Insurance is the ugly sister.



Insurance is the most conservative of the City industries and one of the strangest. Nobody boasts about it yet it is the most flamboyant and colourful in its ceremony. 

If you love silly hats and parades it may be for you- but if you are a customer I would advise you to avoid it when possible.

• The marketing and regulatory costs of insurance are often greater than the cost of the cover. In addition, the government takes its cut (7.5%) in the form of insurance premium tax.
• Multiple levels of regulation add more costs and yet the industry is beset with scandal.
• In a perfect market insurance would become a commodity bought only on price. This has happened in the home electricity market where the better informed customer no longer cares where his power comes from provided it is cheap. It will happen one day in insurance too- but the industry has been successful in resisting it so far.
• Mature industries tend to accumulate layers of cost over time. One UK example is the Worshipful Company of Insurers who are one of the livery companies of the City. This is a trade association cum medieval guild that does much of the government of the City. These people spend their evenings feasting and holding banquets and their days doing good works while wearing silly hats. All harmless, worthy stuff, but is it really what you thought you were buying with your premiums?
• So.. what is the alternative? I have a small stock of premium bonds. These are government bonds that pay a small amount of money tax free in the form of cash prizes. They are not a great way to get rich quickly but they are safe and they are simple. Any prize money can be paid into a bank account without us doing anything and even if we win the top prize (one million pounds) there is no need to bother the taxman about it.
• It is also fairly quick and easy to get ones money back if needed.

Do not buy insurance. Work in the industry instead.