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insuranceguruyesterday at 10:10 PM1 replyview on HN

that's the fundamental paradox of modern underwriting.

insurance relies on what philosophers call a veil of ignorance. it only works if we're spreading stochastic risk things that might happen to anyone.

once data gives us perfect foresight into a 90% chance of a million-dollar claim, it’s no longer insurance; it’s just a pre-funded bill. at that point, the pool isn't spreading risk, it's just facilitating a direct wealth transfer. the 'good' risks realize they're just subsidizing a known event for others and they flee the pool, which is exactly how the market for things like LTC collapses.

we're basically at a crossroads where better data is actually making 'insurance' as a concept mathematically impossible for certain risks.


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jimjimjimyesterday at 10:26 PM

This might sound crazy, but what if everyone in the country gave extra and as a result everyone in the country was covered?

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