Gun liability insurance: the work-around

[Robb]

I was kicking this around in another thread; let's see if we can flesh it out a bit.

My suggestion is that since liability insurers won't cover intentional acts (e.g. they won't insure you against shooting someone on purpose), the workaround would be to require gun owners to contribute -- on a per-weapon basis, perhaps, or means-tested, or some other sliding scale -- to a fund that covers the victims of gun violence. Essentially, since gun owners can't insure themselves, they're insuring everyone else.

Thoughts? Problems?

[DanTex]

1. Sort of like a gun tax that directly funds the costs of victims of gun violence.

I would agree with this. The people who make use of and benefit from guns should cover the cost to society of gun violence.

[samsingh]

2. i think that's a good idea

[defacto7]

3. I like the idea,

but it would still only apply to people who are registered, which is fine. If it was at the point of sale it would be better and maybe a deterrent to some buyers, but it could also deter some to buy legit making them them buy black market. But such an "insurance" still would only cover those guns bought legitimately and those guns already in "service" would only be covered if the owner offered to do it.

I am not dissing it, I am just pointing out the holes that would still exist... I'm all for it though whether or not it would work in that it ultimately points out that Americans won't stand for irresponsibility that could cause injury and death. It's a reasonable act to take a stand.

[rdharma]

4. How about an "excise tax" exacted upon transfer of ownership? nt

[slackmaster]

5. Maybe all men should be required to pay into a pool to provide assistance to rape victims

...on a per-weapon basis, perhaps, or means-tested, or some other sliding scale...

To really make it fair, we could charge based on the likelihood that a person will commit a crime. Kind of like insurance companies charge premiums based on age, gender, Zip code, etc.

[Robb]

6. I don't think you'd like that, since we're talking about gun crime specifically.

To really make it fair, we could charge based on the likelihood that a person will commit a crime.

Turns out gun owners are exponentially more likely to commit crimes with guns than people without them.

[slackmaster]

8. I thought the topic of the thread was charging gun owners some kind of fee that would not be charged

...to people who don't own guns.

Based on my demographics I am very unlikely to ever commit a crime with a gun, just as I am unlikely to either cause or become the victim of a car crash. I shouldn't have to pay as much as someone in a higher risk group. That's how insurance premiums are determined.

[Robb]

9. What demographic information about you makes you so unlikely to ever commit a crime with a gun?

[slackmaster]

10. Everything about my demographics, with the exception of my gender and marital status

Although my maleness and unmarried state are more than offset by my age. People like me only rarely commit violent crimes.

Also, my lack of a criminal record.

[Hoyt]

7. Good idea, we will just tack a little extra onto the "gun tax" for that. How's that?

[guninsuranceblog]

11. Insurance can cover intentional acts

The insurance trade groups are being misleading when they say that liability insurers won't cover intentional acts. NRA insurance and current homeowners insurance doesn't (except NRA self defense coverage in certain cases). Many other kinds of insurance do cover intentional acts if the payout isn't to the bad actor. For example, homeowners fire insurance pays off your mortgage while you rot in jail for arson. But, you owe it back to the insurer if you have anything left, they'll sue for sure. Run your car into someone on purpose in Mass and they can collect from your insurance but not in Texas. Etc. It's very important to have gun insurance that is designed to protect victims.

[slackmaster]

14. Yes, it can cover intentional acts but not unlawful ones.

[Progressive dog]

12. See response 11) which points out that liability for intentional acts aqctually can be insured

So require a gun liability policy for all guns. Then, just like autos, if you are caught with an uninsured gun, you will be subject to heavy fines and gun confiscation.
The liability policy could also be required to pay a fee to a victims fund for every gun that is reported as lost or stolen.

[lastlib]

13. "This proof of insurance card is to be carried in the chamber of your firearm at all times".....

I like it!