Richard Moore's Straight Talk Columns

Rest insured, as long as you can afford it

19/4/2011

NOW I am so looking forward to this ... the Insurance Council says that in light of the Christchurch earthquakes and the devastating Japanese tsunami, we can all look forward to paying more for our insurance.

What an outrage.

I already pay more than $520 a month in insurances and I'm less than blinking thrilled with the idea of these companies charging me an extra 20 per cent to take my money with very little coming back the other way.

Oh, I've claimed for a broken camera and a busted single lens reflex zoom in the past six years but, at around $1000, that pales when compared with the $37,000 I've paid in premiums.

I'm sure there are tens of thousands of customers out there who are the same as me. Paying out lots, claiming very little.

Insurance companies have been raking in these premiums for decades so where have their profits gone? They seem very like the oil companies, which are very quick to jump on a war or civil strife to up the price of petroleum, but exceptionally slow at reducing the costs when peace is stumbled upon.

Now after the Christchurch disaster the insurance mobs are wanting to grab more out of our ever-shrinking wallets.

They need to be really careful they do not get their customers so fed up that we start cutting out insurances like too many people are already doing.

At the moment an estimated 5 per cent of homes are uninsured.

In my opinion, in the event of a disaster the uninsured should get nothing. No payouts at all.

And as for the Government bailing out the insurance company AMI - I say a big fat ``no''.

AMI, which needs a $1 billion bailout and is looking for government (read our) money, grabbed 35 per cent of the insurance market with cheap rates.

I'm so fed up with John Key, Bill English and Co being free with my money, when I pay my bills, insure myself, and make sure I am not a financial drag on anyone else.

But then that's the way of the world, nowadays, isn't it?

Be financially irresponsible, take extreme chances and don't worry about it - because some other sucker will bail you out.

********

HAVING been bothered for weeks by annoying types from India trying to deprive me of money in my bank, I seem to have come up with the answer.

The other night a charming snake from Mumbai called and told me my computer system had problems and they could fix it. The conversation went something like this.

Mumbai Snake: ``You have a problem on your computer with Internet Explorer but we can fix your system, it will not be difficult.''

Papamoa Dopey: ``I've got a what? A problem? Oh no, I don't know much about computers ... "

Helpful Mumbai Snake: ``Do not be worrying yourself, we can help.''

Papamoa Dopey: ``Could you? That would be fantastic I haven't been on the internet much and don't know what I'm doing.''

Happy Little Mumbai Snake: ``We will take care of it.''

Papamoa Dopey: ``How much will it cost? Is it a virus? I thought I had virus protection. Will it take long? I really need your help.''

Slightly Suspicious Mumbai Snake: ``(Long pause) Are you joking me, sir?''

Papamoa Dopey: ``No, no, I am now really worried about this and I need your assistance.''

Very Suspicious Mumbai Snake: ``I am thinking you are joking with me, sir.'

Papamoa Dopey: ``No, please stay on the line ...''

Exceptionally Peeved Mumbai Snake: ``I am now putting down the phone, sir. Goodbye.''

Papamoa Dopey: ``Ta ta, Slumdog, I missing you already.''

*******

I ENJOY YouTube and in recent times I have begun reading what people are saying about the tunes and films they have posted on the website.

Searching for the name of a Wet Wet Wet song, Temptation, I came across another hit from the Scots band (and the Trogs) Love Is All Around.

Underneath was a posting from a guy _ UKGezr one month ago _ who said this: ``I just separated from my wife. My fault. This was our song when we met. Just posted it in Facebook. I hope she sees it and can find a little forgiveness.''

Ohhhh, I thought, he's clearly bonked the best friend, is now regretting ruining his poor wife's life and is trying to weasel his way back into her affections.

The next posting was from duggers108 two weeks ago.

It said: ``My husband just separated from me. His fault. This was our song when we met. He just posted it on Facebook. I did see it and now he is a massive ... for rubbing it in.''

Oooops!

richard@richardmoore.com