How the Good Doctor Fought Back

His personal war against his auto insurance company.

It comes to all of us. Either through accident, age, or failing eyesight, we have to give up driving. You may consider this action yourself when age catches you up in years.

I met a retired, widowed doctor who gave up driving differently.

The MD received a notice from his insurance company they raised his renewal rates $1000 every six months or $2000 a year. Perplexed, he called them.

“Why the enormous increase? I have a perfect driving record. No accidents. No claims. Low mileage. Only use the car to go shopping and church on Sunday. Please explain”?

It is your age, sir.

“What does my age have anything to do with it?”

You are 90 years old, sir. Our records show that elderly drivers are risky drivers.

“Perhaps, but I have been with you for years. All those years with no accidents. Now you want to throw me out”.

We are not throwing you out, Sir. We just increased your rate.

“What if I just increased my deductible? Then you would have a minor risk or none, and I can keep my license.”

We cannot do that sir, our policy says we cannot raise the deductible if the client is a senior and you, sir, are a senior.

“I comprehend your statement but I would suggest that you bend your policy so I can keep driving”.

We cannot do that

The doctor knew that he was dealing with an employee and not one in charge. “May I speak to your supervisor”.

I am the supervisor, sir.

“Then I am finished. When my current rate expires, please cancel the policy”.

We hate for you to leave, sir.

“No, you don’t. This is deliberate”. The doctor hesitated a moment-resisting the urge to slam the phone down.

That evening, he told a friend,” Driving isn’t fun anymore. When I was a child, my parents, with me in the back seat, would drive out into the countryside along single-lane roads, sometimes dirt roads just to look at the growing crops, the forests of trees, and smell the fresh air.

I would watch my dad while leaning over the back of the front bench seat.

He pushed in the clutch and grabbed the knob of the gearshift, changing gears as we gained speed or went up hills. I would see his arm extend out the window to signal turns. Now, driving is boring.

Everything is automatic. It just becomes transportation. Fast and supposedly safe. My modern car with all its required devices designed to make me safe.

Even smartphones. Designed to take our eyes off the road and cause wrecks.

Cities have gotten into the act with their radar traffic enforcement cameras. They have the device that makes them a fortune in revenue. I think it is time to quit. I will check out my options in the morning”.

I said, “Sounds like you have already made a change”

“I have”.

The next morning he called Uber.

This is Uber.

“Can you set a set weekly schedule for a pickup?”.

Yes, we can.

“Good, I will be in touch”. He then phones the local taxi company and Lyft, asking the same question. Then he compared rates. He also checked the local bus schedule.

He sold his car to a Used Car dealer at a reasonable price.

He said, “I felt good about it. No more car insurance. No more gasoline and oil costs. No maintenance costs. No parking fees. He has three reliable sources of transportation. Plus some extra money to invest”.

With all these transport options, this 90-year-old is content to be a non-driver. This man, through his actions, has a changed and relaxed life.

You might consider this option when your time comes.