Proof that your car insurance IS TOO HIGH?

Buying car insurance in Kentucky is expensive.  Only five states pay more to insure their autos.
Kentucky is one of the most expensive states for auto insurance.

If you live in Kentucky and own a car, then you’re paying too much for Automobile Insurance.

If someone is telling you otherwise, I’ve got some excellent advice for you. Stop listening to that person!  They obviously don’t have a clue about the cost of auto insurance in Kentucky.

.

Kentucky has the 6th highest car insurance in the US.
Proving that the cost of Kentucky Auto Insurance is High

The Proof

Which states would you expect to pay the most for insurance? States with bigger cities, and heavy traffic? Commonsense would lead most of us to expect to find New York, California, and New Jersey at the top of the list.  Using the same logic we can also add Massachusetts, Illinois, Florida, and Connecticut.  And while not a state, I would also expect to see Washington D.C. on a list of states with higher auto insurance premiums. 

Six states have average auto insurance rates that range from $1,750 to $2,500.  Starting with the most expense:

1. Michigan

2. Louisiana

3. Florida

4. Connecticut and,

5. New York  

6. Kentucky

For the most, this likely seems appropriate. But for many it  will be eye-opening to find how high car insurance is in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Surprisingly the residents of Kentucky pay more for auto coverage than California.  The same is true for Washington D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

Who is this person that says you’re car insurance is not expensive?

Kentuckians on average spend $1,752 annually for auto insurance. That’s almost 30% more than the national average.  It is a fact; your auto insurance is expensive.

  • If you are a good driver in Kentucky, you pay too much for insurance.
  • If you’re a bad driver you pay too much.
  • Kentucky car owner’s that drive too fast, pay to much.                                                                     

 Compared with most other states, Kentucky auto insurance cost more.  While this is true for most residents, not everyone in Kentucky overpays.  Uninsured and underinsured drivers clearly don’t pay too much for car insurance.  But don’t read that to say that this group doesn’t have a hand in cost of car insurance in Kentucky.  Their contribution is significant.  Those that drive with inadequate auto coverage, raise auto premiums for everyone.  This increase in state demand for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Which in turn places upward pressure on the overall cost of auto insurance premiums.

Where you live has a big impact on how much your insurance cost.  Take a look at Kentucky.  Their very high auto insurance rates significantly impact home and auto packages.
It’s a fact that Auto Insurance is higher in Kentucky than it is in most states

The price for car insurance in Kentucky is high.  Some may try to argue this.  Beware of those that argue against the facts. 

Kentuckian plays about $400 a year more than the U.S. Average. Why is Kentucky auto insurance so expensive? 

How does Kentucky compare to other states in our region? To the north, Kentucky borders, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Each of these states is ranked as one of the ten least expensive U.S. States for car insurance. The average auto premium for the three is $973. Compared to these three Mid-Western states, Kentuckians are paying almost $800 a year. 

Why are we still listening to the nuts that still think we aren’t paying too much to insure our personal auto?

If you would like to have an insurance agent look you in the eye and tell you:

 â€śYes, you are paying too much to insure your car,” then try TruePoint.

Want to learn about factors that make Kentucky auto insurance the 6th highest in the U.S.?

Give us a call at (502) 410-5089.

Serious about lowering your auto insurance cost?  Then get your insurance documents together.

Call or drop by, and we will do our best to help you reduce the value of your home and auto insurance.

Exchange Students – Homeowners Coverage

This article briefly discusses how a homeowner policy responds to coverage for exchange students. Please be sure to read the companion article, “Exchange Students – Automobile Coverage.”

Opening your Eyes, that's about to happen for your family with your new exchange student.  But waiting until they get here to open your eyes is a big risk.  Find out before hand the changes that you will need to make to your insurance.
You have an Exchange Student, Now What?

Note: Check with your exchange student program coordinator to see what kinds of coverage are automatically provided for the child. But don’t take anyone’s word; get copies of documents that prove the coverage situation.

An exchange student in your care who is younger than 21 years is automatically insured under a homeowners policy, treated as if the child were a relative. An exchange student’s property is covered while located at or away from your home. Off-premises coverage is normally limited to 10% of your policy’s Personal Property limit, subject to a minimum of $1,000. On-premises, the policy’s full content limit is available. If your homeowner’s policy had a $70,000 limit for Personal Property, up to $7,000 would be available to handle damage or loss to an exchange student’s property while it’s away from your home, say while at a summer camp. Liability coverage that applies to your family also applies for damage and bodily injury caused by an exchange student who is younger than 21 years of age.

Do you know how to prepare for an exchange student?  You need to!
how to prepare for an exchange student.

If the exchange student is older than age 21, then the policy treats the student as a guest. A policy owner can volunteer to extend his insurance coverage to include a guest’s property while at your residence premises or even while you and the guest are at some other location. However, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether an older exchange student is a guest or a tenant – someone who is paying you a reasonable rent for staying in your home.

Hosting an exchange student creates questions you should discuss with an insurance professional who can help make sure your coverage needs are met.


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2017

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.

The “Other” DUI


Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a crime that will cost dearly.
Drinking and Driving, everyone losses

DUI! What does that term conjure up? Do you think of:

  • A person staggering out of a bar, car keys in hand and stumbling toward a car?
  • Some woman, standing alongside a police car while an officer watches her attempt to touch her nose? 
  • A sober friend arguing with a drunken companion to surrender his or her keys?
  • A patrol officer sidling up to a car with sickly sweet smoke rolling out of a car as an obviously “high” driver lowers a car window?
Impaired driving is serious, but in many states simply driving with an open container is a crime.
DUI or DWI, the results are the same

Whether the term used is DUI or DWI, the assumption is usually that a driver is unable to safely operate a car because of alcohol or illegal drug use. Another assumption is that such drivers are fairly easy to identify. Unfortunately, there is another type of impaired driving that causes serious problems for everyone….Driving Under the Influence of prescribed drugs.

The proper use of prescription drugs is a good thing. However, the problem is that prescription drug users overlook an important consideration. Besides using the right dosage and the correct intervals of use; instructions often include another item that is ignored – avoiding driving after the legal use of medicine.

Driving impaired by prescription drugs has serious legal consequences.  Drives may be subjected to the same laws that govern DUI or DWI.
Impaired by Prescription Drugs?
Don’t Drive!

Prescription drug labels include a warning not to operate vehicles or machinery when using the applicable drug. The warning is necessary because many medicines cause drowsiness, sleepiness or decreased awareness or reaction time. Naturally, being behind the wheel of a vehicle under such circumstances is dangerous to the driver, any passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.

Drivers who are impaired by prescription drugs are subject to the same serious legal consequences as persons caught driving while drunk or under the influence of illegal substances. However, they’re not as easily identified or caught. Being drunk or high is typically accompanied by obvious signs, such as slurred speech or impaired movement. The influence of prescription drugs is not as obvious; even though the level of impairment is similar. Drivers influenced by prescription drugs often lack the judgment and response levels necessary to safely drive on public roads.

Operating a vehicle while legally drugged does not have the stigma of the influence of either alcohol or illegal drugs; yet it has the same, potentially lethal consequences. It is dangerous and irresponsible to endanger ourselves and others by driving a vehicle under less than ideal conditions……and doing so after taking powerful, prescription drugs are the antithesis of what is ideal. So take drugs as needed and as instructed and that includes following any orders to stay away from driving!


COPYRIGHT: Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc. 2016

All rights reserved. Production or distribution, whether in whole or in part, in any form of media or language; and no matter what country, state or territory, is expressly forbidden without written consent of Insurance Publishing Plus, Inc.

Kentucky Personal Auto Insurance Insights

What is Personal Auto insurance?  Is it the same as Car Insurance?  Read on and learn more about Kentucky car insurance.

What’s your biggest risk

I remember when auto insurance came in two flavors, state-mandated liability insurance or full coverage car insurance.  Of which the latter, I am told, no longer exist.

Teen drivers.  When your children start driving two thing happen.  Fully understanding one is critical.  
First, your auto insurance is going to skyrocket.  The critical event is your risk you expose your kids to when you hand them the keys.  TruePoint can help, (502) 410-5089
25% of accidents due to texting and driving

Changes in the law, insurance options, and technology have significantly altered how we buy car insurance.  But the combined impact of these factors pales in comparison to the litigious state of America. 

It seems every time you turn around, another legal exposure pops up.  In the US, cars are the leading cause of injuries.  With that said, it is easy to comprehend that for individuals in Kentucky, the vast majority of our exposure comes from our cars.    

Kentucky car liability insurance seems to be more critical than ever before.   And it’s not going away anytime soon.  In the meantime, there are only a few things we can do to reduce our risk.  The biggest impact will come by having a better understanding of insurance and how consumers can best acquire car insurance in Kentucky

Kentucky Auto Insurance Law

Most Car Accidents: It’s the other dude’s fault

While the requirements vary from one state to the next, every state requires car owners to have auto liability coverage.    A handful of states, including Kentucky are No-Fault states.  As a No-Fault auto insurance state, auto owners in Kentucky must approach risk management differently than many of their neighbors.  To start, Kentuckians must deal with Personal Injury Protection or PIP.  Click here for more information on Kentucky’s No-Fault Insurance Program.

Kentucky Minimum Auto Liability Insurance Limits (Required Coverage)

Like other states, Kentucky has mandatory minimum auto liability limits, with minimum limits for Bodily Injury and Property Damage.  In 2018 Kentucky raised the requirement for auto liability insurance.  Additional information can be found at:

kentucky-car-insurance-state-auto-insurance-requirements/

Kentucky Base Car Insurance Coverage

Base auto insurance is composed of the mandatory liability coverages above and the following three optional coverages.

•    Collision:            The result of a vehicle colliding with a car or other object

•    Comprehensive:        Other than collision

•    Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist: pay for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance or has insufficient insurance limits.

For additional information related to Kentucky required and base auto coverage.

Optional Kentucky Car Insurance Coverage

Some of the coverages below may be beneficial to you.  Others may eliminate significant gaps in your current insurance policy.  This list intends to generate discussions.  These coverages vary among insurance companies.  Make sure to understand the coverages and limits

•    Road Side Assistance

•    Rental Car

•    Rental Car Gap Coverage:       

•    Additional Expense

•    Loan Gap/ Lease Gap

•    New Car Replacement

•    Reduction in Value

•    Identity Theft

•    Re-Keying

•    Cell Phone Coverage:           

•    Non-Owned Trailers

•    Trip Interruption Coverage

•     …and more

TruePoint Auto Insurance Insights

Your insurance company, Mother Nature, and you; each have an impact on your insurance premium.   But before you can have an impact on your car insurance premium, it’s vital that you understand the factors you need to address.

Stop leaving money on the table

Insurance companies are perpetually reconsidering the nature of every risk that they insure.   Accounts flagged as high risk will experience more rapid premium increases and in some cases, may be non-renewed. 

Clients deemed conservative or lower risk experience the opposite as insurance companies make every effort to retain that business.  If you seriously want to stop leaving money on the table, then this is important to you.  The first step is to understand the characteristics of a low-risk account, then mimic them. 

Factors that influence auto insurance premiums

Life Happens, and when it does it can Impact Auto Premiums

•    Age:        Younger and older drivers pay more for car insurance

•    Household:     More drivers in the home can lower rates

•    Location:    State, city, zip.  Each impact premiums

•    Education:    Education is a factor in some states (Prohibited Practice in Kentucky)

•    Financial:    Insurance Score, which includes Credit Score, is a significant component

•    Vehicle:        The type of vehicle, sports cars may lead to a higher premium, vehicles with a high GVW will!

•    Tickets:        DUI’s & Reckless Driving create substantial problems, but minor violations add up

•    Accidents    Impact varies due to cause, severity, past driving record, and other factors 

#Your Actions Matter    Protect everyone in your home, and save money on your auto insurance

•    For insurance companies, Conservative is King!  Avoid anything that appears radical or aggressive.  Think Mr. Rogers.  Gen X, think Barney.

•    Check tire pressure, tread and sidewalls regularly

•    Confirm that headlights work on both dim and bright

•    Regularly check taillights, brake lights and turn signals

•    Encourage drivers education and safety for all household members

•    Zero Tolerance for Distracted Driving

Stop leaving money on the table    Take advantage of discounts offered by Insurance Companies

•    There are several ways to reduce the cost of auto insurance.  Program availability and savings vary based on Insurer.

•    Some of the most significant discounts are available to those that can qualify for any of the following: Safe Driver, Multi-Policy, Continuous Insurance, and Good Payer discounts

•    Don’t worry if you didn’t qualify for any of the previous programs. There are still a lot of ways to save.  Savings associated with this group range from the high single digits to low double digits.    Early Quote, Multi-Car, Driver Training, Good Student, and Paid in Full Discounts

•    New Car, Home Ownership, Student at School, and Hybrid Vehicle Discounts:

These are a few of the more commonly offered discounts

What is Comprehensive Insurance?

Deer, Hail, Vandalism and all other than collision claims can be covered with comprehensive coverage added to your KY car Policy.
Comp Claim

There are two coverages that protect your vehicle if it is damaged.  Collison coverage covers accidents that occur when your vehicle collides with another vehicle or object such as a fence, mailbox or tree.   Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle when the damages result from other than collision. Comprehensive coverage may be referred to as other than collision coverage.

Examples of Comprehensive Coverage

If your auto insurance has comprehensive insurance then you will be protected in the event your car is stolen or vandalized.  Comprehensive or Comp coverage will also protect you from Mother Nature.  Damages caused by wind or hail storms are covered by Comp.  The coverage will also protect you from fire, flood and wildlife, such as deer.     


Comprehensive is not a standard feature

While not included with a standard car insurance policy, the coverage can be included.  While many drivers choose to include this coverage, adding it should be a decision for the insured.  We advise clients to consider the cost of the coverage relative to the value of the car before decided to add or waive the option.

Louisville, Kentucky…..Instant Online Insurance Quotes

Louisville, Kentucky home to the fastest two minutes in sports

Louisville, Kentucky is known around the globe for being home to the fastest two minutes in sports. Similarly, TruePoint Insurance in Kentucky is known for rapid real-time, online, insurance quotes.

TruePoint, home of the most enjoyable five minutes in insurance

We often find ourselves boasting that our real-time online quotes are the most enjoyable five minutes in insurance.  While this may sound like hype, we can support our claim.  Typically online quotes are anything but online quotes.  If you don’t believe me, go ahead and give it a try.  Take the next 10 to 15 minutes of your life and complete the online form.  When you have reached the final page, what do you see?  Or should I ask, what don’t you see?  Probably not a quote.

What makes our quotes different? 
Online insurance quotes in real-time
Insurance Quotes:
Online and in Real-Time

You have set your self up for 4, 8, maybe even 12 calls over the coming days.  Insurance agents all hoping to give you what the original ad promised; an insurance quote. Why did you go online for your insurance quote? 

  • Convenience, the promise of information at a time that fits into your busy day. 
  • Insurance Agents, If you have ever tried to buy insurance, you get this one.

Odds are, you were trying to avoid talking with an insurance agent.  You are going to get pretty frustrated.  Now, instead of one insurance agent, there will be a dozen. 

TruePoint online quotes recognize your needs and time constraints.  When you finish our online form you will have a quote for your car insurance, home insurance or maybe a quote.  More importantly, we’ve made the agent disappear. 

Ok, so the thing about the agent disappearing is our Hype!  But the truth is, the ball is in your hands.  To issue a policy you will need to talk with an agent.  

What horse won finished first in the 2019 Kentucky Derby?

Ok, maybe we are not as well known as the derby,  but we give you real-time home and auto insurance quotes without a Racing Steward.  That doesn’t make us the best insurance agency for everyone, but with our customer-focused approach, the number two agent isn’t going to beat us.  

While others are spending their time trying to make insurance interesting, we are making every effort to simplify the process by putting information at your fingertips.  Instead of trying to make insurance exciting, our client portal places all your important insurance information in one convenient location giving you more time for things that are a little more exciting than insurance.

While some might disagree, we know that insurance is ready for  Prime-Time and our clients can attest to that.  While others are taking time away from their work or otherwise busy schedule, our clients are interacting with us through our online client portal.  While others are watching Dancing with the Stars, our clients are online adding their new car to their insurance policy.

It’s that simple.  Our client-focused approach is how we Justify asking you for your business.

Motorcycle Safety Starts With Motorcycle Insurance

Fisherville, KY is known for its beautiful weather. Whether you’re visiting or living in the area, you are sure to enjoy any of the four seasons. During the warmer weather, there’s nothing better than exploring Fisherville by taking a motorcycle ride. Regardless of the time of year that you’re riding, though, it’s pertinent to be as safe as possible. TruePoint Insurance is here to keep you as safe as possible when riding your motorcycle, which is why we’d like to share a few safety tips with you. 

Always look both ways

Motorcycle drivers and riders have to be extra careful when coming to intersections. Even when all other drivers on the ride are being safe, it’s still quite easy not to see a motorcycle. This is why you as the motorcycle driver should take extra precaution when going through an intersection. Even if you have people behind you waiting to turn or go through, make sure to take an extra second or two to look both ways several times before you go through the intersection. 

Get motorcycle insurance

Motorcycle safety also includes having proper insurance. To hold insurance on your motorcycle, you will need to provide proof that you have a legit motorcycle driver’s license or permit. It’s during your training to get a motorcycle driver’s license that you will learn the ins and outs of motorcycle safety. 

If you would like to learn more about the many ways you get to stay safe on a motorcycle, make sure to contact TruePoint Insurance serving the Fisherville, KY area. Our agents are ready to keep you safe while meeting all of your motorcycle insurance needs. 

 

No-Fault Insurance

Insurance term, definition, deductible, insurance deductibe, what is a deductible,

How auto accidents are resolved vary by State

State auto insurance systems fall into one of two general approaches.  The majority (38 states) operate under Tort laws.  Tort law enables wronged parties the ability to seek compensation from the people or parties responsible.  

The remaining 12 states use an approach that is referred to as the No-Fault insurance system.  No-Fault does not mean that no one is at fault.  Providing additional insights into the no-fault system is more of a challenge.  In its purest form, no-fault insurance means that regardless of fault, each party or their insurance company are responsible for the loss.  A more accurate representation is that each party is required to cover their own losses up to a threshold.  The system was initially adopted by 22 states under the premise of reducing litigation cost and ultimately the over cost to consumers.

Kentucky operates under a no-fault insurance system.  The Kentucky no-fault process is sometimes referred to as a choice no-fault insurance system. Kentucky no-fault system applies to both personal vehicles as well as business vehicles written on a commercial insurance policy.    

Before the wind blows; protect your home and auto from severe weather.

The first signs of spring

Spring is knocking at the door and with it the rising risk of insurance claims. The number and severity of storms in Kentucky have grown at an alarming rate. The average number of tornadoes in Kentucky over the last five years is 28.7. The annual average going back to 1950 at 14.6 tornadoes per year is roughly one half of the current experience.

Is Kentucky part of Tornado Alley?

Kentucky’s weather is so out of hand.  Some have even suggested that we are now part of the infamous Tornado Alley. A 2018 report by LEX18 News said just that.

In 2018 Kentucky was hit by 604 wind and hail storms. Of these, 41 were tornadoes. That is up 43% from the previous five years and an even more alarming 181% from the period 1950 through 2018.

US Government HARP project is commonly considered to be experimenting with weather control
US Government HARP project is commonly considered to be experimenting with weather control

While we cannot change the weather, we can reduce Kentucky home and auto owner’s exposure to it. Insurance is not a commodity. There are some that would like for you to think it is. Good insurance agents recognize the importance of providing clients with the proper protection. That includes responding to ever changing risks.

Storm Alert: Auto insurance awareness

Hail damaged car

Protecting your car from damages related to storms is simple. Make sure you have comprehensive coverage checked. It provides coverage for vehicles damaged by wind, hail or falling objects.

Every auto on the road must have liability insurance. But the wheels of many high-value and antique cars may never touch the road. Do these vehicles need liability insurance? Maybe not, and they may not need collision coverage either. Let’s stop and think about the next move. Removing comprehensive coverage may not be the smartest move. When insurance is dropped on cars that are not driven, owners are still exposed to Mother Nature. Fire, wind, hail and other risk can still damage the vehicle even when it’s garaged. These risks are compounded during the spring.

Comprehensive coverage is relatively inexpensive. Relative to the potential loss, this coverage can be very cost effective.

Storm Alert: Home insurance Awareness

Each client’s unique needs determine the coverages required. However, there are several considerations that may have severe impact on anyone.

While tornadoes take center stage, it’s the hail storms that lead the way when it comes to losses. While this statement may seem insignificant it has major ramifications on insurance. Total loss or partial loss. Tornado versus hail storm. A good insurance policy needs to work well regardless.


 What types of losses will your policy cover? This is critical. If it is available to you, a special peril or all-risk policy is what you want. As opposed to a basic form or broad form, the special option provides superior protection.

You will have the option for Replacement Cost coverage or Actual Cash Value (ACV). All other things being equal, you will receive a higher payment if your policy pays Replacement cost.

Deductibles may seem a bit dull when compared to other areas. You choose $500 or $1,000, big deal.

Not so fast!

Many insurance companies have been forced to alter risk sharing practices. Beware, as some are no longer asking for a set dollar deductible. Instead, you may find that your policy has a deductible that is 1 or 2%. At first blush, it sounds like a pretty good deal for the home team. Again, beware! This 1 or 2% of the total and it’s not the total value of the loss. Your deductible is based on the total value of your home. For example:

A homeowner has wind damaged roof

§ Estimates for the repair work come in at $1,500

§ The home is valued at $600,000

§ There is a 2% wind/hail deductible

The $1,500 loss will be shared by:

§ The homeowner paying $1,200

§ And the insurance company $300

 Spring storms bring more than just wind and hail. Heavy rains can lead to various forms of water damage. Be sure to discuss flood insurance and water backup coverage with your insurance broker. Neither of these will be covered by a standard homeowner’s policy.

Spring! It’s a wonderful season and our springs in Kentucky are certainly hard to beat. I think about how much I loved spring as a child. It was by far my favorite season.

As an adult the grandeur has diminished. How wonderful it would be to experience spring through the eyes of child again.

What is keeping me from doing it? 

Could it be as simple as the aided stresses of being an adult?

If so, then we should all take the time to review our insurance coverages before the wind starts to blow. This should go a long way in reducing stress.

Take care of the insurance and you’re half way home. Of course the other biggie is your income taxes and there you’re on your own. Have fun!

Call (502) 410-5089 or use the link below to learn more about TruePoint: TruePoint Insurance, we are insuringky.com

Insurance

Who’s in the driver’s seat? (part 2 of 2)

TruePoint Insurance at Christmas

The Critic’s View

Those opposed to the autonomous car can defend their position by using safety statistics alone.   While self-driving autos may be the thing of the future, the future certainly isn’t now.

Proponents may also have a flawed economic model.  While they argue that eliminating the driver will reduce the cost so dramatically that car ownership will soon be a thing of the past.  Taxi stands will soon be on every corner.

But do we currently have enough taxis, Uber, etc. to meet he need?  How many more will be neededto meet the twice-daily rush hour demand across America? 

Absolutely no way!  In 2012 there were 234,000 taxis in America.  That may be enough to address the required cars in Louisville, Kentucky during rush hour. 

Assume we do develop taxi fleets across the US that will satisfy our needs.  128 Million people in the US  commute to work by car.  Does that means we need to add 127 Million vehicles added to our taxi services?  Sure ride sharing will cut that number significantly, but you are still looking for 60 to 80 million new cars. The vast majority of those will be used only three or four hours a day.  Unused vehicles taking up space in garages and will still be subject to numerous fixed costs.  Costs that will quickly eliminate the 70% saving, and may likely lead to a higher price than today’s model.  What the proponents are missing is that the actual driver cost isn’t 70% of the current transportation cost.  That is unless someone is paying you to set in rush hour traffic!

Besides the safety and cost issues, several more problems need to be addressed.  Of greatest concern our Issues that will significantly impact the safety of driverless vehicles as they age, a broader understanding of the risks associated with computer drivers, and who should we point the finger at when things do go wrong.  Below are just a few examples ssues that concern me:

  • •    Proponents argue that humans are more apt to err.  Lots of stuff including catching the virus of the month can lower our capacity to drive.  Oops, computers get viruses too. 
  •      o         What happens whenthe computer is operating correctly?
  •      o         Could a nation ofdriver-less vehicles be immune to a cyber-attack? 
  • •    Time in when the shop.  My current car has an alert that stays on each winter.  It is related to the car’s ability to burn fuel with a higher alcohol level.  I know that it isn’t hurting anything and when I get it fixed, it is likely to re-occur.  So I wait until spring and it always takes care of itself.  My wife’s last car had a low tire level light that went on and off regularly.  It was caused because a magnet flew off.  I could have spent $85 and crossed my fingers that it wouldn’t happen again or I could visually check my tires if need. 

Will computers use the same logic that I do?  Or will I walk out to the garage one morning to find that my driverless car drove itself to the garage?

  • •    If you don’t see this one coming, then shame on you.  My car is in line waiting for well over an hour to get it’s required quarterly safety and maintenance checkup at the DMV. You think it drove itself there? Of course, it did, but not without you there to pay for your licensing and renewal.  Yes, that will eventually become part of the computer’s program, but what happens if your car fails the inspection.  If you don’t want to pay an outrageous towing bill, then you better be there to drive the car home or to the nearest Computer Diagnostics and Reprogramming Garage.
  • •    I ’ve, and I am going to be late for the most critical meeting ever.  Will the driverless car let me speed?  Better yet, we are out in the country for a Sunday afternoon drive when my wife goes into labor.  How fast will the car go?
  • •    Car insurance.  Who will pay for auto insurance on an autonomous vehicle?  The manufacturer?  That’s what everyone around me seems to think.  But I almost certain they will be wrong.  Sure the manufacturer should be on the hook for flawed programming.  But I will be shocked if the will accept exposure for your lack of maintenance or a slew of other things that you may do or not do that results in an accident. Will there be multiple policies in place to provide auto liability protection.  That certainly doesn’t sound efficient to me.  And that leads to another issue…..
  • •    Data. Do you think the government will mandate that manufacturers provide data storage for your vehicle?  You bet they will, and I am guessing it will be extreme overkill and wind up looking something akin to an airplanes black box. 
  •      o    Data on everywhere you go and when. 
  •      o    But the real issue is whose data is it.  Is it yours’, the manufacturer’s, your car insurance company’s, the police, government, Homeland Security……….
  • •    What will happen if you’re driving done the interstate and solar flares begin to impact your computer and those driving all the other cars that are on the highway?
  • •    Cable or Dish…..dish users know that trying to watch TV during a heavy rainstorm is a waste of time.  How does the driverless car respond to weather, or construction zones, police officers waiving you around blocked roads, flash floods, and so many more obstacles and hazards that are associated with driving?  Maybe these factors have been already accounted for, but these are a few the questions that I will need to have answered before my first ride with HAL. 

When will driver-less cars be available to the masses?

I don’t know the answer to that question.  If it were up to me I would not subject citizens to any unwarranted risk.  Why should we be forced to share the road with autonomous automobiles until they are safer than the average human driver?  

People are dying every day that could be given access to drugs not yet approved by the FDA.  In many cases, these nonapproved drugs represent the only real hope some have.

Why is our government blocking access to the only hope that these desperate people might have?  I don’t know!  But I am sure of this!  If our government continues refusing dying Americans access to hope, then they damn well better be keeping experimental cars that have a record for higher fatalities, off the roads that my kids are driving.

https://www.insuringky.com/blog/whos-in-the-drivers-seat-part-1-of-2/

Insurance