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Should states keep regulating insurance?

Posted on 1/8/25 at 9:57 pm
Posted by ExtraGravy
Member since Nov 2018
908 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 9:57 pm
I know how it came about that the states regulate insurance. But- why should they?

States are not good regulators.

California is one good example. Regulators refused to let insurers raise their rates for fire insurance, while the state banned controlled burns and also stopped the clearing of brush. So State Farm pulled out, canceling a bunch of policies recently- just before this fire. Lucky for State Farm, since this fire may involve hundreds of billions of dollars in losses.

It seems there are two big problems. One, the California kind of problem- regulators try to choke the companies to the point they want to exit the market.

The other problem, harder to see, is-- the regulators who are too cozy with the insurers, and go along with whatever the insurers want, hosing the public.

Which leads me back to- why is it such a great idea to have state officials to regulate insurance companies? What would a better system be. Just go totally free market, or minimal regulation on prices?

Federal regulation is another option, but not a very attractive one in my opinion.
Posted by Thib-a-doe Tiger
Member since Nov 2012
36275 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:00 pm to
I’m sure totally unregulated insurance would work out well for everyone
This post was edited on 1/8/25 at 10:01 pm
Posted by rickyb223
In your walls
Member since Jan 2025
430 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:00 pm to
The FedGov spends untold trillions on all sorts of stupid stuff, why not offer SOME kind of backstop?

They already do this for mortgages anyway.
Posted by Kafka
I am the moral conscience of TD
Member since Jul 2007
150935 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:00 pm to
I trust insurance companies

let them do whatever they want
Posted by olemc999
At a blackjack table
Member since Oct 2010
14562 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:01 pm to
If the state runs off insurers and doesn’t do control burns and keep water in the hydrants and lets this shite happen. Then they should pay for this shite.
Posted by momentoftruth87
Your mom
Member since Oct 2013
84766 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:01 pm to
They’re like good neighbors
Posted by LStUTigers
Member since Dec 2024
15 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:02 pm to
Agreed. Feds should offer some sort of reinsurance for private insurers. And the feds should get out of the flood insurance business at the same time.
Posted by 632627
LA
Member since Dec 2011
13843 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:03 pm to
Every state has a department of insurance, and insurance is one of the most heavily regulated industries.

The regulations mostly exist for consumer protection.

Florida has the same issues as California.

The problem isn't necessarily over-regulation, it's the catastrophic losses that occur in these states that don't occur elsewhere.
Posted by Basura Blanco
Member since Dec 2011
10719 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:06 pm to
quote:

I’m sure totally unregulated insurance would work out well for everyone


Well, every Louisiana Insurance Commissioner since the Vietnam era has spent time in prison, so how much worse could it get?
Posted by athenslife101
Member since Feb 2013
19867 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:07 pm to
Insurance is evil
Posted by RIPMachoMan
Member since Jun 2011
7274 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:07 pm to
Low bar for sure
Posted by JohnnyKilroy
Cajun Navy Vice Admiral
Member since Oct 2012
38701 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:15 pm to
quote:

The regulations mostly exist for consumer protection.



All our insurance commissioners go to prison because they fought too hard for the consumer?
Posted by Traveler
I'm not late-I'm early for tomorrow
Member since Sep 2003
25627 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 10:17 pm to
Considering the criminal history of some of our former (LA) Commissioners, I'm not certain who the bad guy really is, the insurance companies or the guy that is supposed to be overseeing them.
Posted by I Like Cheeze
Member since Dec 2024
29 posts
Posted on 1/8/25 at 11:33 pm to
They should regulate how much money auto insurers can spend on advertising. We could probably each save at least 100/yr on a product we are required to buy. Feels like they're just sticking it in our faces with all the stupid commercials.
Posted by Mr Breeze
The Lunatic Fringe
Member since Dec 2010
6506 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 1:00 am to
quote:

Feels like they're just sticking it in our faces with all the stupid commercials.

Amen to that.

And, pharmaceutical companies spend more on advertising than R&D. Not to mention we subsidize the later with far higher drug costs than the rest of the developed world.

Most of the drug commercials are just awful.

Posted by Gee Grenouille
Bogalusa
Member since Jul 2018
6793 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 6:39 am to
Insurance in Louisiana is one place that proves the incompetence of our elected officials. As I understand it, some bills went through this past session that were supposed to bring in more competition but they were all waiting on hurricane season to end. Apparently that was bullshite.
Posted by BestBanker
Member since Nov 2011
18287 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 6:57 am to

This post was edited on 1/9/25 at 7:38 pm
Posted by mdomingue
Lafayette, LA
Member since Nov 2010
38340 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 7:13 am to
quote:

Well, every Louisiana Insurance Commissioner since the Vietnam era has spent time in prison, so how much worse could it get?



The office of the insurance commissioner in Louisiana started just before the Vietnam era in 1957

But it hasn't been every commissioner, just 3 before Robert Wooley (Just 3 of the 8 we have had). Those 3 account for the Insurance commissioners in Louisiana between 1972 and 2000.

Posted by LemmyLives
Texas
Member since Mar 2019
10340 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 7:25 am to
How's this version working out for everyone?
Posted by SlowFlowPro
Simple Solutions to Complex Probs
Member since Jan 2004
452018 posts
Posted on 1/9/25 at 7:27 am to
Private regulators often suck, too. Remember the credit rating agencies during the Housing Crash?
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