THE MORNING RANT: Uninsured Motorists, Illegal Aliens, and the Soaring Cost of Auto Insurance

The cost of auto insurance, for those of us who actually keep our vehicles insured, has increased dramatically in the past few years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (as reported by US News), the cost of car insurance increased by 56% from 2020 to 2025.

There are obviously many inputs into the increased cost of insurance, including the obvious one - an increase in the cost of repairs, because vehicles are more expensive and more complicated than ever before. Most news stories will also lazily throw in tariffs or supply chain problems as contributing reasons. But there is another worsening problem that is a major cause of rising auto insurance premiums, and that is uninsured drivers. Coincidentally, the surge in uninsured drivers over recent years neatly coincides with President Biden and Alejandro Mayorkas throwing the border open wide to millions of illegal aliens.

Per the Insurance Research Council’s most recent full year data (2023), there has been a huge increase in the number of uninsured drivers. In 2019, 11.6% of drivers lacked automobile liability insurance, but just four years later in 2023 that number had increased to 15.4% of drivers. Another way to state this is that in 2019, one in nine drivers were uninsured, but in 2023 that number had deteriorated to one in six. This data is sourced from insurance claims where an insured driver had to use his Uninsured Motorist Coverage to make a claim, because the party at fault in the wreck did not have insurance.

But this also means that wrecks between two uninsured motorists go unnoticed by the Insurance Research Council (“IRC”, as do single car wrecks involving uninsured motorists, since they obviously cannot make an insurance claim. It can be extrapolated then that the percent of uninsured drivers is even higher.

Compounding the problem is the growing number of drivers who are underinsured, meaning they have liability insurance at the minimum amount required to register a vehicle and/or obtain a drivers license, but the amount of insurance is woefully insufficient. For instance, Texas’ minimum requirement for liability insurance covers just $25,000 of physical damage per accident, which is less than the replacement cost of most cars on the road, and much less than the average cost of most new cars. In California, the amount is just $15,000.

Per the IRC, in the same four-year span of 2019, the number of underinsured motorists increased from 12.2% of drivers to 18.0%.

In summary, here is the expensive truth:

• More than 33% of accidents involve drivers who are either uninsured or underinsured, meaning they do not have sufficient insurance to pay for the damage they caused. This is up from 23% in just four years.

• Therefore, one in three wrecks require the party not at fault to file a claim against his own insurance company, using his “Uninsured Motorist Coverage.”

• This also means that those of us obeying the law and properly maintaining our insurance are subsidizing uninsured and underinsured drivers.

I have insinuated that the rise in uninsured motorists corresponds closely with the Biden-era influx of illegal aliens. While correlation alone does not prove causation, there is data indicating that the influx of non-citizen drivers has been a major contributor to the rise in uninsured motorists.

In a post of mine from September titled “Tricolor Auto’s Failure Has It All - ESG, Woke Capital, Illegal Immigration, Securities Fraud, Government Diversity Programs, BlackRock, etc” I documented that Tricolor was a company that sold and financed used cars, and its primary market was Spanish-speaking illegal aliens. It was the 7th largest used car dealer in the country, with a huge market presence in California and Texas. Tricolor went spectacularly bankrupt when President Trump’s crackdown on illegal aliens brought sales to a standstill and widespread defaults on loan repayment.

What I didn’t document was Tricolor’s role in putting drivers on the road who weren’t properly insured. The simple truth is that a critical aspect of selling used cars to high-risk drivers is that liability insurance must be obtained to get a vehicle registered, so there is an industry that provides 30-day liability insurance policies to these high-risk drivers. Once the vehicle is registered, it is extremely common for the insurance to lapse after 30 days. The actuarial risk these companies are taking is that the high-risk driver can make it one whole month without causing a wreck before the insurance lapses. Since Tricolor needed its customers insured, albeit briefly, it established its own insurance agency which worked exclusively with “nonstandard” insurance carriers to provide the 30-day policies necessary to sell a car. Per an article from 2019 in Auto Remarketing magazine, “Tricolor Insurance Agency, an affiliate of Tricolor Auto Group, currently serves as an agent for 10 nonstandard carriers and markets its services throughout Tricolor’s 28 dealerships and through its eight Ganas dealerships in southern California.” This article estimated that even in 2019, nonstandard insurance comprised about 30% of the personal auto insurance market.

Because the insurance being sold by nonstandard insurers is the bare minimum required to get a vehicle registered, that also effectively means that every driver with nonstandard insurance is “underinsured” until their insurance lapses, at which time they are completely uninsured. This also means that pretty much every customer Tricolor sold a vehicle to did not have sufficient insurance coverage to pay for the wrecks they caused. And for every vehicle Tricolor sold, there were many other vehicles sold to the same customer base by other used car dealers.

As bad as this all sounds, it gets even worse. Ace of Spades reader “Sabrecav” educated me on just how unsavory the nonstandard insurance racket is. Although their market is customers who are otherwise uninsurable, if a customer with a nonstandard insurance policy gets into a wreck before his policy lapses, the nonstandard insurers are very aggressive about refusing to pay claims. Sabrecav provided me a link to this story as an example:

“Crash victims say 'non-standard' auto insurance companies are not fairly compensating them” [ABC7Chicago – 02/18/2025]

Drivers must have insurance in Illinois, and non-standard insurance legally covers those who are a high risk or have a bad credit history. But some people who were hit by drivers with non-standard insurance say they are getting lowballed on claims.
Debra Smith has been battling the Chicago-based driver's insurance company American Alliance Casualty. It is a non-standard auto insurer. She says the process was slow and she was offered much less than she thought she would get.
"They're saying $1,000. That won't be - that's not even the amount of money to get to replace the stuff," Smith said.
An estimate from her body shop said repairs could be $5,320. And American Alliance Casualty is saying that it will only cover $805 dollars of its own $1,000 estimate because its only accepting 75% of liability.

The Biden-era open-border policy has been costly and destructive to this country in so many ways. One of those is the cost being borne by those of us who maintain auto insurance, because we are paying for the increase in wrecks caused by uninsured illegal aliens.

[buck.throckmorton at protonmail dot com]

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at 11:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Firstish

Posted by: tankdemon at November 14, 2025 11:01 AM (zPjZn)

2 Me

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at November 14, 2025 11:01 AM (w3u3d)

3 Morning.

Posted by: Robert, The Love Walrus at November 14, 2025 11:01 AM (1Yy3c)

4 THIS right here is what voters care about.

Posted by: gKWVE at November 14, 2025 11:02 AM (yYROg)

5 Corgis called.
And otters

I also told the sloths, but by the time they get here, Ace will have something posted.

Posted by: tankdemon at November 14, 2025 11:02 AM (zPjZn)

6 My auto insurance full coverage went back below $350 6m.

Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 11:03 AM (Zgp2+)

7 Hit and run! Mucho fun!!

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at November 14, 2025 11:03 AM (k9330)

8 Soaring Cost of Auto Insurance
---
"TRUMP SAID HE'D BRING PRICES DOWN!!! END OF MAGA!!!"

Posted by: Axeman at November 14, 2025 11:04 AM (krQz2)

9 Shop around.

Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 11:04 AM (Zgp2+)

10 300!

Posted by: Axeman at November 14, 2025 11:04 AM (krQz2)

11 We shall conment in the shade.

Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 11:05 AM (Zgp2+)

12 This parallels neatly with VDH’s long ago published essay regarding how the regulatory state punishes/milks the law abiding while ignoring the black/gray market illegal economy and its participants.

Posted by: Farmer Bob at November 14, 2025 11:07 AM (hlNLQ)

13 Only pay for what you need!

Posted by: Evoo Emu at November 14, 2025 11:08 AM (GPa4z)

14
Tricolor was Cash for Clunkers' second cousin once removed.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 14, 2025 11:08 AM (xG4kz)

15 "Most news stories will also lazily throw in tariffs or supply chain problems as contributing reasons."

Supply chain is indeed a real problem and cause. Especially for newer foreign cars, getting replacement parts is hard if not impossible unless you pay inflated prices. Exotics? Fuhgeddaboudit. So the costs of repairs is much higher than they should be. In some cases, the cost would be so high that the insurance company just totals the car and sells off the good parts.

Happened to me a few years ago. The car was repairable, but it would have cost so much that the carrier just cut me a big check.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at November 14, 2025 11:08 AM (iFTx/)

16 But. . . but. . . but. . . .I've been ~~told~~ scolded by my Church hierarchy that I must be welcoming in all things related to 'refugees' whether illegal or not.

If they destroy my country and the lives of me and my family well, that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 14, 2025 11:08 AM (cYBz/)

17 Kind of related, the DOT has announced it is revoking 17,000 CDLs (big rig licenses) thst Cslifornia issued to illegal immigrants who were not qualified to receive them.

http://tiny.cc/qb2v001

As a CDL holder, I am thinking maybe all California CDLs should be revoked.

Posted by: tankdemon at November 14, 2025 11:09 AM (zPjZn)

18
The armchair economists I know are all to willing to toss out a line or two blaming tariffs for what ails them.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 14, 2025 11:10 AM (xG4kz)

19 Love Buck posts and my faves are EV infernos. A nice totaled car crash pic will have to do today, though. No claims here for 45 years with my insurance company and still the price goes up.

Posted by: Seasoned Motorist at November 14, 2025 11:10 AM (oftw2)

20 Getting a car registered with some bullshit temporary insurance policy, then cancelling, is another lovely way around the law.

Insurance regulators can simply force the issue of immediate reporting of cancellations to the DMVs. They can cancel registrations, and those plates will pop up on every cop's plate scanner.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 14, 2025 11:11 AM (n9ltV)

21 Thx Buck. The super smart business God Jaime Dimon worked up a $500m bailout for Tricolor as you noted in your Sept post. How'd that work out?

Posted by: Smell the Glove at November 14, 2025 11:11 AM (bfwj/)

22 But there is another worsening problem that is a major cause of rising auto insurance premiums, and that is uninsured drivers.

-------------

This was happening in Califzuela decades ago after Reagan's horrible "illegal alien amnesty" travesty.

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at November 14, 2025 11:11 AM (YMXsV)

23
Man, I messed up a triple 2!

The armchair economists I know are all too willing to toss out a line or two blaming tariffs for what ails them.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Imprison! Imprison! Imprison! at November 14, 2025 11:12 AM (xG4kz)

24 I just want the guy at fault to have to pay to fix the car he wrecks. I don't care if that is via insurance or via cash.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at November 14, 2025 11:12 AM (xcxpd)

25 Thank you for the kind words, Seasoned Motorist.

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at November 14, 2025 11:12 AM (sB7eJ)

26 Our homeowner's insurance was going to go up but I called and explained that we had a new roof installed without claiming sketchy hail or wind damage and they left the premium pretty much alone.

Posted by: Oglebay at November 14, 2025 11:12 AM (GPa4z)

27 13 Only pay for what you need!
Posted by: Evoo Emu at November 14, 2025 11:08 AM (GPa4z)
---

I know there's a school of thought here that any advertising that gets your product talked about is good, but honestly I hate those commercials so much that I'd never dream of using Libbidy Mutual.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at November 14, 2025 11:13 AM (LxER7)

28 I would add there are many other factors influencing higher insurance costs:

1. Biden inflation. Everything costs more now. Insurance too.

2. Vast number of utterly terrible drivers on the road. Many are immigrants (legal and illegal) from scumbag cultures who drive like drunken retards. But an awful lot of Americans are terrible too, and some older people no longer have adequate faculties and shouldn't be driving.

3. Huge explosion of delivery drivers, delivery trucks, delivery carts, mopeds, e-bikes, etc. Especially in big cities, there are simply more things on the road to hit.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at November 14, 2025 11:14 AM (iFTx/)

29 What I didn’t document was Tricolor’s role in putting drivers on the road who weren’t properly insured.

------------

At least states like Califzuela aren't issuing CDLs to illegal aliens who can't read or speak English.

Wait, wut?

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at November 14, 2025 11:14 AM (YMXsV)

30 Try Progressive. If you are a homeowner Erie.

Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 11:14 AM (Zgp2+)

31 They can cancel registrations, and those plates will pop up on every cop's plate scanner."

Can't. Plenty of black robe types have said "nay"...

Posted by: man at November 14, 2025 11:15 AM (tubbA)

32 21 Thx Buck. The super smart business God Jaime Dimon worked up a $500m bailout for Tricolor as you noted in your Sept post. How'd that work out?
Posted by: Smell the Glove at November 14, 2025 11:11 AM (bfwj/)

For Jamie? Probably just fine.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at November 14, 2025 11:15 AM (xcxpd)

33 16
‘ but. . . .I've been told scolded by my Church hierarchy’

Any church hierarchy that says that is happy to see you and your loved ones hurt. I’d get some new hierarchy if I were you.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at November 14, 2025 11:15 AM (jbnUc)

34 I also told the sloths, but by the time they get here, Ace will have something posted.
Posted by: tankdemon

Look who's criticizing people for being tardy!

Posted by: Physician, Heal Thyself at November 14, 2025 11:15 AM (oftw2)

35 But an awful lot of Americans are terrible too"

Hey, check out this tikXbookapp...

Posted by: man at November 14, 2025 11:15 AM (tubbA)

36 I'm not seeing a way out of this dilemma. Just another aspect of the American way that was fundamentally changed by Barky's three terms as prez.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 14, 2025 11:16 AM (g8Ew8)

37 From the Art Thread:

339 334 How do you research that?
Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 10:57 AM (Zgp2+)

More importantly....WHY would you research that????

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK) at November 14, 2025 11:17 AM (QGaXH)

38 This also means that those of us obeying the law and properly maintaining our insurance are subsidizing uninsured and underinsured drivers.

Part of the problem could be the cost of cars these days. It was either here or Instapundit that someone recently posted as article stating that the average cost of a new one is now somewhere near $50,000. All the technology and modern safety features make cars a lot more expensive than they otherwise have to be. Wouldn't that make the number of underinsured rise (as carrying the amount of insurance needed to cover these pricier cars pushes up the amount of insurance needed and an increasing share of motorists find it difficult to afford the pricier coverage)?

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 14, 2025 11:17 AM (9FEtL)

39 Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth!

Church Of England "Enthrones" Lesbian As New Archbishop Of Wales

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (L/fGl)

40 Picture it....
Indiana 2004. A beautiful fall day. Its 9am and I was driving safely. Car crosses center line and barrels toward me. Do something, anything, or it's high speed head on! I swerve left and cram the brakes as the car veers to my right. CRASH! Got hit on the right hand side of the front end. If there had been anyone in the front passenger seat, they most likely would have died. My injuries were mostly minor except for the crushed heel.
Driver was Mexican, legal but stoned. His passengers were illegal, one dead at the scene and the other got a helicopter ride to Indianapolis. They dropped a LifeFlight chopper on the highway about 5 feet from the perimeter of a secure military base! They had to stop in Bloomington to stabilize the guy before going on to Indy. And as soon as he recovered from his amputation, he skedaddled back to Mexico. Driver was underinsured. Took forever to get any money from that shit. My health insurance and car insurance covered most of my medical bills (surgery and4 months recoup). We never really broke even with what little his insurance paid.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (2J/Lj)

41 >>> Therefore, one in three wrecks require the party not at fault to file a claim against his own insurance company, using his “Uninsured Motorist Coverage.”

Lack of real "no fault" insurenceis to blame.

Here “Uninsured Motorist Coverage.” is an option that cost as much as the basic "no fault" insurence.i
IF I have insurence then it should not matter what the other driver has unless I wanted to sue him for damages and nobody is getting shit from an illegal alien.

Coverage for the vehicle is an option and again it should not matter what the other driver has.

Posted by: Operator Error at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (92ekx)

42 Vast number of utterly terrible drivers on the road. Many are immigrants (legal and illegal) from scumbag cultures who drive like drunken retards.

It is certainly the case that when I am the first person stopped at a light, I will wait to see the cross traffic stopping before I pull out even though I know it inconveniences people behind me. I've witnessed too many folks pull out and get t-boned by someone who is probably filming a tiktok to be in a hurry.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (ExV1e)

43 Another reason costs are going up are more cars are being totaled than fixed, largely because of the amount of tech in cars and because cars are essentially designed to self destruct upon impact with another vehicle.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (h//oo)

44 The horror. The horror.

DNC Staffers in Uproar Over Return-to-Office Order With 60-Day Notice

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (L/fGl)

45 Huge explosion of delivery drivers, delivery trucks, delivery carts, mopeds, e-bikes, etc. Especially in big cities, there are simply more things on the road to hit.
Posted by: Elric The Blade at November 14, 2025 11:14 AM (iFTx/)

We.call this a target rich environment.

Posted by: Diogenes at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (2WIwB)

46 We used to carry comprehensive coverage for our vehicles, but quit that this year. It cost a wad. Not sure it was worth it. The liability we carry should suffice if we're at fault.

Other than a few nifty SUV's or pickups, most vehicles around here are beat to hell.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (NwnyJ)

47 As a former state insurance regulator responsible for the financial analysis of property and casualty insurance companies domiciled in a major southern state 'uninsured motorist' coverage is nothing more than a profit maker for your insurance company. Irrespective of the insurance status of someone who damages your car, your insurance company is 100% on the hook for the damage repair of your car per whatever your policy stipulations are. Paying in advance for uninsured motorists is just giving your company margin.

Posted by: allmenroder at November 14, 2025 11:19 AM (nUBV4)

48 it's short-sighted that the author implicitly claims that only "nonstandard insurance providers" are "aggressive about refusing to pay claims." some of the largest carriers in the country have been long known for their refusal to pay out when their insured are clearly at fault, and there are no legal avenues outside of woefully inadequate arbitration services for any restitution.

several months ago, my brother's car was totaled by a woman running a red light on the feeder. he had been at his own red light and proceeded into the intersection when it turned green; the woman hit him as he was entering the intersection.

despite a witness statement and a police report suggesting that their insured's "failure to obey traffic signal" was the sole cause of the accident, the company refused to pay out the claim because their insured was adamant that she had a green light and there was no video evidence to contradict her.

that company was Allstate. it is doubtless that the biden-era influx of illegals has exacerbated the problem, but it's far from the root of the issue...we've just turned into a nation of irresponsible liars all looking out for Number One.

Posted by: pH at November 14, 2025 11:19 AM (Whv7M)

49 I'm not seeing a way out of this dilemma. Just another aspect of the American way that was fundamentally changed by Barky's three terms as prez.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 14, 2025 11:16 AM (g8Ew

The obvious answer is socialized auto insurance. Why should people like Elon Musk have auto insurance while I can't afford it? Gimme, gimme, gimme... stop being so selfish.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at November 14, 2025 11:20 AM (ExV1e)

50 A lady hit my car a month ago, totaling it. Her insurance came through in a most timely and fair manner. Had it been one of the substandard fly by night outfits I would probably be SOL.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:20 AM (gm9Sb)

51 I guess stupidity is not a crime.

A Georgia Judge Declares City Ordinance Banning Guns in Unlocked Cars as "Unenforceable"

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:20 AM (L/fGl)

52 Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (2J/Lj)

Good Lord. Glad you made it.

Posted by: Bulg at November 14, 2025 11:21 AM (77rzZ)

53 I'm guessing there's a similar issue with CDL drivers' insurance.

Posted by: Lizzy at November 14, 2025 11:21 AM (GbwPZ)

54 One of the biggest issues is that body shops don't repair cars anymore. Body shops will grossly overestimate the damages to a car in order to declare it a total loss, because their profit margin on a total loss is about 95% for the storage fees, gate fees, cleanup fees, teardown fees, admin fees, estimating fees, etc. The gross profit on a repairable car is maybe 20-25%. So the body shops are driving up a HUGE increase through ridiculous fees for doing nothing. And we all pay for it through out premiums.

Posted by: DavesNotHere at November 14, 2025 11:21 AM (bUIiy)

55 All the technology and modern safety features make cars a lot more expensive than they otherwise have to be.

All the inflation makes cars a lot more expensive than they otherwise have to be.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at November 14, 2025 11:21 AM (ExV1e)

56 My neighbor I used to go out to lunch with was very worried about passing the eye test when about to renew his license on his 80th birthday. He was completely blind in one eye, and vision was failing in the other. Because of COVID, he was able to renew online with no test. He died a day before his 81st birthday, though.

Posted by: RIP, Ron at November 14, 2025 11:22 AM (oftw2)

57 The BBC is fake news and the Church of England is a fake church. Is anything left that's real in Middlesex County?

Posted by: gKWVE at November 14, 2025 11:23 AM (gKWVE)

58 Another reason costs are going up are more cars are being totaled than fixed, largely because of the amount of tech in cars and because cars are essentially designed to self destruct upon impact with another vehicle.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (h//oo)
____

Yea, the airbags alone cost a fortune to replace. So a relatively minor accident that deploys airbags ends up totalling the car because the cost of replacing the airbags alone (which means the trim the bags exploded through also needs to be replaced) is sometimes 10s of thousands of dollars.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at November 14, 2025 11:23 AM (iFTx/)

59 One of the biggest issues is that body shops don't repair cars anymore. Body shops will grossly overestimate the damages to a car in order to declare it a total loss, because their profit margin on a total loss is about 95% for the storage fees, gate fees, cleanup fees, teardown fees, admin fees, estimating fees, etc. The gross profit on a repairable car is maybe 20-25%. So the body shops are driving up a HUGE increase through ridiculous fees for doing nothing. And we all pay for it through out premiums.
Posted by: DavesNotHere

Caliber Collision does a great job.

Posted by: Bulg at November 14, 2025 11:23 AM (77rzZ)

60 The Biden-era open-border policy has been costly and destructive to this country in so many ways. One of those is the cost being borne by those of us who maintain auto insurance, because we are paying for the increase in wrecks caused by uninsured illegal aliens.

---------------

Another observation owing to the Commies' "Defund The Police" movement that began during the 2020 Summer of Love, Burning, Looting, and Murdering:

I drive 85,000 miles/year for work, mostly on state routes and interstates, and there's been a dramatic decrease in Police, Highway Patrol, and DPS vehicles and personnel on the roads; it's extremely rare anymore to see anybody pulled over (speaking as someone who'd been pulled over a dozen times for speeding before then).

Even in our rural Northern AZ County, the local sheriff and city police departments are still significantly under-staffed -- as who in their right mind would want to go into law enforcement when your Chief and/or DA and/or AG will throw you under the bus, and you might end up in prison for daring to do your job as trained a la Derek Chauvin (and risk being murdered once there to boot)?

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at November 14, 2025 11:24 AM (YMXsV)

61 >>Vast number of utterly terrible drivers on the road. Many are immigrants (legal and illegal) from scumbag cultures who drive like drunken retards.

Add to that: some are high

Posted by: Colorado at November 14, 2025 11:24 AM (GbwPZ)

62 54 Yep. The shop I had my car taken to made out pretty good. $75 a day storage and $250 processing. The car was brought in, sat, waited for an adjuster to total it, and was taken away. Just sitting there, they made over a grand from the other party's insurance.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:25 AM (gm9Sb)

63 54 One of the biggest issues is that body shops don't repair cars anymore.
Posted by: DavesNotHere at November 14, 2025 11:21 AM (bUIiy)

I recently had dealings with a body shop after hitting a dear with my Silverado. The body shop was a well known long established shop which I have used previously with great satisfaction. Now I wouldn't let them work on a matchbox car.

They don't do rust repair. Nobody working there knows how, supposedly. Long lead times for parts. The parts they ordered (Fender, headlight, etc.) wouldn't fit and had to re-order. Then, the body shop tech damaged the truck while driving it into a service bay.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at November 14, 2025 11:25 AM (N39Ws)

64 50 A lady hit my car a month ago, totaling it. Her insurance came through in a most timely and fair manner. Had it been one of the substandard fly by night outfits I would probably be SOL.
Posted by: bill in arkansas

A good running, slightly dented KIA cries out in agony!

Posted by: Disposable Society at November 14, 2025 11:25 AM (oftw2)

65 Had it been one of the substandard fly by night outfits I would probably be SOL.
Posted by: bill in arkansas

State Farm has entered the chat. . .

Posted by: Tonypete at November 14, 2025 11:26 AM (cYBz/)

66 38 Part of the problem could be the cost of cars these days. It was either here or Instapundit that someone recently posted as article stating that the average cost of a new one is now somewhere near $50,000. All the technology and modern safety features make cars a lot more expensive than they otherwise have to be. Wouldn't that make the number of underinsured rise (as carrying the amount of insurance needed to cover these pricier cars pushes up the amount of insurance needed and an increasing share of motorists find it difficult to afford the pricier coverage)?
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 14, 2025 11:17 AM (9FEtL)

Most manufacturer's CHEAPEST models start at 30,000 for a base model, anymore.

It's kind of ridiculous.

Posted by: XTC at November 14, 2025 11:26 AM (UnA8+)

67 64 Shhh. The little car is in KIA heaven right now. Or maybe in Buford's body shop after the auction.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:27 AM (gm9Sb)

68 I found out that when you use insurance for tow service it counts as a claim. Which is fucking bullshit. My premium is sky high cause of that.

Save $100 on a tow and pay that $100, 20 fold over the next 5 years while that “claim” on my record.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at November 14, 2025 11:28 AM (F2Ar1)

69 We were involved in a 12 car pileup in Asheville last year and half the cars were uninsured. Two just drove off before cops got there. Nobody knows who's driving on our roads.

Posted by: NCKate at November 14, 2025 11:28 AM (uQzkA)

70 >>>and some older people no longer have adequate faculties and shouldn't be driving.

Sometime in the early 70s, my great uncle, who was too damn old to drive, got into an accident in which he was at fault. His car was towed to a body shop for repair. When the repair was complete, my dad dropped him off at the body shop. Leaving the place, my great uncle pulled out of the parking lot and got T-boned by an oncoming car.

Posted by: one hour sober at November 14, 2025 11:28 AM (Y1sOo)

71 Revolving door justice system.

James Bowman III was arrested in Waldorf, Maryland, on Nov. 7, 2025, for allegedly punching a woman and biting her hand—then released without bail. Just one hour later, police say he returned to the same home and attacked her again, this time while she held a toddler. The woman locked herself in a bedroom and called 911, but Bowman allegedly forced the door open and continued the assault. His release came with a no-abuse condition, which he allegedly violated almost immediately.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:28 AM (L/fGl)

72 You can still buy a base Accord for $25k.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at November 14, 2025 11:29 AM (F2Ar1)

73 Make that $29k

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at November 14, 2025 11:30 AM (F2Ar1)

74 Years back, my car got rear-ended by a one-legged old man.

His insurance company didn't want to pay out enough to cover the repairs.

I had to get the dealership I bought the car from (where I was also getting it repaired) to talk to them directly to get them to cover it.

Posted by: XTC at November 14, 2025 11:30 AM (UnA8+)

75 Inflation.

Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 11:30 AM (Zgp2+)

76 67 64 Shhh. The little car is in KIA heaven right now. Or maybe in Buford's body shop after the auction.
Posted by: bill in arkansas

Shee-it. Me and Homer been bombin' round in it for weeks now!

Posted by: Zeke At The Food Bank at November 14, 2025 11:31 AM (oftw2)

77 Look up the price of automotive paint. Takes your breath away and raises the BP.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:31 AM (gm9Sb)

78 73 Make that $29k
Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at November 14, 2025 11:30 AM (F2Ar1)

I'm not sure that 29 is enough of a difference from 30 to argue the point.

Posted by: XTC at November 14, 2025 11:32 AM (UnA8+)

79 He didn't have a leg to stand on.

Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 11:32 AM (Zgp2+)

80 James Bowman III was arrested in Waldorf, Maryland, on Nov. 7, 2025, for allegedly punching a woman and biting her hand—then released without bail. Just one hour later, police say he returned to the same home and attacked her again

Waldorf, MD political map
tinyurl.com/3e8fv93x

Posted by: gKWVE at November 14, 2025 11:32 AM (gKWVE)

81 This was noticeable starting mid-2021 on YouTube dashcam channels. Suddenly half the clips were “the other driver was uninsured” (and often unlicensed!). And in blue areas the police arrived, found No Habla Ingles, and left so they weren’t racist. Made it hard for the victims who needed a police report to be compensated.

Posted by: Ian S. at November 14, 2025 11:33 AM (idPmm)

82 A base Accord is over 29k, if you want any color other than white, black or gray, that brings it to just under 30k. Any options like floor mat or similar being it over 30k

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 14, 2025 11:33 AM (r6CG0)

83 Yep, been there ...

Though this was 2018.

The offending motorist presented a drivers license and insurance card from the NYC area, which is not that uncommon as we have a large number of students from downstate who attend the Univ. at Buffalo.

Only upon a claim being placed, it was found that the insurance card was invalid, and the agency never existed.

My carrier was not able to track down the driver, and the police who took down the accident report were of no help either.

Posted by: browndog sideswiped at November 14, 2025 11:33 AM (3sXRv)

84 Motorcycle dealer totally fucked up engine repair. Another dealer kind enough to inspect. Mechanic laughed as he listed errors, essential parts left out. Got me a whole brand new motor in a crate, installed it, all under warranty.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at November 14, 2025 11:33 AM (mOYn9)

85 Buck, that was a great article. I read it all. Thank you. I don't think I fully appreciate how much effort goes into some of these posts around here.

The pro-government people would probably suggest the solution is to have a years worth of insurance, maybe even raising the minimum amounts.

As we saw during the shutdown though, a significant number of people can't afford food. The insurance companies would probably set people up for a year policy with monthly payments.

People would pay for the first month, register the vehicle and then let insurance coverage lapse. I have no idea what the solution could be aside from requiring people to have a years worth of insurance paid before the vehicle could be registered.

And that won't happen.

Since I like to share food prices to let the Horde know what things are like here in Canada, I have a 10 year old Honda with about 80,000 MILES - I did the conversion - and pay about $1300 a year for good coverage.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (2J/Lj)

Wow. That's a horrible story. I'm glad you're still here.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at November 14, 2025 11:33 AM (Sco7b)

86 I bought a used car from a private party during the Covid PsyOp in 2020.

As I was driving that car home (at dusk) -- after having owned it for no more than 10 minutes, a large deer running across the divided highway (median covered in trees and shrubbery so I didn't see it coming with my usually excellent peripheral vision) crashed into the left front fender.

First time I'd ever hit any animal driving, let alone a deer. The front left tire sounded like it was shredding, so stopped and got out the crowbar to pull the crushed fender back off the tire.

Anywho, the highly-rated local body shop was so busy they couldn't get me in until over a month later -- and I was able to drive the vehicle with no issues.

After they "repaired" it -- it looked brand new -- as I started to drive it out of their lot, it began shaking violently! I took it back and said "What the hell did you do to my car?" and described the issue. They said it was like that when I brought it in -- total bullshit.

They said the last thing they did was take it to Big O Tires down the road for an alignment; well, I was good and proper fucked as they'd cracked a head gasket somehow ... so I had to eat that one.

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at November 14, 2025 11:34 AM (YMXsV)

87 Good Lord. Glad you made it.
Posted by: Bulg

Thanks. So am I. The impact was so hard that a shitty little sedan knocked my Jeep Cherokee Sport sideways and turned it cross ways of the road. Witnesses said it looked like the Jeep was gonna roll over. Felt like it too. Also felt like my head was stuffed into a giant marshmallow when the airbag deployed. My cellphone started out in the console and wound up stuck in a hole the engine punched thru the front firewall. My sunglasses were never found.
Hubbymayhem was out on the road somewhere in Ohio when my brother called and asked if he was rolling or sitting still. He had just unloaded and wasn't rolling yet. Thing Two started with, "she's alive. She's injured, but will recover". Then gave him the rest.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 14, 2025 11:34 AM (2J/Lj)

88 And you thought the Schumer Shutdown Shitshow was bad!

Starbucks Workers Union Launches Nationwide Strike

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:35 AM (L/fGl)

89 All the technology and modern safety features

This can be sung to the tune of The Spirit of Radio.

Posted by: far cry at November 14, 2025 11:35 AM (IEmXv)

90
Another issue that we can thank the Donk commie cocksuckers for is that all those Central/South American illegal aliens have this cultural fetish for drunk driving. It's not macho to moderate one's alcohol intake before getting behind the wheel. Only pinche maricons drive while sober.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at November 14, 2025 11:35 AM (y9nCu)

91 71
‘ His release came with a no-abuse condition, which he allegedly violated almost immediately.’

If we want to have the rule of law in this country, we’ll have to take it away from the left with force.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at November 14, 2025 11:35 AM (jbnUc)

92 85 Maybe it's changed, but the (police) state of Maryland really monitored car insurance, having a state insurance fund you could buy through. Let it lapse and a few days later they would send out a Trooper to yank the tags.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:36 AM (gm9Sb)

93 And in blue areas the police arrived, found No Habla Ingles, and left so they weren’t racist."

This. X 1000

Posted by: man at November 14, 2025 11:36 AM (tubbA)

94 If they made it legal to shoot an at-fault uninsured motorist, this would fix itself tomorrow.

Posted by: Don't blame the alligators at November 14, 2025 11:37 AM (1Nv0l)

95 92 85 Maybe it's changed, but the (police) state of Maryland really monitored car insurance, having a state insurance fund you could buy through. Let it lapse and a few days later they would send out a Trooper to yank the tags.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:36 AM (gm9Sb)

I don't know if it's still that way, but I know that at one point, you didn't have to even get State Inspections in Maryland.

I had a friend in MD who drove with a completely f***ed windshield for YEARS.

Posted by: XTC at November 14, 2025 11:38 AM (UnA8+)

96 92 85 Maybe it's changed, but the (police) state of Maryland really monitored car insurance, having a state insurance fund you could buy through. Let it lapse and a few days later they would send out a Trooper to yank the tags.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:36 AM (gm9Sb)

Considering how uniformly insane all Murrland drivers are, I'd say maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at November 14, 2025 11:38 AM (LxER7)

97 90 When in Vietnam, we used to say the most dangerous thing on Earth was a gook on a Honda Fifty. Now it's a Messican in a Ford Explorer.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:38 AM (gm9Sb)

98 Considering how uniformly insane all Murrland drivers are, I'd say maybe that's not such a bad thing.
Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher

Yeah, they are nuts. Sometimes you feel like you're taking your life in your hands on the MD portion of the Beltway.

Posted by: Bulg at November 14, 2025 11:39 AM (77rzZ)

99 Starbucks Workers Union Launches Nationwide Strike
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

This will create a national pumpkin spice glut. Shares will plummet, children will go unfed, suicides, maybe.

Posted by: Compounding Interest at November 14, 2025 11:40 AM (oftw2)

100 90
‘ Another issue that we can thank the Donk commie cocksuckers for…’

Oh brother, I can’t tell you how much I want to thank them.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at November 14, 2025 11:41 AM (jbnUc)

101 What are the Starbucks employees striking over?

Posted by: Bulg at November 14, 2025 11:41 AM (77rzZ)

102 What is the overpriced burnt coffee up to now?

Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 11:41 AM (Zgp2+)

103 Thing Two started with, "she's alive. She's injured, but will recover". Then gave him the rest.

This is the correct way to begin this kind of conversation. Neither my mother nor wife get it.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 14, 2025 11:41 AM (9FEtL)

104 What I do in the privacy of my own bedroom is none of your business!

You Should Wash Your Bananas – Here’s Why

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:42 AM (L/fGl)

105 Yeah, they are nuts. Sometimes you feel like you're taking your life in your hands on the MD portion of the Beltway.
Posted by: Bulg at November 14, 2025 11:39 AM (77rzZ)

When my kids were learning to drive in NoVA, I warned them never, ever to take their eyes off the cars with MD tags because you never, ever know what those drivers are going to do next. Not just the Beltway. Side streets, parking lots, everywhere.

Posted by: Zombie Robbo the Llama Butcher at November 14, 2025 11:42 AM (LxER7)

106 When we're out driving around we always pay attention to plates to see if people have a current registration sticker. If not they haven't paid tax, registration and inspection. Sure as shit would have no insurance too. Always see a ton of expired tags.

Posted by: NCKate at November 14, 2025 11:42 AM (uQzkA)

107 98 My one kid's driver ed instructor took the tykes out for a spin on the 495 about 4:00 pm. My kid was reconsidering even getting a license. Scared the hell out of him.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:42 AM (gm9Sb)

108 What are the Starbucks employees striking over?
Posted by: Bulg

All the pumpkin spice is giving them migraines.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at November 14, 2025 11:42 AM (2J/Lj)

109 There's an AARP safe driving course for 29+ drivers that will get you a tiny insurance discount.
You don't have to be a member, but the course is 8 hours so it's usually split up into 2 afternoons
Cost is typically $25

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at November 14, 2025 11:42 AM (7gFa4)

110 What are the Starbucks employees striking over?
Posted by: Bulg

They have no grounds to do so.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (cYBz/)

111 I also think insurance rates are inflated because good drivers subsidize bad ones. No matter how many accidents or tickets you get, it seems like insurers have to cover you.

I know some reckless idiots who had so many points on their license that the state eventually suspended the license. But they had insurance coverage at that time, and again when the suspension period ended.

One quite memorable incident involved a guy with a license that was recently unsuspended who drove an exotic car off a bridge. No way this guy should have been driving at all, let alone a $300k car (which was totaled, of course).

Posted by: Elric The Blade at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (iFTx/)

112 Both of my low mileage cars - one 2020 Kia Sedona (base) and one 2014 Subaru Forrester (with bells and whistles) were totaled instead of fixed for the parts. In the accident that was my kid's fault, the insurance company lowballed me greatly and I had to fight for an extra $1K (but they still wouldn't fix). In the other, not my kid's fault, insurance gave $3-4K over worth so it didn;t have to fix.

Apparently, tariffs and supply chain are making car fixes very expensive and car parts very valuable. Neither accident deployed airbags, so were low speed, single site accidents on the cars (one on the side, one on the back).

Posted by: Nova Local at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (tOcjL)

113 A base Accord is over 29k, if you want any color other than white, black or gray, that brings it to just under 30k. Any options like floor mat or similar being it over 30k
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 14, 2025 11:33 AM (r6CG0)

But it’s not $50k which is what the “omg average car is $50k” articles were implying. The average is skewed heavily by $80, 90k pimped out trucks and SUVs.

If you want a basic get me A to B sedan like a Camry or Accord $30kish will buy one. Compact SUVs like a Taos are also in the low $30s.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (F2Ar1)

114 99 Starbucks Workers Union Launches Nationwide Strike
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

This will create a national pumpkin spice glut. Shares will plummet, children will go unfed, suicides, maybe.
Posted by: Compounding Interest at November 14, 2025 11:40 AM (oftw2)

Don't tease me

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (xcxpd)

115 59 One of the biggest issues is that body shops don't repair cars anymore. Body shops will grossly overestimate the damages to a car in order to declare it a total loss, because their profit margin on a total loss is about 95% for the storage fees, gate fees, cleanup fees, teardown fees, admin fees, estimating fees, etc. The gross profit on a repairable car is maybe 20-25%. So the body shops are driving up a HUGE increase through ridiculous fees for doing nothing. And we all pay for it through out premiums.
Posted by: DavesNotHere

Caliber Collision does a great job.
Posted by: Bulg at November 14, 2025 11:23 AM (77rzZ)

I wouldn't know - they were my 2nd car's accident site which ended in a totalling - we went to two different places (b/c insurances had different preferred sites)...

Posted by: Nova Local at November 14, 2025 11:44 AM (tOcjL)

116 "Starbucks Workers United went on strike across the United States on Nov. 13 over what the union says is the company’s refusal to offer new contract proposals and its continued use of unfair labor practices.
"More than 1,000 baristas represented by the union walked off the job on Red Cup Day, one of the chain’s biggest sales days of the year. The strike began at 65 stores in more than 40 cities, according to the union.
"Workers say they acted after six months of inaction from Starbucks on staffing levels, wages, and the resolution of hundreds of pending unfair labor practice charges."

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:45 AM (L/fGl)

117 "Lack of real "no fault" insurance (sic) is to blame."

They tried that here in CA as a ballot initiative. You should have seen the ads against it paid for by Trial Attorneys.

Everyone wants to win the Lawsuit Lottery. The only guaranteed winners are the Trial Attorneys.

Posted by: Gunslinger at November 14, 2025 11:45 AM (R2gO3)

118 Maybe it's changed, but the (police) state of Maryland really monitored car insurance, having a state insurance fund you could buy through. Let it lapse and a few days later they would send out a Trooper to yank the tags.
Posted by: bill in arkansas

Unless he yanked the starter too, illegals would still drive.

Tags? We don't need no stinkeen tags! Vamanos!

Posted by: rickb223 at November 14, 2025 11:45 AM (D1kEJ)

119 Evidently Arkansas has universal insurance reporting. After the accident, I was getting out my insurance papers and the cop said he didn't need them anymore. Likewise, the revenue office doesn't ask for them when registering or renewing.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:46 AM (gm9Sb)

120 110 What are the Starbucks employees striking over?
Posted by: Bulg

They have no grounds to do so.
Posted by: Tonypete at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (cYBz/

They say they have a latte reasons.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 14, 2025 11:46 AM (9FEtL)

121 Apparently, tariffs and supply chain are making car fixes very expensive and car parts very valuable.

Starting during Covid parts became scarce and quality plummeted. Brand new parts being dead when installed is still common. There are whispers that it’s a conspiracy to force EV adoption.

Posted by: Ian S. at November 14, 2025 11:46 AM (idPmm)

122 The cheapest brand new vehicles are just sub-30k.

If you put very little down, your monthly payment is going to be in the 500-750.

Which is absurd

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 14, 2025 11:46 AM (VfP5e)

123 So now we know that Virginia Giuffre said Trump was nice and did nothing wrong.
The DNC is quoting Epstein saying Trump was a horrible person.
And we're finding out that Trump was one of the people who turned Epstein in.
The Dems have become Trump's best publicists

Posted by: Smell the Glove at November 14, 2025 11:47 AM (bfwj/)

124 I bet the Starbucks strike isn't like a good old fashioned Teamster or Steelworker strike with the goon squad manning the line.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 11:48 AM (gm9Sb)

125 Tags? We don't need no stinkeen tags! Vamanos!

The smarter criminals scope out a car of the same make/model/color and steal the plates. That way they avoid even automated plate readers.

Posted by: Ian S. at November 14, 2025 11:48 AM (idPmm)

126 "Workers say they acted after six months of inaction from Starbucks on staffing levels, wages, and the resolution of hundreds of pending unfair labor practice charges."
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

Inaction = action.

The answer was "No".

Posted by: rickb223 at November 14, 2025 11:48 AM (D1kEJ)

127 Which is absurd
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 14, 2025 11:46 AM (VfP5e)

If you're already not paying your rent and not paying on your college loans, what's another $500 a month not paid? Bupkis.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at November 14, 2025 11:48 AM (06Hmj)

128 103 Thing Two started with, "she's alive. She's injured, but will recover". Then gave him the rest.

This is the correct way to begin this kind of conversation. Neither my mother nor wife get it.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 14, 2025 11:41 AM (9FEtL)

Had to remind the spouse (after totalled car #2) that cars don't matter, people do. And that the cars did their jobs b/c both my girls were 100% fine. He needed that reminder when he thought about the cost and inconvenience (and can I say, getting in an accident is wildly inconvenient for weeks, no matter who is at fault)...

Posted by: Nova Local at November 14, 2025 11:49 AM (tOcjL)

129 This cost-shifting crap caused by rule breakers annoys the heck out of me. Auto insurance risk pool, retail theft/shrink, reinsurance, healthcare, etc. Good reading, Buck. Thanks.

Posted by: scampydog at November 14, 2025 11:49 AM (2bFN5)

130 Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth!

Church Of England "Enthrones" Lesbian As New Archbishop Of Wales

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:18 AM (L/fGl)

---------------

Next you'll be telling me that the Harvard Divinity School elected an atheist President of the chaplains organization four years ago.

Wait, wut?

Posted by: ShainS -- Bury My Heart At a Texas MoMe at November 14, 2025 11:49 AM (YMXsV)

131 @130

>> But it’s not $50k which is what the “omg average car is $50k” articles were implying.

The 50k figure comes from the fact that almost nobody buys sedans any longer and the primary vehicle is now a pickup truck or mid-size suv.

And very few people are buying base accords, when all is said and done, the average new accord someone is buying is going to be in the 35-45k range.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 14, 2025 11:49 AM (VfP5e)

132 >>They say they have a latte reasons.

It really grinds them. And their bitterness has been percolating for quite some time.

Posted by: one hour sober at November 14, 2025 11:49 AM (Y1sOo)

133 The concept of "underinsurance" shouldn't be possible, nor should I have to care whether insurance is involved at *all* following an accident. It just shouldn't matter, and if we did insurance differently, it wouldn't.

The whole reason for "underinsurance" comes down to three things:
1. Cars are expensive
2. Medical care is ruinously expensive
3. I'm in the hook for 1 and 2.

But *why* am I on the hook for it? I shouldn't be, and neither should you. I shouldn't have to carry enough insurance to pay for a Mercedes S-Class and six months of hospitalization. I should pay for *me* and vice-versa.

Recast driving as an activity generally to be an assumed-risk activity. Barring recklessness (which is its own category, and for which insurance needn't pay anyway), put *all* liability on the motorist and restrict it to *him* and his passengers. If there's a wreck, even through carelessness or negligence, your fault or not, your insurance pays for your property and care, his pays for his. Or you don't have it. No skin off my back.

In the event of recklessness or another voiding issue, the insurance company is welcome to go after you for liability (or I am, if I self-insure).

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 14, 2025 11:50 AM (6bTRc)

134 Thanks Buck, your posts are always very informative and well done, on important topics. Though reading them, taken together, makes it hard to hold the disgust, frustration, and anger at our degraded society in check.

Posted by: rhomboid at November 14, 2025 11:50 AM (U/Byj)

135 What are the Starbucks employees striking over?
Posted by: Bulg

They have no grounds to do so.
Posted by: Tonypete at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (cYBz/

They say they have a latte reasons.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls

They're gonna milk it for all they can.

Posted by: rickb223 at November 14, 2025 11:50 AM (D1kEJ)

136 Is Archbishop of Wales a fatass?

Posted by: Boss Moss at November 14, 2025 11:51 AM (Zgp2+)

137 Absolutely surprised an individual that would ignore immigration law would also ignore state insurance laws!?!?

Posted by: Bang-a-gong at November 14, 2025 11:51 AM (SRiFu)

138 What are the Starbucks employees striking over?
Posted by: Bulg

They have no grounds to do so.
Posted by: Tonypete at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (cYBz/

They say they have a latte reasons.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls

They're paying gender studies PhDs as if they were waitresses!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:51 AM (L/fGl)

139
I can get a cup of ordinary joe no worse than SBUX at any gas station for one-third the price.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 14, 2025 11:51 AM (tgvbd)

140 We law-abiding citizens don't stand much of a chance. Between illegals who can't read getting CDLs, immigrants who don't buy insurance, and our own home-growned ladies farding in cars, it's a battlefield out there.

Posted by: Adjusting My Helmet at November 14, 2025 11:51 AM (oftw2)

141 I would think that air insurance would be less expensive of every other commercial on TV were not an auto insurance ad.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable at November 14, 2025 11:52 AM (xvV+O)

142 I'm caffeine a hard time keeping up with these coffee puns.

Posted by: Bulg at November 14, 2025 11:52 AM (77rzZ)

143 But *why* am I on the hook for it? I shouldn't be, and neither should you. I shouldn't have to carry enough insurance to pay for a Mercedes S-Class and six months of hospitalization. I should pay for *me* and vice-versa.

osted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 14, 2025 11:50 AM (6bTRc)
_________

"FUCK YOU"

-- Accident Lawyers

Posted by: Elric The Blade at November 14, 2025 11:52 AM (iFTx/)

144 to pay for the damage they caused
Well, one of the reasons the cost of insurance has gone up is the propensity of insurers to simply pay a claim, regardless of fault. Mine paid out a claim to someone injured in a rollover (the driver of that vehicle was... you guessed it, uninsured) they claimed I caused (the citation against me was thrown out in court). They didn't think I had any real culpability, but it was easier to simply pay the claim than it was to dispute it.

The other reasons are, as you say, Buck, the expense of cars (some of it because of just how expensive they have become, but the other part is low-impact bumpers and such, that used to be handled by putting just a new bumper on - now handled by replacing a huge portion of the rear end, it seems) and the un- and underinsured motorists. As far as expense, vast numbers of cars are simply totalled after an accident, now.

Posted by: GWB at November 14, 2025 11:52 AM (9tT1a)

145 Because the insurance being sold by nonstandard insurers is the bare minimum required to get a vehicle registered, that also effectively means that every driver with nonstandard insurance is “underinsured” until their insurance lapses, at which time they are completely uninsured. This also means that pretty much every customer Tricolor sold a vehicle to did not have sufficient insurance coverage to pay for the wrecks they caused. And for every vehicle Tricolor sold, there were many other vehicles sold to the same customer base by other used car dealers.
++++
Which also doesn't matter. You can't get blood from a stone. So he's "underinsured?" You have no recourse. Sure, you can sue him (or your insurance company can), but what will you get for it? Bupkiss.

The only time "underinsurance" presents an actual risk is if you *do* have assets worth defending. If you don't, then insurance doesn't matter at all except for ticking the box to avoid getting arrested. Have adequate insurance? Why bother? It costs more and buys you nothing.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 14, 2025 11:52 AM (6bTRc)

146 I just bought my new 2025 Subaru Imprezza (base with just 3 installed options that just were on it) for $24.5K all in cash out the door - tax, tags, fees, no trade in.

If you want a new car, do not buy the 2026 if you have a limited budget (like me)...buy the leftover 2025s.

Posted by: Nova Local at November 14, 2025 11:52 AM (tOcjL)

147 Starbucks employees are striking for better pay, scheduling, staffing, and better store conditions. But the longer-term issue is automation is coming, and Starbucks is already testing systems that reduce the number of workers needed per store. If the union is planning for true job security, it would make sense to include an automation clause in their demands.

Didn’t know there was a strike! Is that why my location was closed. Didn’t even realize it was union.

I am so proud of you all and so disappointed in the lack of solidarity I'm seeing on here and in my local stores. People put getting the seasonal red cup over workers rights. Disgusting.

i was outside desperate to get cars to turn around. huge amount of them did! we shut the whole store down

They closed down the Starbucks in the Castro SF which I’m not mad at because support smaller businesses but the image of leaving such a queer location made me stop buying Starbucks. Extremely sad because I’m addicted to their espresso roast.

Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at November 14, 2025 11:53 AM (JCZqz)

148 Boo hoo boo hoo boo hoo boo hoo
Hell, no, we won't brew!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:53 AM (L/fGl)

149 If there's a wreck, even through carelessness or negligence, your fault or not, your insurance pays for your property and care, his pays for his. Or you don't have it. No skin off my back.

---------------

I have actually never thought of this approach. Something to ponder. Maybe that would be better.

Posted by: SH (no more socks) at November 14, 2025 11:54 AM (sX1BW)

150 59- Caliber Collision does a great job.
Posted by: Bulg at November 14, 2025 11:23 AM

I've used them. They’re great.

Posted by: Moonbeam at November 14, 2025 11:54 AM (rbKZ6)

151 139
I can get a cup of ordinary joe no worse than SBUX at any gas station for one-third the price.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

You can do that, but going to Starbucks is like going on Safari among the exotic clientele and customers.

Posted by: Look! An Aardvarck With Ear Gauges! at November 14, 2025 11:54 AM (oftw2)

152 145 Which also doesn't matter. You can't get blood from a stone. So he's "underinsured?" You have no recourse. Sure, you can sue him (or your insurance company can), but what will you get for it? Bupkiss.

The only time "underinsurance" presents an actual risk is if you *do* have assets worth defending. If you don't, then insurance doesn't matter at all except for ticking the box to avoid getting arrested. Have adequate insurance? Why bother? It costs more and buys you nothing.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 14, 2025 11:52 AM (6bTRc)

Then they should be allowed to take them for everything they have and leave them homeless and asset-less

Posted by: XTC at November 14, 2025 11:54 AM (UnA8+)

153 Oh, there are also a LOT of REALLY, REALLY crappy drivers out there now. Not sure if it's simply not paying attention, they're more often stoned, or they got pencil-whipped through the driver's ed system, but it's gotten bad out there.

Posted by: GWB at November 14, 2025 11:55 AM (9tT1a)

154 Corgis called.
And otters

I also told the sloths, but by the time they get here, Ace will have something posted.
Posted by: tankdemon at November 14, 2025 11:02 AM (zPjZn)

Hey...

Now...

Posted by: GWB at November 14, 2025 11:55 AM (9tT1a)

155 I would always suggest getting a used car, something dependable like a jap car. Buying new is just burning money.

I can find old Honda, Lexus, Toyotas and Acuras for under 10k in the Seattle area. Some even are under 100k miles, though that is a bit harder to find. But they will run forever and not soak you in repair bills the way German cars will.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at November 14, 2025 11:56 AM (xcxpd)

156 They closed down the Starbucks in the Castro SF which I’m not mad at because support smaller businesses but the image of leaving such a queer location made me stop buying Starbucks. Extremely sad because I’m addicted to their espresso roast.
Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at November 14, 2025 11:53 AM (JCZqz)

that has to be the gayest post ever written on Reddit.

Posted by: Tom Servo at November 14, 2025 11:56 AM (uWKK8)

157
The Church of England has been a joke for almost a century, ever since the 1930 Lambeth Conference opened the door to birth control.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 14, 2025 11:56 AM (tgvbd)

158 And you thought the Schumer Shutdown Shitshow was bad!

Starbucks Workers Union Launches Nationwide Strike
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Why Do the Heathen Rage? at November 14, 2025 11:35 AM (L/fGl)

Oh no. Anyway......

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at November 14, 2025 11:56 AM (g8Ew8)

159 I like to keep 'The Price is Right' on for background noise.

It's rare to see vehicles over $30,000 except for special episodes but I'm guessing they probably have the bare bones vehicles. And I don't ever recall seeing a pickup truck there.

Posted by: Posted by: Stateless - VERY GRATEFUL, BLESSED, LOVED AND HAPPY! -- - New Life Creation - 18.1% at November 14, 2025 11:57 AM (Sco7b)

160 Then they should be allowed to take them for everything they have and leave them homeless and asset-less
Posted by: XTC

"Did you have to demand his pants?"
"Yes. This is the only way they will learn."

Posted by: NR Pax at November 14, 2025 11:57 AM (+4yJ5)

161 Speaking of crappy drivers, have any of you driven on the left side of the road (like the U.K)? We are going to St. Croix next month and I just learned that they drive on the left side, makes me a bit nervous that I'll screw up.

Posted by: Lincolntf at November 14, 2025 11:58 AM (vV6n9)

162 Starbucks employees are striking for better pay, scheduling, staffing, and better store conditions. But the longer-term issue is automation is coming, and Starbucks is already testing systems that reduce the number of workers needed per store. If the union is planning for true job security, it would make sense to include an automation clause in their demands. ...
Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at November 14, 2025 11:53 AM (JCZqz)
++++
Oddly perceptive of the union on one front, hilariously irrelevant on the other.

Both of the following are true:
1. Labor is expensive
2. Capital is cheap, especially if you're deep-pocketed corporation who can borrow at hilariously low rates

If you artificially make labor expensive, it creates a capital preference for business spending. Insofar as a business *can* shift the ratio to favor capital expenditure, it will.

If you artificially make capital cheap (we do), it *also* creates that same capital preference.

Boosting the price of labor while capital is cheap just ensures less labor will be used. This is also why capital cost repression (low rates) acts the same as a higher minimum wage...

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 14, 2025 11:58 AM (6bTRc)

163 In Texas, you are required to purchase auto insurance. That government mandate creates an artificial scarcity, which drives up insurance rates.

The thing that gets me, though, is that they still sell uninsured motorist policies, which you need because the high cost encourages people to get around the mandate.

As a bonus, the state's attempt to enforce the mandate leads to lots of opportunities for "big brother" to step in, which of course he does.

I guess you could say that I'm not a fan.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at November 14, 2025 11:58 AM (AnKDS)

164 Sure, you can sue him (or your insurance company can), but what will you get for it? Bupkiss.

---

Which is why I am in favor of making it legal to shoot him.

Posted by: Don't blame the alligators at November 14, 2025 11:58 AM (1Nv0l)

165 Nood.

Ace is up

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at November 14, 2025 11:58 AM (xcxpd)

166 If there's a wreck, even through carelessness or negligence, your fault or not, your insurance pays for your property and care, his pays for his. Or you don't have it. No skin off my back.

---------------

I have actually never thought of this approach. Something to ponder. Maybe that would be better.
Posted by: SH (no more socks) at November 14, 2025 11:54 AM (sX1BW)
_____

This is no-fault insurance. You will get your bills paid for no matter who is at fault. If the other guy is at fault, then you or your insurance company can go after his insurance. This works very well when it comes to property damage.

When it comes to personal injury, however, the game is completely changed and perverted because of accident lawyers and barely-injured plaintiffs suing for 100s of thousands if not millions.

Posted by: Elric The Blade at November 14, 2025 11:58 AM (iFTx/)

167 155 I would always suggest getting a used car, something dependable like a jap car. Buying new is just burning money.

155 I would always suggest getting a used car, something dependable like a jap car. Buying new is just burning money.

I can find old Honda, Lexus, Toyotas and Acuras for under 10k in the Seattle area. Some even are under 100k miles, though that is a bit harder to find. But they will run forever and not soak you in repair bills the way German cars will.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at November 14, 2025 11:56 AM (xcxpd)

I nearly choked looking at used Civics online a couple days ago, and seeing they were going for $45,000.

(Though yes, they all had 25k or less miles on them)

Posted by: XTC at November 14, 2025 11:59 AM (UnA8+)

168
Tags? We don't need no stinkeen tags! Vamanos!

The smarter criminals scope out a car of the same make/model/color and steal the plates. That way they avoid even automated plate readers.
Posted by: Ian S. at November 14, 2025 11:48 AM (idPmm)

Here in Clownifornia, they just download a format for temporary tags and just tape a copy to the trunk. I've seen copies that were several years out of date, and others that didn't expire for something like 10 months.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at November 14, 2025 11:59 AM (y9nCu)

169 >>Speaking of crappy drivers, have any of you driven on the left side of the road (like the U.K)? We are going to St. Croix next month and I just learned that they drive on the left side, makes me a bit nervous that I'll screw up.

Yes, during a six-month deployment to Misawa, Japan.

You'll get the hang of it pretty quick.

Posted by: one hour sober at November 14, 2025 11:59 AM (Y1sOo)

170 But the longer-term issue is automation is coming, and Starbucks is already testing systems that reduce the number of workers needed per store.
Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at November 14, 2025 11:53 AM (JCZqz)

Can AI pronounce your name properly? Can it write it on the cup? Will it wear a steel booger?

Posted by: GWB at November 14, 2025 12:00 PM (9tT1a)

171 Illegal immigration is another one of those things were we've socialized costs and privatized profits.

So lefty pols get their votes, lefty bureaucrats and NGOs grift off their welfare and upper class Karen get cheaper labor.

But the costs go to all citizens - more crime, more welfare, more social services and on and on

Posted by: 18-1 at November 14, 2025 12:00 PM (sKqQm)

172 159 Things you remember from your Little Kid days. The old, old Price is Right would pull back curtains to show the prize. Once it was a BRAND NEW CAR and the live audience screamed and they unveiled a fuckin' Isetta and then dead silence.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 12:00 PM (gm9Sb)

173 @169, thanks. I hope so.

Posted by: Lincolntf at November 14, 2025 12:00 PM (vV6n9)

174 Virtually all of our problems are due to all of the costs of illegal aliens are shifted to the Citizen, who is basically a Chump. State, Local, Federal - and the Corporations.

An Illegal Alien totals your car and causes injury in an At Fault collision.

The cops will let him go. Nothing they can do, it’s not their purview, besides, they can’t afford to lock him up, and the Feds will just ordinarily let him go.

If our government wasn’t so thoroughly corrupted, the Insurance companies could or would send the host countries the bill for their citizens wreaking havoc in OUR country, and the Feds would make it stick with incentives.

Or even better, Insurance policies would have an Exclusion - they don’t cover being hit by Illegal Aliens. Sorry.

That would get everyone’s attention. This sleight of hand cost shifting is profoundly Wicked and Evil.

Posted by: Common Tater at November 14, 2025 12:01 PM (B0ATO)

175 156 They closed down the Starbucks in the Castro SF which I’m not mad at because support smaller businesses but the image of leaving such a queer location made me stop buying Starbucks. Extremely sad because I’m addicted to their espresso roast.
Posted by: Intercepted Reddit Transmissions brought by the Intrepid AoS Liaison at November 14, 2025 11:53 AM (JCZqz)

that has to be the gayest post ever written on Reddit.
Posted by: Tom Servo at November 14, 2025 11:56 AM (uWKK

If they were as "queer" as they claimed to be, they wouldn't have gone to a Starbucks in _SAN FRANSHITSCO_ in the first place.

"Queers" only go to Starbucks if they can't escape the small town they grew up in (in which case they're working at the Starbucks because it's the only place that will let them have purple/pink hair at work).

Posted by: XTC at November 14, 2025 12:01 PM (UnA8+)

176 >>Speaking of crappy drivers, have any of you driven on the left side of the road (like the U.K)? We are going to St. Croix next month and I just learned that they drive on the left side, makes me a bit nervous that I'll screw up.

Yes, during a six-month deployment to Misawa, Japan.

You'll get the hang of it pretty quick.
Posted by: one hour sober at November 14, 2025 11:59 AM (Y1sOo)

England a couple of times. Biggest problem I had was reaching into the door map compartment to shift. But I really enjoyed it.

Posted by: GWB at November 14, 2025 12:02 PM (9tT1a)

177 141 I would think that air insurance would be less expensive of every other commercial on TV were not an auto insurance ad.

air insurance requires a megamaid

Posted by: president skroob at November 14, 2025 12:02 PM (v3pYe)

178 170 Can AI pronounce your name properly? Can it write it on the cup? Will it wear a steel booger?
Posted by: GWB at November 14, 2025 12:00 PM (9tT1a)

They don't even ask for names at the one by where I live.

Posted by: XTC at November 14, 2025 12:03 PM (UnA8+)

179 Lincolntf, willowed here, but have driven in Japan and New Zealand, was no big deal at all.

Of course, Japan, and New Zealand. First place famously orderly, sane, and well-organized (with good drivers). Second mellow, civilized, and uninhabited (well the South Island's pretty empty, so driving was beautiful and relaxing between the few major towns).

I wouldn't sweat it (though guessing St Croix might have rougher edges).

Posted by: rhomboid at November 14, 2025 12:04 PM (U/Byj)

180 176 My old Brit friend would return to Blighty for a few weeks every year or two. While there, he and his wife would "hire" a car. Very dangerous to ride with when he got back, driving on the left. Old habits, hard to break.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at November 14, 2025 12:04 PM (gm9Sb)

181 The latest Epstein stuff really only raises one question.

What did Cyrus Vance know, and when did he know it?

He was the AG of NYS while Epstein was being protected.

Posted by: 18-1 at November 14, 2025 12:07 PM (sKqQm)

182 “No Fault” is a scam. The principal that your own Insurance will pay is why your premiums have skyrocketed. Plus Uninsured, Underinsured and decaying cities.

Insurance has the principle of Subordination. They will pay your claims.

Then they turn around and collect from the other guy’s Insurance. Except, he doesn’t have any. Now what?

That’s how “No Fault” and “Uninsured” works. YOU pay for it, one way or another.

Always keep in mind, Insurance companies are so hated - almost as much as Lawyers - without much justification.

The Politicians have ruined Insurance. Good drivers, good people, make for low premiums.

When the State mandates this and that, the costs go up. “You cannot refuse coverage”.

At one time, you could not get coverage if you financed a car. What sort of idiot wouldn’t pay cash for a car, and buys on Credit? Bad Risk. Higher incidence of claims. No thank you!

Posted by: Common Tater at November 14, 2025 12:09 PM (THAHD)

183 110 What are the Starbucks employees striking over?
Posted by: Bulg

They have no grounds to do so.
Posted by: Tonypete at November 14, 2025 11:43 AM (cYBz/)

They're just letting off steam, let them venti.

Posted by: tankdemon at November 14, 2025 12:10 PM (zPjZn)

184 If there's a wreck, even through carelessness or negligence, your fault or not, your insurance pays for your property and care, his pays for his. Or you don't have it. No skin off my back.

---------------

This is what "no fault" is presentrd as.
The truth can be 180 degrees off from this.

Posted by: Operator Error at November 14, 2025 12:12 PM (92ekx)

185 This is what "no fault" is presentrd as.
The truth can be 180 degrees off from this.
Posted by: Operator Error at November 14, 2025 12:12 PM (92ekx)
++++
It can be. Part of the problem is that even under "no fault" schemes, there is still loads of liability law that makes everything stupendously messy. Driving needs to be fully reclassified and most (or all) of the liability law around it scrapped or it just turns into a shit show that somehow costs even more.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 14, 2025 12:17 PM (6bTRc)

186 And very few people are buying base accords, when all is said and done, the average new accord someone is buying is going to be in the 35-45k range.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 14, 2025 11:49 AM (VfP5e)

Then that’s their choice. Point is there are cheaper alternatives. If people don’t choose then well that’s on them.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at November 14, 2025 12:24 PM (F2Ar1)

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