Insurance is a very complex issue.

We in the USA spend a LOT of money on all kinds of insurance in our lives - life, health, auto, homeowners, etc., etc, ... AND YET, we probably understand less about insurance and how it works, how rates are developed, etc. than any other product or commodity we purchase ...

Look at the basic premise - we are paying to protect ourselves against an event we hope will NEVER happen ... When we buy life insurance, we are betting the insurance company that we will DIE - so if we win the bet WE LOSE !!! ...

Rates are based on actuarial tables that show the 'probability' of an event occurring, based on past experience ... it may never happen, but the probability is there ...

"Life is not fair. Insurance is even more unfair." .. sure, until we have a loss that is covered by the insurance company ...

"Unfortunately, the insurance companies have the upper hand--mainly because the state insurance commissions are primarily run by retired insurance company executives and CEOs. They also have a huge lobby at both the state and federal level, which pretty much allows them to do anything they wish."
In reality, one of the most difficult things for an insurance company to do is get a rate increase ... Volumes of material must be presented to a board at the Insurance Department and to independent actuaries selected by the Ins Dept ... very often the rate request is either denied, or reduced, and in either case, the insurance company pays a fee to file for the increase, and pays for the independent actuary, whether an increase is granted or not ...
And, from experience, Insurance Departments are NOT the friend of insurance companies.

"However, insurance companies are in it for the money."
Is there a commercial enterprise that isn't "in it for the money" ... in fact, how many of US would do what we do if we didn't get paid ???

"Age descrimination--you betcha! It exists everywhere." ... yes it does, and sometimes it is very justified ... Do we want people under 16 - 18 (depending on the State) to drive a vehicle on the public roads (I think we should raise the driving age to AT LEAST 18 yrs.) ... Do we want people under 18 to vote? ... do we want people under 21 to drink? ... and do we want people over 90 yrs to drive? - not without a driving test every year, IMHO - ...
Generally, there is more than adequate experience to justify decisions that are made based on age ...

As I said at the opening, insurance is a complex thing... and, yes, there are often stories that make you wonder, and seem 'out of whack' ... but all too often the general public is too quick to rant and rave against a very necessary and important commodity with out knowing the facts on which to make an objective opinion ...
A wise man once told me "The most difficult thing about purchasing insurance is that there is nothing tangible for you to see or feel ... and when you do get to collect on it, you are generally in a mood that WHATEVER you get is not satisfactory" ...

Just my opinion, but one based on "a little" knowledge and experience ...

"And, if you want to kick my old, aging ass off the forum, that's OK too." ...
Not me, I'm not goin' anywhere ...

t.