Government may wish to pursue discussion on the benefits and opportunities afforded consumers through development and focus on this longer-term strategic approach. Throughout the review the Board was struck by the frustration and low level of customer satisfaction expressed by consumers in their dealings with insurance companies. This experience was echoed by the Consumer Advocate, relative to his direct feedback from consumers. Consumers were often quite vocal in their complaints that ran the full gamut from the treatment
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 5-1 Auto Insurance.Indd
    BRIEFING PAPER trade and investment series Volume 5 Number 1 • June 2004 Public auto insurance and trade treaties by Steven Shrybman and Scott Sinclair Summary beyond the scope of this report. Finally, we note that any damages assessed under NAFTA investment New Brunswick, or other Canadian provinces, can rules would be payable by the federal, not the establish a public automobile insurance system provincial, government. without being deterred by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the General Agree- GATS ment on Trade in Services (GATS). While creating In the mid-1990s, Canada made GATS market public auto insurance would raise trade treaty issues, access and national treatment commitments the federal government has both the capability and covering motor vehicle insurance. The GATS market the responsibility to ensure that these are addressed access rule disallows monopolies in sectors where and resolved. The Bernard Lord government’s deci- governments have made commitments, unless they sion to back away from this important public policy are listed as exceptions in a country’s schedule. initiative in the face of insurance industry threats is Canada listed an exception for public auto insurance regrettable. monopolies, but it only protects existing public auto insurance systems in certain provinces -- it does not provide the fl exibility to create new systems. NAFTA Furthermore, the GATS governmental authority The most serious risk of NAFTA disciplines being exclusion cannot be relied upon to exclude New invoked to challenge the establishment of a public Brunswick’s creation of a public auto insurance sector insurance plan by New Brunswick is that of a system.
    [Show full text]
  • Politics and Public Automobile Insurance in British Columbia, 1970–2010
    Politics and Public Automobile Insurance in British Columbia, 1970–2010 Richard C. McCandless INTRODUCTION utomobile insurance encompasses many important aspects of living in a modern society. These include legal practices, medical Aservices, customer relationships, community involvement, and management theory. This review focuses on (1) the evolving political and financial relationship between the publicly owned Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (icbc) and provincial governments of various political philosophies over the four decades of its existence and (2) how icbc was often shaped by, and sometimes itself influenced, the politics of British Columbia. Today’s public auto insurance retains some of the original ideals of not allowing private corporations to profit from individual physical and financial loss resulting from automobile crashes. Yet it no longer attempts to provide low-cost auto insurance; rather, it more closely resembles a commercial operation providing profit for the government. Direct government control over rates has been replaced by indirect control through an intermediary body and cabinet orders. Despite attempts to depoliticize control over icbc, especially with regard to the setting of annual premiums, the current government has in many ways actually increased its control of icbc and has significantly altered its objective of providing low-cost insurance. THE EARLY YEARS In the late 1960s, high public dissatisfaction with the state of automobile insurance, particularly rising rates and poor service, led the Social Credit government of W.A.C. Bennett to establish a royal commission, chaired by Justice Robert Wootton of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, to review the situation. The commission’s report, completed bc studies, no.
    [Show full text]
  • Lemons and Peaches: Comparing Auto Insurance Across Canada
    Fraser April 2004 AUTO INSURANCE SERIES Alert Market solutions to public policy problems Lemons and Peaches: Comparing Auto Insurance Across Canada Introduction Myths abound on the issue of public versus Main Conclusions private auto insurance. Some people posit • Provinces with public auto insurance have the that public auto insurance is safer, cheaper, less discriminatory, and more generous than highest premiums and the lowest claims payouts private insurance. in Canada, producing low auto insurance value (claims payouts compared to premiums) None of these claims are true. In fact, the exact opposite of these statements is a closer • Provinces with public auto insurance also have a description of reality. high number of claims per driver, between two For example, the first Fraser Alert in this auto and four times the number in the private sector, insurance series presented data showing pointing to lax system management that vehicle collision rates are higher in • Insurance value has been falling in provinces with the provinces with near-monopoly public public auto insurance systems for the past eight auto insurance than elsewhere in Canada. years and rising in provinces where drivers are The use of “social risk pricing,” whereby insured by the private sector riskier drivers are subsidized by the rest, also leads to deliberate premium discrimination • The Atlantic provinces provide the best insurance value on these measures, with low premiums and higher-than-average claims payouts. Alberta and Mark Mullins is the Ontario have higher premiums but also pay the Director of Ontario Policy highest claims in Canada. All are peachy deals. Studies at the Fraser • By comparison, the public sector auto insurance Institute in Toronto and is a columnist with systems are lemons, combining high premiums globeandmail.com.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Auto Insurance Rates
    REVIEW OF AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE RATES 40 Canadian Cities 10 Provinces September 2003 Provincial Capitals: Auto Insurance Rates (Highest) $20,000 $18,000 $16,000 $14,000 $12,000 $10,000 $8,000 Toronto, ON Halifax, NS $6,000 Edmonton, AB $4,000 St. Johns, NF Fredericton, NB $2,000 Charlottetown, PE Quebec City, PQ $- Victoria, BC Winnipeg, MB Regina, SK Consumers’ Association of Canada Auto Insurance Rates Study – September 2003 This Consumers’ Association of Canada study on auto insurance rates answers the following question: How much would the same driver pay for auto insurance if they had the same vehicle, same driving record and same claims history, and lived in each of the 40 cities surveyed in this study? 2 2003 Consumers Association of Canada Consumers’ Association of Canada Auto Insurance Rates Study – September 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary......................................................................................................................... 5 1.0 OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Study Focus..................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Study Methodology......................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Study Assumptions ......................................................................................................... 8 2.0 AUTO INSURANCE RATES & SYSTEMS....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • NDP / Bill 40 PC / Bill 7 LIBERAL
    CFLR | CLI RESEARCH Ontario Labour Law Review Processes 1990 to 2017 JUNE 2018 1993 Bill 40 NDP / 1995 PC / Bill 7 2017 LIBERAL/ Bill 148 CFLR | CLI RESEARCH LABOUR LAW REVIEW PROCESSES IN ONTARIO 1990 TO 2017 Contents • Introduction 2 Labour Law 2 Neoliberalism 3 Fighting Back Against Neoliberalism 6 • The NDP Government and Bill 40 8 1990 Election 8 The NDP’s Response to the Economic Crisis 8 Labour Law Reform: Bill 40 9 Responses to the Bill 12 Conclusion 15 • The Progressive Conservative Government and Bill 7 17 1995 Election 17 Anti-Worker Legislation 18 Labour Law Regression: Bill 7 19 Responses to the Bill 22 Conclusion 23 • The Liberal Government and Bill 148 24 2003 Election 24 The Great Recession 24 Resistance to Neoliberalism 25 Labour Law Review 26 Labour Law Reform: Bill 148 32 Responses to the Bill 36 Conclusion 41 • Summary and Next Steps 42 Labour Law Review Processes in Ontario 42 Next Steps 45 1. Strengthen the relationship between trade unions and the FF$15 campaign 45 2. Election and Post-Election Strategy 46 • Bibliography 47 1 CFLR | CLI RESEARCH LABOUR LAW REVIEW PROCESSES IN ONTARIO 1990 TO 2017 Introduction Labour Law Developing and modifying labour laws is contentious, as it pits working people against the business community. Workers want higher wages and improved standards, while business owners do not want governments regulating their power in the workplace. With that in mind, this paper examines labour law review processes in Ontario since 1990. More specifically, this paper will examine: 1. the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) Bill 40 which came into law in 1993; 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Court File No. 01-CV-208141 BE TW E E N: ONTARIO SUPERIOR
    Court File No. 01-CV-208141 ONTARIO SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE BE TW E E N: THE COUNCIL OF CANADIANS, and DALE CLARK, DEBORAH BOURQUE, and GEORGE KUEHNBAUM on their own behalf and on behalf of all members of the CANADIAN UNION OF POSTAL WORKERS, and BRUCE PORTER and SARAH SHARPE, on their own behalf and on behalf of all members of the CHARTER COMMITTEE ON POVERTY ISSUES Applicants - and- HER MAJESTY IN RIGHT OF CANADA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF CANADA Respondents AFFIDAVIT OF DAVID SCHNEIDERMAN I, DAVID SCHNEIDERMAN, of the City of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, HEREBY AFFIRM THAT: 1. I have been since 1999, and continue to be, an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. 2. Prior to that, I was Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Studies at the University of Alberta from 1989 to 1999. This is an interdisciplinary research institute housed in the Faculty of Law concerned with constitutional developments in Canada and elsewhere in the world. 3. I have attached As Exhibit "A" to this Affidavit a copy of my curriculum vitae. My research and teaching subjects concern constitutional law in Canada, both as regards the division of legislative authority between the federal government and the provinces and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A body of research undertaken over the last ten years concerns the implications of - 2 - investment treaties, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), on Canada's constitutional order. 4. The purpose of this Affidavit is to join issue with several points made by Professor James Crawford in his Affidavit dated July 15, 2004.
    [Show full text]
  • Facts of the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry in Canada 2016 Is Published by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)
    of the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry Facts in Canada 2016 Facts of the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry in Canada 2016 is published by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). IBC is the trade association representing Canada’s private property and casualty (P&C) insurance companies. Since 1972, IBC has published Facts to provide a snapshot of the state of the P&C insurance industry. The data in Facts 2016 come from several national and international sources, including IBC. Data are from 2014, 2015 or 2016, depending on when sources released their information. In some instances, figures may not add up to 100% as a result of rounding. Also, because sources collect data in different ways, there can be small differences among similar data. 38th edition, 2016 ISSN 1197 3404 © Insurance Bureau of Canada. All rights reserved. President’s message he time has come to get serious about earthquake symposiums – one in British Taddressing climate change in Canada. Columbia in 2014 and another in Quebec in And IBC is ready. 2015 – we’ve laid the groundwork for earthquake preparedness. For more than a decade, IBC has been reporting on a rise in claims as a result of increases in While IBC’s climate change efforts advance, some severe weather events related to climate of our auto insurance files remain a challenge. change. We shared these alarming figures We have made progress on the Ontario Auto with consumers and knocked on the doors of insurance file, but consumers in the province provincial and federal governments to alert are still paying too much for car insurance.
    [Show full text]
  • Auto Insurance. This Review
    CFN Consultants (Atlantic) Inc. Reference: NS Auto Insurance Final Report Final Report Addressing: The NOVA SCOTIA AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE REVIEW Prepared for: THE GOVERNMENT OF NOVA SCOTIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE Department of Finance Provincial Building, 7th Floor 1723 Hollis Street, PO Box 187 Halifax, NS B3J 2N3 Submitted by CFN CONSULTANTS (ATLANTIC) INC TD Centre 1791 Barrington Street, Suite 300 Halifax, NS. B3J 3K9 CFN Consultants (Atlantic) Proprietary CFN Consultants (Atlantic) Inc. Reference: NS Auto Insurance Final Report CFN Consultants (Atlantic) Inc. TD Centre Vendor Name 1791 Barrington Street, Suite 300 Halifax, NS B3J 3K9 Contact Name Ron L‟Esperance Contact Phone (902) 491-4279 Contact Fax (902) 429-5237 Contact e-mail [email protected] Name and Title of Person authorized to sign on behalf of Bidder Name: Ron L‟Esperance Title: Principal Signature: Date: May 31st, 2011 CFN Consultants (Atlantic) Proprietary CFN Consultants (Atlantic) Inc. Reference: NS Auto Insurance Final Report TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 PRINCIPAL FINDINGS ......................................................................................................... 1 RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................... 2 CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Better Benefits, Lower Rates: Moving to a Care-Based Insurance Model
    Better benefits, lower rates: Moving to a care-based insurance model A paper detailing government’s intended changes at ICBC For discussion and consultation purposes only February 2020 Table of Contents Executive Summary . 1 Overview . 2 Reducing Legal Costs . 2 Accountability for ICBC . 3 Accountability for dangerous drivers . .. 3 B C. ’s. insurance system today . 4 Coverage . 4 If you are not at fault . 4 If you are at fault . 4 Getting a lawyer . 5 New Enhanced Care coverage . 6 Care after a crash . 6 Comparing Accident Benefits . 7 Injury management . 9 Income replacement . 10 Full, part-time and temporary earners, including self-employed . 10 Caregiver weekly benefit – NEW . 11 Unemployed . 11 Other income replacement sources . 11 Residual earning capacity . 11 Unemployable—the claimant was not able to work before the crash .. 12 Family business – NEW . 12 Injured students and minors – NEW . 12 Medical and rehabilitation benefits . 13 Personal care assistance . 13 Care expense reimbursement . 14 Recreational – NEW . 14 Travel and accommodation – NEW . 14 Permanent impairment compensation – NEW . 14 Catastrophic injuries . 15 Transitional expense – NEW . 15 Death benefits . 16 Funeral expenses . 16 Grief counselling – NEW . 16 Optional coverages for accident benefits . 17 Drivers still held accountable . 17 Ensuring fairness and resolving disputes without legal action . 18.
    [Show full text]
  • Fraser Forum
    Fraser Forum Introduction Publisher Fraser Institute Chief Editor Peter Cowley Managing Editor Emma Tarswell Editorial Advisor Kristin McCahon n February 1997, the Fraser Institute’s Vancouver of- Contributing Editors Charles Lammam ce was abuzz with anticipation. Margaret, the Lady Niels Veldhuis I Joel Wood atcher, was coming back to visit the Institute and the Art Direction and Cover Design Bill C. Ray sta were all invited to take part in the event. Cover Photos Chris Collins e day arrived and we all trooped down early to Production and Layout Emma Tarswell Media Relations Dean Pelkey the Waterfront Centre, excited and with our tasks as- Advertising Sales Advertising In Print signed. e hour nally arrived when the event was to Tel: (604) 681-1811 begin—but no Lady atcher. e room hummed and E-mail: info@advertising guests chatted, but no honoured guest. (As it turned out, inprint.com she was taking to task our Executive Director, Michael Walker and our Chairman, Raymond Addington, over a The Fraser Institute’s vision is a free and prosperous world where individuals benefit from greater choice, competitive markets, and personal Fraser Forum article with which she disagreed. She was, responsibility. Our mission is to measure, study, and communicate the im- pact of competitive markets and government interventions on the welfare as she pointed out, a regular reader of the magazine. of individuals. Founded in 1974, we are an independent Canadian research and educational organization. Our work is financed by tax-deductible con- Eventually satised with their explanation and analysis of tributions from thousands of individuals, organizations, and foundations.
    [Show full text]
  • Tour Presents Pulse Research Agronomy
    tyson droPs ControllinG feedlot Growth Perennial Promoter weeds in alfalfa Zilmax linked to lameness » Page 9 MFSA conducts herbicide trials » Page 17 August 15, 2013 SERVING mANITOBA FARMERS SINCE 1925 | Vol. 71, No. 33 | $1.75 mAnitobAcooperAtor.cA AAFC plant pathologist Bob Connor, who is screening The Atlantic soybean and edible beans for resistance to root disease, talked about his work during the Manitoba Pulse Growers Dreamer Association’s tour Aug. 7. photo: allan dawson Churchill’s first grain ship of 2013 The Hudson Bay Route Association predicts more than 500,000 tonnes of grain will be exported this season By Allan Dawson co-operator staff he Port of Churchill’s 2013 grain-exporting season Tbegan Aug. 4 when the Atlantic Dreamer arrived to load 30,000 tonnes of wheat destined for Mexico. There was enough grain on hand to load three more vessels, Hudson Bay Route Association tour presents pulse (HBRA) president Sinclair Harrison said in an interview. Last year Manitoba’s only seawater port exported 432,434 tonnes of grain — mostly wheat research agronomy and durum, but also barley and canola — down about four per cent from the 10-year average of Day length may play a bigger role in soybean maturity than first thought more than 450,000 tonnes. It was also the first crop year after the Canadian Wheat By Allan Dawson “If it’s a drier year the beans will Board, formerly almost the only co-operator staff / morden “we were surprised mature earlier and if you have more grain exporter to use Churchill, and found a couple of moisture they’ll take a bit longer to lost its wheat and barley sales he long stretch of cooler-than- mature,” he said.
    [Show full text]
  • Speaking Notes for a Talk by Brian Lee Crowley, President, AIMS To
    AIMS Commentary Speaking Notes for a talk by Brian Lee Crowley, President, AIMS To The Business Insurance Forum, sponsored by the Nova Scotia Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, September 24, 2003 at Truro Nova Scotia ============================================ Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you to Dianne Kelderman and the NSCC for the kind invitation to be here to day. Every person who buys insurance is mad as hell right now, and I’m no exception. My office has had to take on $8000 more in insurance premiums to cover errors and omissions – in other words if somebody acts on my policy advice, and I make a mistake and they sue me, I’m covered. At least, then, I’m covered if I screw up today. Sue me and my insurance company will take care of the bill. I’ve paid for it and I’d like someone to be able to enjoy it. More seriously, the heart of my talk is really about the principle that just because something makes you angry, it doesn’t mean that it is wrong or unjustified, and it doesn’t mean that every possible action that you might take to fix the thing that makes you angry is going to make the situation better. We have to be thoughtful about what we do, because believe me, there are always ways to make a bad situation worse. Take business owners, homeowners and drivers, all are rightly angry about the rising cost of their insurance. Big premium increases like those of the last year or two hurt people’s pocketbooks and divert their money from things that are more important to them.
    [Show full text]