# Insurance for the cataclysmically stupid **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 28, 2004, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453 "2004-01-28T19:33:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/21 "2004-01-29T07:04:40Z")
**I can’t believe it** :eek: This woman can actually use a fax machine??? Let alone, drive a car? ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/22 "2004-01-29T07:15:48Z")
Well, that explains the car ownership information I got at the hospital today. kidding. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/23 "2004-01-29T07:58:46Z")
Haha, Dante’s customers [sound like mine.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=236105&highlight=sturmhauke) I can at least take comfort in the fact that I’m dealing with rather less money most of the time, and we don’t make a product that people must own by law. Someone remind me again why we work in customer service…? ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/24 "2004-01-29T08:14:13Z")
Excellent rant, though I really should stop being so surprised that there really are people that stupid out there every time I read something like this. Out of curiosity, has Mrs. Sphinctercranium actually managed to fax you the ownership papers, and if so, are they for the right cars rather than some other random vehicle neither she nor her husband ever mentioned before? ---
**Author:** ![bb2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5ac83/32.png) [@bb2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bb2000)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/25 "2004-01-29T12:11:25Z")
Thank you so much Dante - I am in the middle of a truly crappy day and this has really made me smile. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/26 "2004-01-29T14:59:30Z")
Please keep us posted. I wouldn’t be surprised if she sends you the papers for her lawnmower now. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/27 "2004-01-29T15:25:40Z")
For those of you who have expressed an interest in how this all eventually turned out, she did end up sending me the ownerships for the two vehicles. When I say she sent me the ownerships, I mean that she actually mailed me the legal ownerships for the vehicles. [Dave Barry] I swear I am not making this up. [/Dave Barry]. I quickly photocopied them and couriered them back. They have their homeowner’s policy with us as well. I’m thinking of asking for updated appraisals on the jewellery they have scheduled on their policy, just to see if she’ll mail me all her baubles… ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/28 "2004-01-29T15:30:34Z")
This is beautiful. I laughed, I got the _Dune_ reference, I laughed, and, well, I laughed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/29 "2004-01-29T16:47:00Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > I mean that she actually mailed me the legal ownerships for the vehicles. I guessed that was going to happen. If you asked her why it would probably go something like this: **Dante** : Why did you mail them to me? A fax would have been fine, and you need to keep the originals. **Mrs. S** : We don’t have a fax machine. **Dante** : But your husband sent me a fax previously. I have it right here in front of me, it even has your phone number at the top as the number it came from. **Mrs. S** : We never had a fax machine, ever. Are you going to refund the money for the postage? ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/30 "2004-01-29T23:25:26Z")
You _know_ these guys are going to have an accident in a car that they will swear blind they told you about and that you failed to insure, don’t you Dante? There is a school of thought (to which one of my partners belongs) which says: “when you are approached by a client like this, no matter how attractive the profit you will make from them seems, just say no. Make up some bullshit excuse, refer them to your worst enemy and wash your hands.” If only we could all afford to be so sensible. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/31 "2004-01-29T23:39:37Z")
**Dante** , Please forgive me for my previous evil thoughts toward insurance agents. You have redeemed your profession to ignorant clods such as myself. [SIZE=1]and no, I don’t want to buy more insurance[/SIZE} Bubba ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/32 "2004-01-30T03:46:18Z")
OMG- I can’t see for all the tears blinding me. You make insurance (at least the part happening in your brain) sound so much fun! ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/33 "2004-01-30T04:04:23Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > You _know_ these guys are going to have an accident in a car that they will swear blind they told you about and that you failed to insure, don’t you Dante? As long as they signed the application, Dante’s ass is safe. People try to pull shit on you more than you can ever imagine, but I _always_ make sure that I’m covered. Or, did. Ha! No more insurance for me ever! HAHAHAHAHAAAAAA! :looks around: Sorry. It’s just that 13 years of this shit will do it to you. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/34 "2004-01-30T04:10:12Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > When I say she sent me the ownerships, I mean that she actually mailed me the legal ownerships for the vehicles. [Dave Barry] I swear I am not making this up. [/Dave Barry]. I quickly photocopied them and couriered them back. D’oh! No matter how stupid I think people are, someone proves that they are even stupider than I could imagine. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/35 "2004-01-30T04:18:25Z")
O dear Og, that was funny. The funniest damn thing i’ve read in a long time. Thanks Dante, oh, and I’ll forward the bills to you for the replacement of my keyboard onto which the lions share of the earl grey in my mouth flew onto. Bravo, Bravo… …back to my regularly scheduled drudgery. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/36 "2004-01-30T04:46:45Z")
> [@](#): > > **Ginger** said: > That would be what it means. If you buy a new vehicle, you have 30 days to get it insured. In common-law provinces in Canada, this covers the new vehicle to the same limits and coverages as you have on the old vehicle. Newly Acquired, blah blah blah. Is that only in Canada? When I got my car in Pennsylvania, I couldn’t move it off the lot until the dealership had faxed the insurance company the information regarding the car I was purchasing and the insurance company faxed back their intent to insure me. ---
**Author:** ![aphrodisiac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f08c70/32.png) [@aphrodisiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aphrodisiac)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/37 "2004-01-30T05:40:53Z")
He must have had the Sphinctercraniums in mind when he said this: “Think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are stupider than that.” -George Carlin ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/38 "2004-01-30T13:15:40Z")
> [@catsix](#): > > Is that only in Canada? > > When I got my car in Pennsylvania, I couldn’t move it off the lot until the dealership had faxed the insurance company the information regarding the car I was purchasing and the insurance company faxed back their intent to insure me. Don’t know. I don’t have any idea how insurance law works in PA, or anywhere in the US, for that matter. However, that’s the normal standard in Alberta and NWT (where I worked); the 30-day cover is something most people don’t know about, because they take advantage is they do -ie, most younger (higher-risk and therefore more expensive) people would do this to save a few hundred bucks on their insurance. The correct way to do it is have it insured before you drive it away. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/39 "2004-01-30T13:59:10Z")
Dante, great post, what sent me over the top was you italicized commentary. Ever thought of writing sketch humor? I kept picturing those great Bob Newhart stand-up routines where it was always a one-way conversation. Nowadays, I’d almost have to wonder if we’ll hear this call on Crank Yankers soon. If they have life insurance, ask for proof of heirs. Maybe they’ll send a hot daughter? (assuming you’re male) ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2004, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453/40 "2004-01-30T14:35:44Z")
**Duffer** , they do have a hot daughter. I’ve met her. She’s a brain surgeon. Note that I’m not being facetious. She’s an _actual_ brain surgeon. I’ve just ordered “Trepanning for Dummies”… Fortunately, our office does 99% commercial insurance. We only do personal insurance for our commercial clients. Although I do get at _least_ 10 calls a day for people wanting quotes. Most of them with extremely heavy Slavic accents. **BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!** **Dante** : Heavily Put Upon Insurance Brokers, may I help you? **Man From a Country Who’s Name Has No Vowels** : Yes, I haf insurance? **Dante** : Okey dokey. _(Announcements aren’t really required, but that’s nice to hear)_ **MFACWNHNV** : For the car? **Dante** : I see. _(Guess he’s determined to tell me all about it)_ At this point there’s an expectant pause where he expects me to blurt out a premium to him. At least their limited grasp of english means they get right to the point. Those born to this ridiculous language seemed determined to tell me all their woes AFTER I’ve told them we don’t do personal insurance. **Dante** : I’m sorry sir, we only do commercial insurance. **Idiot** : See, 'cuz I had this one accident, but it wasn’t my fault. That guy should have gone through that yellow light so I wouldnta rearended him! **Dante** : Darn the luck. Have a nice day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insurance-for-the-cataclysmically-stupid/226453.md?page=3)